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Restorative Fitness Helps Maintain a Long-Term Active Lifestyle

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Restorative fitness took a sharp rise to the top of the fitness trend list this past year as people worked to restore balance in their lives.

Restorative fitness took a sharp rise to the top of the fitness trend list over the past year. The collective changes to wellness routines and increased stress to daily life are among the key reasons that gentler modalities have carved out a bigger space in our movement life.

In fact, online class platforms have been reporting increases in demand for restorative fitness content. For example, ClassPass reported a 25% increase in Yoga participation, while Mirror, a relatively new at-home fitness technology tool, has seen a 40% increase in requests for more mindfulness content.

Although Yoga might be the first thing that comes to mind when people hear the word restorative fitness, in fact, this wellness trend includes modalities that range from massage, stretching, mobility, foam rolling, sauna sessions, and more.

The timing of this trend may have also brought a welcome balance to those who embraced the HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts of the previous few years and were experiencing symptoms of overtraining, injuries, and or just plain burnout.

Many people began to see the benefit of maintaining an active lifestyle long term, which meant including exercises, activity, and movements meant to help the body recover and restore. In fact, rest, coupled with restorative wellness, allows our fitness levels to improve and muscles to build after a tough workout.

SMART Recovery Foam Roller

Build your own Restorative Fitness Session

What you’ll need:

 

 

Yoga Sequence

Child’s Pose

Tabletop

Cat/Cow

Down Dog

Pigeon Pose, R

Down Dog

Pigeon Pose, L

Down Dog

Reverse Lunge, R

Right Angle, R

Plank

Reverse Lunge, L

Right Angle, L

Down Dog

Child’s Pose

 

Stretch Sequence

SHOULDER STRETCH

Lay face down, arms out in T position. Roll bodyweight to one side, using opposite arm to steady, and stretch the shoulder joint)

TORSO RELEASE

Cobra to Updog: Lay belly down and lift your upper body, pressing your palms into the floor and drawing your shoulder blades together and away from your ears.

Spinal Roll Massage: In a seated position, lift your legs parallel to the floor. Roll backwards paying attention to your spine and neck while you allow each vertebrae to connect with the floor. Roll back to a seated position.

 

Foam Roll Session

Muscle recovery is an important step in overall fitness. Try this leg sequence for posterior chain recovery. Spend 30 seconds on each area: calves, hamstrings & glutes.

Do you have a restorative fitness plan? Let us know what part of the session works best for you.

 

 

https://youtu.be/-ZQZ_J0oWsA

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5 Exercises to do instead of Squats

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Squats Alternative

 

5 Exercises to do instead of Squats

The simple squat is a powerful movement and a favorite among fitness fanatics for a good reason: they work. Squats move the muscles of your lower body (quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, hips, and calves) in unison, and that can translate to real-world strength. Squats also work on hip mobility, which is important in executing daily activities such as getting up from your chair, walking the stairs, or bending to pick up an object. Knee, hip, or back injuries can sometimes make squatting uncomfortable or even painful, but there are alternatives to help you build on your leg strength and still work the major muscles you’re trying to target. Focusing on your lower body (whether it’s squats or squat alternatives) can support increases in your lean muscle mass, which can elevate your resting metabolism and increase your calorie burn outside of your workout.

 

Equipment Needed:

 

Five Squat Alternatives

Perform three or four sets of 10 to 15 reps for each exercise. Rest 30 to 45 seconds between sets.

1. Glute Bridge Roll Out with SMART Stability Ball

The how-to:  Lie on your back with your knees bent, heels on the ball. Slowly roll the ball away from you while keeping your pelvis elevated and spine aligned. Roll back to start. Repeat

The why:  Glute bridges target the glutes without placing any weight on your knees.

 

2. Romanian Deadlift with SMART Sleeved Tubing

The how-to: Place your feet shoulder-width apart and have the band beneath between the heel and arch. Hold the band snug in an overhand grip, knuckles out, hips back, slight bend in the knee, and maintain a flat back. Lift, contracting your glutes, and push them forward. Pause, then slowly release and smoothly return to start.

