Guarantees are hard to come by in this day and age, but at the One To One Personal Fitness facility, “Guaranteed Perfection” is their business. The company’s mission: “The perfect workout, each and every time, or you do not pay for it.” By guaranteeing the quality of each workout, according to president and owner Bill Livingston, the company has not only achieved success as a personal training facility, but “has obtained professional credibility needed to attract referrals from physicians, hospitals and HMOs.” Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve heard it before — seat belts save lives and reduce injuries in car wrecks. But this week’s news from the world of sports brings us a vivid example:

Derrick Thomas, the lightning-quick linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, was driving two friends to the airport last weekend. The weather was treacherous and Thomas lost control of his car. Read the rest of this entry »

Measuring oxygen consumption through indirect calorimetry (VO2) is not new technology. It’s been used in various forms for more than a century by exercise scientists and in clinical testing to quantify energy expenditure, cardiovascular fitness levels and, in some cases, to prescribe training regimens. Resting metabolic measures are another excellent application of this technology, which offers an accurate gauging of clients’ caloric needs.

As equipment for measuring oxygen consumption becomes more automated and user-friendly, it can be used in clubs to offer the utmost in cardiovascular assessment and prescription techniques to members. Some systems feature integrated ECG analysis, allowing clubs affiliated with hospitals or clinics to offer a full graded exercise stress test. Since many clubs now hire graduates of university exercise science programs, they have trainers who can use these sophisticated testing devices. Read the rest of this entry »

The message is out there. We know we should eat better, exercise more and generally take better care of ourselves. But doing it can be tough — just ask anyone who has ever made a New Year’s resolution to get fit.

This Christmas you can make the task easier for your friends and family by giving them gifts to improve and protect their overall health. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether there is an epidemic of influenza — affectionately known as “the flu” — or not, all Americans should learn how to prevent an encounter with this potentially devastating bug.

To say we should all have been vaccinated already seems like pointless harping, sort of an I-told-you-so approach. Read the rest of this entry »

Nutrition education is necessary

The up-and-coming profit center is nutrition education. Consumers are growing more concerned about their health, and learning proper nutrition has become more of a necessity than an amenity. If a member is serious enough to begin a regular workout routine, then they are a candidate for nutritional analysis. The nutrition profit center is an affordable service with reasonable start-up costs, and is a much-needed program for any reputable health club. Read the rest of this entry »

Profit centers aren’t what they used to be. Today’s members want added amenities at their health club, and many base their membership decisions on the types and variety of services available. In response, facilities attempt to transform gyms into comfort zones. Read the rest of this entry »

Feeling bad about your self may just be a conscience. Perhaps feeling bad is a way of letting us know that we are not living up to what we should be doing. Many times feeling bad is an appropriate response to what is going on in life. Pay attention whenever you feel bad. What is that feeling trying to tell you? Perhaps we need to stop doing what makes us feel bad about ourselves and keep doing what makes us feel good. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with lung cancer, seek medical advice. Your physician will begin by evaluating your medical history, which includes questions about any of the known risk factors for lung cancer. A complete physical examination will also be performed.

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Q. I have had both breasts removed. I did not show cancer in my lymph nodes. My last surgery was six months ago, and my last radiation was a month ago. What can I do to reduce my chances of getting lymphedema (swelling of the arms)? With everything else going on I don’t need that. Read the rest of this entry »