It's typical in Monroe County for new members to fill the gyms and fitness centers, following up on New Year's resolutions.

As Pat Cano looked out across her small gym last week, she was heartened to see every machine and station in use.

Cano, a Woodhaven resident, has owned and operated ABS Fitness in Carleton for 16 years.

A small club studio, it hosts several fitness classes and has open gym hours during the week.

A veteran of the health and fitness industry, Cano is used to an uptick in customers at the beginning of each year. Like several gyms across Monroe County, she sees new members come in as they want the pounds to come off.

The trend is usually attributable to New Years resolutions, Cano said.

People start coming in, asking about what we offer, she said. Weve been getting pretty full in here; its actually pretty nice.

Attendance trends

ABS Fitness is a womens club with 24 stations and a rotating slate of courses ranging from high-intensity interval training to programs geared toward low- impact rehabilitation exercise.

About the second week of January is when it receives the most new members, Cano said, adding she attracts the most customers each year from that point through February.

Im definitely seeing an increase, she said. (Right now) I would like to see more, but its still pretty early in the season.

To kick off each year, Canos gym hosts a Biggest Loser Challenge, in which anyone can buy into the competition and win a pool of money if she loses the most weight. Its been a popular program, she said.

The local YMCA gym sees a similar spike in membership each year, typically during the first six to eight weeks of the new year, according to Kristin Irwin, CEO of the Monroe Family YMCA.

Like Cano, Irwin said more people start coming into the YMCA as a result of resolutions. The facility has various fitness programs, a pool and its wellness center.

LevelUp Training Complex also is seeing an increase in customers. Owner Jon Carrabino said hes experiencing a surge in those attending adult fitness programs. It hosts an adult fitness boot camp.

Its also a busy time for student athletes, who use the facility for training and wellness programs related to their chosen sport. Additionally, more than 200 local students are enrolled in various club sport programs at the facility, he said.

Its been a crazy week, he added. Fitness is an investment in yourself.

Other than the beginning of the year, attendance spikes vary among local fitness centers and gyms.

Because of the nature of his business, Carrabino sees a large increase in clientele during the summer as young athletes use their time off to train.

The spring is an active time for the YMCA, according to Irwin. She said the facility sees a lot of people working to get fit in preparation for vacations and warm weather.

We also see an increase in general activity in the facility during school and college breaks and also any time the weather turns bad, she added.

At ABS Fitness, Cano has noticed people are less likely to attend her gym during the summer. Its the season when people spend the most time outdoors or being active.

Attendance definitely drops off, Cano said. People will have every excuse in the book, but theyll come back (in the fall).

Overcoming numbers

The majority of gym memberships across the country are purchased in January.

About 11% of new starts occur at the beginning of the year, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. Like Cano, the organization points to resolutions as being the driving force at the start of the year.

But research also shows that while resolutions get people to the gym, they hardly spell success.

About 80% percent of resolutions fail by February. Most people who sign up for the gym as a result of them discontinue their memberships by mid-year, according to IHRSA.

I hate New years resolutions nobody sticks with it, Cano said. You have to be mindful of what you want for yourself, whether it is Jan. 1st or the end of December.

Mindfulness is key to success, Cano said. She cultivates a family atmosphere at ABS Fitness because it helps build a positive experience, which is especially important for those intimidated when they first enter a gym.

Exercising at a fitness center also is an opportunity to motivate other gym- goers, particularly newcomers, Cano said.

We are all laughing as we work out, Cano said. When youre home and trying to work out, youre always distracted. Here, you dont have the interruptions.

At the YMCA, new members can opt to receive a free orientation. Trainers show those members how to properly use the equipment and how it can be utilized to meet new members goals, according to Irwin.

Her facility places an emphasis on community, which comes is beneficial when there is increased gym usage. Its an opportunity for veteran gym members to help out the freshmen class.

If you see someone struggling, help them out, Irwin said. You can impact a persons life more than you ever know by just displaying kindness.

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Physical fitness: Centers fill up at start of year - Monroe Evening News

Rebel Wilson has been working hard on her fitness.

The Australian actress, 39,posted a video of herself doing a CrossFit exercise with ropes on her Instagram stories late Thursday; it was laterreposted by her trainerJono Castano.

The "Pitch Perfect" star showed off her amazing weight loss transformation as she donned an all-black workout outfit at the gym.

