High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Join the Pivotal Fitness Taylors gym on Thursdays at 9:30 AM for a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) class.

The Science Behind Interval Training:

HIIT taxes and maximizes both aerobic and anaerobic fitness while cardio addresses aerobic only.

  • Aerobic respiration requires O2 to generate energy.
  • Anaerobic respiration does not require O2 to generate energy.

HIIT affects muscle tissue at a cellular level, actually changing mitochondrial activity in the muscles themselves by alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. Studies show that 27 minutes of HIIT 3x/week produces the same anaerobic and aerobic improvement as 60 minutes of cardio 5x/week. These short, intense workouts provide improved athletic capacity and condition as well as improved glucose metabolism.

In addition to increased fat burning and more muscle preserved, HIIT stimulates production of your human growth hormone (HGH) by up to 450 percent during the 24 hours after you finish your workout. This is great news since HGH is not only responsible for increased caloric burn but also slows down the aging process, making you younger both inside and out!

Join us this Thursday at our Pivotal Fitness Taylors gym at 9:30 AM and start experiencing the effects of high intensity interval training for yourself!

/by

3 Reasons to STEP IT Up

Step aerobics routines caught on in the 80s as part of the aerobics craze, but still prevail as popular, complete full-body workouts.

If you’re unfamiliar with what these workouts entail, STEP typically features choreographed movements accompanied to music on a raised platform.

You might be wondering: what’s so great about this exercise routine? Well, three things.

1. Cardio. Upgrade your cardio, which translates to calories torched and fat burned. The physical benefits of cardio exercise are plentiful, including reduced risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, improved blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and heart function, and enhanced muscle mass.

2. Strength. Boost your lower and upper body strength, plus muscular endurance – all of which helps in the development of stronger bones, better balance, and more effectiveness in managing your body’s weight.

3. Coordination. Improve your movement patterns to optimize your performance in a sport or other Greenville athletic club activity, create greater grace and better posture in your body, and ease mechanical stress that generates pain.

Greenville Gym offers STEP classes for all levels. For the beginner or intermediate stepper, join STEP extraordinaire Jessica for a fun-filled, hour-long STEP IT routine. And when/if you want to switch things up, the Greenville health center offers Zumba and Cycle group classes, both of which deliver similar benefits and results!

 

/by

Even More Benefits of Yoga

Last week we discussed physical and mental benefits of yoga. You might think that covers the spectrum, but it’s really just the beginning. This form of exercise offers psychosomatic improvements that are linked by body and mind.

Physical + Mental Benefits

In yoga, unlike many other forms of athletics, there’s no reward for overexertion. And there’s no competitive element to this form of exercise. This decreases risk of injury and helps you understand when your body needs to rest so that you aren’t pressuring yourself to achieve more beyond your means.

Additionally, yoga classes are typically relegated to hour-plus blocks so that you go through the proper distribution of time from warming up to cooling down. With instructor-led courses, you don’t have to worry about your form or what series of poses to perform to make the most of your workout. Your knowledgeable trainer will correct your posture and help you improve each time you meet, while coaching you through a series of exercises at your level of performance. There’s also an element of group support and understanding in a classroom, so even though you concentrate mostly on yourself during classes, there’s a very social element. But there are also relaxation and concentration benefits to practicing yoga at home by yourself once you’ve mastered the techniques.

Other Benefits

Did you know that yoga can also help you fall and stay asleep? If you’re suffering from sleep disorders, yoga might do the trick to help you channel and calm your energy before bed to conquer some of those insomniac tendencies. Another byproduct of yoga is that it improves your balance, flexibility and posture. This not only refers to external balance, but also internal balance – ranging from a smoothly operating immune system to a stable metabolism. It also gives you a greater general awareness of your entire body, which can help you control your weight, notice physical changes and manage your overall health.

We hope you enjoyed reading all about yoga over the past few weeks! If you have any additional questions about how it can improve your body and mind, contact a Pivotal Fitness Greenville yoga instructor for tips, info and, of course, a class schedule.

/by

Greenville Yoga At Its Best

Have you gotten into the yoga craze yet? It’s no coincidence that this popular workout has only been gaining steam in times of national stress. Yoga not only limbers up the body, but it also soothes the mind. At Pivotal Fitness’ Greenville gym, yoga classes run regularly throughout each month to meet the growing enthusiasm we’ve seen among members. They run about seven times a week and range from Power Yoga to Yoga Flow. There’s also a weekly Yo-Lates class that merges yoga and Pilates. You can check the schedule to see what classes may be convenient for you to get started, or even set up an appointment with one of the instructors in advance to talk about what you can expect.

This workout appeals to a diverse class of all ages, genders, body types and levels of fitness. It’s easy to get kids involved with some of the simpler poses, and not too strenuous on older individuals. It’s perfect for those new to the gym who are seeking ways to stretch unused muscles and warm up before graduating to harder aerobics classes or longer sessions on the equipment. It’s also great for newcomers to participate in classes where they can join groups, form bonds and create support systems with other gym members. But even longtime gym-goers can accompany their fitness regimens with yoga, which can target muscle groups they don’t commonly train and help center them while their body recuperates after or between exercises. And it’s also a growing trend among men – whereas five years ago, the classes were a majority of women.

Yoga is also often recommended for medical purposes. It’s a low-impact way to work out for an hour for those with a weak heart. It’s perfect for holistic and naturopathic practitioners seeking ways to improve and strengthen their body without resorting to medicine – or along with vitamins and prescriptions. Even mothers can keep up with their health and fitness needs when they’re pregnant or have recently given birth. Because yoga releases endorphins and improves moods, doctors may recommend it for a wide variety of ailments, ranging from migraines to some cancers.

