In this year of COVID-19, we’ve become more concerned than ever about the quality of the air we’re breathing. According to the EPA, the level of pollutants in the air is significantly higher inside than it is outdoors. That’s why many people are more comfortable being around others and exercising outside, because better air circulation and fewer pollutants make it less likely that we’ll come into contact with airborne contagions. Since we reopened in April after the initial COVID-19 lockdown, Next Age Fitness has been rigorously following CDC recommendations on masks, cleaning and sanitizing our studio and equipment, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer. As flu season approached, we began looking at additional steps we could take to make our studio environment even safer — for ourselves and for our clients. Our machines can’t go outside, so we brought outdoor air quality inside ![]() Flu season in Georgia begins in October and can extend into May. In cooler months, people spend more time inside with the windows and doors closed. Unfortunately, these are the exact conditions that make it easier for infections to spread. As we weighed the additional risk of flu transmission to our ongoing concerns about COVID-19, we committed to expanding our existing health precautions to also address the quality of the air inside our studio. Afterall, Next Age Fitness exists to support our clients’ in achieving and maintaining their optimal health. We gave our studio atmosphere a flu shot After a lot of research, we installed a Reme Halo air purification system. Rather than opting for a portable room solution, the Reme Halo is actually integrated into our HVAC system. That means every cubic inch of air in the Next Age Fitness studio is continuously being purified. The process works much like nature, using ionized hydro-peroxide to refresh the air by restoring negative ions. This technology has been around for 20 years and has proven effective in killing Swine Flu, Avian Flu, and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) viruses.
We’re here for your health At Next Age Fitness, we’re going above and beyond to ensure that our studio is as safe as it can possibly be. We’re here to support your health and encourage you to take these steps recommended by the CDC to protect yourself this flu season:
We also encourage you to maintain a great immune system by eating nutritional dense food, keeping hydrated and getting plenty of sleep. And of course, maintain an active lifestyle full of movement and resistance training such as push-ups and squats (and/or Next Age Fitness' 20 minute workout - free demo). Here’s to a strong, safe, and healthy flu season! Next Age Fitness is re-opening on Friday, April 24th and will be conducting scheduled workouts. Established clients can book 20 minute appointments online. Demonstrations are free and also can be scheduled online (allow 30 minutes) anytime after May 10th. We will continue with the COVID-19 protocol established in mid- March to do our part in slowing the spread. Staff will be wearing masks and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces before each workout. Here's what we need you to consider:
During the appointment: · 6 foot distancing · Only one coach and one client in the workout room at a time. We will discuss your options on how coaching will occur. With a strict 6 feet distancing, you will be setting up the machine and computer while the coach gives instructions 6 feet away. Your coach will do as much as possible before sanitizing everything but then they will not touch it again. The first time will likely take longer so please be patient and give a little extra time. Some routines may need to be altered If you are feeling well and do not personally have or live with someone who has underlying medical conditions, you are welcome. We look forward to serving you. No hands entry to your workout!Though Next Age Fitness was able to abide by the rules of social distancing, Dekalb County made an executive order for non-essential business to close until further notice. Effective March 28 at 9pm, Next Age Fitness has temporarily closed until further notice. It is our plan to open as soon as the order is lifted and will continue to wash hands frequently, sanitize before each workout and practice social distancing while giving full body workouts to clients in a 20 minute appointment.
We encourage everyone to stay active (how many steps can you do?) and stay strong (how many push-ups can you do?). Stay strong, Tammy Keeping your healthy New Year’s Resolutions
It’s the new year, and you’re after the new you. Whether it’s a slimmer, stronger, or simply healthier you, building the positive habits to achieve your goals takes work. So how do you convince yourself to keep going and not fall back on old habits and behaviors? Here are 10 tips to help you get started and keep on track:
Visceral fat is denser than subcutaneous fat. It’s stored deep in the body, surrounding your organs. A moderate amount of visceral fat is healthy [E1], because it insulates and protects your organs and plays a role in hormone regulation [E2]. However, too much visceral fat can be deadly.
What Causes Visceral Fat? Many factors impact the way your body stores fat, including genetics, diet, stress, hormone levels, and lack of exercise. Some people are just more inclined to store fat around the middle than others. The way you handle stress also impacts how fat is stored. When your body senses danger (whether real or perceived) it produces cortisol – the “fight-or-flight” hormone. Elevated cortisol levels cause digestion to slow. Over time this disrupts your body’s normal fat hormone function [E4], which causes it to pack on and retain more visceral fat. The dangers associated with elevated levels of visceral fat aren’t limited to the obese. Even people considered “classically thin” can unknowingly be at risk. How do you know if you have excess visceral fat?
Fortunately, there are a number of indicators that can help determine if your body is storing an unhealthy amount of visceral fat. A good place to start is by comparing your relative size and proportions. As a general rule, waist circumference should be less than 40 inches for men and 35 for women [E6]. And the ratio of waist to hips should be less than 1 for men and less than 0.8 for women. The formula for calculating waist to hip is waist divided by hip. It’s important to note that while excess visceral fat often expands the waistline by pushing the mid-section out, some thin people with relatively small waistlines can also be at risk. Technology reveals more than the eye can see. Body scanning technology, like the 3D body scan that we use at Next Age Fitness can offer critical information beyond what you can measure with a scale or tape measure; in addition, it also provides you with the most popular measurements taken. With a 3D body scan, we can track your body’s percentage of fat vs lean mass. We can also track other health markers that will help you understand your risk associated with the way your body stores fat such as waist to hip ratio and torso volume vs leg volume (which can only be done with scanning, either DEXA or our 3d scanning). Knowing these numbers is incredibly helpful for establishing a baseline and in creating a plan to maintain or improve your health. It’s also important, in tracking your overall health, to be aware of changes in these numbers, particularly in relationship to changes in your diet, exercise, and age. How to reduce visceral fat. When you notice your pants getting tighter at the waist it’s tempting to think about exercise for quick spot reduction. But the truth is, exercise doesn’t eliminate fat in just one area like that. And while liposuction might help in reducing spots of subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is stored too deep in the abdomen for this type of procedure to be effective. Reducing your fat (both subcutaneous and visceral) requires a more holistic approach which gives you more bang for your effort. Here are some steps you can take to be healthier:
The good news about visceral fat – in case you thought it was all bad – visceral fat around the belly can respond better to diet and exercise. Taking on any one of these practices should help you say goodbye to that dense fat and hello to a healthier you. Next Age Fitness Staff Check these out if you are in Atlanta: Resources [E1]https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/taking-aim-at-belly-fat [E2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22572689 [E3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10889795 [E4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21378472 [E5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18458161 [E6]https://nutritionalassessment.mumc.nl/en/waist-hip-ratio-whr-and-waist-circumference |
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