What can we do?

Really, there is only one thing we can all do. GET MOVING! It really doesn't matter what you do to get moving, but the key is to do something. Almost any activity is better than nothing and of course, the more you can do the better. We have seen the best results at the gym when people are doing at least 30 minutes of cardio actiivity 3-4 times a week.

You can start by just taking a brisk, 30 minute walk around your block or on a track at a local school or park. You can then graduate to a treadmill, bike or elliptical machine. At Gold's Gym in Paramus, we actually built a movie theater in the gym with cardio equipment instead of seats. All of this, just to entertain people and get them to burn more calories than ever before. We have come to the conclusion that whatever we can do to help people burn calories is a good thing.

Always go at a pace that is comfortable, but challenging. Listen to your body and never overdo it as the idea of exercise is not to feel "pain" and knock yourself out to a point that is dangerous.

In addition to cardio exercise machines, taking a group class has gotten many of our members great results as they find it very motivating to be in a room with like minded people who are all trying to burn some calories, get a great workout and have some fun. The other thing I have always liked about taking a class, is that it is supervised and led by an instructor who essentially is a personal trainer for the entire group.

Outdoor activities are great and it seems that there are more people than ever doing bike rides, charity walks, entering biathlons, triathlons and even marathons. This is a wonderful trend and if it's something that interests you, you can train for it and aspire to participate in these kinds of events. You can do it, you just need to commit and then train for it.

Whatever you decide to do, start today, do not procrastinate and GET MOVING!!!

The Truth about Fitness - Why I am Writing This

Quite Simply, I am writing this blog to speak to everyone out there who really wants to know the truth about fitness. Truth is, it seems to me that our country, from our kids to our seniors, seem to be getting more unhealthy, more diabetic, more obese and are dealing with the complications of disease and illness more than ever before. If it seems that way to you, doesn't it seem strange that we have more information than ever about health and yet, we are faced with such serious epidemics that are now affecting our children as well as adults?

Truth is, we need to take action and the only thing we are in control of is our lifestyle and the choices we make each and every day. We are not in control of our genetics, our family histories and in some cases our environmental factors (although we are in control of this more than we used to be). We can certainly influence some things, but at the end of the day, we need to start to really focus on the things that we CAN CONTROL and do the best we can to turn things in our favor to give us the best chance at a longer and healthier life.

In this blog and the various posts to follow, I will try to educate, motivate and share the over 18 years of fitness experience I have as well as my lifetime experience of being an active athlete for as long as I can remember.

I am in the fitness business and truly feel that if we can just get our country moving a little bit more and eating a little bit less (and a little smarter), we can make some incredible changes in our health and in our lives.

I hope that as you read this and the posts to follow that you are able to take something away that will help you in the pursuit of your own health and fitness. I also hope that if you enjoy reading this and do take something away that helps you, that you will share it with your family, friends and loved ones.

While this is very important subject matter, we will be having lots of fun while discussing it!

Yours in Good Health,

Mike Epstein
Co-Owner Gold's Gym Paramus, NJ