
Probiotics vs Prebiotics – What’s the Difference and Do You Need Both?
You have most likely heard of probiotics and prebiotics, but what are they and do you need them? They are components of food that may improve health, specifically gut health. Gut health has been getting a lot of buzz lately, and for good reason – the gut’s bacterial...

What Does the Term “Weight Loss” Really Mean?
As the Director of Training and Wellness Services at Performance Health & Fitness, it is part of my job to meet with new members. This is something I absolutely love because it allows me to establish a relationship with every member that walks through the door. It...

Pomegranates – A Festive Nutrient Powerhouse
It is that magical time of year. The lights...the ornaments... the tinsel... the pomegranates? The pomegranate is actually a traditional symbol of Christmas in Greece. During the winter it hangs from trees like Christmas ornaments across the Mediterranean region....

How Practicing Gratitude Can Help Improve Your Overall Health and Wellness
As the holidays approach, being thankful is something we think about more often. We say we are thankful for family, friends, our jobs, and good health. Can I challenge you to elaborate? The next time you're asked what you're thankful for, show gratitude for something...

Performance Donates a 6-Month Gym Membership to Fight with Flash Fundraiser
The Fight with Flash Foundation is hosting it's 6th Annual Fight with Flash Charity Golf Classic this Friday (September 10th, 2021) at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. The Fight with Flash foundation was created to honor Austin “Flash” Schroeder, who passed away at...

Performance Health & Fitness Welcomes New General Manager, Jason Moore
We are excited to announce and introduce our new General Manager, Jason Moore! Jason attended the University of Iowa and studied Recreation and Sports Management. He has been involved in the fitness industry for 15+ years and has held nearly every position in a health...

Workout of the Week #21
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: Timer or Clock For each movement, work...

Supplements – Are they necessary or are the basics of nutrition good enough?
Recently, I have been asked quite a bit about supplements and if they are truly necessary to help you to gain the results that you are looking for. The short answer is no, but in special cases they can and should be implemented into your daily routine to make sure...

Pumpkin: A Nutritious Fall Favorite
It is officially Fall, the air is crisp and cool, and pumpkin-flavored foods are available everywhere. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bars, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pies, and the list goes on-and-on. Although many typical pumpkin treats are packed with added...

Afternoon Slump Gotcha Down?
Some days are better than others but let’s face it, we all have suffered from that lethargic feeling around 2 p.m. or for us early birds could be 10:00a.m. How does one keep going when all they feel like doing is curling up into a ball and taking a nap? Trust me when...
![Picky Bars – “Real [Good] Food, Built To Fuel”](https://performanceforhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/New-Picky-Bars-in-Grass-e1537467877947.jpg)
Picky Bars – “Real [Good] Food, Built To Fuel”
I often get asked about what bar I would recommend for quick, on-the-go fuel. One brand I always recommend is Picky Bars. I absolutely love these bars – taste, ingredients, nutritional profile, and their mission: “Create a real food energy bar balanced for sport.”...

Carbohydrates 101: Complex vs Simple
What are Carbohydrates & Why do I Need Them? All foods are made up of three macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates are used as energy for all cells, tissues, and organs. Your body is...

The HIIT List: 5 Reasons to up the Intensity
By Finlay Macdonald for Fit Planet courtesy of Les Mills. It’s been called the closest thing to an exercise pill. And while it might take a bit more effort, there is now no doubt at all that high-intensity interval training is just what the doctor ordered. Anyone who...

Workout of the Week #17
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 25 Reps of EachPush-upsCrunchesSupermansDead BugsBand...

Workout of the Week #16
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 2-3 sets, 8 reps of each movement (8 per side where...

Simple Meal Prep Wellness Challenge
If you are ready to start changing your lifestyle habits to become the best version of yourself there are 5 main components that contribute to your success: 1: Daily Physical Activity 2: Stress Management 3: Hydration 4: Sleep 5: Nutrition Most of these components...

Workout of the Week #15
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 1-2 Rounds 20 Reps | March25 Reps | Push-up30 Reps |...

More Than a Sport: What’s Next After Collegiate Athletics
By Anna Hoyman, Performance Health & Fitness 2021 Summer Intern, Personal Training + Strength & Conditioning For a lot of us, sports seem to be a common first exposure to organized exercise. Games in PE lead to competitive high school events which (for some)...

Workout of the Week #14
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: Weight Plates (light and heavy) 1-2...

Performance Announces Sponsorship of the Hawkeye 25K/50K Trail Run
Performance Health & Fitness is excited to announce it will be sponsoring The 2021 Hawkeye Fallout 50K/25K/10M on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 in Solon, Iowa. This trail run, which many Performance staff and members have participated in, wraps around scenic...

Cinco de Mayo Nutrition Tips
Cinco de Mayo is a time to savor all the festive flavors that come with the holiday. Americanized Mexican foods tend to be unhealthy – bottomless bowls of fried chips and salsa, enormous portion sizes, and sugary drinks. Traditional Mexican staples are actually good...

Fine Tuning Your Fuel Leading up to a Long-Distance Race
If you're planning to run a marathon, half-marathon or 5K, and are in the final weeks of your training regimen (the end is near!) The only big change you should be making is tapering your training. Regarding your nutrition, you should continue with the same solid plan...

Proving the Benefits of the Original Athletic Workout (BODYATTACK™)
Written by Emma Hogan for Fit Planet Everything great is new. There is one sports conditioning workout that’s been transforming fitness levels for almost 40 years – and here’s the data to prove it gets results. If you’ve been watching recent fitness trends you can’t...

Welcome to Performance Health & Fitness! Now what?
Welcome to Performance Health and Fitness! Now what? We have something for everyone, but what is going to be the best pathway for you to start your individual health and fitness journey? Our facility has group fitness classes, HIIT TEAM Training classes, personal...