Gold’s Visual Fitness Program

Nobody seems to know that unique magic necessary for people to finally decide to change their lives, but when it happens it is obvious.  All of our members who want Personal Training Orientations go through a free assessment with Gold’s Visual Fitness Program. The Personal Trainers write up short summaries of stats (age, weight, sex, health conditions, etc.) of each member, why they joined, what their goals are, and if they selected, or did not select, the option for Personal Training, what their reasoning was for their choice.

I have read well over a thousand of these since our Head Personal Trainers began this analysis and I will have to say our community is in very sad shape fitness wise.  And our community is not different from the entire country.  Many have all the reasons for what they want to do, but unwilling to get the help necessary to make it happen for them. One had been sent by her doctor but said she needed new curtains in the living room.  Jeezzz!

When I read some of these I can tell the ones who will succeed.  They have a humble approach for it seems to be people who have been knocked down time and again.  They have something that finally snaps and now ready to fight with a plan and take-no-prisoners passion.  Some finally just get up one day and look in the mirror and say, “That’s it.  I’ve had enough. I’m going to do something about this and I really mean it.”

Weight Loss Success Stories

Gold’s Gym Personal Trainers have found just the right way to push for results while maintaining the fun and motivation in the process.  Preston Barnes, Brenda Smith, Jennifer Marnell, Marie Hayes, and the lists go on and on.  Once the spark in ignited in someone, our Personal Trainers fan the flames to success.  Weight loss suddenly becomes easily possible when the right people are involved.  People can become who they want to be with a little inspiration from inside and out.

Don’t Be a Holiday Statistic

Did you know that the average person gains eight pounds during the holiday season? And if the extra pounds don’t come off by March, they probably won’t be coming off that year. The good news is that you don’t have to be a holiday statistic. As we approach the holiday season we will be faced with family gatherings, company and neighborhood parties, delicious meals, and homemade desserts. There are ways to get through the season without adding any inches to your waistline. We’ll share with you a couple of our favorite tips.

Focus on Family not Food

This year focus on the reason for the holiday season. Your emphasis and attention should be on family and special friends and less on the food that is served.

1. Never go to a party hungry! Everything looks good when you are hungry. Even those over cooked sausage balls of Aunt Mary’s.
2. Remember the “three bite rule”. The first three bites of anything tastes the best. After that your taste buds are actually dulled to the taste. Put your fork down.
3. Water should be your constant companion during the holiday season. It helps your skin look it’s best and it is a great way to feel full when you begin to feel tempted.
4. Alcohol always lowers your resistance. If you must drink, drink responsibly and between alcoholic beverages, drink a glass of sparkling water with a lemon or line twist. It is refreshing and it helps keeps you hydrated.
5. Make sure you stay rested. It’s tempting to burn both ends of the candle. Sleep deprivation makes it hard to resist temptation.
6. Most get- togethers are potluck. Take one of your low-fat favorite appetizers.
7. Don’t skip that exercise class or work out. The exercise will help keep the stress at bay, keep you looking and feeling your best, and keep the hunger under control. Need I say more?
8. When short on time try to make it to a Group Active class where you will focus on all the components of fitness in a 45-minute format.
9. If you know it is going to be a tough season, you may want to engage the help of a personal trainer. He/She can design a realistic plan with realistic goals and hold you accountable throughout the season.

Start NOW!

Begin this holiday season with a clear path to better health. Don’t wait until January to start your resolution, start today! Look great and feel great right through the holiday season. Set your goals and enjoy the season!

Golds Gym is always available to help. Whether you live in Douglasville, Villa Rica, Temple, Hiram or Dallas. We have a location and program for you.

Fit into that Great New Holiday Outfit.

Did you know that the average person gains eight pounds during the holiday season? And if the extra pounds don’t come off by March, they probably won’t be coming off that year. The good news is that you don’t have to be a holiday statistic. As we approach the holiday season we will be faced with family gatherings, company and neighborhood parties, delicious meals, and homemade desserts. There are ways to get through the season without adding any inches to your waistline. We’ll share with you a couple of our favorite tips.

Tips for Success!

This year focus on the reason for the holiday season. Your emphasis and attention should be on family and special friends and less on the food that is served.