Come back next week for more benefits of yoga, and then contact our Greenville sportsclub to get started!

/by

Boot Camp: Covering Your Bases

Some people come to the Pivotal Fitness Greenville gym with a specific purpose in mind. To lose weight. To get in shape. To build muscle. To train for a triathlon or athletic team tryouts. But no matter what your health and fitness goal is – and despite the diversity of classes and equipment that our Greenville sports club offers, which can suit almost any need – there is one option that’s applicable to every member: boot camp.

Although the name may be intimidating and the curriculum is intensive, you shouldn’t be afraid to try boot camp. Your instructor will help you warm up and cool down after exercises and keep in touch with your needs and limitations so that you can make the most of the challenging classes. Regardless of what you’ve seen in those army movies, at Pivotal Fitness Greenville it’s is all about getting you in shape – not kicking your butt.

The purpose of any boot camp is to strengthen your core and challenge your limits in order to break down barriers of physical fitness. This is in terms of endurance as well as sheer strength, and mixes many influences of aerobic exercise and muscle coordination. While you can lift weights or work out anytime on your own, participating in boot camp is the foundational training you need to make the most of any additional exercise. You might be training your quads and hamstrings for running on the treadmill, but the all-over body workout of boot camp strengthens your lungs, your heart and your core to help you run longer, faster. It’s all part of one complete training package.

Plus, you can join these group fitness classes on a regular basis with the same trainers and classmate who can encourage you to keep going and share your growing pains as you teach your body to reach new heights. After all, doesn’t suffering with friends always make it more fun? And you have people to commiserate or celebrate with after you’ve reached a new level of tolerance and stamina.

Boot camp classes take place about twice a week; you can check this month’s Fitness Schedule (under “Services” on the home page) for exact times. Ask about introductory and complementary classes you can take to prepare you to join and enjoy boot camp.

/1 Comment/by

What is Spinning?

Spinning classes are very popular here at Pivotal Fitness’ Greenville gym. And most people know that the phrase, which has been around for over two decades, refers to bicycling in place, indoors. But do you know the history and origin of spinning as an athletic activity?

In the mid-1980s, Jonathan Goldberg (or Johnny G) rigged up a stationary biking system that would allow him to safely complete cycling activities without combating outdoor obstacles such as weather and traffic. The most important part of his bike design involved replicating the training conditions of outdoor terrain and allowing for greater flexibility of workout than other indoor cycling options. When his invention and classes gained popularity, he began offering classes to others in Santa Monica.

In the mid-1990s, Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. secured rights to the term “spinning.” The company still officially owns the copyright on “Spinning,” “SPIN” and “Spinner.” They also manufacture the only trademarked “Spinning bikes” in conjunction with Star Trac, even though many companies also offer “spin bike” variations.

Today’s spin bikes are updated to offer a variety of settings to challenge experienced riders and accommodate all preferences. Gyms across the nation now offer spinning classes as standard parts of a comprehensive curriculum to work the core, calves, quads and outer thigh muscles.

Spinning classes are held daily at our local Greenville gym; they’re available for all levels (ranging from Level 1 Cycle to the advanced and longer-length SpinCamp), and they’re also available in combos, like our Cycle & Core course. Check our online schedule to learn what options are available and when.

/by

Fitness Trend: Zumba

Staying in shape doesn’t have to be all work and no play! The latest craze sweeping the nation (including your favorite South Carolina gym) is Zumba. And it’s as fun to perform as it sounds.

Zumba® is an aerobic exercise set that blends Latin dance moves with invigorating music—from salsa to reggae to hip-hop. There’s even some belly-dancing thrown in, so you can feel sexy while toning your core. It’s a high-energy workout that effectively targets your total body. And it’s not just about staying active and burning calories — it’s a self-described dance-fitness party.

The “party” comes into play when you mix dancing with socializing and having fun at the gym. Participants quickly become addicted to the fun form of fitness, and those who come back frequently to classes quickly become a close-knit community. Once you shake your stuff with fellow Greenville gym members, they’re simply going to feel more like friends. Sometimes you come to the gym to focus and get down to serious business. But when you come to Zumba classes, it’s all about enjoying yourself and letting loose.

At Pivotal Fitness’ Greenville health club, we’re offering trainer-led Zumba classes throughout the month of March. Check the latest schedule to learn when classes take place and which of your favorite instructors is leading them. Trust us: once, you’ve tried it once, you won’t want to miss a single session.

/by

Greenville Yoga Classes

Yoga is an exercise that originated in India which allows you to combine physical and mental disciplines. At Pivotal Fitness we offer a variety of yoga classes to help you get in shape, increase your flexibility, and reduce stress and anxiety. As follows is our list of yoga offerings:

  • Yolates – PiYo blends together workout techniques from Pilates, yoga and more in a group exercise environment that can challenge all levels of participants
  • Sampoorna Yoga – Sampoorna yoga focuses on helping you to balanced state so that your self can shine through. At Pivotal Fitness’ Greenville yoga classes this group class incorporates pranayama, sun salutations, poses, and deep relaxation.
  • Vinyasa Flow Yoga – A dynamic form of yoga that connects postures and creates a flow between traditional Hatha yoga postures. You will take yoga to a deeper level by integrating rhythmic breathing with conscious movement.
  • Yoga – Our traditional yoga class focuses on the Hatha yoga discipline, allowing you to focus on the mind body connection. Lengthen and relax while strengthening.

If you are looking for a Greenville yoga studio, join Pivotal Fitness and get the best of both worlds. You can attend as many yoga classes as you would like for one low monthly price and also get access to our state of the art fitness equipment and a variety of other classes. Sign up for our free 7 day trial membership today at www.pivotalfitness.com.

/by