Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Our 28th Annual Fitness Wonderland Sale

Mark Your Calendar: Annual Fitness Wonderland Sale is Friday, Dec. 6th, Saturday, Dec. 7th and Sunday, Dec. 8th

  • Lowest Prices of the Year
  • Factory Reps here on Saturday for demos and to answer questions
  • 12 months interest free financing
  • Save up to $1700 on Cybex Arc Trainers
  • Save up to $1000 on treadmills
  • Save up to $1200 on home gyms
  • Great Stocking Stuffers! 
    • Heart rate monitors, 
    • exercise mats, 
    • lifting accessories 
    • and more!
  • Gift Certificates Available
  • Choose from the best lines in the industry - Cybex, Life Fitness, Vision, Inspire and many more!
Fitness Showcase, since 1985! 

Enter to win a Bremshey Explorer Elliptical-a $1200 value-FREE! 

Give the gift of good fitness this holiday season

Monday, November 11, 2013

The 10 minute workout!

Working out sometimes is very tedious especially if it is a long one. Read this post and see that in 10 minutes you can get fit!

http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/fit-tip-10-minute-workouts.html

Thanksgiving wellness tips

This is a neat article from Life Fitness! With all that food coming at us, a few tips to stay healthy would be nice and Life Fitnes has some.

http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/fit-tip-take-the-thanksgiving-fitness-challenge.html

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

A nice tip from Life Fitness

Music Hacks your brain to work harder! This is a neat article from Life Fitness a provider of top quality fitness equipment for Fitness Showcase,

http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/how-music-hacks-your-brain-to-work-harder
You’re on your last lap. Your lungs are burning, and your legs are yelling at you to stop. But then it happens, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero blasts through your headphones and suddenly it’s a whole new ballgame. You don’t feel as exhausted, your legs start moving a little faster, and you finish your run the way you wanted—like a boss. - See more at: http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/how-music-hacks-your-brain-to-work-harder#sthash.w40XK6YE.dpuf
You’re on your last lap. Your lungs are burning, and your legs are yelling at you to stop. But then it happens, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero blasts through your headphones and suddenly it’s a whole new ballgame. You don’t feel as exhausted, your legs start moving a little faster, and you finish your run the way you wanted—like a boss. - See more at: http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/how-music-hacks-your-brain-to-work-harder#sthash.w40XK6YE.dpuf
You’re on your last lap. Your lungs are burning, and your legs are yelling at you to stop. But then it happens, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero blasts through your headphones and suddenly it’s a whole new ballgame. You don’t feel as exhausted, your legs start moving a little faster, and you finish your run the way you wanted—like a boss. - See more at: http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/how-music-hacks-your-brain-to-work-harder#sthash.w40XK6YE.dpuf
You’re on your last lap. Your lungs are burning, and your legs are yelling at you to stop. But then it happens, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero blasts through your headphones and suddenly it’s a whole new ballgame. You don’t feel as exhausted, your legs start moving a little faster, and you finish your run the way you wanted—like a boss. - See more at: http://www.lifefitness.com/blog/posts/how-music-hacks-your-brain-to-work-harder#sthash.w40XK6YE.dpuf

Monday, September 30, 2013

Celebrating our 28th year in business!

In 1985, Fitness Showcase opened its doors in Kansas City, MO. Rick Vemmer, President, has been with the company since its founding and in charge of all company operations. The company has now expanded to have locations in the greater St. Louis area and in Springfield Missouri.This month we celebrate our 28th year in business!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Now celebrating our 28th year in business!

We are celebrating our 28th year in business this September! Visit any of our stores and see the specials we are offering such as the Inspire FT-1 and save $500.00!




Chesterfield, Missouri

60 THF Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63005
Phone: (636) 536-3996
Fax: (636) 536-4034
Email: chesterfield@fitness-showcase.com
view map

Des Peres, Missouri

12008 Manchester Road
Des Peres, MO 63131
Phone: (314) 909-0088
Toll Free: (866) 997-0500
Fax: (314) 909-0868
Email: desperes@fitness-showcase.com
view map

Shiloh, Illinois

3270 Green Mount Crossing Dr.
Shiloh, IL 62269
Phone: (618) 206-2399
Fax: (618) 206-2408
Email: shiloh@fitness-showcase.com
view map

St. Louis Commercial

1127 North Warson Road
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone: (314) 427-5556
Toll Free: (866) 551-0500
Fax: (314) 426-4229
(314) 427-5557
Email: sharp@fitness-showcase.com
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Overland Park, Kansas

7517 W. 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: (913) 766-3590
Toll Free: (800) 467-7016
Fax: (913) 232-7868
Email: vemmer@fitness-showcase.com
view map

Springfield, Missouri

3660 S. Campbell St.
Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: (417) 227-9400
Toll Free: (866) 865-8060
Fax: (417) 227-9968
Email: mcdaniel@fitness-showcase.com
view map

Friday, September 13, 2013

Think Fitness now

The winter is coming and the possibility of being closed inside with no ability to go out and run or exercise is a very real possibility. Did you know that Fitness Showcase has a full assortment of home gyms and other excellent devices to keep those summer habits alive and well!

Home gyms are a very convenient, compact, easy-to-use, and safe way of exercising with weights. Weight training is an extremely effective method of burning fat, toning muscles, building joint strength, and warding off osteoporosis. After the age of 30, bone and muscle mass start a natural decline. These reductions in bone and muscle mass continue as we age, but weight bearing exercise can significantly slow this process. Home gyms allow you to lift specific amounts of weights by pulling or pushing on a bar or handle attached to a system of pulleys. Most home gyms offer the following stations: chest press, shoulder press, leg extension, lying or standing leg curl, triceps extension, triceps pushdown, arm curl, low rowing, lat pull down, pec deck fly, upright rowing, and heel raise. The only way to determine which one is right for you is to try several models out to make sure it is comfortable and works the muscle groups you want to work the most.