Never go to a party hungry! Everything looks good when you are hungry. Even those over cooked sausage balls of Aunt Mary’s.

Remember the “three bite rule”. The first three bites of anything tastes the best. After that your taste buds are actually dulled to the taste. Put your fork down.

Water should be your constant companion during the holiday season. It helps your skin look it’s best and it is a great way to feel full when you begin to feel tempted.

Alcohol always lowers your resistance. If you must drink, drink responsibly and between alcoholic beverages, drink a glass of sparkling water with a lemon or line twist. It is refreshing and it helps keeps you hydrated.

Make sure you stay rested. It’s tempting to burn both ends of the candle. Sleep deprivation makes it hard to resist temptation.

Most get-togethers are potluck. Take one of your low-fat favorite appetizers.

Don’t skip that exercise class or work out. The exercise will help keep the stress at bay, keep you looking and feeling your best, and keep the hunger under control. Need I say more?

When short on time try to make it to a Group Active class where you will focus on all the components of fitness in a 45-minute format.

If you know it is going to be a tough season, you may want to engage the help of a personal trainer. He/She can design a realistic plan with realistic goals and hold you accountable throughout the season.

Begin this holiday season with a clear path to better health. Don’t wait until January to start your resolution, start today! Look great and feel great right through the holiday season. Set your goals and enjoy the season!

Golds Gym is always available to help. Whether you live in Douglasville, Villa Rica, Temple, Hiram or Dallas. We have a location and program for you.

By Chris Fortney, Gold’s Gym Douglasville Tennis Pro

PLAY TENNIS LOSE WEIGHT

Weight loss is about getting your mind right, sticking with it and making a change in your life. I’m not sure why more people don’t incorporate tennis into that change. I have known numerous people that have had drastic weight loss through tennis.

START WITH A TENNIS LESSON

One 40 plus woman, started playing tennis because her boys played. She wasn’t really interested in playing just wanted to know how to keep score and what the game was about. She started taking a beginner’s lesson every week. She laughs when she tells me her body hurt so bad it took her a week to recover from the lesson, and then she would come out and do it again. She started doing some simple stretches to help with the soreness. After a few months, she joined a tennis team and began doing a team drill and a private lesson a week. She had already lost 25 pounds. Now she was hooked, not only was she having fun learning a new sport, but also there was the added benefit of weight loss. She began adding a little cardio work out to help with breathing during tennis. Over a 10-month period, she lost a total of 55 pounds, going from a size 16 to a 6. And with tennis in her life, she has kept in off for over 4 years.

TENNIS MAKES IT EASY TO STICK WITH IT

She made a change in her life, her mind was right and she stuck to it. But, she had so much fun doing it, it never seemed difficult. What a great way to lose weight! One of the most difficult parts of losing weight and keeping it off is sticking with it. A lot of people get bored, feel like the changes are too difficult to continue with, or when they get to their ideal weight, stop doing what got them there. Tennis is a great maintenance program and a great way to keep exercise in your life in a fun atmosphere. So think about joining a tennis team as part of your fitness program. You’ll be making a change for life.

See for yourself how playing tennis can help you lose weight.

Two Great Health Clubs for Women to Exercise

If you live in Douglasville, GA and want to lose weight, get in shape, or stay in shape Gold’s Gym is the place.  As a female, there are some days I want to exercise with women only and I have that choice at Gold’s Gym on Hospital Drive in Douglasville, Ga or the West Cobb location in Austell, GA.  Both facilities have exercise areas that are reserved for women only and they are privately situated.  In the women’s only section at the West Cobb facility there is a 30-minute circuit for those days when I am really pressed for time.

Do you have a busy schedule?  Group Active is the Answer!

With my busy schedule, time is something I never have enough of.  I am always looking for a way to exercise efficiently. This summer I got hooked on one of the great exercise classes called Group Active.  The class increases my cardio fitness, helps me build strength and it has improved my balance and flexibility.  I really like the fact that it targets my abs, arms and back.  Being a baby boomer, these areas are always areas that need special attention.

Gold’s Gym, Douglasville GA Takes Away All The Reasons Not to Exercise. 

