Fitness
The Houstonian Club hosts CEC Conference for Group Exercise Instructors
In its commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of the fitness industry, The Houstonian Club, a premier health and fitness facility in Houston, is hosting its first CEC Conference in over 25 years, in October.
The Houstonian Club is home to 90 group exercise instructors and personal trainers, many of which have been teaching and creating classes for over 20 years. The instructors are considered experts in their fields and have vast knowledge to share with others.
The weekend-long event will offer twelve class formats in 25 sessions, including Jump & Pump, Core Performance, Streamline, and K.A.R.B. Cardio. The information weekend will also feature innovations for cardio classes, yoga, Pilates, and cycle workshops.
For the first time in over 25 years, the CEC Conference will make The Houstonian Club’s exclusive group exercise class formats available to other instructors.
— Melissa Shippy, The Houstonian Club’s Group Exercise Director
HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — In its commitment to innovation and staying at the forefront of the fitness industry, The Houstonian Club, a premier health and fitness facility in Houston, is hosting its first CEC Conference in over 25 years, in October. Continuing Education Credits (CEC) are necessary for group fitness instructors to maintain their certifications and competency and may help them further their careers.
Open to instructors from all over the country, this CEC Conference will make The Houstonian Club’s bespoke class formats available to attendees for the first time. The weekend-long event will offer twelve class formats in 25 sessions, including Jump & Pump, Core Performance, Streamline, and K.A.R.B. Cardio. The information weekend will also feature innovations for cardio classes, yoga, Pilates, and cycle workshops.
The Houstonian Club is home to 90 group exercise instructors and personal trainers, many of which have been teaching and creating classes for over 20 years. The instructors are considered experts in their fields and have vast knowledge to share with others. According to Melissa Shippy, The Houstonian Club’s Group Exercise Director, not only will attendees of the CEC Conference be able to tap into that knowledge, it will also allow The Houstonian Club instructors to contribute to the exercise community as a whole.
“Attending a conference that provides CECs is a great way to get all of the certification requirements in one weekend, network with fellow instructors and trainers, and get new ideas to keep classes and workouts fresh and innovative,” said Shippy.
The Houstonian Club offers over 180 group exercise classes each week, making it a highly utilized program and a priority for the members-only club. “We believe it is essential to keep our classes fresh, interesting, innovative, and fun,” said Shippy. “Our members count on us to provide classes and instructors that challenge them and help them maintain their physical and mental health. This commitment to innovation inspired us to host the CEC Conference.”
For more information about the CEC Conference, visit The Houstonian Club website or see the informational brochure here.
Photos available here.
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Located in the heart of Houston, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star secluded retreat adjacent to the city’s iconic Memorial Park and minutes from downtown, the Galleria, and Energy Corridor. The Houstonian recently completed a $70 million master plan renovation and was named in Travel + Leisure’s World Best Awards as the #1 Resort Hotel in Texas. The resort is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and is known for its timeless nature, elegant décor, private fitness club, and its involvement in Houston’s historic events and celebrations. Guests at The Houstonian Hotel may relax and rejuvenate on a 27-acre oasis, with floor-to-ceiling wooded views in its 280 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, including a new Bush Suite with memorabilia from President George H.W. Bush’s time at the property. TRIBUTE restaurant serves authentic Tex-Lex cuisine with an impressive wine list, The Bar & Patio is a classic local favorite, and the Coffee Shop serves guests in the elegant hotel lobby. The hotel has 33,890 square feet of indoor meeting space and 87,349 square feet of outdoor meeting space with a “Houstonian Experiences” menu for corporate and social groups, meetings, and celebrations. The 185,000-square-foot Houstonian Club offers over 180 weekly group exercise classes, aquatic programs, indoor and outdoor tennis, a resort pool with a rockslide, a 25-meter sports lap pool, and a quiet garden pool. Houstonian Club Members and Houstonian Hotel guests enjoy the club’s luxurious locker rooms and wet areas, a fully equipped fitness floor with over 300 pieces of equipment, indoor turfed fitness zone, enhanced group exercise fitness studios, cycle studio, a private yoga studio with aerial silks, and an indoor basketball court. The club also provides 2 areas for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, kids camps, and special events and programming plus an outdoor playground and butterfly garden. Poolside dining is available at the expansive Arbor Grill, with wood decks, TVs, and a fire pit, and the club’s grab-and-go called Refuel offers light fare and Starbucks Coffee. The club offers a full-time registered dietitian, and a wellness therapy suite called The Covery by The Houstonian Club. At 26,500 square feet, the new Trellis Spa at The Houstonian is the largest luxury spa in the state of Texas. From the outside, it resembles a magnificent European Villa with statuesque architecture and luscious gardens. On the inside, soothing, nature-inspired hues complement a grand, light-filled reception, renovated treatment rooms, sauna and wet areas, a scenic treetop dining room, an indoor Reflection Pool, and tranquil lounging areas. Its outdoor Soaking Pools and Garden provides an authentic contrast bathing experience with open-air cabanas, rocking chairs, a fire pit, and a butterfly art installation. The Houstonian also includes Sage ‘n’ Bloom Floral Studio, providing bespoke floral services for weddings and celebrations, client experiences, and corporate installations on-property and to the public.
