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Hot Workouts; Happier You

We have all heard the saying, "New Year, New You." Nearly 50 percent of all Americans say that each January they make the same resolution year after year. If you can't guess which one it is, maybe this story will give you some insights. 

Out of the 50 percent of Americans that make "go to the gym" their number one resolution, only around nine percent feel, in December, they have succeeded. 

Captivating fitness app, Strava, announced in a study done in 2019 that by January 19, most people quit their fitness goals. But why do most Americans quit so early? 

To be honest, it could be more than a few reasons. One reason being not enough time in the day when combined with day-to-day activities such as going to work, taking care of the home and family, and prioritizing other ideals over a new resolution going, "I can start next Monday," instead. 

Other reasons could be that doing the same workout each day gets boring. Since none of us are strangers to failed resolutions, we decided to get innovative. Here are three ways to exercise with innovation and simplicity at its core. 

STARTING FORMATION 

The shoulder press is a simple yet key exercise in getting the best upper body possible. However, the deltoids, also known as your shoulder muscles, take time to grow and are often stubborn. While the exercise is simple by nature, it is important that form from head-to-toe is perfection. If you have problems with form, call up Jason Sweetman at 251-298-7622 who takes over ownership of the Coastal Fitness Factory in Gulf Shores this month. Per Sweetman, he is more than happy to work alongside you as a trainer. 

THE WAY UP 

After sitting down with your feet shoulder width apart and making a 90 degree angle with the appropriate and comfortable dumbbells in each hand, start raising your arms slowly. From there, push the weights toward the ceiling until your elbows are almost locked--do not fully extend into a locked position. The dumbbells will naturally start to move toward each other as your elbows straighten, but they should never slam together above your head.

THE DESCENT 

Start the descend into the starting position. Keep your feet firmly planted into the floor, your back straight, and bring the dumbbells from over your head back down to the same 90 degree angle you began with. As a reminder, make sure this movement is slow and controlled. If you find that one arm is extending further than the other or coming down faster, try and use a lighter weight and work your way back up. 

HOTWORX "HIITS" GULF SHORES 

Gulf Shores' newest gym, HOTWORX, is revolutionizing the way we workout. Per the official website, HOTWORX is a virtually instructed exercise program created for users to experience the many benefits of infrared heat absorption, while completing a 30-minute Isometric workout or 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session. As the infrared heat penetrates your body causing you to sweat, the isometric postures further accelerate detoxification by physically removing the toxins from your organs through muscle contraction.

TIME CRUNCH 

According to the official HOTWORX website, Hot Blast is designed to “blast” your upper body and lower body. The workout performed entirely on the Keiser Total Body Trainer gives you a full body workout in under 15 minutes. This machine is a combination of indoor cycle and upper body push and pull with levers. 

HOT YOGA 

HotYoga is a yoga session where you get the benefits of infrared energy in under 30 minutes. The specific style combines both athletic posture sequences with various styles and practices. Using foundational postures, this workout guides you through a balancing sequence using static holds and ends with core conditioning. 

PICKLE BALL CRAZE

Pickleball is the newest sport craze taking the nation by storm. Thanks to its combination elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, the cardio focused activity can take place in any town nationwide. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, but is more commonly played as doubles.

PLAY IN PARADISE 

Lacey Cork, an expert in all things pickleball, started her journey with the sport only two years ago. Since then, she has played routinely in the area. Per Cork, there is a beginner play at Orange Beach Recreation Center and play the Church of Christ in Gulf Shores. 

NEW RULES

While similar to tennis, there are some large differences. The size of the court, for example, is much shorter in length and width. For serving, pickleball goes across the court like tennis. However, unlike an overhand tennis serve, all serves must be underhanded and below the hip.