Author: Heather Letto

Remember those summer days frolicking in the pool as a child? While splashing and jumping, you were burning calories faster than you could put them back into your body. You were engaging in water aerobics. Water aerobics has been around for decades but is becoming increasingly more popular in the fitness industry. With the right frame of mind and an encouraging class situation, water aerobics of today is a high-energy, calorie-burning explosion of fitness. For many reasons, water exercise is a great starting point for the new exerciser and obese population. However, fitness enthusiasts who have been hitting step class…

Tennis anyone? How about badminton? Maybe ping pong? Try mixing them up and you have found the game of pickleball. Although the name sounds a bit inane, this ground-breaking sport is fast becoming a new craze. How the name “Pickleball” originated actually differs. According to Joan Pritchard (wife of the co-inventor), she started calling the game Pickleball because “The combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.” However, Barney McCallum said the game was officially named after a Cocker Spaniel named “Pickles” who was the Pritchards’…

For as long as physical fitness has been a household word, the masses have tried to piece together exercise routines to achieve a desired level of fitness. Honestly? It has seemed the mass appeal has more to do with aesthetics than longevity, but they both seem to rank pretty high in the reason for working out category. Indeed, by regular exercise and healthy eating habits a person should be able to maintain a well-formed physique. However, the wellspring of benefits from regular exercise is far deeper than it appears from the first look. There are many “hidden” benefits from a…

Stepping into the unknown world of fitness can be a daunting experience. Many times, those who have not had prior experience in athletics or basic fitness exposure can find it downright frightening to pursue even that first step. Fear not. I am here to assure you that with proper guidance and encouragement, your dreams of living a healthy lifestyle are well within reach. For starters, you can have confidence in knowing that those who are trained in this profession are truly interested in your personal well-being. Leaders in the fitness industry go through rigorous certification processes, and your health is…

Over the years, the face of fitness has taken on many expressions. From high impact dance aerobics to low impact step aerobics, sliding to cycling and boxing to belly dancing, it seems as though every facet of physical activity has found a way to land in the gym. You might even find yourself asking, what’s next? What more could we possibly do in the gym? A newer trend in fitness is strength training without weights, and is rather….circus-like. High trapeze fitness training, TRX system, fitness rings, as well as Jukari Fit to Fly are some suspension type exercises making the…

Over the years I have witnessed many old fitness myths become ‘debunked’. Well, now I think it’s time to debunk one of my own. One idea in particular that has often been mischaracterized is the concept of ‘burning fat’ while exercising. We have historically been lead to believe that once we step outside of the fat burning zone (65-80% of maximum heart rate), we have stopped burning fat. Because of advances in exercise science leading to a better understanding of exercise physiology, we have been able to put to rest some of these tired training trends. Although 65-80% is, in…

According to the food pyramid, to maintain sufficient overall health, we need to consume three servings of vegetables daily. I agree that three is good. However, I believe four is better – and five? Now you’re talking my lingo. Vegetables supply us with a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and fiber keeping our immune systems ready for battle and organs running smoothly. Unfortunately, for many people, forcing down five servings of vegetables can be disheartening and downright depressing. If your love of vegetables ranks in the “I’d rather not” category, I’ve got good news and great ways to penetrate that vegetable…

I am a freelance writer and fitness enthusiast. During the past two decades, I lived passionately as a group fitness instructor, having taught just about every class known to the gym. I have always been an avid nutrition guru (and a fan of yummy food) and found exercising my creativity with healthy cooking to be quite entertaining (as well as earning me a special place in my family’s heart!). I am absolutely in love with the human body and amazed at the inner workings. This drives me towards the perpetual world of education in this area. I’m excited to share…