The why: The hip hinge motion provides less pressure on the knees while still targeting your glutes.

 

3. SMART Medicine Ball Swing

The how-to: Place your feet shoulder-width apart and have the ball between your legs, knees slightly bent. Lean forward and push your hips back without bending your back or knees. With weight in the heels, move your hips forward and swing the ball in front of the body, chest height. Keep in mind that the movement comes from the hips, not your upper body. Slowly return and repeat.

The why: This is a dynamic version of a hip hinge motion that produces added power over a Romanian Deadlift and an even bigger glute workout.

 

4. Lateral Walk with SMART Sleeved Tubing

The how-to:  Hold the tubing in your hand about shoulder height and keep it snug as you put the other end of the tubing underneath your feet. Keeping your legs shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your core braced, step your right foot out to the side and then follow with your left. Then, step to the side with your left and let your right follow. Repeat.

The why:  This is a great way to activate the glutes and work on proper form while moving your hips, knees, and feet in unison.

 

5. Reverse Lunge with SMART Medicine Ball

The how-to:  With your feet hip-width apart, hold a medicine ball in front of your chest. Put your left leg back in a wide backward stride, and lower down, you are at a 90-degree angle while keeping your knee above your ankle. Push through your front foot to stand, then repeat on the opposite leg.

The why:  Lunges are a great way to mimic the movement of a squat while reducing pressure on the knees.

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Cold Weather Workout Benefits

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Brrr. The cold weather may leave you wanting to hibernate and load up on hearty meals, but we have a good reason to stay tough through the winter months with an outdoor workout.

 

Burn More Calories in the Cold

Turns, out, cold weather may give you a more solid calorie burning session than temperate climates. For starters, you body will expend more energy to keep warm and regulate your core temperature. Cold weather also simulates a certain type of fat store and both of those factors can lead to burning up to 400-500 more calories per day. Of course, all exercise can boost your metabolism, but adding in some cold weather training could result in a higher metabolic increase.

 

Improve Your Immune System

Getting out in the cold can also improve your immune system, according the Mayo Foundation. Their study found that regular outdoor, cold-weather exercise reduced susceptibility of colds by 20-30 percent!

 

Get some winter workouts on your schedule now. Try these:

 

  • Snowshoe racing
  • Winter trail running
  • Downhill skiing
  • XC skiing
  • Winter hiking
  • Skijoring

 

End your cold weather workout with an indoor foam roll session after you’ve warmed up. Your muscles will appreciate the extra attention.

Why should we warm-up before a workout?

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When you are pressed for time, it’s tempting to skip the warm-up and jump right into your workout, but getting your body ready for exercise is crucial for not only keeping your body free of injuries but making your workout the best it can be.

 

According to ASCM, the warm-up intends to increase the temperature of the muscles, thus preparing the body for the demands of the endurance conditioning phase, or primary focus, of the workout.

 

You’ll want to keep your warmup short and light, generally about 5-10 minutes, and at about 30% intensity of your goal workout intensity. You can start with a general warm-up to raise your heart rate and breathing (light job, easy bike, or brisk walk), and then move into a sport-specific warm-up that will mimic the activity that you will be doing. Stick to dynamic warm-ups vs. static which can actually decrease the power in your workout. Regularly engaging in warm-ups before a workout can lead to enhanced performance, injury prevention, and better mental preparation.

 

Here’s a quick warm-up routine that can prep your body for a run.

 

  • 3-5 minutes of brisk walking leading to light jogging
  • Add 4-6 Strides (Strides are about 100m accelerations where you start at a jog, build to about 95% of your max speed, and then gradually slow to a stop. One stride should take you about 20-30 seconds.)
Dynamic Exercises: Repeat 4 rounds
  • 10 Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Forward Jacks
  • 10 Squats
  • 10 Alternating Step Lunges

 

 

 

 

 

How to Maximize Your Rest Days & Recovery Periods

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Rest days and recovery are an essential part of any training and conditioning program. In fact, some would argue that it might be as important than the workout itself. The truth is, recovery must happen before progress is made. It is key to minimizing injuries, staying in the game for the long-haul, and increasing success on days when you want to push to the max.