How about an Inspire leg press!


Inspire LP1 Leg Press

$795.00

  • Telescoping back pad ensures a full range of motion
  • Orthopedic pads provide superior back support and comfort
  • Diamond pattern on foot plates provide a skid resistant surface
  • Self-leveling foot plates distribute pressure evenly across the legs and feet
These are just two outstanding products form a leader in fitness equipment www.fitness-showcase.com

Monday, August 12, 2013

Our new showroom has the latest in fitness equipment!

Our new showroom has more space and the best in both residential and commercial fitness equipment!  Visit us today!








We have multiple lines of treadmills, ellipticals, free weights and more. Visit us at 7517 W. 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213. Call us for directions or for an appointment to talk to one of our trained representatives.

New location in Kansas City...

Just a reminder that we have opened a new location on the Kansas side at 7517 W. 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213. Visit our new showroom and see all of the new 2013 equipment!



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

New store in Overland Park, Kansas!

Did you know that Fitness Showcase has opened a new store in Overland Park Kansas to better serve the Kansas City market place. A full line of both residential and commercial equipment is on display at our store which is located at 7517 W. 119th Street Overland Park, KS 66213. Call them  for directions and specials at Phone: (913) 766-3590.

We offer these great lines of fitness equipment for you to see!




  • True Fitness Equipment
  • Life Fitness Equipment
  • Inspire Fitness Equipment
  • Vision Fitness Equipment
  • Cybex Fitness Equipment
  • Schwinn Fitness Equipment
  • Powerblock Fitness Equipment
  • Lemond Fitness Equipment
  • Keys Fitness Equipment
  • Water Rower Rowing and Cycling Cross Trainer
  • Magnum Fitness Gym Products

Treadmills

The most popular in-home exercise equipment is by far the treadmill. They are very easy to use, take up minimal space in your home (most also store easily) and if you can walk, you can use a treadmill. They are also one of the easiest ways to burn fat. For those concerned with low bone density, running or walking are good load-bearing exercises that have been shown to increase bone density. There are many types of treadmills: fold-up models, models designed for walkers, heavy-duty designs for runners, even ones that can monitor your heart rate and adjust your workout accordingly! Treadmills are fantastic calorie-burning machines. Fitness Showcase carefully chooses clinically advanced cushioning systems along with the most durable Treadmill brands using our 26 years of experience in the Fitness Equipment industry. Expert ratings seem to agree, as Fitness Professor, Consumer Digest, Runner’s World and many others have given top ratings to brands like Cybex, Life Fitness, and True Fitness…which you can find exclusively at Fitness Showcase.

Friday, July 19, 2013

The True Advantage...PS800

Special for all St. Louis area locations

Beat The Heat with a summer shape up sale!

New, Floor models, Demos, and last year models all on sale!

Sale ends July 31, 2013

"Best Buy Runner UP"
PS800 Treadmill
YOU SAVE $689.00!

 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Special for all St. Louis area locations

Beat The Heat with a summer shape up sale!

New, Floor models, Demos, and last year models all on sale!

Sale ends July 31, 2013

Best Buy True PS100 Treadmill..save $449.00!

  • Offers one of the largest running surfaces in the industry
  • 3 Horse Power DC Motor
  • Wireless Heart Rate Monitoring System
  • 8 preset workout programs and 2 saved
And much more!!!!!!

Great summer special

A great special from Fitness Showcase the Inspire CS-1: List price is $1295 and on sale now for the unbelievable low price of $749! 



Low Step through height offers easy access to seat.

16 Levels of resistance.

Silent Poly V Belt Drive System provides whisper quiet operation.

Friction Free Eddy Current Resistance System means no wearing parts.

Resistance starts at an ultra-easy 20 watts.

Stride Length ranging from 12” to 15” based on foot position.

Simple Back and Forth Reciprocating Leg Movement drives through the hips to reduce knee shear.

Computer Console: Easy to read Liquid Crystal Display.



Summer excersizing tips

From Web MD

Summer is a great time for being active. Even if you live where it gets hot or humid, there are ways you can stay in shape year-round. But make sure to take precautions when you are active outside.
Be safe in the heat
If the temperature is lower than 80 F (27 C), you usually can be active outside without taking extra precautions. It depends on how active you already are and how used to hot weather you are.
But anytime you exercise, it's a good idea to take these normal precautions:
  • Drink plenty of water. This is very important when it's hot out and when you do intense exercise.
  • Don't exercise as hard when it's hot. Take rest breaks. Exercise more slowly than usual or for a shorter time.
  • Stay in the shade when you can.
  • Avoid exercising during the hottest times of the day.
  • Wear light-colored, breathable clothes.
  • Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, such as nausea, dizziness, cramps, and headache. If you notice any signs, stop your activity right away, cool off, and drink fluids.
When the temperature gets above 80 F (27 C), consider the heat and the humidity. Both can put you at risk for heat-related illness. The hotter or more humid it is, the higher your risk. For example, if the humidity is 60% (moderate):
  • Be careful when you exercise in temperatures of 80 F (27 C) to 85 F (29 C). Find shade, take regular breaks, and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Experts advise being extremely careful between about 85 F (29 C) and 91 F (32.8 C).
  • Conditions are considered extremely dangerous at temperatures over 91 F (32.8 C).
When it is more humid, you should be careful at even lower temperatures. Higher humidity can make it feel hotter, since your body cannot cool off as well by sweating. This puts you at a greater risk for illness. For more information, see the website www.nws.noaa.gov and search for "heat index."
Older adults and children are at a higher risk for heat-related illness and should be extra cautious. Remind children to drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after activity.
If you are overweight, have health problems, take medicines, or use alcohol, you may be at a higher risk for heat-related illness. You may also have trouble if you're not used to exercising in warmer weather.
In hot weather, drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after activity. Water or sports drinks are best. This helps to prevent dehydration and heat-related illness. Water is all you need if you are exercising for less than an hour. For longer exercise periods, sports drinks contain carbohydrate and minerals called electrolytes that may help your endurance and keep you from getting muscle cramps.

