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Partner Pilates

Partner Pilates is an innovative way for you and your clients to harmonize those inner and outer connections. While you enjoy the physical benefits of a Pilates workout, you simultaneously develop communication skills and learn about yourself as a partner.

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How Safe Are Pilates Programs?

As more people of all ages and fitness levels practice Pilates, and instruction becomes more diverse, concerns about safety have also become more prevalent. How safe are Pilates programs today? We asked instructors to tell us what they think are the most important safety challenges in the industry.

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Wheelchair Yoga Offered in Hospital Setting

Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago is offering a wheelchair yoga program for hospitalized patients. Psychologist and certified yoga instructor Susan Walsh, PsyD, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, supervises the 1-hour program, which is offered twice a week at the hospital in a conference room. Class includes a series of modified yoga postures, breathing and guided imagery exercises.

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Ask the RD

Question

What are the differences among sea salt, kosher salt and table salt?

Answer

Essential for health in small amounts, salt has become very trendy and—when mixed with messages to reduce sodium—is probably fairly confusing to consumers. So here is the real scoop.

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Muffin Frittatas

Whip up a batch of these creamy, delicious frittatas for easy grab-and-go breakfasts, or eat them as appetizers or a high-quality snack. Prep time is just 10 minutes.

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Health Magazine’s top 10 healthiest fast-food breakfasts

By now it’s clear to most of us that eating breakfast is a valuable start to the day. But some mornings we just can’t pull it all together in time to feed ourselves properly, which makes it tempting to skip breakfast altogether or head to the drive-through for convenience. Fortu­nately, it seems that grabbing healthy, well-balanced fast-food morning calories is not as challenging as it once was.

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Outdoor Fitness: The Permits You Need

On any given day, you can find an outdoor fitness class operating at your local park. While this type of activity may be appealing to you and your clients, it can be challenging to get permission to use outdoor spaces. Many people in charge of venues such as parks require permits. What’s tricky is that outdoor fitness programming doesn’t often fit into the mold of common permits. Outdoor codes for many parks and recreation departments were written a long time ago, when codes applied to teams renting baseball or soccer fields.

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A Career Path for Pilates Instructors

Pilates instructor teaching a class

With 8.6 million participants, Pilates is the fastest-growing exercise activity in the United States, according to a recent report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (Rovell 2010). The 2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report found that 90% of facilities represented in the survey offer Pilates, up from 63% in 2002 (Schroeder 2010). What’s more, many facilities provide both group and private training, as well as fusion formats (e.g., Pilates-yoga). So it’s not surprising that Pilates instructors today have many career options.

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Marvelous Mitochondria!

The mitochondrion (plural: mitochondria) is a specialized organelle found in most eukaryotic cells (cells that contain a nucleus). It is often referred to as a cell’s energy power plant. Essential for human existence, mitochondria are involved in numerous cell processes that rely on energy sustenance—for example, cell growth, cell messaging, aging and replication (Schardt 2008).…

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Maryland Gets Healthy

In February, to increase awareness of the importance of healthful living, the state of Maryland held its Second Annual Healthy Maryland Day. The event, hosted by Governor Martin O’Malley, is an initiative developed by the Coalition for a Healthy Maryland. The Coalition includes businesses, fitness facilities, insurers, nonprofit organizations and individuals interested in improving the…

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May Is Fitness Month

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and the U.S. government has issued a call to get more Americans moving. Do you want to help your local community “celebrate” health and fitness? Here are some suggested activities courtesy of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition:

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Metabolic Syndrome May Contribute to Cognitive Decline

Individuals with metabolic syndrome may now have another concern: memory loss. Older adults who present with symptoms of metabolic syndrome—high blood pressure, excess abdominal fat, low high-density lipoprotein levels and more—appear to be at greater risk for diminished cognition. A recent study, published in Neurology (2011; 76 [6], 518–25), included 7,087 men and women aged 65 and older from three French cities.

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IHRSA’s 2011 Trends for Fitness Facilities

Want to know what programs and offerings are expected to grow this year? Based on information gathered from 10,000 fitness facilities, industry research and consumer wellness behavior, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IRHSA) offers its 2011 list of trends for fitness facilities. Here are some highlights: Cross-Promotion and Niche-Specific Facilities. In order to…

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Human Growth Hormone Use Among Men

Very often, a primary goal of resistance training programs is hypertrophy. To achieve this, many people lift weights and follow a sound nutrition program. However, some seek to fast-track these traditional methods by using more synthetic means. A recent study published in The American Journal on Addictions (2010; 20, 9–13) stated that 1 in 10 experienced male weightlifters, aged 18–40, uses human growth hormone (HGH). The study included 231 men who participated in an anonymous survey; the study’s focus on performance-enhancing drugs was not disclosed to participants.

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Is Resistance Training the Fountain of Youth?

It’s generally understood that in the course of the aging process, the body begins to decay. The hard and soft tissue structures gradually deteriorate, and physical activity capacity becomes limited. According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2011; 25 [1], 1–9), age-related sarcopenia may not have to be a necessary component of the aging process. The study was designed to determine the effects of resistance exercise on serum hormones and molecules in younger and older men.

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Core Strength Unrelated to Performance?

Fitness professionals often integrate core strengthening exercises into client programs for enhanced performance and injury prevention. However, a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2011; 25 [1], 252–61) found no significant correlations between core conditioning, functional movement and performance. The study included 28 “healthy individuals” who performed several tests.

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