 

 

Schedule Rest Periods

 

For optimal success, make sure you take at least a 24-hour rest between intense training sessions within the same muscle group. Remember, you are breaking down your muscle tissue and depleting your energy stores when you train. Rest periods allow for the muscle fibers to repair and grow. Returning to the gym prematurely could increase your risk for injury.

 

Then, every 3-4 weeks, plan a total recovery week. If you are lifting, try performing half the number of reps with sub-max loads. Or do a different take on a workout. Swap your HIIT session for a hike session, for example.

 

Proactively scheduling your rest days and recovery weeks can keep you from overtraining syndrome (OTS), which can occur when the body struggles to regain from constant strenuous exercises. Overtraining can actually cause a decrease in performance and may even lead to serious, adverse metabolic and physiological changes within the body.

 

Tip: Take one of your workout slots in your recovery week and schedule a sports massage during the time you would usually work out. That way, you keep a routine, and you fit in some needed self-care.

 

Sleep, Hydrate, & Refuel

 

The whole purpose of sleep is to induce a state of restoration in the body. In fact, it is the hormonal secretions that occur during sleep that can have the most significant influence on recovery. Research shows that without adequate sleep, the body can experience a decrease in both tolerance and performance in training sessions and the healing process after.  Bottom line: get your ZZZ’s and avoid screen time right before bedtime.

Dehydration not only reduces performance potential but can delay the recovery process. Exercise increases the body’s need for water and electrolytes, especially the sessions that are the most sweat producing. And how much water should you be drinking daily? Find out here.

Proper nutrition is also key to successful recovery.  Make sure you have a good source of protein as it is required to rebuild muscle tissue. And don’t rule out carbs just yet. They are a muscles primary source of energy and are important for refueling your body’s glycogen stores. Consult a sports nutritionist for the best food options and fuel recommendations based on your activity level and other considerations.

 

 

Focus on Recovery Sessions

Be sure to schedule active recovery into your workout routine. Doing so can help not only with injury recovery but overall workout success. Try these:

 

Smart Stick

The Smart Stick makes your favorite movements and exercises more productive. The hands push and pull each other and “drive” the body, creating balanced, an optimal range of motion from top to bottom. The unweighted version is perfect for flexibility and balance exercises.

 

 

 

 

Foam or Grid Rollers

The general idea behind rolling exercises is that by applying direct loads to your muscles, you lengthen and massage the underlying tissues. The use of rollers for effectively reducing muscle tension is now a widely accepted fitness practice and makes it easier to resume those challenging workouts.

 

 

 

 

Read more about how to use foam rollers in recovery here:

 

 

 

Stretching

 

The Mayo Clinic says that, in general, stretching may help you improve range of motion in joints, improve athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injury.

In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that you stretch for 60 seconds on each major muscle group at least two times a week.

 

Hip Stretch

 

Spinal Twist

 

Plow Pose

 

 

Smart Mats make stretching easy.

 

 

Read More about stretching here:

 

 

Massage:

Relieve tight muscles, deep tissue knots and minor aches and pains with a variety of self-massage tools.

 

TP Grid STK Roller

 

Hand-held roller used to relieve minor aches and pains. Designed with three-dimensional Grid® surface and AcuGRIP handles for targeted relief.

 

 

TP AcuCurve Cane

 

Relieve tight muscle knots in hard-to-reach areas like the neck, back, and shoulders. Features extra firm tip to provide precise pressure in deep tissue knots. Two-ball design on one end effectively targets the muscles surrounding the spine.

 

TP Grid Ball

Massage ball designed with the three-dimensional Grid® pattern for targeted relief in a compact size. Lightweight and portable!