More tips to come!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Fit Tip: Become a Better Tennis Player

Professional tennis players are some of the best athletes in the world. Tennis involves strength, speed, agility, footwork and endurance to last the match. Getting more court time to practice your strokes is important, but even for recreational players, sports-specific conditioning is the key to improvement.

Strength Training: Strength training increases the power of your shots and minimizes injuries by protecting the joints that are subject to repetitive stress. Try a combination of dumbbells, resistance bands and cable machines. Focus on the whole body – legs, arms, back, shoulders and the core. Try a circuit style workout moving from exercise to exercise. Make sure to incorporate rotational movements and balance exercises.

Plyometrics: Speed and agility training are critical for tennis players to get to the ball faster and recover quickly for the next shot. Plyometric exercises like squat jumps, split lunges and box jumps can help prepare the body for those quick moves. Incorporate side-to-side lateral hops and jumping rope for improved footwork.

Cardio: In tennis, sometimes the only way to win is to outlast your opponent with greater stamina. Build your aerobic base through cardio workouts like a group cycling class or lap swimming. Tennis also involves bursts of intense physical activity followed by short periods of rest. Incorporate interval training, like suicide runs (sprinting between two or more predetermined points), to work on speed and endurance.

Stretching: Stretching after every game will help prevent muscle soreness and reduce the potential for injury.

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Fit Tip: Stretches to Improve Your Golf Game

Many golfers start the season with visions of greatness only to become frustrated when their game plateaus or even gets worse. One of the best ways to prepare before each game is to warm up your muscles and your mind. Done consistently, golf stretching exercises can help your range of motion, your strength and ultimately your handicap.
Dynamic golf stretches are the key to a warm up and involve sports specific movements that start with a small range of motion for the first few reps and increase the range as you go. (Static stretches should only be done after your golf game.) Get to the course a little early and do this pre-game warm-up. It should take no more than 10 minutes and allow time for a few practice swings before you tee off. 
Warm up: Do three to five minutes of brisk walking in the parking lot to get your blood pumping, muscles warming and heart rate up a little. 
Golf squat with shoulder raise: Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Hold a club at each end waist level. Bend your knees into a squat and raise the club up to shoulder level. Raise yourself back up, dropping the club to waist level and repeat 15-20 reps. 
Side bends: Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Place a club on your shoulders. Lean to one side keeping your torso straight and switch to the other side. Complete 15-20 stretches on each side.
Leg swings: Start by standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Keep your upper body straight and swing your leg forward and backward. Repeat 15-20 times and switch to the other leg.
Trunk rotation: Place a club on your shoulders holding at both ends and place feet shoulder width apart. With knees slightly bent, hinge forward from the hips slightly (Just like you do when you swing). Turn from side to side, starting with a controlled twist, aiming to get the ends of the club directly in front of you for the last few turns. Complete 15-20 swings.
Alternating toe touches: Start by standing with your feet spread as far apart as comfortably possible. Lean forward toward one leg and try to touch the foot or ankle with the opposite hand. Alternate and repeat 10 times each side. 
These stretches will warm up all of the muscle groups involved in a fluid smooth swing including the shoulders, back, hamstrings and hips.

Brought to by LifeFitness

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Fit Tip: Focus on Legs

One of the easiest ways to tone your legs is to get up and use them more with consistent walking, jogging or biking routines. These cardio activities will also burn calories and help reduce overall body fat. But if you are looking for lean, strong legs, the prescription is strength training. Rely on variations of good old-fashioned squats, lunges and deadlifts to firm up the muscles in your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. 
Try the following leg exercises to train your muscles and get your legs ready for summer:
Take the Stairs: Choosing the stairs over the elevator is one of the easiest ways to work your legs during the day and you don’t need any extra equipment, just your body weight. Make it even more effective by taking the stairs two at a time. Push yourself up with your glutes and hamstrings to work the back of your legs. 
Squats: Squats are one of the best moves for leg toning and glute firming. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, toes facing forward, abs tight and arms at your sides.  Bend your knees to lower your body into a squat position, going as low as you can but no farther than 90 degrees. Pretend you are sitting back into a chair. Sit back and keep your knees over your toes, keep your chest lifted and spine long. Push through your heels and squeeze your buns to rise back to the starting position.
Deadlifts: There’s no doubt, the dead lift is one of the best exercise to tone the glutes and backside of the legs. Holding a barbell or two dumbbells at your side, keep your arms straight and knees slightly bent. Slowly bend at your hip joint, not your waist, and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back. Keep your spine neutral and abs tight. Squeeze your glutes to pull yourself up.
Stability Ball Leg Curl:  This is a great exercise to target the back of your legs. Grab a stability ball and lie on your back with your knees at a 90 degree angle and ankles on top of the ball. Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the ground. Keep your glutes squeezed tight, hold your hips off the ground and roll the ball toward your glutes and back to perform the rep. If that’s too challenging start with a simple hip lift and work your way toward the leg curl.
Alternating Reverse Lunges: Step back with one leg and bend both knees, lowering your body towards the ground. Align your front knee over the ankle of your front foot and stay on your back toe. Come back up to standing and switch legs. 

