Sleep and fitness go hand-in-hand. When you schedule your workouts, you know that warming up properly and stretching afterward is crucial for you to progress in your fitness. However, what you do outside the gym is just as necessary, such as nutrition, stress levels, and, most importantly, sleep. It is proven that individuals have to sleep to progress in their fitness.
We exercise for our health, to help build muscle and keep our body functioning at its best. Whatever your fitness goal is, sleep is a critical part of how to get there. If you don’t include sleep as a priority, you won’t achieve the fitness goals you’re working towards!
We all know the feeling of waking up tired, sluggish and knowing that you didn’t get your whole night’s sleep. Studies show that it’s essential for us to receive seven to nine hours of deep sleep each night. When this need is not met, we start to see unwanted side effects such as:
Combating the body’s need for sleep with caffeine can also detriment your body’s natural circadian rhythms when consumed too late in the day. There are many different cycles of sleep that we go through, such as REM sleep. REM sleep, also known as Rapid Eye Movement sleep, is one the most critical parts of a good night’s rest- due to the benefits of our bodies processing information and storing memory accurately. So long story short – skipping out on your zzz’s is more detrimental to your physical and mental wellbeing is short-term and long-term standards.
The more rested you are, your mind and body function properly – including your hard-hitting workouts. Having a set sleep schedule helps you stay motivated to stick to your health and wellness goals. Getting enough sleep for your body drives more strength at the gym and enables you to focus and concentrate more easily outside of the gym.
If you aren’t prioritizing your sleep, it is shown that your workouts can seem harder. Although sleep deprivation doesn’t affect your cardiovascular system or muscle strength directly, you will fatigue faster. This makes those intense HIIT Group Fitness classes harder to work out at “max capacity.”
Many factors can interfere with sleep. From stressful events at work to screen time late at night, here are a few tips to meet your seven hours of sleep and stay on track for your fitness schedule!
Now’s your time to redefine your life with FIT. The FIT experience is not only premium amenities, all-star PT training, or unlimited group fitness- it’s a lifestyle to bring all pillars of health together. Our FIT community is here to encourage everyone to be the best version of themselves!
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Breathe in, breathe out. Let the harmonic sounds surround your senses, and your body falls into a deep relaxation state.
Sound can have incredible healing and therapeutic qualities. Sound healing is used in many cultures around the world to treat both physical and mental conditions. At Fit, we offer immersive sound healing classes for our members to experience this unique modality.
Growing in popularity, sound healing is a technique used to alleviate stress-related conditions. Some conditions can include anxiety, depression, abnormal heartbeat, and high blood pressure.
We live in an environment that is impacted by vibration and exposed to unnatural vibrations and “disharmonies” every day. This can be anywhere from the emergency sirens on the street, air conditioners in our homes, construction noises while at work, or cell phones ringing constantly. All of these aspects affect the stress levels of our bodies.
Sound healing is composed of different principles. One of the main ones being that being exposed to harmonious and clear sounds can bring our atoms, molecules, cells, glands, and organs in a ‘new frequency.’ Our bodies all have a natural resonant frequency that can easily be out of tune. This process of replacing disharmonious frequencies with a steady one stimulates the sympathetic vibration into the body, to relieve stress-like conditions.
Societies worldwide have practiced sound healing through healing ceremonies, singing, dancing, and more. Sound healing is done through instruments, like a sound bowl or even a human voice. The sound vibrations help facilitate shifts in the body through rhythm and frequency. The change in the body from ordinary waking consciousness to a relaxed consciousness provided intense stress relief on the body to release and move into a deep state of relaxation.
A recent study found that meditation aided by Tibetan bowls showed to decrease symptoms of stress and anger, with focus on those who were new to the practice. Another study found that those with fibromyalgia showed signs of decreased pain from the low-frequency stimulated by the bowls. Studies are continuing to grow about the benefits of this practice as well.
Although every sound healing class may differ slightly, the goal of relaxation and de-stressing is most common. Many classes begin with a guided breathing exercise. This process allows the body to shift the focus to hearing soothing sounds. For a class such as sound bath and vibrational therapy, participants typically are seated or lying down comfortably. Bowls are placed around the body and head for complete sound immersion.
In addition, some classes are more active, involving Vinyasa Yoga or Tai Chi. Finally, some one-on-one sessions are more focused on certain parts of the body that need help to relax. Sessions for all types of sound healing classes can last anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours.
At Fit, we offer a wide variety of group fitness classes. Experience the benefits of sound healing with our sound healing classes and crystal bowl special events.