ADELE TOLD VACATIONING FAN SHE LOST 100 POUNDS: REPORT

Friday vibes but@rebelwilsonhas been putting in the yards 7 days a week, Castanocaptioned his post. Proud of you gurl .

Wilson has been on a health and fitness regime over the past few months and declared 2020 her "Year of Health."

"Okay so for me 2020 is going to be called 'The Year of Health,''" she wrote on Instagram in early January. "So I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food, which is going to be hard after the holidays Ive just had but Im going to do it! Whos with me in making some positive changes this year?"

The funny woman told Entertainment Tonightthat she started losing weight while filming "Cats" and has since dropped between 40 and 50 pounds.

"I lost eight pounds shooting my number, in four days," Wilson said. "One, because there's a lot of physicality But also, they heated up the set very high, to almost 100 [degrees] Fahrenheit, so that we could never cool down."

REBEL WILSON BACK IN AUSTRALIAN COURTS IN DEFAMATION APPEAL

The actress has always been a voice for body confidence, though, and even designed her own plus-size clothing line calledRebel Wilson x Angels. The sizes range from 14 to 24; it was inspired by her struggle to find clothes that fit right.

I remember I didnt even go to a friends wedding in my 20s because I didnt know where to buy a dress in my size, she had toldInStylemagazine.

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Now I have a wardrobe full of custom Givenchy, she added. My family is going to hate me for saying this, but they raid my closet because we wear similar sizes and they know I have the best fashion taste. I know what Im talking about now. So I find that I impart a lot of my knowledge, especially to plus-size girls.

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Rebel Wilson flaunts amazing weight loss transformation after declaring 2020 her 'year of health' - Fox News

When was the last time you danced?

The McCreary Community Building in Perry has two licensed Zumba instructors, leading classes on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Prices are $5 per class or $25 for a six-class punch card.

The Lake Robbins Ballroom in rural Woodward has provided a place for this fun, social form of exercise for more than 80 years. Lessons are available for $5 a session on Sunday afternoons. You may attend every session or only the sessions that teach the types of dance that interest you.

No registration is needed. Just show up at 3:30 p.m. for your group lesson. You dont even need to bring a partner along with you. Visit the website or call 515-438-2305 for information about this venue at 26726 150th St.

Other Dallas County dancing opportunities include the Waukee YMCA, which offers dance classes both for beginners and those wanting more of a challenge with Zumba, Bollywood or Move It by Silver Sneakers. All of these classes provide cardio workouts along with fun and social interaction. Silver Sneakers is a health and fitness program that is included in some Medicare Advantage plans.

Another opportunity for lessons is Des Moines Dance in the Valley Junction area of West Des Moines. For information on classes, call 515-865-6043.

Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.

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When was the last time you danced? - theperrynews.com

Given what Peloton managed to do for cycling, its a wonder its taken this long for someone to create a running equivalent. The twist is though that the 43 screen also contains cameras which are supposed to be able to track your running form using 3D-modelling. Theres also a luxury treadmill which is said to offer a better experience than a standard one. Theres even speakers on either side of the treadmill for immersive running sound.

It looks like any other running shoe, but Asics showed off a prototype ofa smart running shoe which contains FLYTEFOAM Propel foam. Basically this gives high energy-return when your feet touch the ground, meaning you use less energy when you run and can therefore go over longer distances with less tiredness.

Designed for people who get less than three hours sleep per night, this wacky-looking sleep headband is designed to measure your sleep and improve the quality by emitting quiet audio designed to lull you further into slow wave sleep. Its meant to help you get more restorative sleep in the same amount of time, essentially.

Original post:
The best health and fitness technology of CES 2020 - Telegraph.co.uk

Getty Committing to a fitness resolution is easyactually following through is much harder. Fitness experts share the best tips, tricks, and hacks to stay consistent. Hopping on the New Years Resolution fitness bandwagon may seem clichespecially if youve done it before, only to find yourself on the couch every morning, afternoon, and night come February. If you're ashamed about how your resolution went last year, never fear. Only 8 percent of people actually follow through with their New Year's resolutions by the end of the year, according to research from the University of Scranton.

Even if things did not go according to plan last time around, every New Year is an opportunity to move forward. That's the whole point of resolutions, after all. Your health and fitness are particularly well-suited to the practice, even if it feels hard to stay consistent.