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Fit Tip: Focus on Arms

Summer is just around the corner, which means sleeveless tops and days at the beach can’t be far away either. Get toned and strong arms with classic free weight and bodyweight exercises. Use these tips to work your triceps, biceps and shoulders to get the definition you desire.
Front Shoulder Raise: You might as well call this exercise the “tank top toner.” Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding weights down in front of your thighs with your palms facing you. Keeping your elbows slightly bent, raise your arms up in front of you until they are parallel to the floor. Don’t shrug. Keep your shoulders relaxed and don’t raise your arms above shoulder level. Lower back to starting position and repeat.
Lateral Shoulder Raise:  Strong shoulders help enhance the look of defined arms. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold weights at your sides with palms facing each other. Keeping elbows slightly bent, raise arms straight out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor. Like the front shoulder raise, make sure not to go higher than your shoulder level. Lower back to starting position and repeat.
Biceps Curl: Strong biceps are important for both men and women. With your feet hip-to-shoulder width apart and knees bent slightly, hold a weight in each hand with your arms down by your sides, palms facing forward. Bend your elbows to lift the weights toward your shoulders, stopping when they are at chest height and your palms are facing your body. Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat.
Overhead Press: Wave goodbye to underarm flab by strengthening the back of your triceps. Sit or stand with your feet hip-width apart. Clasp one weight with both hands. Extend your arms straight overhead, and keep your elbows close to your ears. Bend your elbows to slowly lower the weight behind you, still keeping your elbows in and close to your ears. Contract your triceps and straighten your elbows to return to the starting position.
Pushups: Stretch out in the plank position. If you are a beginner, start on your knees instead of your toes. Keep your hands under your shoulders and a little wider than shoulder-width. Bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle and lower your body, keeping your abs tight. Keep the spine in a neutral position, not allowing your back to sag.
Triceps Dips: Sit on a bench with your hands next to your thighs. Lift your butt off the seat and move your body so it's slightly in front of the seat. Keep your knees slightly bent. Bend at the elbows and lower your body several inches. Keep your shoulders relaxed and elbows pointed back. Push back up to starting position.

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Fit Tip: Focus on Glutes

Most people wouldn’t mind a firm booty, but the more we sit, the softer our seat gets. To get a gravity-defying butt that’s strong and toned, commit to adding exercises that focus on your backside. 

Squat it out. Squats are often touted as the best workout for your butt (and thighs), and for good reason. Perform squats using your body weight, a pair of dumbbells or a kettlebell. Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, bend both knees and act like you are sitting back in a chair, until your thighs are parallel to the ground.  Keep your chest up, head lifted and abs engaged. Squeezing your glutes, drive through the heels as you return to standing.  Try a few variations like narrow squats, single leg squats or squat jumps.


Lunge, not lounge. Lunges shape the legs and buns and are part of most sports.  Keep your upper body lifted and step forward with one leg in an exaggerated step that is about double an average walking step. Bend both of your knees to 90 degrees if possible until your front thigh is almost parallel to the floor and your back knee is almost touching the floor. Return to the standing position and repeat. Perform an equal number of repetitions with both legs. You can try a few variations like adding weights and doing cross behind lunges or walking lunges.


Do the bridge. Bridges not only firm the glutes, but also work the inner thigh. Start by lying on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place a towel between your knees and squeeze. Rest your arms by the sides of your body with your palms on the floor. Squeeze your legs together and lift your hips up off the floor, engaging your core as well. Lower back down and repeat several times. 


This FitTip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Fit Tip: Create an Online Support Network

Joining an online fitness and health community is a powerful way to share tips and workouts, provide support and stay accountable. One study from the University of Texas even found that active online weight loss community members lost more weight than members who were inactive. 
Get the right support. Do you long to have the support of a community and access to fitness experts like contestants on The Biggest Loser? With an online community you can commit to your goals and share struggles and successes alongside others in your same position. Fitness community sites range from free, forum based communities to monthly subscriptions with access to exercise and nutrition experts and structured programs designed to fit your personal goals. Pick one that fits your personality, goals and budget.
Try Out:
Create a Challenge. Create an online challenge and invite your family, friends or a group of coworkers to join. It’s a private community with people you know where you can share photos, videos and encouraging comments. It’s a great way to set goals, track progress and root each other on. The ability to have a winner can also be extremely motivating. 
Try Out:
Keep learning. There are endless online resources for health and fitness information. In addition to community support, many trusted sites offer the latest research articles, fitness trends and workout videos that will make fitness a lifelong learning experience.
Try Out:
This FitTip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Top 10 Fitness Tweeters to Follow

When it comes to connecting, Twitter is one of the fastest ways to share and receive information. In 140 characters you can connect with friends, experts, celebs and your favorite brands. In the health and fitness world, Twitter is a hot bed of great info and advice, but not all Tweeters are created equal. That's why we've compiled a list (that’s really just scratching the surface) of ten great accounts to follow:
1. @BornFitness - Adam Bornstein is the former editorial director of Livestrong.com and former fitness editor of Men’s Health. He tweets quick fitness advice, tips and articles and encourages his followers to ask questions so he can help them live healthy and strong.
2. @MyTrainerBobBob Harper of The Biggest Loser, is a New York Times best-selling author who will hold you accountable by calling you out on your excuses and procrastination. He tweets the hard truth, encouragement and video workouts you can do at home or at the gym.
3. @ChrisFreytag – Chris Freytag is an author, trainer, health coach and a contributing fitness editor for Prevention magazine. Follow Chris for supportive coaching, healthy recipes, intense workouts and all-around inspiration for life.  
4. @Greatist – With articles and infographics that inform you on everything from proper exercise form to the best proteins to eat, Greatist tweets fitness information that will rapidly increase your knowledge on how to live a healthy life.
5. @AceFitness – At the American Council on Exercise, passionate fitness professionals put together scientific research and pass it along to you. Find out why kettlebells work or why you could have more fitness success when you set specific goals.
6. @MindBodyGreen – Don’t you love it when life just clicks? MindBodyGreen brings it all together in one place—quick healthy tip lists, articles on how to live a positive life, being green and finding happiness. Follow immediately for a pick me up. They make wellness fun.
7. @KellyOlexa – As the founder of #FitFluential, a nationwide network of influential bloggers, vloggers and influencers in the health and wellness space, Kelly is an aggregator of some of the best fitness and health content on the web.
8. @Runtastic – The Austrian app company has great advice for runners and cyclists alike. Follow them for updates on the latest in fitness technology and workout video tips from the Runtastic fitness ambassadors.  
9. @FitBottomedGirl -These ladies keep it real with female-focused fitness and health topics. They discuss food, trends and post product reviews all with a touch of humor. 
10. @TheCoachNicole – Follow this 2012 Personal Trainer to Watch, SparkPeople blogger and home exercise video star for workout videos, technique tips and always-positive motivation.  
And of course, we hope you'll follow us (@LifeFitness) as well for weekly Fit Tips, industry news and the latest in fitness trends.