Our upcoming Crystal Bowl Sound Immersion class on September 12th at East Village is now available. This sound practice will utilize seven crystal bowls, which are attuned to the seven primary chakras located along the spine. This tradition teaches that the “mind” is not simply contained within the confines of the brain and skull, but the “mind” is contained within the entire physical body. The chakras are energy centers that provide a road map to our holding patterns of predictable and mappable thoughts and feelings and emotions. Stuck energy in the form of negative, painful, or problematic emotions can lead to tension, tightness, and pain patterns throughout the body. This practice is designed to process through and resolve these holding patterns by moving energy. To pay and reserve your spot email rachel@fitathletic.com.
Use the power of your breath and try out this unique opportunity! Stay updated with Fit special events on our Instagram and newsletter.
Swimming is not only a popular sport but a great way to stay active, healthy and have fun! It’s a healthy, low-impact activity that’s beneficial for all ages. An hour of swimming can be just as helpful as running and easier on the bones and joints.
Swimming is an exercise that activates the whole body! As you move through the water, you’re able to build endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular resistance- without stressing the body. This is a great all-around workout also to maintain a healthy weight, heart, and lungs. With almost all of your muscles being activated during swimming, this workout is beneficial for everyone.
By using different types of strokes during your swimming workout, you can focus on other muscle groups. Some basic strokes you can use include:
However, no matter what stroke you choose, the water resistance will still push your body for a full-body workout.
Going for a swim has tremendous physical benefits, but it also has mental and preventative benefits. Scheduling in a few laps can be a great way to unwind and is a great way to find peace and alleviate stress. The resistance against the water trains the body to improve coordination, balance, posture, and flexibility. It’s also a type of exercise that’s low impact, meaning no hard pressure on joints, which can provide great intense impact therapy for injuries. Finally, swimming is accessible in many places! This exercise is a great way to cool down on a hot day, from swimming pools to beaches.
Swimming is an exercise that can be safe for everyone. People who have arthritis, asthma, or other physical injuries can benefit and improve their health. In addition, swimming is a great aerobic workout for women who are pregnant and children. Remember to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise programs with your related condition or are pregnant.
Try your next swimming workout at Fit! All of our locations have premium amenities and water access for you to practice your swimming strokes. With our Little Italy and East Village locations, you can experience an elevated pool with cabanas for lounging in aftward. Fit Solana Beach has beach access for members to share ocean swimming. In addition, Fit Carmel Mountain and Mission Beach include an Olympic-sized swimming pool for swimming exercises, swimming lessons, and pool parties for kids!
Swimming is easy to incorporate into your workout routine at Fit. Sign up for your membership here to experience the benefits of swimmings!
There’s a unique relaxing element to sitting in a sauna to unwind from the day or a workout! A sauna is a heated room between 158 and 212 degrees. This heated room is a great way to release toxins and a type of therapy that has been used for centuries. With over a million saunas in the United States alone, people gravitate towards this therapy for relaxation, cardiovascular health, and overall wellness for many reasons!
Traditionally, people use saunas to unwind, reflect and promote relaxation. The way your body relaxes in the sauna is due to increased heart rate, making the blood vessels dilate, ultimately increasing blood flow to the skin—improving skin circulation overall.
While experiencing the increased heat, your body’s response is to– sweat! Within this, the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active to regulate body temperature. This experience can make you less perceptive to pain and more alert. In addition, the heat physically relaxes the muscles, which creates an elation of relaxation after a long day or intense training session.
Relaxation is one of the most popular benefits of using a sauna. When you relax your body physically, a relaxed mindset will soon follow. A mental relaxation tip could be to try practicing meditation or intentional breathing exercises.
Pain relief is another benefit to why people incorporate saunas into their daily routine. When entering the sauna, pain relief occurs when your blood vessels relax and dilate in a sauna, blood flow increases. This therapeutic process help alleviates tension in the joints and relieves sore muscles. In addition, the blood flow can help ease the pain with arthritis and chronic pain.
Although long-term weight loss stems from burning more calories and increasing exercise– many people find that saunas help with weight loss. Losing weight directly in the sauna is more due to water weight; however, the heat in the sauna boosts metabolism, and essentials burn more calories than sitting stationary at room temperature.
Spending time in the sauna can have skin-clearing benefits. The heat from the room makes skin sweat and opens pores. The water in the air can then help bacteria in the skin wash away. If your skin is sensitive due to hormones or medications, saunas might not be suitable for you.
Having high blood pressure creates strain on the heart and can increase heart attack or stroke. Often, medical professionals will prescribe patients who have high blood pressure to use saunas to improve the function and mobility of blood vessels. However, it’s always important to talk to your doctor for treatments with your medical treatments.
