One of the major obstacles we hear about from our Oakland County fitness members is just getting started and sticking with it. We find better retention rates among our members who get involved with our trainers, nutritionists and staff members. We can sit down with you and discuss your physical history and goals to develop a meal plan and exercise regimen that works for you. We can show you how to use all the equipment and help you get hooked up with fun group classes that you’ll really enjoy. Many of our members meet likeminded people in the group sessions and make new friends who can be “workout buddies” to keep each other motivated.

We also come across a lot of people who have preexisting health conditions that make them fearful to be “too active.” Whether you have cancer, diabetes, arthritis, a knee injury, or heart disease, there is something at our Oakland County fitness center for you. Our personal trainers are certified to work with people of all backgrounds and conditions, so we will set something up that is safe but also productive to help you become healthier.

One of the things health experts have discovered is that 30 percent of people ages 45-64 engage in regular leisure time physical activity. Worse yet, only 25 percent of those ages 65-74 do and only 11 percent of people age 85 and older are physically active. These physical activity rates are surprisingly low! In the past, you had physicians telling people to just “take it easy” and avoid “hurting themselves.” Unfortunately, we have learned that being sedentary can actually hurt people more than help them. Our Oakland County fitness group is focused on helping people of all ages increase their activity levels to a safe and comfortable level.

Studies confirm that even moderately fit men and women have a 50 percent lower risk of Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Obesity and Cancer. High fit men and women can lower their risk by 60 to 75 percent! In another study, NIH found that people over 60 who did resistance and endurance training had a significant reduction in knee pain compared to those who “took it easy.” A pilot study found that even the most sedentary, borderline-disabled individuals who were afraid of falling or injuring themselves while working out were able to walk and perform other daily activities with greater proficiency when they worked with trained professionals. This is encouraging news for anyone looking to become more active and age gracefully.

Learn more about how Fit Concepts Oakland County fitness centers can help you!

1. Do you offer a free trial? There’s nothing better than “try it before you buy it” when it comes to gyms. This is the only true way to know if you’ll enjoy your time spent there. You’ll also want to find out whether you have the option of going month-to-month or if you have to sign up for a year membership before the opt-out becomes available.
2. Do you offer state-of-the-art and name brand equipment? This is important, whether you’re into strength training or cardio machines. Brands like Cybex, Hammer Strength, Paramount, Reebok, Precor, Technogym, Vectra, and Trotter are well-known, high quality names in fitness equipment.
3. Is your facility accredited? The best clubs are members of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, which demands that member clubs uphold strict standards in their services and programs. Other certifying bodies include the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the American Council on Exercise, and the Better Business Bureau.
4. What are the educational backgrounds and certifications of your staff? Trainers should be certified by National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Ideally, your trainers will have their educational backgrounds in science, kinesiology, sports medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, biomechanics and adult physical education.
5. What type of fitness classes do you offer? Some Oakland County health clubs do not offer any fitness classes at all, so it’s important to ask. Naturally, the best clubs offer everything from aqua aerobics and cycling to cardio workouts and group power-lifting classes. Be sure to ask whether these classes are included in your membership or not.
6. What are the class schedules? These classes will be no good to you if they don’t work around your work obligations. Also, you’ll want to visit the gym at a few different times to gauge how busy the facility is. Keep an eye on the equipment you’ll be using to see if anything will be available. Nothing is worse than standing around waiting for a machine to free up!
7. Is the staff friendly and helpful? You won’t be asking anyone this particular question, but it’s something you’ll ask yourself in retrospect. You want to have all your questions answered and find the staff members approachable should you need advice on how to use a particular machine or how to maintain perfect form. It’s estimated 25 to 50 percent of all members drop out or change facilities for this reason alone.
8. Do you offer guest passes? Can you accommodate a special group class or party? Can I put my membership on hold if I’m sick or going on vacation? What if I lose my card? Customer service policies vary widely, so be sure to ask about how flexible the club is.
9. How can you help me achieve my objectives? Not all Oakland County health clubs offer personalized services like personal training or nutrition counseling.
10. Does the club’s environment appeal to you? Again, this is not the question to ask the head of a health club, but take a mental note on the atmosphere, the music, the paint colors, the cleanliness of the facility and other factors.

