Do you experience self-consciousness or anxiety when entering a gym? It might be “gymtimidation” – a feeling common among both genders and people of all fitness levels that causes stress and, yes, intimidation in gym settings. Some experience gymtimidation because they simply do not like others watching them while they exercise. Others have developed low self-confidence based on feeling judged for … Read More
Ask Shaun: Options for healthy, portable snacks?
Q: I am a college student and I often buy something from the vending machine when I get hungry in between classes. What is the best thing to have? A: Most vending machines contain very few nutritious foods – if any. Many people choose sunflower seeds or peanuts thinking they are having a healthy snack. While nuts and seeds contain valuable vitamins and … Read More
Ask Shaun: How do you do crunches with a stability ball?
Q: I want to make my ab workouts more intense with a stability ball, but I don’t know where to start. Any suggestions? A: First thing’s first: make sure that the ball is the correct size for you. Determine this by sitting on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart. If your knees are at a 90 degree … Read More
Ask Shaun: When should I use heat and ice?
Q: I’ve injured myself and I know that using heat and ice can help. But my question is…when should I use heat and when should I use ice? A: Both heat and ice are simple yet effective ways to combat pain without the use of conventional painkillers. As a general rule, you should apply ice to injured or sore areas whenever … Read More
Staying Fit as a Senior
We all know that regular exercise is a necessity for healthy living. But what does fitness look like as we age? What happens if we do not exercise regularly? Which activities are best for seniors, and which are best left to younger generations? Luckily, Karp Fitness has the answers to these questions! Why is exercise so important for seniors? Yes, fitness … Read More
Regular Food Facts
FOOD COMPOSITION GUIDE BREADS MEASURE CALORIES PROTEIN CARBS FAT BRAN FLAKES 1 Cup 152 5.3 37.3 .8 BRAN MUFFIN 1 104 3.1 6.1 3.9 CHEERIOS 1 ¼ Cup 111 4.3 19.6 1.8 CORN FLAKES 1 ¼ Cup 110 2.3 24.4 .1 CREAM OF WHEAT 1 cup 134 3.8 27.7 .5 DINNER ROLLS 1 113 3.1 20.1 2.2 ENGLISH MUFFIN … Read More
Ask Shaun: Do I really need to stretch?
Q: I love exercising, but I hate stretching. Does it really make a difference if I skip my stretches? A: There are so many great reasons to stretch! For one thing, stretching can prevent injuries and improve performance. This means that you will get even more from your workout if you stretch! Plus, you will actively increase flexibility and range of motion, which is a must if … Read More
Full-Body Seated Stretches
Those with sedentary jobs have long known what modern exercise science is just now proving: sitting in one place all day long is much harder than it looks! Remaining seated for all or most of an eight-hour shift at work, which is often extended by a few hours on the couch each night, can literally take years off your life and … Read More
Raise Your Calves Game
Many already know the fitness adage, “never skip a leg day.” It’s definitely good advice. After all, focusing too much on the upper body causes imbalances, limits fitness levels, and caps muscle-building potential. Unfortunately, many typical “leg days” include only of variations of squats, lunges, and deadlifts for the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. But what about your calves? The problem with … Read More
Making Summer Fitness Fun For Kids
Many think of weight issues as a problem for adults, but according to the World Health Organization nearly one third of Canadians aged 5 to 17 are affected. And in our increasingly online world, it’s only becoming harder to get our kids moving, even in the summer. Still, even though it might seem daunting at first, it’s actually as simple … Read More
Cut The Suspense – TRX Is Here To Stay
Suspension Training involves performing whole-body strength and stability exercises while suspended from sturdy, anchored cables. It emerged in 2005 and became a true fitness trend by 2010, but some still believed it was a passing fad, like “toe shoes.” Now, after a decade of increased popularity, TRX cables, the product leader, are a fixture of gyms everywhere. How this happened has … Read More
Don’t Forget Your Feet
Feet withstand incredible natural forces every day, especially during runs and other vigorous exercise. But unless they’re currently in pain, our feet are often neglected. The problem is most fitness buffs’ main concerns are not protecting their feet, but boosting their endurance or bulking their biceps. However, proper shoes can prevent injuries and chronic pain that distract us from achieving … Read More
How To Tone Up, Not Bulk Up
Want all abs, no flab? You’re not alone. Recently, we’ve heard this more from both men and women alike. They aren’t after extreme muscle bulk or extra-tiny waistlines, either. They only want to be healthy, look fit, and have all the strength and energy they need to meet daily challenges. Basically, they want excellent muscle tone and conditioning. The key … Read More
Need A Challenge? Power-Up Your Workouts
Are you bored with your exercise routine? Or frustrated by diminished results? You are likely experiencing a fitness plateau. The best way to break through it is to challenge your body in new and different ways. To start, here are three effective methods for elevating your workouts. 1) Add Some Squeeze: You can intensify almost any exercise just by adding some … Read More
Resolutions 2015: This Year, It’s Personal
When New Year’s fitness resolutions don’t stick past mid-January, it is often because they were too impersonal. Resolving only to ‘eat better’ or ‘exercise more’ reduces your desire for increased fitness to mere general advice. Instead of all that, this year: let’s make it personal. Connect your 2015 fitness resolution to something highly individual that makes you feel excited, inspired, … Read More