 

 

TP Nano Foot Roller

Increase flexibility and relieve pains in the foot and forearm areas. Patterned surface promotes blood flow.

 

Add some FITNESS FUN to your next get-together with this “Party-Time Boot Camp”.

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Party Time Boot Camp

Summer kick-off is just around the corner! Here’s a fun twist to add to your next BBQ or birthday party: “Party Time Boot Camp”! It’s a great way to sneak in a little fitness and show the kiddos (and adults) that workouts can be fun. Don’t forget to take photos! This is Insta-worthy fun.

This workout is great for groups of all ages, and doesn’t require much equipment. It’s perfect for a backyard or park. You’ll need one fearless and energetic “leader” to keep everyone moving, and a group of willing participants.

 

Set up:

Equipment:  2 ping pong paddles, 4 Frisbees (or sandbells), and 1 sandbag.

Set up time: 5 minutes.

Identify the space you will use. There will need to be a “start” and a “finish”. Keep the area between the start and finish big enough so the adults can run between and still get some good work in, while keeping in mind that the kids might lose interest if it’s too hard. Mark the start area corners with two Frisbees, and then mark the finish corners with two Frisbees (the benefit of the Frisbees is that you can always adjust if needed!) Have the participants line up between the “Start” Frisbees, and the leader will be closer to the finish end, facing the participants.

 

Ready. Set. GO!

 

  1. Red Light, Green Light

Goal: First one to the “finish” section wins the round!

Leader uses two ping pong paddles, one red, one green. Hold up green Paddle and yell “GREEN LIGHT” signaling “GO”, then hold up red paddle and yell “RED LIGHT”, signaling “STOP”.

 

8 Rounds, each with a different move!

  1. Sprint (traditional)
  2. Frog Jumps (Low squat, hands toward ground, jump forward, land in low squat. Repeat.)
  3. Power Skips (Your typical childhood skip with extra power and the highest knees you can do!)
  4. Crab Crawls (Hands and feet on ground, belly up, moving hands and feet in forward motion.)
  5. Agility Shuffle (Turn to the side, grapevine feet back and forth, moving from start to finish.)
  6. Broad Jump Burpees (1 burpee, 1 broad jump moving towards finish line)
  7. Lunge walks (Alternate legs in walking lunge to move toward finish)
  8. Bear Crawls (Hands and feet on ground, hips in air, moving hands and feet in forward motion)

 

  1. Wheel Barrow Races!

This race is a down and back event, so each partner gets a turn at being the “wheelbarrow”, and the “hauler” Grab partner, and race down and back. Make the switch where you’ve marked the finish line for the other events.

First one back from round wins!

 

  1. Human Hurdles

Line up in row. Plank on forearms. Leave space in between each person. Once everyone is situated, instructor yells “GO” and the first person in line gets up and jumps “or steps” over each person until they get to the end. Once they are at the end, they drop to a plank position and become the last in line. Once the person’s turn is over, the next person goes. For those who don’t wish to jump or step high (have them step over people’s feet). Repeat until everyone has had a turn at being the jumper. Make sure you leave enough room as your line “grows”.

 

 

  1. “Choose Your Balance” Contest

Choose a handstand, headstand, crow pose, or some type of standing balance such as “Tree Pose”. Everyone gathers in workout area. When the instructor says “GO” start your balance exercise. Longest Hold WINS!

 

 

 

 

  1. Sandbag relay: 2 rounds- Timed!

Finish with some TEAM WORK!

 

Now your perimeter of the four corners is your designated relay area. (If you have a large group, you may need to increase the area.) Have everyone line up around the perimeter in generally equal distance from one another.  (You could also line up around the house or along a fitness track if you have one nearby). The first person holds the sandbag or sandbell (hoisted over the shoulder) and when the instructor says “GO”, they run to the next person in line. Then, that person runs to the next, and so on, until the last person reaches the end. The instructor times the event.

Round 2: Now your team has a goal: they must do it again, but BEAT the first time! This is a great way to get everyone working together and finishing with big smiles.

 

 

 

 

 

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