In their report, IBISWorld said that gyms have benefited from consumer trends in fighting obesity, improvements in medicine, and the vast number of marketing campaigns employed by experienced business owners. People are looking for diversity in their fitness activities, so you’ll notice a number of different types of classes, boot camps and workout machines at most Oakland County gyms to meet consumer expectations.

You can see all of this fitness club evolution taking place right here, at Fit Concepts Oakland County gyms. Over the past few years, we’ve taken our business to the next level, offering you everything from nutrition and personal training programs to boot camps and sport-specific training programs. Whether you’re into body building, getting rid of post-pregnancy baby weight, therapeutic massage, or aqua aerobics, we have it all at our Oakland County gyms.

You may also notice that our Oakland County gyms are everywhere. In our marketing campaigns, we hope to educate you about everything that is relevant and interesting in fitness, weight loss, and training today. You can read our blogs, watch our videos, come to our seminars, or join our facility to get on the cutting edge of fitness. We take great pride in helping newcomers, as well as established fitness veterans, get the physique and reach the goals they set for themselves.

The economic down-turn caused a couple changes in Oakland County gyms. For example, many smaller gyms have proliferated in recent years, versus big box super gyms.  As a result, there are no “major players” holding significant market share over 5 percent. Also, monthly prices have gone down considerably to meet the declining household incomes for many gym members who may have lost or changed employment in the past few years. IBISWorld anticipates that gyms across the country will become more competitive and offer lucrative deals or handsome incentives to boost retention rates.

Check out Fit Concepts Oakland County gyms and be part of the growing national fitness trend!

His study looked at a commercial Weight Watchers program versus a clinic-based individualized approach. He examined 46 obese patients with Body Mass Indexes above 30 who had no serious or life-threatening conditions. The first group received a voucher to attend the commercial program for 17 weeks. The second group received 12 individual counseling sessions with a nutritionist. Patients who go to an Oakland County weight loss center would be able to use meal replacements like Slim Fast or Glucerna, and take weight loss medication like Phentermine to help with their weight loss too.

After four months, Dr. Tsai found that patients going to the clinic program lost significantly more weight. For example, the weight loss center group lost 6 to 8 more pounds on average than the Weight Watchers group. He also found that 39 percent of participants dropped out of the commercial weight loss program, compared to 30 percent who left the clinical program. Participants complained that the commercial program needed “more structure” during the meetings and “more educational content” rather than personal stories. People only tended to drop out of the clinical programs for “personal reasons” related to unrelated struggles at home or work situations.

Even though the study was relatively small, it’s important because it shows that programs like our Oakland County weight loss center offers are a better option than commercial Jenny Craigs or Weight Watchers. You’ll get more value from our educational seminars on nutrition, diet and exercise. We also work directly with you to assess your family history, health concerns, eating habits, and personal food preferences. This ensures that we get a healthy, yet balanced, meal plan that you will enjoy and really stick to. Also, since nurse nutritionists and personal trainers can advise patients at an Oakland County weight loss center, this type of program is more cost-effective for individuals compared to $2,000 commercial memberships or expensive meetings with a physician.

Click here for more information on our Oakland County weight loss center.

1. You are eating too much.

Some diets claim you MUST eat three meals per day and three snacks. That can seem like an awful lot of food. You need to pay close attention to the recommended portion sizes. Moderation is the key to any good diet. You don’t want to cut out your cravings completely because, as you know, this always back-fires and causes you to binge later.

1. You are eating too little.

It’s tempting to think, “If I just consume fewer calories, I’ll lose weight.” The problem is, if you fail to consume enough calories, your body goes into starvation mode and creates excess fat reserves – thus causing you to gain more than you lose. You’re also more likely to binge when given the chance if your blood sugar levels constantly plummet and spike.

1. You don’t drink enough water.

It is important that you have your 8 glasses or more of water a day. People often mistake thirst for hunger, which causes them to eat unnecessarily. Water not only helps all your body processes function more efficiently and detoxifies your system, but it also helps you lose weight.

1. Your Oakland County weight loss plan is poorly defined.

The best thing you can do is write down each and every meal or snack you plan to eat throughout the week. Do your shopping and leave nothing to chance or impulse. You’re less likely to pig out or stray from your diet if everything is written out. If you’re going to a party, try to eat beforehand to avoid the temptation to overindulge.

