CARLSBAD, Calif., December 15, 2022—Gymnasium trade large 24 Hour Health, like many well being golf equipment, was hit exhausting by pandemic restrictions in 2020 that resulted within the closure of over 100 areas and the corporate submitting chapter that very same 12 months. Nevertheless, 24 Hour Health was removed from dropping out. By December of 2021, the corporate rose from the ashes of chapter, rebranded, with a brand new Board of Administrators, providing new progressive providers and a brand new imaginative and prescient to reel again its members.
Stefanie Chenok
The general focus with a lot of 24 Hour Health’ improvements and its new imaginative and prescient, is “bridging thoughts, physique, and spirit,” Stefanie Chenok, Regional Vice President at 24 Hour Health, defined, bringing well being, wellness, and health right into a single discussion board.
In a current examine carried out by the fitness center trade large, 78% of Individuals agreed that psychological and emotional wellbeing is the primary cause for exercising and 29% agreed {that a} group area was the place they had been in a position to obtain that. These examine outcomes in the end steered the corporate’s resolution to hone in on that thoughts/physique aspect to train.
“24 Hour Health is such a recognized identify within the health trade that there’s such a wealthy loyalty from a member standpoint and in December 2021 we began to essentially see the enterprise come again robust,” Chenok informed the Lynnwood Instances. “Once we began to see the site visitors come again, the membership gross sales come again, the health come again, we realized that not solely is it viable however it may be viable and thrive once more if we instill the fitting folks and be the way forward for the health trade by tapping into that mind-body.”
Inside of 24 Hour Health in Lynnwood. Source: 24 Hour Health.
Chenok joined the 24 Hour Health group in 2021 throughout a time the corporate was endeavor what they referred to as a “model refresh.” She comes from a background of retail administration serving as Senior Director for Shops and Human Assets at Goal from 2018 to 2019 and Director of Shops for Banana Republic from 2019 till she joined the 24 Hour Health group. Her area covers Northern California, Oregon, and Washington together with Lynnwood’s location.
Chenok informed the Lynnwood Instances she was drawn to 24 Hour Health as a result of she was excited concerning the route the corporate was taking and shared comparable values to the corporate normally. Her favourite factor about her position is assembly members and interesting with folks out within the discipline. As 24 Hour Health undergoes its rebranding course of, Chenok is most enthusiastic about its potential, alternative, and group, she informed the Lynnwood Instances.
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“It’s thrilling to see folks come again collectively underneath a shared imaginative and prescient, a wholesome function, and the joy for all times change has been essentially the most impactful,” Chenok mentioned.
Train machines at Lynnwood facility. Source: 24 Hour Health.
To encourage those that have reservations about returning to a community-based fitness center setting, the corporate has additionally emphasised cleanliness and built-in considerations for viral respiratory diseases, into their enterprise mannequin such on-line reservations for group courses to attenuate capability.
Throughout the firm’s emphasis on thoughts/physique wellness, 24 Hour Health has additionally partnered with on-line meditation firm Headspace, a subsidiary of Headspace Well being, providing a complimentary 3-month membership for each new and current members.
So far as progressive providers go, the health firm not too long ago launched its 24Go health app which permits members to have entry to 1000’s of digital exercises straight from their smartphones or televisions. The app is meant for individuals who should really feel uncomfortable returning to a community-based health facility, or in any other case unable to go to, and accommodates all kinds of health targets and member’s entry to gear.
Different progressive rollouts embrace MODUS small group coaching, HIIT+ mindfulness packages, Nutrishop, iCRYO (specializing in restoration equivalent to vitamin photographs), and 9 Spherical, however these providers are presently solely provided in choose areas, none of them presently in Washington. Chenok knowledgeable the Lynwood Instances the corporate would finally wish to broaden these providers to the Washington market however are merely wanting “for the fitting location.”
“This enables members to hit a number of ranges of their health journey at one vacation spot, which is 24 Hour Health,” mentioned Chenok.
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The pandemic briefly shut down health facilities throughout Washington state in 2020 for eight weeks. When these reopened in January 2021, they had been solely allowed one buyer per room or per 500 sq. ft for bigger amenities, with extra masks and bodily distancing necessities. In Section 2 of the state’s reopening, health facilities had been allowed to extend to 25% capability.
Pool at 24 Hour Health in Lynnwood. Source: 24 Hour Health.
Though 24 Hour Health has emerged from chapter and reopening their areas, as of proper now it has not returned to full capability. The corporate initiatives, primarily based on its membership base, to return to pre-pandemic ranges (close to 90%) in 2023.
If she needed to boil down the most important lesson the corporate discovered through the pandemic, Chenok shared that 24 Hour Health’ return and subsequent rebranding exemplified simply how “powerful and resilient” its members are to well being and wellbeing.
“The resiliency and the grit that our group displayed was the most important studying as a result of they weren’t prepared to throw within the towel,” Chenok mentioned. “They had been prepared to do what was essential to open the doorways once more. It was simply tweaking among the ways of the daily ways to verify we had been assembly the brand new calls for of what post-COVID health would appear like.”
Train gear at Lynnwood facility. Source: 24 Hour Health.
Subsequent 12 months 24 Hour Health will probably be celebrating their fortieth anniversary. The corporate intends to commemorate this achievement, however plans have but to be revealed.
“Our laser focus is on getting ready for the brand new 12 months,” Karen Bakula, Advertising and marketing and Communications for twenty-four Hour Health informed the Lynnwood Instances. “Despite the fact that there are actions being mentioned to assist rejoice our terrific legacy, nothing we will share but.”
24 Hour Health presently has practically 300 golf equipment nationwide with 9 areas in Washington state, together with one right here in Lynnwood – one of the vital profitable, and constant, membership golf equipment within the area. To study extra a few membership close to you go to 24hourfitness.com.
