Coaching
Coaching
Ask an Expert: How to Heal and Prevent Shin Splints
I’m new to running and experiencing painful shin splints. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? – Kelly Shin Splints are a common condition for runners and walkers. The symptoms can include both a muscle tightness in the area around the shin that subsides post workout, or pain along the tibia bone both […]
Coaching
How to Fuel Before, During and After a Long Run
The long training run is the bread and butter for a long distance runner, and developing your personal fueling recipe will aid in stocking your muscles with plenty of energy to prepare for the run, supplementing energy, fluid and electrolytes during the run and provide the nutrients necessary for efficient recovery post run. Although there […]
Coaching
Transitioning From Indoor to Outdoor Cycling
Making the switch to outdoor cycling takes more than just adding a long ride over the weekend. While regular workouts on your indoor bike have left in you a great position for outdoor rides this spring, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep the transition smooth. Here are a few tips […]
Coaching
Meet Ken Grall
Take a moment to meet one of our Horizon Fitness experts, Ken Grall! Ken is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association, as well as a Youth Fitness Specialist (YFS) through the International Youth Conditioning Association. He has trained and coached in the fitness and sports performance fields since […]
Coaching
Meet Joli Guenther
Take a moment to meet one of our Horizon Fitness expert bloggers, Joli Guenther! Joli is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and clinical social worker practicing in and around Madison, Wisconsin. She especially loves working with clients on holistic health issues, work-life balance, and fitness for joy and function in daily life. When not […]
Coaching
Selecting the Yoga Practice That's Right for You
With so many styles and benefits of yoga available, sorting out the yin from the yang and the power from restorative can be pretty daunting. Looking for a little guidance on finding the right fit for your first class? Here’s an overview of some of the benefits of yoga as well as the styles that will emphasize […]
Coaching
Meet Coach Jenny Hadfield
Take a moment to meet one of our Horizon Fitness expert bloggers, Coach Jenny Hadfield! Coach Jenny is a published author (her books include Marathoning for Mortals, Running for Mortals, and Training for Mortals), a coach, public speaker and endurance athlete. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology, a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science […]
Coaching
Understanding Heart Rate
After running shoes and a source to play music, a heart rate monitor is usually the first piece of equipment runners add to their workouts. If you aren’t using one now, you’ve most likely at least played with them in the past, calculating whether you’re working too hard or not hard enough, estimating your total […]
Coaching
Reaching a Fitness Plateau
We’ve all been there. Whether we’re trying to lose weight, add muscle, or even develop a new skill, we hit that point in our progress where everything seems to stall. Do any of these sound familiar? “I’ve been losing a little bit of weight each week for months, and yet I’ve been stuck the past […]
Coaching
Technology to Inspire Your Workout Routines
Stuck in a workout rut? Don’t panic. Everyone has been at one time or another. If you are wondering where to start, why not let technology give you a hand? Try a few of these tips to give your workout routines a new life: Recruit a Buddy. Whether you meet up in person or use an […]
Coaching
Consistency in Workouts
Working hard, eating right, having a plan and doing one thing every day that will get you closer to who you want to be is a fool-proof way to improve your health. However, the fitness industry tends to not be upfront about this, instead promising quick fixes and overnight results. For example, I learned this past year […]
Coaching
Running to Relax
In addition to the fitness benefits of running, many use it as a way to unwind, relax and focus. Lace up your shoes, head out, and before you know it, you’ve created your to-do list, made dinner plans and decided to ask your boss for a raise. While this free-flow of thoughts can keep our […]
Coaching
Partner Workouts
Everyone needs a boost of motivation and accountability every now and then when it comes to working out, so why not plan an entire workout around working out with a pal? There are limitless activities you can do together (depending on the season, of course) so call a friend, lace up your shoes and have some fun with […]
Coaching
Strength Training at Home
As a beginner, getting started on strength training can be overwhelming, especially if you’d like to do it without joining a gym. The good news is strength training at home doesn’t need to take a lot of time or equipment, and can be easily added to your current cardio workouts. Bodyweight strength training uses your own […]
Coaching
Fitness Trackers: 4 Reasons to Start Tracking
It’s an amazing world of health, fitness and technology. Fitness trackers are more than glorified watches. They allow us to tune into our bodies, improve our health and fitness, and connect with an inspiring world of social activity. Simply put: data is power. I remember my first fitness tracker. It was a watch the size of a brick […]
Coaching
Warm Up and Cool Down Basics
Jumping directly into (or out of) a tough workout isn’t the best approach. Abruptly starting your workout can leave your brain and body craving a bit of transition time. Cooler weather and slippery conditions can also make you vulnerable to injury and fatigue immediately after your workout. So what are the smartest ways to start and end your […]
Coaching
Ask an Expert: Running Pace
Question: The whole idea of “running pace” is foreign to me–I’m a new runner! However, I read a lot about it in magazines and hear about it at local races from my friends. Can you help me better understand what it is so I can apply it to my running when I’m ready? — Michele […]
Coaching
New to Running
Now is the perfect time to start dipping your toe into the running waters to see if it’s right for you. If you’re not quite ready to commit to a 5K, but are wondering what it takes to get started, here are a few answers to your new to running questions. We also included a […]
Coaching
Getting the Most From Your Treadmill Incline Feature
Let’s make the most of that treadmill workout with Power Incline! You already know that you can increase the intensity of your treadmill workouts by running faster, but what you may not know is the many benefits of changing the treadmill incline setting on this popular piece of home fitness equipment. If you’re working out […]
Coaching
Five Benefits of Using Fitness Trackers
It seems like everywhere you look, people are logging their every step wearing fitness trackers. I remember a time when we used to have to drive the route we ran to see how far it we went, and now we can see it all in real time: pace, time, steps, distance, heart rate and even […]