The FINANCIAL — Working out benefits the brain as well as the biceps. A brain hosted by a healthy body and given its own “fitness” routine works more easily and efficiently.
Aerobic exercise on a consistent basis (jogging, brisk walking, biking, rowing and swimming) is the best exercise you can do for your heart and for your brain. It will also improve your sleep, increase your energy, and ward off depression.
The last time the economy slipped, after Sept. 11, many viewed working out as necessary to relieving stress and restoring a sense of normalcy. Health club openings in New York State rose 55% between 2001 and 2006, to 686, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association and InfoUSA Inc.
Now, the combination of an oversupply of gyms and consumers’ growing economic anxiety makes it appear that the boom is waning.
Some frugal New Yorkers are re-evaluating their gym status by downgrading to less expensive clubs or cutting out membership altogether. They are turning to other ways to work out, like bicycling, running or having occasional sessions with a trainer at home.
The National Institutes for Health suggest both children and adults should engage in some type of activity for 30 minutes most days of the week.
According to the National Institutes of Health, engaging in regular activity can increase energy levels; help control weight and appetite; improve sleep; improve blood cholesterol and blood pressure; and reduce the risk of diabetes and stroke.
And a recent study from the group found that seniors who engage in some type of physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week will extend their life expectancy.
Here are some activities he suggests that you can sneak into your regular routine that should have you hitting your target heart rate:
Instead of letting your pets out into the yard for their exercise, walk your dogs.
Walk for 10 minutes during your lunch break.
Do yard work, such as raking leaves or gardening.
Go out and play with your kid; the activity will be good for the entire family.
Hop on your bicycle and see the outdoors; you can cover longer distances and see more interesting sights. It’s a lot more fun for most people than just sitting on a bicycle in the gym.
Just go outside; people tend to be more active outdoors.
No matter how you choose to get those 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, the bottom line is that you have to make sure you can stick with it.
In order to promote healthy lifestyle in Georgia, Prime Fitness, the local fitness centre, makes additional effort in this respect through supporting various sports events in Georgia.
“Prime Fitness does its best to contribute to healthy life promotion in the country. That’s the reason why we’re the sponsors of various sports events like the national rafting championship. Prime Fitness is now organizing the competition Mass Media 2008,” Tea Shengelia, the Director of Prime Fitness, told The FINANCIAL.
In her words, physical activity is not only the best way to improve your appearance but also to look younger and increase life expectancy.
“The advantages of working out at the gym are first of all the variety of services offered and the benefit of having qualified trainers. The gym is equipped with different types of fitness equipment, which enable people to work on the specific muscles desired so the effect is seen much sooner. Besides, working out in a convenient environment is also in your favour in terms of comfort,” claimed Shengelia.
According to Shengelia, many celebrities are member of Prime Fitness. Some of them are concerned about body correction while others are concerned more with weight loss.
The number of Prime Fitness clients has doubled since last year. While the gym was previously more crowded, yoga, aerobics and massage services have become more popular these days, especially among women, having a positive impact on the company’s income.
The cost for 1 month’s membership at Prime Fitness ranges from GEL 120 to GEL 270 and in case of one year’s contract a discount of GEL 40 is offered.
“Prime Fitness is a client-oriented fitness club offering high quality customer services, which is an issue in Georgia,” said Shengelia.
The Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club, which prides itself on its Olympic size swimming pool that has no analogue in Georgia, intends to launch an unprecedented pool at Batumi Plaza.
“Our Olympic size swimming pool at Batumi Plaza will be located on the 6th floor, the unique asset of which is that its roof will be open in summer. I dare say this pool will have no analogue in the whole world,” Giorgi Bochorishvili, Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club PR Manager, told The FINANCIAL.
According to Bochorishvili, Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club has an average 1,500 clients per month. A month’s individual visit might cost a person GEL 350 in the case of a one year contract.
“In order to protect the high level of customer satisfaction we refuse to sponsor various sports events and provide full time service in the existing service centre,” claimed Bochorishvili.
In his words, the advantages of Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club are the Olympic size swimming pool and the presence of highly qualified trainers, which is enough of an argument not to stay at home and to prefer to work out at the gym.
“As for celebrities, the question is “Who is not our client?” as almost all businessmen, ministers and other famous faces visit our centre. The list of our corporate clients is too long and includes top companies like: BP, TBC Bank, Bank Republic,” noted Bochorishvili. “We have no competitors in the local market.”
At Vake Swimming Pool and Fitness Club you can enjoy the fitness club, Olympic size swimming pool, two types of sauna, solariums, massages and varieties of group and individual body exercise.
Written by Kate Tabatadze
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