We asked experts to recommend a few fitness hacks you can use after that first week, New Year honeymoon period. When the going gets tough, you'll have a playbook to stay on top of your commitment to making yourself healthier and, most importantly, happier.

Michele Scandurra / EyeEm - Getty Images Low Section Of People Running On Street In Marathon Even if you're not a competitive person by nature, a fun contest can bring out anyone's best efforts. Adding a competitive element to your New Year's fitness goal also helps to serve as motivation to follow a strategic, long-term training plan, since there's a payoff at the end other than the nebulous goal of "getting in better shape."

Signing up for a competition, whether it's a 5K run or your first Spartan Race, reinforces our instinctive need to achieve, says Chelsi Day, PsyD, HSPP, a clinical and sport psychologist for Indiana University Athletics. Make sure to set a specific date and sign up for the event within the first week of the New Year, so you'll be less likely to back out if you start getting the jitters as the date of the contest nears.

Getty 6 Hacks to Help You Stick to Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions Dont use the scale to measure progresstake photos instead. That way, you'll actually have visual evidence of your body's progression, rather than strictly sticking to numbers on a chart.

If you're feeling particularly brave, share your progress on social media. A 2013 weight loss study from Translational Behavioral Medicine found that participants who shared their progress on Twitter lost more weight than those who kept their results to themselves. We've seen some great results from normal guys ready and willing to share their transformations. What's holding you back?

Getty 6 Hacks to Help You Stick to Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions There's nothing wrong with committing to big New Year fitness goals. But you should also establish small and specific monthly benchmarks to maintain your motivation throughout the year. This will give you a reason to celebrate incremental progress or success as you move closer to the bigger goal you set for yourself.

If I ask you to eat a steak in one bite, you might be intimidated and pass on ordering the steak," says Day. "But if you cut the steak into manageable bites, it helps us enjoy it." For example, if you want to lose 30 pounds, break that up into 3 to 5 pounds per month.

Getty 6 Hacks to Help You Stick to Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions Whether it's a trainer, a buddy, or even your significant other, a workout partner provides a powerful level of support to keep you motivated year-round. In fact, the American Society of Training and Development says that having a regular workout buddy will increase your likelihood of reaching your fitness goal by 95 percent. Make sure to choose someone who will not accept your excuses or give you a pass when you're not in the mood to hit the gym.

Jaume Clua Felip / EyeEm - Getty Images Low Angle View Of Man Rock Climbing Against Sky After you're settled in your regular routine, tackling the same workout week after week and month and after month may become boring and deplete your fitness mojo. You should be implementing different plans and progressing in your workout at the most basic levelbut you can also push yourself in other, more exciting ways to keep your commitment fresh.

To spice things up, ditch the traditional gym and challenge yourself to one extreme workout per month to keep things interesting. You can take your workout outside and venture into rock climbing or visit a local Ninja Warrior training facility to test your skills on a few obstacles.

Gallery: These 40 fit celebrities over 40 will inspire you to hit the gym (Prevention)

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5 Hacks to Help You Stick to Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions - msnNOW

Tech

(Photo : Pixabay)

Applications for your computer and phone are all here to stay, especially when it comes to buying insurance, staying fit, and maintaining optimum health. Here's a quick rundown of what to look for when purchasing some of the most popular products out there.

Since 2016, the health market has exploded. There are now more than 1,000 products out there that promise to help you lose weight, meditate, lower your cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and live longer. Be wary of those that seem to promise too much are cost more than a few dollars. The most reputable sellers will allow you to test-drive a full version of their application at no cost for a week or more.

Before plunking down your hard-earned cash on anything, ask yourself exactly what you need. Are you trying to monitor blood sugar? Do you need to watch your weight? Has your doctor told you that you're at risk for high cholesterol? Avoid health apps that promise to deliver hundreds of important pieces of data and instead focus on one that can give you what you need. Sometimes simple is better.

There are hundreds of insurance applications on the market, and some of the best ones are free. Consumers often make the mistake of thinking that agent-oriented products will be a better deal or yield more information. Be careful about falling into this trap. The agent applications are designed for professionals, can cost hundreds of dollars, and usually take several weeks to master. Even after all the expense and trouble, most consumers don't get any additional useful info from these products than they do from the free versions designed for policy buyers.