One of Houston’s historic gems, the property is known for its grace, comfort, and unparalleled guest experience.
http://www.houstonian.com/the-club
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa / 111 North Post Oak Lane / Houston, Texas 77024
https://www.facebook.com/HoustonianClub
https://www.instagram.com/houstonianclub/
Gabi De la Rosa
The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa
+1 832-202-9600
email us here
Fitness
Share your health and fitness questions for Devi Sridhar, Mariella Frostrup, and Joel Snape
There’s no bad time to take a more active interest in your health, but the new year, for lots of us, feels like a fresh start. Maybe you’re planning to sign up for a 10k or finally have a go at bouldering, eat a bit better or learn to swing a kettlebell. Maybe you want to keep up with your grandkids — or just be a little bit more physically prepared for whatever life throws at you.
To help things along, Guardian Live invites you to a special event with public health expert Devi Sridhar, journalist and author Mariella Frostrup, and health and fitness columnist Joel Snape. They’ll be joining the Guardian’s Today in Focus presenter Annie Kelly to discuss simple, actionable ways to stay fit and healthy as you move through the second half of life: whether that means staying strong and mobile or stressing less and sleeping better.
To make the whole event as helpful as possible, we’d love to hear from you about what you find most challenging — or confusing — when it comes to health and exercise. What should you actually be eating, and how are you going to find the time to make it? What sort of exercise is best, and how often should you be doing it? Is Pilates worth the effort — and should we really all be drinking mugfuls of piping hot creatine?
Whether your question is about exercise, eating, or general wellness, post it below and we’ll put a selection to our panel on the night.
Share your experience
You can post your question to the panel using this form.
If you’re having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Fitness
US FDA to limit regulation of health and fitness wearables, commissioner says
Jan 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that it will limit regulation of wearable devices and software designed to support healthy lifestyles, issuing new guidance to clarify its regulatory approach.
The guidance, along with comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, adds to existing policy that classifies low-risk wellness tools, such as fitness apps and activity trackers that encourage exercise, as non-medical devices exempt from stringent regulation, provided they do not make claims related to disease diagnosis or treatment.
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“We have to promote these products and at the same time, just guard against major safety concerns,” Makary said in an interview with Fox Business about artificial intelligence software such as ChatGPT, adding that “if people are looking up a symptom on an AI-based tool, let’s have that conversation when they come in to see their doctor or do a virtual visit.”
“We want to let companies know, with very clear guidance, that if their device or software is simply providing information, they can do that without FDA regulation,” Makary told Fox Business.
“The only stipulation is if they make claims of something being medical grade … like blood pressure measurement. We don’t want people changing their medicines based on something that’s just a screening tool or an estimate of a physiologic parameter.”
The agency also sent out a broader warning to consumers about the risks posed by unauthorized devices.
Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson and Sherry Jacob-Phillips
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Fitness
We are fitness experts — here’s how to navigate January sales as an exercise beginner
January is peak season for fitness sales, with major discounts on gym memberships, fitness trackers, activewear and beginner-friendly exercise equipment. No wonder — it is a perfect opportunity for retailers to clear inventory and capitalize on all those “New Year, New You” resolutions.
For an exercise novice, however, this endless sea of workout gear and gadgets can be downright overwhelming. But if that is you, do not worry! You do not need a gym’s worth of exercise equipment, a high-end Garmin watch or a professional athlete’s wardrobe to begin. Starting simple is often the most effective strategy for a long-term lifestyle change — not to mention that it is much easier on the wallet.
Here’s what to buy (and what to skip) to launch your fitness journey in strategic fashion — and save yourself some money in the process.
Anna Gora is a health writer and reviewer at Live Science, as well as a highly experienced personal trainer, nutritionist and fitness coach. Over the years, she has helped numerous exercise beginners kickstart their fitness journey, and is always on the lookout for versatile, easy-to-use fitness gear to recommend to her clients. At Live Science, Anna has written a guide to the best exercise equipment for beginners and is a significant contributor to our round-ups of the best fitness trackers, cardio machines and running shoes.
The essentials: Gear that gets you out the door