1. You’re not working out.

Dieting can only take you so far when it comes to Oakland County weight loss. You should also be doing 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day, whether it’s riding your bike, walking your dog, participating in a boot camp, or following an aerobic workout DVD. For the best results, get a buddy, family member, or your mate to participate with you.

Contact Fit Concepts Oakland County weight loss facility to get a personalized meal and workout plan that will help you reach your goals and stay motivated!

When you’re getting married, every day counts, so it makes sense to use Oakland County boot camps as a resource to stay fit and trim. You won’t have to feel so bad about all the alcohol you’ll consume or all the food you’ll eat during all those cake and food tastings, pre-wedding parties, unavoidable holidays, and on the Big Day itself. The average bride wants to drop dress sizes and lose between 20-25 pounds before her wedding. That can be a daunting task, but with the proper amount of time, the right attitude and a good support network, it is very possible. Boot camp is a great way to get focused and fit.

Oakland County boot camps for brides usually feature military style obstacle courses and very basic equipment. You’ll do sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, squats and other traditional “old school” exercises. Oakland County boot camps focus on some of the main areas that photographers will be snapping up – notably, the back, arms and shoulders. Interval training will have you getting your heart rate really elevated during high intensity portions, followed by brief recovery periods – a strategy which is known to melt off excess fat. Exercises are focused on building strength, stamina and confidence – all things that will help you walk down that aisle. Most bridal boot camps meet three days a week for an hour at a time.

It’s probably too late if you’re trying to shed pounds just 10 days from the wedding. There is no “magic bullet” in that case. However, much can be achieved if you have at least 12 weeks before the ceremony. It’s not uncommon to lose 10 to 25 pounds over the course of three or four months. Instructors at Oakland County boot camps say 12 weeks is the perfect timeframe because you’re jittery and excited about the wedding, so you’ll have a good outlet for this anxious energy. It’s also motivating to know that you have a beginning, middle and end timeframe in mind.

Want to feel more beautiful on your big day? Call Fit Concepts Oakland County boot camps!

You’ll find that an Oakland County boot camp is similar to military-style workouts with push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, obstacle courses, jump squats, and very basic moves. This is the essence of a boot camp fitness routine. You’re going back to basics. The combinations and moves are easy to follow, unlike dance classes or step aerobics, which can be a nightmare to follow. The typical workout also combines the fun and motivation of a group class with a personal training aspect, where instructors walk around and offer individual tips and suggestions to make sure everyone gets the most out of every session, no matter their fitness level. The instructor will explain how to modify each exercise to make it easier or more challenging, depending on your preference. And when you feel you want to just give up, someone is there to encourage you to keep going.

Part of what makes Oakland County boot camp workouts different than other types of fitness classes is that the entire body is engaged and trainers take you through intervals of high intensity followed by brief recovery periods. This type of workout always keeps the body guessing and melts off pounds much faster than any other type, which is another part of the allure. Participants feel motivated to keep going because they see their bodies being reshaped within the first month. Also, no two boot camp sessions are ever precisely the same. This is very important when it comes to body shaping and growing stronger.

All in all, Oakland County boot camp is a lifestyle change. Participants get back what effort they put in and most people find that they like the setting and the atmosphere of this new lifestyle. Some people come to boot camp to meet short-term weight loss goals, but others become hooked for life! If you’re interested in trying a few sessions out, please contact Fit Concepts for more information on the life-changing Oakland County boot camp we offer! We’d love to have you.

When it comes to weight training, the best way to learn the ropes is to have an Oakland County personal training expert show you the best weights or weight machines to use. You’ll get your own personal tour of the facility and have someone critique your form. Not only does this protect you from getting hurt, but it also shows you how to maximize your workout for the best results. Even just a handful of sessions with a professional certified trainer can make a huge difference.

If you’re the type of person who has no idea what a “dead lift” or “squat” is like, then you’re probably going to stagnate. Old school lifting techniques using free weights are what will really achieve the cut definition you’re looking for, not to mention what really strengthens your muscles. The machines are nice as finishing exercises, but th core of your workout should include reps with free weights.

Many guys get stuck on bicep pumps to build their arms first and foremost. While this is fine and dandy (women do love men with bulging biceps), you need to focus on total body fitness with squats, dead lifts, bench presses, overhead presses, chin-ups, and rows too. If you don’t know how to do all of these things, then there is no better way than learning from an experienced Oakland County personal training expert.