However, the products that allow you to compare quotes across many companies and offer functionality for viewing premium amounts based on age, health and other parameters are the best ones by far. There's no need to opt for all the bells and whistles of the high-priced products when all you want to do is compare prices, look at company data and arrive at a solution for your insurance shopping needs.

Some products can help you calculate the value of viatical settlement arrangements, a special feature of policies for consumers who decide to redeem the contract when they face a serious illness. Viatical settlements make sense for individuals who need to obtain a lump sum of cash that is less than the death benefit but more than the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy. Applications that offer this kind of detail can cost between $20 and $50, so be sure to test out any product you intend to buy.

Fitness applications are almost as popular as health apps. Of course, fitness and health are closely related, so the two product lines have a lot in common. Some of the fitness parameters that consumers like to track include miles walked or run, calories burned, number of steps taken each day and a host of other data bits. Some of the more complex fitness applications can help you design an entire workout regimen, create a running program to prepare for a marathon or achieve virtually any fitness-related goal you have in mind.

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Using Health, Insurance, and Fitness Apps to Your Advantage - iTech Post

Very few people look forward to spending time in the gym locker room, but many of those intransgender and gender-nonconforming communities dread it more than most.

For folks in those communities, it can be extremely triggering and stressfuland even dangerousto go to big-box gyms, says Belle Ursa, co-founder of Amplio Fitness. Theyhave so much fear of being harassed in the locker room or pushed into a category because of how they look rather than how they identify.

Thats exactly why Ursa and her business partner John Hall started Amplio Fitness in January 2019to serve marginalized communities on their path to fitness and wellness, specifically anyone who identifies as LGBTQ. Ursa is an American Council of Exercise (ACE)-certified health coach, while Hall is an ACE-certified personal trainer.

Belle Ursa, co-founder of Amplio Fitness, and her business partner John Hall.Together, they mesh their respective skill sets and expertise at a 1,200-square-foot studio space in Rocky River, where they offer not only one-on-one health and fitness coaching, but also Reiki and gender affirmation programs. Designed specifically for those who are transgender and/or nonbinary, the gender affirmation program is geared at helping those in transition embrace and nourish their evolving bodies.

To my knowledge, we are the only local studio taking a stance and advocacy for these communitiesas well as addressing their unique barriers, says Ursa, who previously worked as an HIV prevention educator at the LGBTQ Community Center of Greater Cleveland. We look at it as social justice advocacy mixed with self-care, fitness, and wellness.

Amplio Fitness is also activelypartneringwith local organizations such as Colors+, a Fairview Park-based organization that serves local LGBTQ youth, to offer specialized programming and activities. Though most of Amplio Fitness' clientele identifies as LGBTQ, Ursa says she views the studio as a safe haven and support source for anyone who doesn't feelcomfortable in a traditional fitness settingfrom people of color to plus-sized individuals.

"When we started the studio, we knew that the LGBTQ community is uniquely disadvantaged in the fitness and wellness industry, and we wanted to start fixing that disparity," shares Ursa, who resides in Tremont. "As we continue to grow, we want toincorporateall the other beautiful intersecting identities that come with it."

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Fit for anyone: Amplio Fitness celebrates one year as CLE's only LGBTQ-focused wellness studio - freshwatercleveland

MINTELPRESS OFFICE

Its that time of year again when Brits resolve to up their fitness regime, and according to the latest research from Mintel, those choosing to sweat it out in the gym will not be alone, asprivate health and fitness club memberships topped 6 million last year.

Over the last five years, private health and fitness gym membership has leapt up 15%, with the number of members rising from 5.3 million in 2014 to an impressive 6.1 million in 2019. Meanwhile,total revenue for the UK private health and fitness club market is estimated to have reached nearly 3.4 billion in 2019,growing a healthy 4.1% since 2018.

Mintel research reveals that health and fitness clubs are one of the fastest-growing leisure segments.In fact, some 18% of UK adults currently use a private health and fitness club, compared with 15% in 2018.

Lauren Ryan, Mintel Leisure Analyst,said:

The rise of lower-cost options and increased locations has made private gyms an accessible form of leisure, while a greater focus by consumers on healthier living and exercise is also providing a boost to the sector.The convenience of more options close to work and home, with more flexible off-peak options available from the leading brands, has boosted demand, while competition has driven prices down.While membership numbers are set to continue to increase, the competition for new customers will drive down average fees and limit revenue growth over the next five years.

