Whether this is your very first time at a gym, or you’re just coming back after some time away, there are things you can do that will help make getting out the door easier, and make you want to keep coming back. Experts say it takes about 3 weeks to form a habit, so use some of these tips, and take advantage of all that Capital Athletic Club, a premier Health and Fitness facility, offers to help get a head start on forming your gym routine and reaching your personal fitness goals.
- Put your gym bag together the night before. Gathering up all you need for the gym in advance will ease your departure from the house. Instead of rushing around trying to find all your gear in the morning, and potentially forgetting something, you’ll have it all ready to go long before you head out the door.
Leave your shoes by your bed. Being able to get up and get dressed and slip into your shoes, rather than frantically searching for them in the dark, will make an early morning departure that much easier. - Purchase new shoes or treat yourself to new clothes. Don’t underestimate the power of workout gear. Studies have shown that workout gear can influence behavior and attitude, essentially giving your brain a boost. “When you put on new fitness gear, you begin to get into character like an actor putting on a costume for a performance,” says sports psychologist Dr. Jonathan Fader told Shape Magazine. “As a result, you expect to have a better performance, making you more mentally prepared for the task.”
- Plan to go with a friend. It’s really easy to bail on the gym when it’s just you. But it’s harder to hit snooze when you know your friend is counting on you to be there. The gravitational pull of a warm bed can be hard to overcome, but if you make plans to go with someone it’s a lot harder to back out. And just think about how good you’ll feel when the workout is over. If team sports are your thing, consider joining a league. Sports leagues are a great way to meet new friends and stay in shape at the same time. Capital Athletic Club members have the opportunity to join several leagues, including basketball, volleyball, racquetball and handball.
- Work with a personal trainer. Personal training is both time effective and efficient in helping you get in shape and staying that way. Just like a friend, a personal trainer will hold you accountable. Whether you are looking to lose body fat, improve shape, increase endurance, boost energy or simply feel great, the private trainers at Capital Athletic Club are focused on helping you get to where you want to be. Our elite core of private trainers, who have been selected for their education and expertise, maintains an eclectic blend of inspiration, care and knowledge.
Reward yourself after a workout. Had a rough week or just want to treat yourself? - Book an appointment for a relaxing and revitalizing massage from one Capital Athletic Club’s certified massage therapists. With Swedish, Aromatherapy, Deep tissue and every style in between you are sure to find a style to suit your needs. If a massage is not for you, stop by the Member’s Café and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. That should be plenty of motivation to get you through a workout.
- Join a group class. Don’t want to come up with your own warm-up, workout and cool-down? Group fitness is a great way to get a workout in without having to think or plan. At Capital Athletic Club our physical fitness experts teach a wide variety of classes. From Pilates and Yoga to Power Pump and Kenpo Karate, each class offers its own unique benefits. Here is a look at some of our more popular classes, and how they might benefit you:
Pilates. Capital Athletic Club offers some of the finest Pilates programs in Northern California.
1. Banish aches and pains. Pilates on the Reformer can help strengthen as well as stretch tight muscles and connective tissues, which can alleviate and often eliminate these annoying discomforts. Our Pilates teachers incorporate tension-releasing movements with strengthening and toning exercises that improve posture, reduce muscular imbalances and develop a deeper mind-body connection.
2. Self Confidence. Not only does Pilates have physical benefits, but it can also improve self-image and emotional well-being. Reformer exercises are progressive, building on the fundamental exercises. Progress can seen and felt in as little as 5 sessions. Joseph Pilates said, “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 you’ll see the difference, and in 30 you’ll have a whole new body.” We offer members 2 classes per week at no extra cost after clearance into the program. You can set that goal of 30 sessions and you’ll blow right through February’s resolution “end date”.
3. Variety is the spice of life. Pilates on the Reformer is an amazing compliment to your current routine, and every class is different in both the physical and mental challenges. Whatever you love to do at the club, Pilates can improve your performance. Between the Mat classes and the Studio classes you will be introduced to hundreds of exercises. Our Pilates teachers will keep your workouts interesting and challenging. Boredom is banished because we provide an option for every BODY in class.
Capital Athletic Club’s Pilates program is unique in that it offers self-service classes. This service, designed to help members save money, is something that you won’t find at other Pilates studios.
Kenpo Karate. This modernized system of martial arts originated by Ed Parker and has its roots in Hawaii. Techniques are used to promote fitness and the ability to defend oneself. Benefits of Karate include strength, flexibility, self-confidence, concentration, self-awareness and much more. Experience the discipline, skill and peace of learning the art of self-defense.
Yoga. At Capital Athletic Club, our yoga formats include Gentle, Vinyasa, Hatha Vinyasa, Vinyasa Flow and Power. Benefits include:
Stress relief
Development of conscious breath
Weight loss
Proper body alignment
Improved posture