If you find you’re always sore or hurting, then you may not be working out the right way. If you’re working out a lot and you’re not reaching your goals, then you need to learn more about technique and how to progress your workout in a safe-yet-productive manner.

You’re Bored.

It can be hard to find motivation to see your workout routines through. An Oakland County personal training expert will never give you the exact same workout twice. You’ll learn combinations you may have never thought of before. It’s easy to hit a plateau if you’re doing the same motions over and over. Even if you’re an experienced lifter, the help of a professional can give you new moves to add to your repertoire and keep things fresh.
Interested in Oakland County personal training? Try Fit Concepts!

For six months, Drew Manning stopped exercising and ate whatever he wanted. The 30-year-old said goodbye to his six-pack abs and bulked up from 193lbs to 263.3lbs. Each week, he participated in some sort of food challenge as voted by the public – either eating as many corndogs as he could muster or trying to finish the Fuddrucker’s challenge of a 1-pound burger, 1 pound of cheese fries and large brownie sundae.

Drew wrote on his blog: “People that are overweight have to overcome both physical and emotional barriers when it comes to losing weight. I hope to have a better understanding of this through my experience over the next year.” He knew it wouldn’t feel good to gain 80 pounds, but he underestimated how quickly he could fall out of shape, getting winded just chasing his daughter around the house for 10 or 15 laps. He found it difficult to even take out the trash, clean, or wash the dishes. He became grumpy, depressed, and lethargic. Part of him was afraid to give up the Cap’n Crunch and Mountain Dew that he kept stashed under his bed.

In an interview he said, “I definitely feel ‘addicted’ to these foods. In the beginning, I did not like soda, but now I can’t go a day without, otherwise I’ll get the headaches, bad mood, etc. Emotionally, it’s taken a toll on my confidence level, even in my marriage. I don’t like the way I look in public; nothing fits right; bending over to tie my shoes or clip my toe nails has become so difficult. I’ve definitely taken those things for granted.”

Drew is set to start his weight loss phase come November, so be sure to watch his journey at http://www.fit2fat2fit.com/. He will offer his meal plan and workout regimen on his website. We can’t promise you an Oakland County personal trainer who has gone from fit to fat and back again, but you will find certified trainers with extensive backgrounds in helping obese and overweight individuals find foods and workouts they enjoy, making it easier to adopt a new lifestyle that promotes health. Call Fit Concepts to find an Oakland County personal trainer who genuinely cares about your wellbeing and has all the resources to help you get there faster.

• 60 percent of Americans see obesity as America’s #1 Public Health Threat.
• 60 percent of those people had “overweight” or “obese” BMIs.
• 50 percent of the respondents said they don’t go out of their way to exercise at all.
• 72 percent of the obese and overweight said they were in “excellent” or “good” condition.
• 43 percent of the respondents said they were “about the same” weight-wise as last year.
• 1 in 10 “fitter” respondents said they weighed less or exercised more than they did last year.

People must face the hard truths about themselves, concluded lead researcher Dan Prince.

There are several ways to know if your fitness levels are up to par.

1. Test your BMI. For most people, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is generally considered healthy.
2. Check your waist-to-hip ratio. Measure the circumference of your hips and widest part of your rear; measure the smallest part of your waist; divide your waist by your hip measurement. Hopefully you will get less than 0.8.
3. Count how many times your heart beats in a minute while you are at rest. A “good” rate is 60 beats or less, while anything over 100 is cause for concern.
4. Run or walk as long as you can. Ideally, you’ll be able to go 1.26 miles or more.

• Practice makes perfect! Joining a White Lake fitness club and sticking with a routine is the best way to boost your fitness, whether you’d like to lose weight or improve your heart health. It’s recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.
• Find an activity that you love. For some people, it’s boot camp and group fitness classes. For others, it may be squash, yoga, hockey, kickboxing, stationary cycling, swimming, or tennis.
• A good place for beginners to start may be the elliptical trainer, a treadmill, a stationary bike, or pulley weight machines. This equipment takes some of the stress off the body.
• Hire a White Lake fitness trainer. If motivation is a problem for you, then a personal trainer can work wonders by making you more accountable to your fitness schedule. You’ll also learn new exercises, techniques, and how to use all of the workout center’s equipment.

Learn about our White Lake fitness center here!