A New Jersey woman is revealing how she shed 80 pounds and achieved her dream of becoming an indoor cycling instructor. Amanda Hinds, 31, loved the sport but ended up taking an extended break during the COVID-19 pandemic because her gym closed and she lost motivation.
“A little after COVID, I went on vacation, and I couldn’t even walk. My feet hurt just from walking and standing. My athleticism was really bad,” she told Today.com last week. “I went to the doctor, and I saw that I had gained 100 pounds in a year. I couldn’t believe it. I was so frustrated and disgusted with myself.”
She got back in the saddle in June 2021, documenting her weight loss and confidence building progress on TikTok to her 29,300 followers.
She started on her Peloton at 300 pounds and had dropped to 245 by August 2022. “I love cycling! Find something you love and stick with it,” she captioned one TikTok.
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She’s been documenting her weight loss and confidence building on TikTok for her 29,300 followers. Instagram/@selflovecycleHinds took baby steps, focusing on getting through one song at a time until she had enough courage to audition to become a CycleBar instructor. She announced in June 2023 that she had reached her goal. Instagram/@selflovecycle
According to Harvard University, a 125-pound person can burn 315 calories riding a stationary bicycle vigorously for 30 minutes. That translates to 278 calories for a 155-pound person and 441 calories for a 185-pound person.
Those calorie counts drop between 200 and 300 if the cycling is done at a moderate pace over the half hour.
Hinds took baby steps, focusing on getting through one song at a time until she had enough courage to audition to become a CycleBar instructor. She announced in June 2023 that she had reached her goal.
The Belleville resident teaches in Jersey City and Montclair, per News 12 New Jersey. Instagram/@selflovecycle
Now she’s proud to represent “plus-sized women of color” as an instructor.
“I used to think riding here, people that don’t look like me, I maybe won’t fit in, I maybe can’t do the class well… so seeing people see that I am on the podium, so now they feel inspired that they can come to take a class and they feel motivated, less afraid,” Hinds told News 12 New Jersey in February.
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The Belleville resident teaches in Jersey City and Montclair, per News 12.
She’s also taken up running, even signing up for a half marathon after being able to run 4 miles at a time. Instagram/@selflovecycle
She’s also taken up running, even signing up for a half marathon after being able to run 4 miles at a time.
“If you told me last year I was going to be jogging for an hour, I would not believe you. I’m definitely proud of myself when it comes to my fitness level,” she told Today.com.
Indoor cycling isn’t the only way to drop pounds — others have recently credited a weighted sled and a jump rope for their significant weight loss.
Studies have repeatedly shown that being physically fit lowers the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, depression, dementia and dying early.
“The ability to perform maximal repetitions of a push-up is more likely among those living a healthier lifestyle in general – those that are more conscious of their fitness, nutrition and sleep – so these behaviours and lifestyle habits will correlate to improved heart health,” says Samuel Quinn, the personal training lead at Nuffield Health.
“Ultimately, if you’ve got a stronger heart, it’s going to deliver more oxygen to the muscles effectively, to be able to push out more reps.”
Muscle and bone strength
Press-ups are a form of resistance training, which has been shown to boost muscle and bone strength, as well as bone mineral density – meaning they are less likely to break.
The exercise engages the pectoral (chest), tricep (back of arm) and anterior deltoid (front shoulder) muscles, as well as the abs.
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These muscles are needed for everyday movements, such as getting out of a chair and lifting heavy items above your head, says Dr Blagrove.
Additionally, press-ups can help strengthen the bones in the forearms and wrists, which are especially vulnerable to osteoporosis. “There is a high amount of loading going through the arms,” he says. “Push-ups or exercises like push-ups should always be included as part of a strength training programme.”
How to do the perfect press-up
For your starting position, get into a plank position with your legs together and the balls of your feet and toes planted on the floor.
Your hands should be placed just wider than your shoulders, with fingers spread out and pointed forwards, and your arms should be straight.
There should be a straight line from your head to shoulders. Then, start lowering your body towards the floor while maintaining this straight line (pulling in your glutes and abs can help with this) until your chest almost touches the floor.
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Next, push yourself back up until your arms are straight again.
If you’re new to strength training, you can practise against a wall or place your knees on the ground, as going straight to the traditional push-up may prove too challenging, suggests Dr Blagrove.
For the knee variation, place the knees on the floor instead of the balls of the feet.
If doing the exercise standing up, place your hands flat against the wall at chest level and slowly bed your arms while keeping your elbows by your side, getting as close to the wall as possible, before pushing away.
Typically, 10 press-ups would form a set.
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However, the 100 Push-Ups a Day Challenge from Cancer Research UK calls for 10-times as many – though you don’t need to do them in one go. It runs throughout April but there’s nothing stopping you from starting now – the charity encourages people to take on the challenge at any point. So far, around £250,000 has been raised by more than 3,000 participants. More than £2,000 has been donated to the Home Secretary’s fundraising page.
A group exercise session during the 2023 Health and Fitness Expo. (File photo)
The 2024 Health and Fitness Expo — a free event for Edmonds School District families and those living within the boundaries of Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County — is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Edmonds School District Stadium, 7600 212th St. S.W., Edmonds.
It will feature health and wellness booths, nutrition education and plenty of opportunities to be active — including the Move 60! Fun Run, track and field events, Bike Blender, obstacle course, interactive vendor booths and activity demonstrations.
Fun run registration starts at 11 a.m. with a t-shirt to the first 250 kids, and the run starts at 11:30 a.m.
The event is organized by the City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation and Edmonds School District Move 60!
Organizations that promote health and fitness are invited to exhibit. The form is available at Health & Fitness Expo Exhibitor Registration.