• “I don’t have enough time”…the 30-minute women’s only circuit is available.
• “I don’t like to exercise alone”…there are 11 group fitness classes to chose from and Personal Trainers available on staff.
• “I don’t want to work out in a co-ed environment”…two locations have private, women’s only facilities.
• “I don’t want to work out with just women”…each location has co-ed facilities with the best equipment.
• “I had a tough day”…the staff is always so friendly, at the end of the workout life always looks better.
• “I don’t have any energy”…I always feel more energized after a workout.
• “ I have children”…each location has a Kid’s Klub with a caring staff.  Not to mention the Fit Kids program.
• “ I get board easily”…in addition to all of the items mentioned above there is a pool and tennis courts available.
• “I don’t like to exercise” …just enjoy the steam room and Jacuzzi.

Learn more about all the Great Programs at Gold’s Gym in Douglasville, GA.  Tour the facility and see for yourself how we can help you overcome all of you excuses.    

 By: Leslie Austin, Gold’s Gym Director.

Benefits at Every Age

No matter at what age a woman becomes physically active, an ever growing body of research continues to support the idea that the benefits of this increased activity aretremendous, and extremely beneficial throughout a woman’s life.

Importance of Youth Exercise

Until recently, most people believed that children didn’t need to worry about getting enough exercise. But with the advent of television and computers, growing generations of sedentary children are becoming the next generation of unhealthy adults. Current research is finding that heart disease begins developing in youth. Considering that cardiovascular diseases are now the leading cause of death for women as well as men, one could conclude that childhood and adolescence is the appropriate time to develop healthy lifestyle habits that include exercise.

Exercise in Midlife is Very Important

During midlife, the most common physical complaint among women is weight gain. This slow, but steady and persistent gain is something the majority of middle-aged women experience. Some experts believe it is caused in part by hormonal changes; others argue it is most likely due to a decreasing amount of lean muscle tissue, which results in a slower metabolic rate. It is widely known that a woman’s bone density begins to decline even before her midlife years, and bone loss accelerates after menopause. While most types of activity offer some protection against bone loss, weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging and strength training seem to offer the greatest benefit.

Senior Exercise is Important

Physicians who work with the elderly are the fastest growing group of doctors who use exercise to combat injury, illness and disease. Washington Physiatrist Scott Gross, M.D. routinely prescribes exercise programs to his elderly patients. “Decreased muscle strength, flexibility and endurance is central to many of the problems I see in older adults, especially women. In terms of daily living, the typical 75-year-old woman I see rarely has adequate strength to carry groceries up a flight of stairs, and certainly could not pick herself up off the floor after a fall.”

Start Exercising Now

Once you’ve made the decision to begin exercising, don’t wait. By starting today, with something as simple as a walking program you will discover the key to a lifetime of health. For many women, young, old or in the middle, the day they begin an exercise program can be the day they discover the key to improved quality of life.

Are your ready to get started on being a healthier you?  Gold’s Gym wants to help you get started with a FREE MINI-MEMBERSHIP!  Get Yours Today!

By Steve Pacheco

One Gym Two Locations in Douglasville, GA

When it comes to Douglasville, GA health clubs, Gold’s Gym, off of Chapel Hill Rd is unique in many ways.  One such way is its close proximity to its sister gym, Gold’s Gym on Hospital Drive.  As the newer of the two locations, the Chapel Hill Gold’s Gym plays off very well on the features and benefits offered at the Hospital Drive location. 

Douglasville Health Club has Personal Training & Group Fitness 

It provides complimentary programming with a distinct emphasis to Group Fitness and Personal Training.  In turn, our members have total access to a very diverse choice of programs and features at both clubs to meet their individual fitness needs.   It is literally a “one gym, two location” philosophy which actually expands the benefits to our members to a wide ranging choice of fitness benefit options.  Whether one’s fitness goals are weight loss, strength training and toning, or relaxation through yoga based group classes, Chapel Hill compliments Hospital Drive’s theme of family fitness. With two group fitness studios and ample space for personal training, it provides a logical extension of choices to our members beyond the more traditional workout options and racquet sports offered at the Hospital Drive location.         

