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Summit YMCA member Heather Fern, with personal trainer John Kozlowski, learns the proper technique for the Strive leg press, one of the pieces of new exercise equipment at the YMCA that offers users a faster, full-body workout.
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For many people hoping to improve their health, a new year means new resolutions to stay or get in shape.
Written by Brian Pederson, Managing Editor, The Summit Observer 1/15/05
But boring exercise routines, bitter cold weather and the fading "newness" of the new year often conspire to stop people's fitness goals faster than a speeding treadmill. Add to this the frantic, time-crunched pace of life for people from all walks of life in 2005 and it's no wonder that even the best-laid plans for a healthy start can fall flat fairly easily. Hoping to provide a way for people to get fit faster, the Summit YMCA has launched a new series of circuit exercise equipment called Strive.
"The difference with this equipment is that it's really set up as a quicker workout," said Beth Baxley, marketing director. "The whole circuit takes about 30 minutes." This new exercise equipment comes with a notch that can be adjusted three different ways, allowing the user to exercise the muscles differently with each repetition, taking just 0-30 seconds between repetitions for a cardio-enhanced workout. "It helps tone and give a good sense of overall strength," said Baxley.
"It's the major change in strength training today," said Chris Ahlers, senior health and physical education director. "You can work out quickly by picking different areas to overload. You get better muscle recruitment." Ahlers explained that the neuromuscular confusion that results from placing the notch in a different setting after each repetition allows for the body to recruit muscles to work harder.
This change in routine during the exercise allows for a more effective workout, since the muscles are not used to the new settings.
Ahlers said Strive is more effective and safer than using free weights alone since Strive cuts down on the risk of getting injured during a workout.
The Strive circuit, which starts near the entrance to the exercise room with a variety of lower/upper body machines and finishes with abdominal and lower body equipment, is arranged so that people using the circuit can use the machines in the proper order, said Ahlers. Ahlers said he highly recommends users get acquainted with the Strive circuit through a demonstration of the proper techniques before using the equipment. Personal trainers are often available at any time or through an appointment, he said.
While January often brings the biggest boost to gym and health club memberships across the country, Ahlers said December was the Summit YMCA's biggest month for new memberships.
"Our job is to see that they stay with it," said Ahlers.
"Every year, I think we see more people staying on. We're getting a little better every year at meeting their needs and seeing that they come back." Overall, Ahlers sees impressive benefits in the new equipment as keeping people interested in exercise past the new year rush. "People want to maintain their fitness level or improve it, but they are pressed for time," said Ahlers. "Still they are willing to make that commitment." He said the new equipment has proven popular with members of all ages who may not only be pressed for time, but reluctant to exercise. Ahlers sees the 30-minute Strive circuit as a major plus. "Even the resistant say they can find that much time," said Ahlers.
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