Why Working Out Together Works Wonders
By Bryce Hastings for Fit Planet Research shows that if we work out in a group, we are far more likely to stick at exercise than if we go it alone. A new study reveals why. Back in 2011 Dr Jinger Gottschall and a team at Penn State University set out to explore how...
The Burpee: It’s a Love/Hate Relationship + our 30-Day Burpee Challenge
Originally published 05/28/2019. Updated 05/27/2021. Burpees... Where the heck did this “wonderful” exercise come from? Back in 1940, a physiologist by the name of Royal Huddleston Burpee was working on his Ph.D. at Columbia University. His thesis was surrounded by...
Workout of the Week #08
Need some workout inspiration? Give our Workout of the Week a try! Feel free to modify as needed based on your ability and available time, and reach out if you have any questions about the movements. The Workout Equipment Needed: Concept2 Rower The Workout: 1-2 Rounds...
Prepare to Change the Way You Think About Calorie Burn
By Finlay Macdonald for Fit Planet courtesy of Les Mills. New research makes it clear we should look beyond the immediate calorie burn of a workout, focusing instead on longer-term benefits for body composition and metabolism. In this era of activity tracking, when we...
Wear Your Best Summer Accessory, Sunscreen!
Written by Lynde Weatherford, Certified Personal Trainer + Health Coach After a long cold winter and a rainy cold spring, Summer is finally here! As you venture more outside, it’s important to make sure that you are taking care of the biggest organ of your body, your...
Welcome Our New Membership Services Director, Michelle!
Join us in welcoming our new Membership Services Director, Michelle to the Performance Health & Fitness team!Michelle grew up in Mason City and now resides in Iowa City. She studied at Wartburg College and Des Moines University. She has an extensive background of...
Taking Care of Yourself During Pregnancy
As a mom-to-be, it is my top priority to make sure I am taking care of myself during my pregnancy. The first thing I’ve learned during my pregnancy, is acceptance. I am learning to accept that I am not always going to have the energy or capacity to workout like...
Take Strength Training Beyond the Gym
Warmer days are upon us which means we will be getting back to working in our yards. Learn how functional strength training can help while gardening. A lot of our members love to work in the yard and garden during the summer. Gardening and doing yard work can...
2021 Hydration Challenge
As a coach and personal trainer, I like to take a comprehensive approach when I am working with a client or doing consultations with our members/community. What this means is that I don’t just focus on the physical part of your well-being – which is to help you...
Celebrate Salsa Month in Style
May is National Salsa Month Did you know that salsa is one of the world’s most popular condiments? Salsa is not only delicious on many things, but it is good for you too. Benefits of salsa include: Vitamin C – promotes heart-health, your immune system, and healthy...
Workout of the Week #04
Need some workout inspiration? Give our Workout of the Week a try! Feel free to modify as needed based on your ability and available time, and reach out if you have any questions about the movements. THE WORKOUT Equipment needed: nothing 2-3 rounds of: 30 jumping...
Tips to Reduce Food Waste
People today are aware more than ever of the impact of waste on our environment, and many individuals are taking steps to reduce their waste. One major waste is food waste. 31% of all edible food in the U.S. is wasted, which is around 36 million tons of food. I know...
The Importance of Checking Your Blood Pressure
February is American Heart Month! It is important to educate ourselves on the heart, it’s function and what we can do to improve the overall function. There is a reason that the heart is located in the middle part of our body, because it’s the most important organ for...
FitTest Week
FitTest Week is our quarterly event in which our members can receive a complimentary assessment on all components of fitness to measure current fitness levels. Join us between April 25-29, 2022 to get back on track to your goals. Schedule a Fitness Assessment with one...
Performance Health & Fitness Welcomes Their Newest Personal Trainer, Kolby
We are excited to announce and introduce our new Personal Trainer, Kolby Reed! Kolby is a native Iowan from Muscatine. He graduated from the University of Iowa with his B.A. in Health and Human Physiology. Since 2019, he has been a personal trainer and the best part...
Performance Health & Fitness Welcomes Their New Marketing Director, Lauren Campbell
We are excited to announce and introduce our new Marketing & Communications Director, Lauren Campbell! Lauren, a Rockford native, from Illinois, attended Robert Morris University, located in downtown Chicago. While earning her degree, she received a scholarship to...
New Year, New Goals
Written by Lynde Weatherford | Director of Training Services, Personal Trainer, Health Coach Goal Setting can be difficult at times because not everyone understands what a Short-Term Goal vs a Long-Term Goal means when it comes to your personal health and wellness....
Squat Science: How to Get Maximum Gains From Your Squat
From our friends at lesmills.com. Written by Emma Hogan. This piece originally appeared at lesmills.com. Engaging all the major core and leg muscles, squats are ideal for lifting overall fitness, maximizing fat burn and building strength. Now, new findings reveal the...
Staying Healthy During the Holidays
By Lynde Weatherford; Director of Personal Training Services, Performance Health & Fitness Staying Healthy During the Holidays The holiday season is approaching fast and the comment that I get all the time from clients is, "I’m going to start taking care of myself...
February Wellness Challenge – Self-Care
Self-Care by definition is a practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health. So guess what that means to me….whoever you are/wherever you are and whatever you choose to do on a daily basis to help take care of yourself for 10 minutes a day is...
What to Eat Before & During Cardio
With our 6th Annual Performance Health & Fitness Dri-Tri Indoor Triathlon coming up, I thought it was an appropriate time to discuss the importance of fueling before and during cardiovascular exercise. What you eat, the amount of what you eat, and the timing can...
What is a Pre and Postpartum Athleticism Coach?
You just finished your 6-week Postpartum visit at the OBGYN and are released to resume normal activity. What is the first thing you do? Go on a run Take a high-intensity class at the gym Start doing planks Meet with a Pre and Postpartum Athleticism coach Nothing,...
Monte Priske Recipe Favorite: Meat-Less Black Bean Quinoa Tacos
Join Monte Priske as he shows us how to make Meat-less Black Bean Quinoa Tacos. Give it a try, and let us know how you like it! About Monte Priske: Monte has a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation and is a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer. He is also a StrongFirst Certified...