*11 @FitnessShowcase

Brought to you by: LifeFitness 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Avocado, No Butter

If you’ve been on Pinterest you’ve probably seen some tantalizing pictures of recipes made with impossibly healthy ingredients. Can it be true? Do those recipes taste as good as they look? Our team wanted to find out, so we tested out a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that has NO BUTTER. The secret ingredient: the buttery and delicious super-food, avocado. A big thanks to Natalie over at Deconstructing the Home for the recipe.
I Instagrammed the entire process and as a notoriously horrible baker, I’m proud to say I only made one mistake. While they didn’t look as beautiful as the one’s from Natalie’s blog, they definitely passed the taste test. 
The recipe calls for ½ cup, or roughly one, avocado. I managed to buy a giant one, so I used about 2/3 and saved the rest for a delicious snack the next day. Isn’t she a beauty? 
Using a hand mixer, I mixed the avocado until it was just slightly lumpy and followed that with the sugar. The recipe calls for Splenda as a sugar free option, but I prefer to choose natural ingredients over processed foods any time I can (even if that means a few more calories.)

Next came the egg and vanilla, which I also mixed until smooth.

I mixed up my remaining dry ingredients (baking soda*, whole wheat flour and salt) in a separate bowl and slowly added to my lovely green mush.
*Welcome to my mistake. It turns out I only had baking powder on hand, not baking soda. These ingredients help the cookies rise, so I took to the internet to find out if I could substitute. The general consensus online was to use about twice the amount of baking powder than the recipe called for in baking soda. Two teaspoons it was. My cookies tasted delicious, but you’ll see very soon that they didn’t come out very pretty. Please be smarter than me and check all your ingredients before beginning. 

A good portion of chocolate chips came next to finish off the recipe! Note: The recipe calls for 1 cup chocolate chips, which made the cookies very yummy, but you can definitely get away with less. I would recommend 2/3 cup to cut the calories a bit, but still get chocolaty goodness in every cookie. 

Onto a lightly greased baking sheet and into the oven for 15 minutes. 

The finished product. Like I said, not the prettiest, but they were still a hit at home and at Life Fitness headquarters.
Have you ever used avocado in an unexpected way? Comment and tell us!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Avocado

Ingredients:
½ Cup avocado (approximately one avocado)
¾ Cup Splenda (or your favorite sweetener)
1 Egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or unsweetened to remove all sugar)
½ Cup chopped pecans (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 290 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
2. Remove avocado from skin and place in mixer. Mix on medium until slightly lumpy. Add Splenda and mix on high until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
3. In small bowl mix together baking soda, flour, and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Mix on medium until well combined. Add chocolate chips and pecans and mix till evenly combined.
4. Scoop one tablespoon of dough per cookie and place on cookie sheet one inch apart. If you want flatter cookies you can use the back of a spoon to flatten them out. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Dig in!
Makes 24 cookies!

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Fit Tip: Five Reasons to Hire a Personal Trainer

When we feel sick, we call the doctor, and when we have a leaky pipe, we call the plumber. So when 30 minutes of cardio training and a stop in the weight room doesn’t generate the fitness results we want, why not turn to a professional who can coach us through the rut?      
The American Council on Exercise boasts more than 50,000 certified fitness professionals in the world, making it easier than ever to tap a local trainer to fit your budget. A trainer typically costs between $40 and $90 per hour, and less for small group training. If you’re struggling with the personal trainer debate, we've got five reasons why now may be the time to invest in some exercise support:
1. Accurate evaluation:  Personal trainers evaluate your fitness goals to design a progressive program that will get you where you want to go. This starts with a thorough evaluation of your current fitness level that can be duplicated in the months that follow. Your trainer will make sure you know just how much you’ve improved.
2. Motivation:  Not only do trainers make great exercise buddies, they offer a no-excuses attitude to motivate you to continue working toward your goals.
3. Perfect positioning:  Head neutral, back flat, core tight, shoulders retracted – these are some of the instructions your personal trainer is likely to command. Just don’t take them lightly. Better body positioning on cardio and strength-training equipment will help you maximize each movement and avoid injury.
4. Education:  A personal trainer knows the why behind every squat, curl and crunch you make and how it will get you one step closer to reaching your fitness goals.
5. Follow through:  Your personal trainer is invested in your success, too. When confidence waivers, your trainer will be there to pick you up and keep you going.  
 
Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Fit Tip: Get Fit with Your Phone

Your smartphone isn’t just for Facetime, Foursquare and Facebook. It’s also for fitness. More people are turning to apps to track their fitness, enhance their workouts, find better foods and customize their workout experience. Here are just three ways you can get fit with your phone:

Track what you are eating and how much you are moving with this popular app. If you want to be on the positive side of statistics (the people who lose weight and keep it off) track what you are eating. This app is easy to use and its database makes it easy to find, select and log your meals. Plus, it remembers foods you eat regularly so you can easily select them. Track the type and duration of your workouts and find out approximately how many calories you burned. This free app also features an online community for further support and features. 
If you are incorporating interval training into your bike rides, running, strength training or plyometrics, check out Tabata Pro. You can change the work and rest time and number of cycles to customize your workouts. Use the Tabata Pro App on your iPhone or iPad for only $2.99.  This great timer will make interval training easier when you’re at the gym or on the go.
LFconnect lets exercisers enjoy total control of their workout experience. With an LFconnect account, you can create and personalize your cardio workouts by duration, level, speed and intervals. Easily access your personal settings and select from 17 statistics to see on the equipment display, such as calories, pace, time remaining or heart rate. Select your own heart rate targets or interval levels to meet your goals. Your personal trainer can also schedule various workouts for you and track your progress.