Were all in it together! Most say group classes help them put in more effort

According to Mintel research, classes are a key reason why many attend private gyms.Almost three in five (58%) Brits* say classes are the main reason they go to a health and fitness club, while 64% say group classes help them put in more effort. Furthermore,75% of consumers say the instructors play a key role in how much they like a club.

Overall, it seems Brits are getting value from their memberships as the vast majority of those who belong to private health and fitness clubs are using them regularly. Just 4% of members are using them less often than once a week, whileover six in 10 (62%) are using the club at least three times per week. For those looking to boost membership further, 28% of consumers* say the ability to track their progress would make them join or attend more often, while 25% would be motivated to attend more if they were rewarded for reaching goals.

Finally, the prospect of working out on machines that havent been wiped down after use, together with dirty changing rooms, is amongst the biggest gym deterrents, with eight in 10 Brits (81%) saying they would be put off using certain clubs because of a lack of cleanliness.

Lauren Ryan, Mintel Leisure Analyst,said:

Classes are particularly important for fitness clubs, with people seeking variety and friendly instructors. Online fitness services and workout apps mean consumers have direct access to leading experts and celebrity trainers, with classes live-streamed or available to download 24/7. However,the need for personal interaction and more personalised guidance provides health and fitness clubs with a strong opportunity if they can retain high-quality instructors and personal trainers.With consumers tending to take a more holistic approach to their total wellbeing, there are good opportunities for clubs to provide their customers with help outside of just physical fitness, including nutrition and mental health.

* Users aged 16+ who are currently a member/are not a member but would consider joining a private health and fitness club

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WORKING UP A SWEAT: OVER 6 MILLION BRITS ARE NOW MEMBERS OF PRIVATE HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS - International Supermarket News

It can be a challenge to embrace healthy activities during winter in the region, especially when running, biking and the outdoor fitness classes of summer seem so distant.

At the dreariest of times, hibernation looks to present a much better option.

Still, with a little vitamin D and some thoughtful consideration, the coming weeks can mean more than binge-watching Netflix and binge-eating pizza and wings.

It appears were even in for some snow, which can open a larger window onto outdoor opportunities when it comes in reasonable amounts.

The message we want to get out is there's so many things happening within our 10,000 acres of parks alone, Erie County Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel said.

A dozen county parks and recreation areas provide daily choices, when the weather is right, for skiing, skating and sledding and there is lots more to do elsewhere, too.

Here are our WNY Refresh recommendations for a variety of activities that can warm the body, boost the blood flow and expand the mind for those of any age.

The Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora hosts public skating several days each week. (Sharon Cantillon/News file photo)

The Ice at Canalside has become a popular gathering point on the Buffalo waterfront in recent years but is hardly alone when it comes to the opportunity to strap on a pair of skates in the region and go for a glide. Outdoor rinks cooled with chillers also include Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza downtown and Healthy Zone Rink in East Aurora.

Rinks that need help from below-freezing temperatures include those at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Reservoir and DeVeaux Woods state parks in Niagara Falls, and Akron Falls and Como Lake county parks in Akron and Cheektowaga. The bad news: Skate rentals arent available except at MLK Park. The good news: Skating is free.

Many municipalities also have public skate times at one or more indoor rinks, including three in the City of Buffalo, where you can visit haseksheroes.org or northbuffalorink.com to learn more.

James Klein, president of the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club, hosts free cross-country ski lessons at 10 a.m. Sundays starting from the Rose Garden in Delaware Park, when snowfall allows. (Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News)

Add Chestnut Ridge Park to the spots where downhill skiing and snowboarding is available this season for the first time in more than two decades. Erie County installed a new Austrian-made ski tow that will allow both activities alongside, but separate from, the toboggan shoots and sledding hill in Orchard Park. All are free. The park will celebrate Winterfest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday regardless of snow, with magic shows, other childrens activities and more. Emery Park in South Wales offers downhill skiing, too.

Ski resorts and clubs also dot the region. They include Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, Kissing Bridge in Glenwood and Peekn Peak Resort in Clymer.

Cross-country skiing awaits just about anywhere in public parks and forest lands and along public trails. Hotspots include groomed trails at Elma Meadows in Elma and Sprague Brook in Glenwood (both Erie County parks), as well as the Art Roscoe Recreation Area at Allegany State Park in the Southern Tier and Reinstein Woods State Park in Cheektowaga.