Total Fitness with Variety of Choices

Losing weight for example, is a most popular fitness theme.  Classes, either in the pool or in a studio are a great compliment to the more traditional activities associated with weight loss.  While walking, running and solo cycling on a stationary cycle appeal to some, many find motivation and inspiration in the group fitness setting.  At Chapel Hill there are as many as 65-70 group fitness classes offered per week.  Adding the classes offered at Hospital Drive, this number is pushed to nearly 120 classes per week.  This is but one example why Gold’s Gym at Chapel Hill is so unique to the Douglasville, Georgia community. 

Gold’s Gym Chapel Hill wants you to experience all that two locations has to offer.  Claim your FREE MINI-MEMBERSHIP today! 

By Steve Pacheco

Group Ride Great Class to Lose Weight

Isn’t perception funny? This is especially true when seeing just how members view the “pounding” they expect to take during a Group Ride class in Douglasville GA Gold’s Gym. I hear comments such as, “You all seem to be working so hard”, or, my favorite, “I’ll take that class when I get in better shape.” In truth it all boils down to how the Group Ride experience is viewed or perceived in the eyes of the beholder. How things appear to change when you build the courage to take a class. Then the view changes from one previously held to,” I should have started earlier”, “it’s really only as hard as you want to make it”, or, again a favorite of mine, “show me how to take it to the next level”.

What Is So Special About Group Ride? 

So why Group Ride? I can say that it certainly is not for the pounding. No one would ever return if that were the case. Yet the Group Ride program in Douglasville, GA is one of the more popular classes Gold’s Gym offers.  And if judged on the number of classes offered (approximately 30 per week in) it is the most popular.  Why? I think at some level participants like to live the perception of taking on something tough.  There’s a pride in association with a program viewed as worthy of the fitness elite.

Group Ride Works! 

Dropping down a level or two there are reasons more practical while less psychological. Ride works! The class experience delivers on its promise of enhancing or increasing cardiovascular fitness in a very personally measurable way.  The participant “feels” the progress he or she makes over time (and not a very long time at that).  I don’t care how it’s gauged, either fewer rest breaks, longer time up and out of the saddle, or more resistance, progress is made.  More importantly, it’s personal progress in the sense that you are quickly getting better at something in ways you don’t have to be told. Making progress is good.  You discover it yourself! So it boils down to “progress” and not the “pounding”.  I can’t tell you just how good it feels to watch a member take simple personal pride in just “making it through class”.

Ready to Lose the Weight for Good? 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not discounting the benefits to core strength, increased Vo2 max, or drop in body fat, etc.  You just don’t have to go that far and measure all those things to know that something good is happening to you after a short time enjoying the Group Ride class experience.
And that’s where I come back to the beginning.  Individually you’ve been intimidated by a perception which almost kept you from trying Group Ride. Then you broke down some personal barrier and took your first class, and many since. Then, in some perverse way you want to return to having survived the pounding, and want others to know you did, perpetuating the myth. You are in an elite class of group fitness participants. Isn’t perception funny?

Try a Group Ride Class for yourself…FREE!  No strings attached!  Get your Free Gold’s Gym Mini-Membership today!

People Marrying excess weight who aim to ward off diabetes should try to lose the pounds before they reach middle age, Australian researchers suggest.

BODY MASS INDEX Strong Predictor for Diabetes Risk

A woman’s body mass index (BMI) in her late 40s was the strongest predictor of her risk of developing diabetes over the next eight years, Dr. Gita D. Mishra of the University of Queensland and her colleagues found.

On the other hand, there was no link between weight change in subsequent years and the likelihood of becoming diabetic.

Is Your Weight The Problem?

While excess weight is understood to boost the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the effects of shorter-term weight gain or loss are not as clear, Mishra and her team note in the journal Diabetes Care. To investigate, the researchers followed 7,239 women for 8 years. Study participants were 45 to 50 years old when the study began, and they completed surveys on their health at the study’s outset in 1996 and in 1998, 2001 and 2004.

Your greatest risk.

Those with BMIs of 25 or greater, indicating they were overweight or obese, in 1996 were at the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 2004, the researchers found. Very obese women with BMIs of 35 or above were 12 times more likely than their normal-weight peers to become diabetic.

Want to know your body mass index?  Get a Free Mini-Membership and find out today.