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Friday, April 5, 2013

Fit Tip: Use Technology to Improve Your Health

Technology can get a bad rap, often blamed for the increasingly sedentary lives many people are leading. But your phone, tablet and television don’t have to be a license to sit still. They can actually be used as motivators to get and stay fit. In fact, in a global survey of exercisers, Life Fitness found that exercisers that use technology to support their workouts consider themselves to be more successful at achieving their weight and fitness goals.  Try one of these tech-driven tools to lead a healthier life:
Heart Rate
A heart rate monitor can be a great tool for monitoring workouts. Most cardio machines feature an embedded heart rate monitor that clearly displays how hard the body is working. You can also wear a heart rate monitor for indoor and outdoor workouts. To effectively us it, it’s important to know your maximum heart rate. This is the highest number of times your heart can beat in one minute and offers a key figure in determining training intensities. Using heart rate to create interval training sessions or steady-state workouts, can strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular fitness. 
Wearable Fitness Tech
One of the biggest trends in fitness technology is wearable monitoring devices. They come in the form of bracelets or clips and go beyond classic heart rate monitors. Meant to be worn at all times, these devices can measure movement, calories burned, heart rate, sleep patterns, skin temperature and even blood oxygen levels. Most also sync with mobile apps to help you track these vital statistics over time. Investing in these tools and seeing results over time can be a huge motivator. Some of the most popular wearable fitness devices include the Nike+ Fuel Band, Core 2 from Body Media, Fit Bit Flex and Jawbone UP.
Healthy Eating Apps
With the advent of apps that support meal planning, nutrition tracking and calorie counting, it’s never been easier to eat right. Find tools that fit with your lifestyle to educate yourself about your food and take steps towards a healthier diet. Not sure how healthy that granola bar really is? Apps like Fooducate will analyze the nutritional content of a product and give it an easy-to-read grade of A – F.  Meal tracking has been a long trusted technique for improving eating habits, and it’s even easier today with apps like Lose It!, which features a rich database of foods to help you count calories and even sync with Life Fitness cardio equipment.
Social Accountability
One of the greatest fitness benefits technology can provide comes through social accountability. With just a few clicks you can join an online community like Spark People or LFconnect to connect with others trying to get fit. Apps like Fitocracy and Teemo add a sense of gamification and competition with your friends. You can even take your accountability to the next level with GymPact, which charges you real cash every time you miss a scheduled workout.

This FitTip was brought to by LifeFitness

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Fit Tip: Eat Clean and Train Mean

It should come as no surprise that you need both a healthy diet and an effective workout plan to reach your health and wellness goals.  As the old saying goes, “You can’t out-train a bad diet.” If you want to be healthy inside and out, you have to eat clean and train mean. Some people take this mantra very seriously, but even small lifestyle changes will go a long way. Use these tips to clean up your diet and step up your workouts:

What is eating clean? Eating clean involves not only choosing the right foods to eat but also avoiding junk foods and processed foods whenever possible. Try eating more plant foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also consider choosing grass-fed and free-range meats and poultry, fresh fish, low fat dairy products and raw nuts and seeds.
Shop the perimeter.  At the grocery store, stick to the outer perimeter where you will find fresh fruits and veggies, fish and other lean proteins. Avoid processed foods, boxed food and packages that are full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Opt for foods closest to their natural state as possible and with the least amount of ingredients. Read nutrition labels and look for ways to reduce your intake of sugar, salt and saturated fat. Swap soda and juice for more water and switch from refined grains (white breads and pasta) to whole wheat.
Get back to cooking. Instead of buying frozen or boxed meals, cook meals from scratch. Clean, whole foods are easy to prepare and you can make extra to take for lunches and use for leftovers. It may take some extra planning upfront, but there are many blogs dedicated to sharing clean, homemade recipes that will fit into your busy schedule. Extra bonus: Avoiding processed foods and cooking from scratch can save you money in the long run.
Mix up your exercise. If you truly want to train mean, don’t keep doing the same old routine. Challenge and surprise your body with a different workout, heavier weights, a new class or an exercise machine you never tried before. Change happens when you push your limits.
Take the intensity up a notch and try some intervals. Are you sweating or just reading a magazine while you drone out riding a machine? Make sure your workouts in and out of the gym make you sweat. Go high intensity for short bursts during your workout to get in some interval training. If you are on the treadmill, try running at your fastest pace for a minute, take it down to recover for a minute and repeat. On the elliptical? Bump up the resistance level to work different muscle groups and increase effort. Track your workouts and make consistent plans to increase intensity and you will see progress.

This fit-tip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Fit Tip: Basic Strength Training Tips

Strength training is a beneficial form of exercise for everybody no matter your age, gender, or fitness background. And no, it’s never too late and you are never too old to get started.
It’s important to know a few fundamental principles of strength training:
  • Resistance: You have to apply an appropriate resistance to build muscle.  The amount of resistance should be above what one is accustomed to in everyday life.  Add this resistance by using weight machines, free weights, cable machines, various weighted tools or even your own bodyweight. 
  • Balance: Make sure to work the entire musculoskeletal system, to avoid postural and strength imbalances and injury. Work several muscle groups at once when possible.   
  • Rest: Rest between sets of exercise for about 60-90 seconds giving your muscles a chance to recover before you attempt the next set.  Also, rest 48 hours between bouts of weight training if you are sore.
Other basics to help you be successful:
Use bodyweight. Sometimes your own bodyweight can be the most effective and most challenging training tool. Add bodyweight training exercises to your workout with planks, push-ups, squats or lunges. Equipment like TRX Supsension Training Straps or the Synrgy360 can provide even more ways to make bodyweight training fun and effective.
Make the muscles do the work. It’s important not to use momentum to lift free weights. You will activate more muscle fibers if you lift and lower weights with purpose through your range of motion. If you cannot lift a weight without swinging it, it is too heavy and you should lower the amount of weight you are lifting. As a beginner, select a weight that allows you to go for 15 repetitions. Around repetition 12, you should be feeling a bit of fatigue.  
Practice good form. Stand tall with your chest lifted and your arms naturally at your side. Don’t hunch over in the shoulders or hold tension in your neck. Hold your abs tight.  The stronger your core, the more effective you will be at lifting weights. Make sure you breathe. Exhale during the hardest part of the exercise to fuel the movement.  If you have questions about form, you may consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions.
Pay attention to your body. Never work through intense pain and learn to differentiate between pain and muscle fatigue. Muscle fatigue is a feeling of your muscles being tired but pain makes you want to say “Ouch!” 