No experience? No problem. At 10 a.m. on weather-cooperative Sunday mornings, James Klein, head of the Buffalo Nordic Ski Club (buffalonordic.org), leads lessons that start at the Rose Garden in Delaware Park.

Slow Roll Buffalo has become so popular during the warmer months that GObike Buffalo also schedules "snow rolls" at least a couple of times during the winter. (John Hickey/Buffalo News)

The number of bicyclists and runners have grown exponentially during the last half-decade, as have the number of organized rides and races. When conditions are favorable with the right clothes and gear in hand there also are opportunities in winter. GObike Buffalo plans at least two more snow rolls in the region before spring, including the next one at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Massachusetts Avenue Park on Winter Street. Learn more at slowrollbuffalo.org.

Upcoming winter runs include Mr. Eds 31st Annual Super Bowl Warmup on Feb. 2 in Middleport; the Frozen Chosen on Feb. 8 in Orchard Park; Sprague Brook Scramble snowshoe race on Feb. 16 in Glendale; and Polar Bear 5K on Feb. 23 in Olcott. Sign up and learn more about these and other runs at buffalorunners.com.

Flying Bison Brewing Co. (flyingbisonbrewing.com) also started a monthly running club this winter that includes a free beverage at the end. The next 2- and 5-mile runs set out at 11 a.m. Feb. 29 from 840 Seneca St. in Larkinville.

Carly Skibinski, left, and her sister, Olivia, walk on a piece by artist Heather Hart at the Albright-Knox Northland, which opens this weekend. (Mark Mulville/Buffalo News)

Albright-Knox Art Gallery may have closed its Elmwood Avenue campus for a $165-million revamping, but related activities for families continue at its new project space at 612 Northland Ave. That includes art classes for children and teens, and Family Funday the second Sunday of each month, with pay-as-you-wish admission and special programing that includes baby stroller and family fun art tours as well as drop-in art activities. Learn more at albrightknox.org/community/northland.

Family fun also includes the Explore & More Museum (exploreandmore.org), which opened last summer on the Buffalo waterfront with four floors of hands-on exhibits that bow to regional, cultural, fitness, health and recreational themes. Admission generally is charged (BlueCross BlueShield of WNY members get $1 off with proof of membership at check-in). Admission is free during Fearless Family Play Days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

The Buffalo Museum of Science (sciencebuff.org) also is a great choice this time of year and on Feb. 8 the museum will host the U.S. debut of the temporary exhibit Golden Mummies of Egypt. The international tour will include items usually housed at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, which boasts a collection of Egyptian artifacts considered among the richest in the world. Timed tickets in 15-minute intervals are available in advance on the museum website. The cost is $19 for adults, and $16 for children aged 2-17, as well as seniors, students and members of the military with ID. The ticket includes access to museum exhibit spaces such as Biodiversity, Buffalo in Space, Bugworks, Explore You, In Motion and more.

Winter venues, events blanket Buffalo area in coming weeks

Continued here:
Embrace winter with these ideas for fitness, family fun - Buffalo News

Fitness is a common resolution in the new year.

But, according to fitness professional Keighty Gallagher, it shouldnt be the top resolution on your 2020 list.

I actually dont think its a great time to focus on your fitness goals, Gallagher, the founder of the Vancouver-based fitness organization Tight Club Athletics, says. We tend to go a little hardcore around this time of the year. We OD on goal setting, especially if you wake up on January 1 without a hangover, and often set the bar too high.

So high, that by the time February comes around, were burnt out of these ideal routines weve set and bail on the bandwagon.

Instead of setting lofty resolutions that feel set in stone on January 1, Gallagher recommends checking in on your personal health achievements sometime in the new year and then work on putting together a plan thats sustainable throughout the entire eleven months that follow.

Keighty Gallagher, the founder of Tight Club. NICK PROCAYLO / PROVINCE

I always go back to my core values when thinking about prioritizing fitness, and January is a great time to touch base on the pillars of what makes you YOU, Gallagher says. I weigh my decision against my values to see if it lines up. If it passes the values test, its worth a shot.

