Exercise is essential for both health and fitness. While physical activity is beneficial for overall health, structured and planned exercise at higher intensities can significantly improve performance. This blog explores the importance of moving and exercise, the distinction between the two, and the best exercise options based on individual goals.

Updated May 18, 2023.

What do you think of when you hear the word “exercise?” It may bring a sense of excitement, adrenaline, uneasiness, or shame. You may have more than one of these feelings, or the thoughts that run through your head may fall on a different spectrum. Needless to say, physical activity means something different to everyone!

Updated May 18, 2023.

Over the last ten to fifteen years, research has provided data-based evidence to support the use, or lack thereof, of stretching and flexibility protocols. We now “officially” know that stretching has a purpose, as it can improve your range of motion, increase muscle flexibility, and prevent injury – if done correctly – across multiple ages and population groups. BUT– as we mentioned back in week one of May, how can we take the behaviors...

Purpose: Improving Physical and Emotional Heart Health

At Balanced Wellness, we believe that having a sense of purpose is at the heart of the matter. It is placed at the center of our wellness wheel. I was introduced to the concept of a wellness wheel years ago, correlating with the dimensions of wellness. Somewhere along the way, I connected the analogy of a flat tire with the wellness wheel. The analogy has morphed into the...

Look at the Correlation between Exercise and Weight Gain!

1. Just MOVE! In addition to exercising less, we are taking far fewer steps since COVID hit. It’s amazing how little we walk when we are working remotely! Be intentional about standing for 5 minutes every hour AND taking a brief walk. If it is nice outside, go for a short walk every 90 minutes or so–create a walking meeting! Since we are spending so much time on virtual...

The World Health Organization defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure – including activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, traveling, and engaging in recreational pursuits.

The term “physical activity” should...

As we move from September to October, we will be moving full force into Fall! For many years, we have offered our Fall into Fitness program, and we’re excited to announce that we will be doing the program a little different this year–We will have a private Facebook group open to the community!

Seasons are a wonderful time to shift our lives. The temperature changes, causing us to choose different clothes, foods, exercise and more often...

Benefiting the Body with Structured Exercise – VO2 Max Pt. 2

If you need to revisit last week’s blog to get caught up to where we are now, visit our blog page! This week we are discussing specific VO2 max parameters in regard to gender and age. We want to reiterate just how important it is to challenge your body with intense exercise so that you are at the lowest possible risk for...

Benefiting the Body with Structured Exercise – VO2 Max Pt. 1

Last week it was about healthy eating and immunity, this week (and next– keep a lookout for part 2!) it’s more about cardiovascular health, exercise, and how the two affect your quality of life.

We want to give you a quick overview of VO2 max is and how joining us in our live, virtual fitness classes or maintaining your own structured workout plan can...

Join our Spring into Summer Exercise Challenge! This can be set up as a step challenge, an exercise challenge or a workshop. Digital Wellness Coaching is included. We not only cover what the participant should do to improve all areas of their life, we also discuss how it can be worked into daily life – making a lifestyle behavior change. Strategies can be the key to carrying out our goals – specific, measurable, behavior related....

FITT Principle Chart and American College of Sports Medicine Recommendations

Understanding physical activity guidelines can be simplified using the FITT Principle To see the chart FITT Principle and additional information on recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine, please click...