At Fit, we are leading the way for an all-encompassing gym experience for over 13 years. Our gyms include premium amenities such as saunas and steams steam rooms! You can experience the excellent benefits of a sauna at the convenience of your Fit location.
For more information about Fit Athletic and memberships visit our website.
Breathe in, breathe out. Meditation and breathwork are simple practices with great benefits. Both are great to practice mindfulness, as well as promote long-term wellness. Here are the best ways to incorporate these practices into your lifestyle to relay mindfulness every day.
Meditation and breathwork work seamlessly together. Mediation is a technique used for mindfulness, where breathwork helps by calming the body down physically. Together, you can use these elements to elevate your daily wellness routine.
Mediation is commonly known as a set of techniques to raise awareness and attention. Some people think of mediation by thinking about one object in particular to focus the mind. But meditation is much larger than a singular act; it’s about focusing your thoughts on living in the present moment and remaining grounded. Meditation can be used to make revelations of the heart through the mind.
It’s important to note that meditation has been practiced and valued in cultures worldwide for centuries. Many religions have traditions of using meditative exercises. While this is how mediation started- the technique has grown to many different types of practices.
Many people start to meditate by focusing on breathing as their “anchor” and letting the mind wander to let it clear and feel present ultimately. Meditation is more directed to feeling, healing, and manifesting.
Breathwork is the process of incorporating breathing techniques to change your breathing pattern intentionally. People practice breathwork for many different reasons– from improving your emotional state to lowering the body’s stress. In general, meditation breathwork refers to various breathing techniques, exercises, and programs to focus on the awareness of breathing for a certain amount of time.
There are plenty of different types of breathwork exercises ranging from gentle guided practices to trauma-healing exercises. Many people experience breathwork practices in a yoga class or right before bed to clear their minds.
Practicing meditation can have mental and physical benefits. It can provide peace and balance that boosts your overall wellness. Performing meditation throughout the week can help you manage emotional conditions, translating to physical benefits by being less stressed!
Specifically, the emotional benefits of meditation can include:
Meditation is helpful for physical benefits as well, significantly if you are greatly affected by stress. More research is being performed as we learn more about the benefits of meditation; however, recent studies have shown that meditation can help manage the following:
Ways to Practice Meditation Every DayMeditation is a creative practice, with no “right” way to try it. Don’t let this stop you from incorporating this into your daily lifestyle. What matters is that you make it work for you!
At Fit Athletic, we focus on the wellness of the whole body. Each of our locations encompasses premium amenities to help you achieve your goals physically and mentally. Our Group Fitness yoga classes are available for guided meditations at every location, and our new sound bowl healing class available at the East Village location.
For class times, visit our website and Instagram to stay updated on Fit Athletic news.
Fitness is more than the body– it’s the connection between mind, body, and soul. It’s essential to prioritize our mental health, which is why our ‘Your Brain on Fit’ campaign is set to raise awareness and highlight Mental Health Awareness month. We want to take a step towards prioritizing mental health not only this month but into our lifestyles for the long run.
Fit Athletic Club is not only a luxury fitness club, we aim to inspire healthy and inspired living. As we know, this past year faced many challenges. Our lives were transformed in more ways than we expected and mental health was pushed to the forefront. It’s important to prioritize a healthy mind– studies show it drives monumental factors in life including maintaining good relationships, productivity, being physically healthy, coping with stress, and more.
At Fit Athletic Club, we create an inclusive community that prioritizes inspired living and taking time to address mental health.
From preventive stress management to scheduling workouts that you can look forward to, will instantly help you heal and improve your mental health. Try these simple steps to improve your wellbeing throughout the week:
Developing these simple strategies to improve mental health can result in long-lasting wellness. The goal for these tips and campaign is to create small improvements in our life to find long-term balance through wellness.
A large emphasis within the campaign is the importance of setting long-term goals that apply to you. For example, don’t just set a goal to “prioritize working out”, make it a priority to find movement every day that agrees with your body. Feel intuitive about how you want to eat and work out throughout the day to enjoy your wellness journey, as well as maintaining your hard-earned progress (instead of short-term diets).
Mental and physical health are linked. If one is off balance, the other can’t work as well. When both are in good health, you feel a stronger feeling of who you are that translates to all aspects of life.
At Fit Athletic Club, our goal is to achieve a balance between the two. Our gym and high-end amenities are here to help you keep your physical and mental health in check. Check out our saunas, Group Fitness, Certified Personal Trainers and get involved with our fitness community- we are here to promote your mental health long-term wellbeing!
