New Year, New Bod

New Year, New Bod

It’s that time of year again when millions of people around the world make the life-changing decision that they’re finally getting in shape. But for many folks that decision lasts about a week before they return to their nightly Netflix-and-takeout routine and forget all about that resolution. That lifestyle may be easier and more familiar, but you’ll be kicking yourself this summer when your stomach has magically expanded several inches.

The reality is that you have approximately six months before peak beach season. So how do you keep your fitness resolutions and avoid a sad case of the shrunken Speedos? Remember these six tips and and you’ll be much more likely to meet your fitness goals in the new year.

Recovery: Bouncing Back

Recovery: Bouncing Back

Recovering from an injury or surgery can be a daunting task. Some people may even require physical therapy in order to function normally or as close to normal as possible, which can be a major setback for your fitness progress. This can be depressing and frustrating, and it’s even worse if your injury occurred during a workout. That’s what happened to me just over a year ago when I sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery and several months of physical therapy, so I completely understand the emotions that you may experience. However, you can’t allow this to hold you back; you’ve got to be a fighter!

Workout: Go In With a Plan

Time is precious when you live in a city that never sleeps. This is especially true during the holiday season. Between parties, bar crawls, family gatherings, brunch, and even holiday hookups, many of us find very little time to spend at the gym.

So how do you squeeze in gym time during the holidays? Go in with a plan! Here are five tips to help insure that you’re effective with your time and stay in shape all season long.

Don't Resist the Disq

I recently learned about Disq classes offered at Crunch Fitness locations all over the city and was curious about how this wearable workout device actually works—and how easy it is to use. Originally created for speed skaters, Disq, which involves adjustable straps, basically lets you turn up the resistance while doing various exercises to make your workout more challenging.

Turkey by the Ton

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share what you’re thankful for, and, yes, eat tons of food. Though that golden-brown, gravy-drenched bird tastes amazing, it may stick around your waistline longer than your memories of the special day. And if you’re fortunate enough to take a winter vacation, a turkey gut isn’t what you want boys to notice when you prance down the beach in your smallest Speedo. So how can you look good without skipping seconds? Here are five ways to quickly shed those post-supper pounds!

Road to Recovery

No one can really prepare for an injury or the need for surgery. Life happens, and sometimes it leaves you flat on your back in a hospital bed, which can put a major dent in your fitness routine. There’s often a lot of pain, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, mental anguish, and solitude involved in the healing process. Unless you’ve gone through something like this, it’s difficult to understand. I speak from personal experience.

Those Who Row Know

Like many other fitness trends, rowing classes are quickly popping up all over the city, similar to the way spin classes have grown in popularity over the years. If you’re like me, you find bike seats extremely uncomfortable—and that bike seat may creep deeper into your nether region than you’re probably comfortable experiencing in a group setting. On the other hand, the seats on a row machine give the support I need without making me feel like I’m receiving a public prostate exam. All of this is a sign that row classes like the Full Body 45 class at Chelsea’s Row House are here to stay.

Fitness: Don't Push It

When it comes to fitness, most of us want fast results. However, if I may compare fitness to finance, getting in shape should be viewed as a long-term investment with small payouts over time. You may be spending more time at the gym, pushing yourself beyond the max and not allowing rest days in fear of losing gains. In fact, these ambitious training efforts can often lead to loss of muscle mass and strength due to overtraining and not allowing your muscles to properly recover. How do you know if you’ve been overtraining?