Instead of pushing for an aggressive workout plan that may not last much longer than a few months, Gallagher recommends taking time to plan your fitness and health goals on a weekly basis in order to help them feel more achievable.

On Sundays, I sit down and build out my week of movement. And always try to keep it balanced with two strength and conditioning workouts, two (high-intensity interval training) workout and one recovery session, Gallagher says.

When it comes to finding the perfect studio for your fitness regime, Gallagher says its all about the feel.

Think about the way you want to feel when you walk into a fitness space. Do you want to feel empowered and energized? Or is it relaxing and chill vibes youre looking for, Gallagher says. Do you see yourself in the staff members and instructors of the places youre checking out? Do this studios values align with yours? Find a studio that checks off these boxes and youll be feeling like family in no time.

After finding the perfect place for your personal goals, its time to pick classes that feel fun instead of just a simple sweat session. The process, Gallagher says, can be different for everyone.

Check and see if the business offers a two-week trial, and hit up all the different classes and get to know the different instructors. If you feel like they could be your pals, the workouts are challenging and fun and it doesnt break your bank, youve probably found your fitness home, Gallagher says. Also, make sure to ask about their policies on putting your passes on hold, especially if you decide to invest in a longer-term membership.

For further fitness success not only in the new year, but beyond too Gallagher recommends getting to the gym or class at least a half-hour before your workout begins in order to settle in without stress, as well as exploring apps such as Mindbody Fitness for further gym/studio discovery.

Then, its all about setting some attainable goals, and getting to work.

Set the bar low and celebrate all the wins, Gallagher says.

If health and wellness are top of mind for 2020, there are several new and unique items to check out in order to help you achieve your goals.

From healthy hot chocolate to at-home fitness gear, here are eight healthful items that caught our eye.

Be bold

Animal print invades the athleisure realm with this Womens Burton Lightweight Base Layer Crew. The style, which features floral and cheetah-print motifs, is so eye catching, its sure to make you stand out in your class.

$59.99 | Burton.com

Outerwear option

Whether worn to the gym or out on the trail for a run, this Norvan insulated hoody from the Vancouver-based brand Arcteryx will keep you warm and dry this winter. The jacket, which is available in sizes for men and women, features GORE-TEX Shakedry technology as well as a highly breathable and packable Coreloft Compact 40 insulation and a Dope Permeair 20 liner to allow excess heat from your exercise to escape.

$550 | Arcteryx; arcteryx.com

Best bike

Perhaps one of the most talked about fitness machines of late, the Peloton bike is an at-home fitness tool that features online access to live and pre-recorded fitness classes ranging from spin to weight training, core work and more. Its like having your favourite fitness class right in your living room.

From $2,950 | Onepeloton.ca

Style star

Step up your style game with a colourful pair of workout pants like these Break New Ground Tights from Lululemon. The fiery design, which is a limited-edition offering from the second Lululemon x Roksanda release, may not necessarily make you more flexible or fast but theyre sure to make you feel more fashionable.

$178 | Lululemon; shop.lululemon.com

Wrist smarts

Keep an eye on all your health and fitness goals and updates with a wearable fitness-tracking device like this Fitbit Versa 2. The smartwatch boasts Amazon Alexa built in, as well as heart and sleep tracking, app accessibility and more.

$249.95 | Fitbit.com

Chic sneaks

Step your fitness up to a new, ahem, galaxy with these Space Race Ultra Boost 20 sneakers from Adidas. The style features a flexible knit upper and a comfortable sole designed to support the movements and momentum of your selected sweat sessions. Available in sizes for men, women and children.

$250 | Sport Chek; adidas.ca

Sweet sips

Searching for a guilt-free indulgence to satisfy your sweet tooth post-workout? Consider making a cup of Reishi Hot Cacao from the Vancouver-based company Blume. The mix is vegan, caffeine free and features organic ingredients such as organic cacao, organic coconut sugar, organic cocoa and organic reishi to support your immune system and fight off the blues.

$18 | Itsblume.com

Ear elements

Move to the beat of your choosing with these wireless headphones from the brand Happy Plugs. The cordless style, available in a variety of colours, feature Bluetooth technology, 14 touch command selections and up to 14 hours of battery life.

$109.99 | Best Buy; bestbuy.ca

Aharris@postmedia.com

Read more:
Fitness tips for 2020: 'Set the bar low and celebrate all the wins' - Vancouver Sun