This FitTip was brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Fit Tip: Hit the Pool

Water workouts are easy on the joints and beneficial to the entire body and mind. While the buoyancy of water can make you feel light and relaxed, don’t let the calm water fool you. Pool moves can blast calories, increase heart rate and boost muscle strength. Add a pool workout to your routine with these tips:
Try an aerobics class.  Many fitness facilities now have aqua classes in their group fitness schedule.  Circuit classes and boot camps are offered in the pool using tools like Styrofoam dumbbells, noodles, resistance tubing and medicine balls. (Yes, medicine balls float in water.)  Your gym may even have the latest fitness craze, Aqua Zumba, an in-water dance party that offers a more intense, full body workout.   
Getting started. If you are going to create your own workout,  hit your local gym pool or community pool and stand in chest deep water. Get your body warm with easy jogging, then create your own cardio drills alternating with strength exercises.  
  • Cardio drills: Try jogging from one side of the pool to the other in shallow water or tread water in the deep end. Calisthenics like jumping jacks and jump squats will be much easier on your body in the water, but will still increase your heart rate.
  • Strength exercises: If you have a resistance band or any other floatable tools, preform the same exercises in the water that you do on land. The tempo may be slower due to the viscosity of the water.  
Swim Laps.  If you are looking for a break from impact cardio exercise like running and jumping, then add a day or two of swimming laps to your routine.  Swimming is a great cardio workout that will increase your heart rate while yielding no stress to the joints and bones.  
Still need some convincing to hit the pool? The Center for Disease Control says adults should get 150 minutes of heart pumping exercise every week and studies show people can exercise longer in the water than on land, without increased effort or joint or muscle pain. 

This Fit Tip brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Fit Tip: Add a Jump Rope, Try Plyometrics

Plyometric workouts have long been known as one of the most efficient and effective ways to train, because they simultaneously burn calories and build muscle. Plyometrics or “plyos” are a type of exercise that encourages muscle development, power, speed and endurance. It can even build bone mass. Get all of these benefits by adding plyos to your fitness routine with these tips from Life Fitness:
What are plyometrics?
Plyometric exercises use explosive, fast-acting movements to develop muscular power. In other words, they are high-impact movements that involve jumping. 
Why try them?
By implementing plyos into your cardio and strength routines, you’ll help transform fat into lean muscle while increasing your heart rate and burning calories.   
What types of exercises are considered plyometrics?
Plyos include anything that involves jumping. Start with something less complicated like picking up a jump rope, skipping or high knees. Gradually add squat jumps, split lunge jumps or box jumps. Even try good old-fashioned burpees. You’ll see gains in strength and confidence in no time.  
How do you get started if you are new to plyometrics?
  • Make sure you warm up properly.  Use 10 to 15 minutes to get your joints warm, muscles moving and heart pumping. 
  • Start with the basics on a soft surface, such as carpet, a rubber mat or grass.   Check your surroundings to make sure there are no obstacles in the way. 
  • Start at a slower pace, lesser range of motion and fewer repetitions. As you improve, build up to a faster speed, larger movements and more repetitions.
  • If you feel any pain, stop.
  • Take a day or two between sessions for muscle repair and recovery.  Listen to your body at all times. 




Thursday, February 28, 2013

Fit Tip: Couples Who Sweat Together, Stay Together

Valentine’s Day might be in the rear view mirror, but you don’t have to stop planning fun dates with your loved one, like sweating it out together at the gym. Exercising with a special someone is not only a way to partake in some friendly competition, but a way to stay accountable to your training goals.

Lift and spot. Whether at the gym or at home, strength training is an important part of a healthy workout routine and is often more effective when done in pairs. Lifting weights with a loved one should reflect the strengths of your relationship, too, because the best weight lifting partners are trustworthy, accountable and motivating. You can spot each other with the heavy weights, help each other with form and encourage each other to reach your goals.

Set the pace. Go for some interval training, partner style. Whether indoor on treadmills or outdoor on the road, map out the number of intervals, time of each workout and breaks for recovery. Then, cheer each other on. Interval training in pairs is a great way to stay motivated and improve cardiovascular fitness levels.

Stay by each other’s side. Pick a cardio machine, such as the elliptical or treadmill, and work out side by side. But work at your own speed, intensity, desired incline and resistance level, so you can enjoy the company and a workout individualized just for you.

Class it up. Take turns signing each other up for classes to take together. Trying various classes can help push past your comfort zones, work different muscles groups and keep your workout routines interesting. Plus, classes allow for different fitness levels with modifications and the freedom to choose an appropriate intensity level.