Before investing in a premium running watch or one of the best rowing machines, focus on the basics. Buying the right footwear and workout clothing is an essential first step on your fitness journey. This is not about fashion; it is about comfort and safety.
Footwear: Your most important investment
This is your non-negotiable purchase. Appropriate footwear helps you maintain good foot health, reduces the risk of injuries and boosts your overall well-being, according to a 2024 review published in the journal Applied Sciences. Choose shoes that are stable, comfortable to wear and suitable for your intended activities.
That said, do not get bogged down in premium brands and ultra-specialized shoes. Start with a quality pair of all-purpose trainers or cross-trainers. The best beginner-friendly options have a good balance of cushioning and stability for a mix of gym workouts, walking, jogging and low- to moderate-intensity aerobics. Good looks are just the cherry on top.

Workout clothing: It is all about comfort
Workout clothing should help you withstand the demands of intense exercise, not actively impede your attempts to get fit. Look for synthetic, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester or spandex — they help regulate body temperature and prevent sweat from lingering on your skin, while cotton, for example, holds sweat and can cause chafing.
Then, focus on freedom of movement. A well-designed piece of activewear will allow for freedom of movement and not slip off or irritate your skin during intense workouts. Start with a few core pieces to build a rotation: a few tops and bottoms, several pairs of sports socks and, for women, a couple of good-quality sports bras.
Again, there is no need to invest in premium brands and highly specialized activewear; affordable lines from major retailers work perfectly fine. Comfort here is key — if you feel good, you are more likely to get moving.
The best retailers for finding deals on beginner-friendly workout clothing:
- Puma: Now up to 60% off on Puma Essentials and Puma Elevated Essentials
- Adidas: End of Year Sale with up to 60% off on shoes and activewear
- Reebok: End-of-Season Sale with up to 50% off selected styles
- CRZ Yoga: A budget alternative to Lululemon, now with up to 81% off on yoga pants, leggings, tops and jumpsuits
- Target’s All in Motion: A highly-rated line of affordable workout clothing, running shoes and exercise equipment
- Amazon’s Aurola: Soft and versatile workout tops and bottoms for under $35
The home-gym starter pack: Simple, space-savvy exercise equipment

While you may be tempted to splash out on a premium treadmill or super-smart exercise bike, hold off on the big purchases for now. You can build remarkable strength, endurance and mobility with basic, space-savvy equipment too, and at a much lower cost. A yoga mat, adjustable dumbbells and resistance bands, for example, are very beginner-friendly, offering maximum versatility with a minimal footprint.
If you are not entirely sure how to use them, look up beginner-friendly home exercise video tutorials or join an online fitness class. January fitness sales are not just about physical gear — many fitness apps and services are discounted, too, or offer free taster sessions. There is also plenty of good-quality content that is entirely free of charge.
Fitness trackers: A source of useful data and exercise advice

A well-chosen fitness tracker can provide a lot of valuable feedback and positive reinforcement in the early stages of your fitness journey. Counting your daily steps, tracking an active workout and reviewing your past activities can help you make more sense of your workouts and general progress.
Training by “feel” is hard for beginners, and continuous heart rate measurements provide objective data on your efforts. It helps you understand zones: are you in a moderate, fat-burning zone or pushing into high intensity? This ensures your easy days are genuinely promoting recovery and your hard days are truly effective.
Moreover, the goal-setting and “closing your rings” features (a visual representation of your progress towards your daily exercise goals) leverage gamification, and this in itself can be a powerful motivator. Not to mention, many fitness trackers come in handy outside of the gym or running track, too.
However, do not get swayed by the trends here. A basic Fitbit, Garmin or Apple Watch SE will track steps, heart rate, sleep, and active minutes just as well as the more advanced and expensive models. They also tend to be more beginner-friendly in terms of their user interfaces and the language they use to describe your fitness stats.
What NOT to buy (right away)

The allure of a shiny new machine is strong, but impulsive buys often become expensive clothes racks. Here are some tips on how to avoid costly mistakes as an exercise beginner.
Hold off on major equipment. Do not start by buying an expensive treadmill, elliptical, or full home-gym system. Use your foundational gear or a gym trial for one month at least. If you have consistently stuck with your routine, then research what machine would best suit the activities you have genuinely enjoyed.
Avoid over-specialization. You do not need cycling shoes until you are sure indoor cycling is your go-to sport. Similarly, you do not need Olympic weightlifting shoes for general strength training. Let your sustained interest guide niche purchases, not the other way around.
Beware of fads and “quick fix” gadgets. If a product promises insane results with minimal effort, it is likely selling a fantasy. Sustainable fitness is built on consistent effort, not electrical muscle stimulators, ab belts or dodgy supplements. Stick to the good-old healthy diet and regular workouts, and you will be primed for success in 2026.
The bottom line
The goal of your initial purchases is not to equip a pro athlete from the get-go, but to minimize barriers to exercise and help you establish healthy habits. Every item should make it easier to say “yes” to your workout and harder to make an excuse.
This New Year, invest first in the basics that support consistency. Let your proven dedication over weeks and months, not your initial January enthusiasm, guide your future investments. Your journey starts not with the fanciest gear, but with the first step taken in the right shoes.
We hope that our list will help you do just that.
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