Summertime is here and a large portion of the population strives to look their best in that new bikini or swim trunks. They work diligently all year to build muscle and confidence to display their fit midriffs. Thousands of crunches, leg raises and V-ups are done daily across the nation, but unfortunately, often to no… Read more »
Golf makes many physical demands on the body. We therefore need to spend the necessary time conditioning ourselves so that we can play 18 holes day after day and not worry about pulling a muscle or incurring an even more severe injury. One of the top five problems that many golfers experience is sway, meaning… Read more »
Summer is settling in, and just because temperatures are heating up doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of fun ways to get fit! In addition to a number of indoor activities at the City of La Quinta’s Wellness Center, there are also options for staying active outdoors. For instance, have you tried disc golf? This… Read more »
Palm Springs’ Cielo Vista Charter School has opened a new community fitness center, thanks to a well-deserved $70,000 grant from the Desert Healthcare District (DHCD). In 2010, the school created a wellness program that went beyond traditional PE classes to teach students about healthy eating and lifestyles. The goal of the three-year grant-funded program called… Read more »
Developing a six-pack for abdominals seems to be the fitness craze for the New Year. A large percentage of infomercials focus on having a ripped mid-section, and while this might be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, it may not be very functional. Even though this article is primarily for golfers, the average fitness buff might… Read more »
At the start of 2015, I made a decision to start working with a personal trainer. As New Year 2016 approaches, instead of a new resolution, I am reflecting on the resolution set a year ago. Looking back, I realize that as a wellness decision, it has been one of the best individual, long-term investments… Read more »
Staying fit is important at any age, but when you are out of practice, getting back into an exercise regime can be intimidating – especially for seniors. Keeping it simple and fun can help, which is the concept behind Geri-Fit®, an evidence-based strength training program for older adults which is now offered in Palm Desert.… Read more »
Hip replacements are becoming more common these days as baby boomers begin to age. The everyday wear and tear on our joints catches up with us at some point, so when medicine, physical therapy and/or exercise don’t work and the pain interferes with our lives, it is time to fix it. Normally, the first few… Read more »
All females interested in, or currently participating in, workout programs need to consider themselves athletes. Having the ability to lift, push or pull weight under many different circumstances takes some skill. Some might not possess the ability to get into competitions or other endeavors, but you are still working out like an athlete. The type… Read more »
The fitness industry is flooded with supplements that claim to make you stronger. There are websites, magazines, books and of course, your friends to show you the way to more muscle. The problem is that many of these supplements are not healthy for the average gym guy and may even contain illegal performance-enhancing ingredients. Some… Read more »
Desert Health® is proud to sponsor the first annual Palm Springs International Health & Fitness Festival produced by Marlo Productions on November 13-15. This interactive event will offer festival goers the opportunity to take part in obstacle courses, yoga classes, educational lectures, paleo cooking classes, and so much more! Over 60 health-focused vendors will be… Read more »
The concept of “grit” and “digging in” was the theme of my July/August article. Further inspired by this theme, I successfully hiked Mt. Whitney in one day this summer. This is the tallest mountain in the continental USA starting at an 8,000 ft. elevation and peaking at 14,505 over a total distance of 22 miles. … Read more »
The Pilates Method is an approach in mind & body integration that was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. The fundamental principles focus on balance, concentration, control, centered awareness, fluid movements, and breath. Pilates enhances a core strength that increases flexibility, coordination and special awareness. The repertoire is performed as a mat class or… Read more »
When I go to the gym for a workout, I always have a plan or a specific goal for that day. As I wander around during rest periods, I can’t help but notice how most people aimlessly go about their workouts. They jump from machine to machine, not paying attention to whether the machine is… Read more »
In the last 15 years, a growing number of professional athletes have tried to remain competitive in their sport through the use of sports supplements and energy drinks. Unfortunately, this has trickled down to our youth. A national study done by the Kellogg’s Group in 2012 showed that 40% of all kids skipped breakfast. Of… Read more »
A change now affecting us all is the onset of warmer desert temperatures which narrows the window of opportunity to enjoy outdoor exercise. Our habits must alter in response to the seasons, and a productive habit we desert dwellers can take at this time is to alter sleep and wake schedules. Maybe getting up early… Read more »
In January, the former La Quinta Senior Center opened its doors to much fanfare as the new state-of-the-art La Quinta Wellness Center. Created for all ages, the amenities, traffic flow, and programming designed to feed mind, body and soul have lived up to expectations. 661 annual memberships have sold (with more selling each day) and… Read more »
In the fitness industry, the number of new programs claiming to help you shed those unwanted pounds is constantly increasing. One of the latest crazes is high intensity workouts designed to shed fat and build muscle. While these programs can be beneficial, one must be careful when choosing an exercise style since some are very… Read more »
Procrastination is the most serious real killer for those thinking about starting a new exercise program. We know that close to 85% of our most dreaded diseases could be prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes, including proper nutrition and regular exercise. These healthy lifestyle behaviors not only help prevent disease (and ultimately premature death) but also… Read more »
The Gyrotonic® Method consists of two forms of activity ranging from simple floor exercises to sophisticated equipment. The practice was invented by Juliu Horvath, a former ballet dancer and competitive swimmer and gymnast who recognized the importance of developing inner strength to support muscular and skeletal health for life long flexibility and movement. Gyrokenesis® is… Read more »