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Fit Tip: Elevate Your Mood with Exercise

Did you know that regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, improve sleep and ward off anxiety and feelings of depression? While exercising, the body releases chemicals called endorphins that reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in the body that can make you all smiles. Often referred to as a “runner’s high,” the euphoric feeling can energize you and provide mood-boosting benefits long after a workout has ended.
Go for moderate exercise that you enjoy. To make sure you reap the most mood-boosting benefits, work out regularly instead of sporadically.  If you begin working out with exercises you enjoy, you are less likely to skip your workouts. Try biking, dancing, power walking or jogging on the treadmill to start. More good news: weight training can be as effective as an aerobic exercise in elevating your mood. Aim for two to three days a week of resistance training using machines, cables or dumbbells.  
Raise your mood with health benefits. The endorphin release isn’t the only thing about exercise that will get you smiling. Exercise strengthens the heart, increases energy levels, lowers blood pressure and improves muscle tone and strength. Just glancing in the mirror and seeing results will keep a pep in your step all day.  
Build healthy relationships. People who exercise regularly say they are less stressed, nervous and tense. Sounds like a great group of people to get to know. Joining a gym or group fitness class provides an opportunity to connect with people in a positive, active environment. Take time to build these relationships, in addition to your workout routine, for a happier, healthier life. 

brought to you by LifeFitness

Friday, February 15, 2013

Fit Tip: Fall in Love with your Personal Trainer

You’ve decided to seriously invest in your health and hire a personal trainer.  It’s a great idea to have a dedicated fitness expert in your corner that can give you advice, keep you honest and produce results. Picking a trainer that can help you overcome your physical and emotional obstacles isn’t always easy. Be smart about your investment and take the time to choose your trainer wisely with these tips:
Do the research.  Don’t settle for the first trainer you see when walking through the gym door. Chemistry, education and skill set is important. The trainer you choose should meet your needs in motivational style, training techniques and price.  Referrals can be a good assessment of a trainer and always make sure they are certified by an National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA) accredited organization. 
Make it a two way street. Like any relationship, communication is important so let him or her know your goals and discuss your weaknesses and strengths.  Give your trainer the opportunity to push you and test the limits without pushing you over the edge. Be willing to work hard and follow their advice, but also be open about your lifestyle and schedule so he or she can make realistic recommendations. 
Schedule a review.  After the first month, take time to evaluate your progress.  Are you happy with the environment?  Do you find the trainer’s advice and expertise helpful? Are you dreading every session or do you come ready to take the challenges ahead?  Do you feel comfortable asking your trainer questions about your body and health? Truthfully answer these questions and discuss issues with your trainer before continuing the program.
Take a look in the mirror.  A trainer is there to motivate and teach, but you have to do the work.  Sometimes lack of results or motivation can be due to internal issue that need sorting. Like all good relationships, if you carry too much baggage, it will be hard to sustain. Take a look inside for things holding you back from success before giving up on a trainer.   

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Corrective Exercise and the Fight Against Inactivity

The technology revolution is not the only force impacting the future of fitness. There is another factor contributing to the changing needs of exercisers: evolution.  Our bodies have been changing since the dawn of human kind. The athletic, hunter-gatherer-nomadic lifestyle has given way over time to a more sedentary and unregulated life for most. A life comprised of largely unilateral movements. The effects of our current day-to-day activity (or lack thereof) have shaped the growing fitness trend known as corrective exercise and postural training.
Corrective exercise techniques can be utilized to help relieve pain and some even claim it can reverse improper posture. 
While corrective exercise is an area of training with many different philosophies, the foundation for these techniques is built around four core methods: massage, stretching, muscle strengthening and deep breathing.
Massage is a treatment meant to relax muscles and restore elasticity to the tissues. Posture-specific massage focuses on small knots and tension points that develop in a muscle when it is overloaded or has suffered trauma, causing joint pain, decreased range of motion, and even chronic stiffness. Combined with corrective exercise, massage techniques, such as foam roller, trigger point therapy and deep tissue work, can release adhesions have been shown to improve posture and enhance mobility .
Stretching is used to impart suppleness to our muscles. Advanced stretching techniques, like Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, are often performed with the aid of a corrective exercise specialist. Among the most effective methods for postural stretching, the Mézières method combines numerous muscle groups and promotes better total body posture.
Deep breathing exercises, particularly diaphragmatic breaths, can be incorporated into stretching and massage programs to augment their effectiveness. Expanding and contracting your diaphragm facilitates the simple benefit of stretching your chest muscles and some studies have shown even more comp lex effects like alleviating panic disorders and digestive diseases.
Strengthening your muscles can also help improve your posture, especially when you focus on your core. Use equipment designed to intentionally throw off your balance, like a Bosu ball, to tighten up your core, which will strengthen and lengthen your spine.
These core methods just touch the surface of corrective exercise and there is much debate around what methods are effective. We want to hear from you. What are your experiences with corrective exercise?

Brought to you by LifeFitness

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Fit Tip: Active Date Ideas to Get the Heart Pumping

Thinking of skipping your workout for a hot date tonight? Think again. Step outside of your sedentary dinner-and-a-movie comfort zone and go for an active date instead. Not only is it great for your health, it can be great for your relationships, too. The next time you’re making plans with your significant other, try one of these active date ideas:
Try something new. Choose an activity that is both new and physically challenging to you and your partner; the fun is often in the unknown. For example, try indoor rick climbing, ice-skating, kayaking or snowboarding. You might just discover a new workout you both enjoy. 
Play a game built for two. If you pick an activity designed for pairs, you’ll be up and moving all evening long. Schedule a game of tennis, badminton, squash or even table tennis (it is an Olympic sport). Even a game of pool or darts will get you moving more than posting up at the bar.   
Train together. Sign up for a race together and schedule training walks/runs as you would a date night. Working towards a common goal is a great way to develop a relationship. You can cheer each other on, keep each other motivated and plan for race day together.
Put on your dancing shoes. Dance the night away at a club or concert for a great cardio workout. Better yet, take a ballroom dance or swing class to really step up the heat.
Skip the pay per view. Staying in for a romantic evening at home doesn’t have to equal laziness. Go out for an evening walk or take the dog to the local park. Get off the couch and try an active video game like Wii Kinect or Dance Dance Revolution.

This Fit Tip was brought to you by  LifeFitness