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Elevate your energy, improve your mood and get more done!  How can you do this?  Exercise, of course.

Workday workouts accelerate blood flow to your brain… and they improve your productivity!!!

Here are some thoughts and research to get your work productivity ramped up:

“Bristol University conducted a study on 200 employees at three organizations. The employees evaluated themselves on a day with exercise and a day without.  The results were incredible. On workout days, participants’ scores were 21% higher for concentration on work, 22% higher for finishing their work on time, 25% higher for working without unscheduled breaks, and an incredible 41% for feeling motivated to work.” 1

Some research suggest that a longer morning workout and a brief afternoon workout is best for productivity.  I find from personal experience that working out around noon provides the perfect motivational and focus boost that I need to launch me through the rest of my work day.

According to the Harvard Business Review, “Instead of viewing exercise as something we do for ourselves—a personal indulgence that takes us away from our work—it’s time we started considering physical activity as part of the work itself. The alternative, which involves processing information more slowly, forgetting more often, and getting easily frustrated, makes us less effective at our jobs and harder to get along with for our colleagues.” 2

The Harvard Business Review article goes on to recommend, “Regardless of how you go about incorporating exercise into your routine, reframing it as part of your job makes it a lot easier to make time for it. Remember, you’re not abandoning work. On the contrary: You’re ensuring that the hours you put in have value.” 3

I couldn’t agree more with the HBR!  It is the quality of the time at work, not the quantity that makes the difference in getting things done.  Just the ability to focus better itself can double your productivity.  Working out at the halfway mark during the workday can hyper-focus your brain!

I workout with a group of three including myself and two other execs who are my permanent workout team.  We motivate each other and we usually train at 11:30am four to five times per week for a 30 minute workout.  A lot of the time, my workout group actually gets work done while in the HOTWORX sauna.  We discuss issues and generate ideas while we train.  It works well for us.  To use an old saying, we kill two birds with one stone.

The evidence is overwhelming to suggest that companies should incorporate workplace workouts during business hours.

“…findings are similar to earlier research, which suggests that sticking to a specific workout time can result in better performance, higher oxygen consumption, and lower perceived exhaustion.” 4

Use the “sitcom” approach (same station, same time every day) for your workday workout.  Schedule it every day at the same time and show up on time for your group.

For the HOTWORX corporate team, it is clear to them that the company encourages workday workouts so long as there are no meeting conflicts and knowing that people can adjust by having lunch at their desks to make up for the workout time.

The improved mood, energy and focus levels that come with workday workouts is a big win for the company and the staff in terms of productivity.

According to a study in the UK by Bristol University, employees who are allowed to workout at the workplace are more productive, happy, efficient and calm.5

The research clearly indicates that organizations should provide exercise programs and facilities for staff in an effort to boost productivity and morale.

Access to the programs and facilities should be made readily available and employers should frown upon those who criticize others who are taking advantage of the workday workout opportunity.

One major productivity advantage from corporate wellness programs is elevated creativity.  Executive problem solving is a creative process and without ideas, problems will not be resolved.  Working out triggers creativity.  Creativity during the workout, and the post-workout creativity is greatly elevated.  Of course, those who don’t take advantage of the workday workouts will not benefit from this advantage.

According to Michigan State University, “Working out at work is proven to increase energy, productivity and creativity while reducing stress. The workplace environment improves when employees take advantage of a middle-of-the-day workout by creating mood-boosted workers.” 6

“Employees who spent 2.5 hours a week being physically active were more satisfied with the quantity and quality of their work, reported increased work ability and took less sick time than employees who did not engage in physical activity.” 7

Workouts at the workplace lowers negativity according to studies.  Trust me on this, as a CEO of a rapidly expanding franchise organization, I can assure you that better organizational chart dynamics is a desirable thing.  Managers should encourage workday workouts to foster teamwork…, and, what manager wouldn’t want workers who are more energized, task focused and more productive in general?!

The HOTWORX workout method is poised to help.  With a more workout in less time approach to fitness, the 30 minute and 15 minute, infrared and heat infused workouts fit perfectly into a mid-day workout routine at the workplace and during the workday.  Employers can easily find 63 square feet to install a HOTWORX sauna and/or they can invest into memberships to their local HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio for a quality corporate wellness program.  The workouts are fast and super effective to accelerate productivity at the office.

HOTWORX is now developing a report through the customer Burn Off App to make it easy for members to email to employers for verification and review.  This will enable ease of accountability to corporate wellness programs for HOTWORX Studio members.

Workouts should be a part of your workday!  How much you get done depends on it.

Steve

1 https://productivityist.com/increase-productivity-21-exercise/2 https://hbr.org/2014/10/regular-exercise-is-part-of-your-job3 https://hbr.org/2014/10/regular-exercise-is-part-of-your-job4 https://greatist.com/fitness/whats-best-time-work-out5 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7785219.stm#sa-link_location=story-body&intlink_from_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth-39490607&intlink_ts=1534697392957-sa6 http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/exercise_at_work_is_it_possible_and_what_are_the_benefits7 http://www.apaexcellence.org/resources/goodcompany/blog/2012/03/exercising-at-work-boosts-prod.php

It should be no secret that working out is good for your brain.  The evidence is clear that a good fitness program can reduce stress, boost endorphins, improve self-confidence, create new brain cells, reduce anxiety, increase memory and ability to learn, afford better life discipline, and help to control addictions…just to name a few of the general benefits.

In fact, working out can be more effective, and certainly more natural than taking pills for depression or anxiety.  “Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed.”¹

Cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells.  This is known as neurogenesis, the process for growth and development of nervous tissues.

Adding infrared to the workout environment can lend another dimension to emotional and cognitive health benefits from workouts.  Infrared heat causes the brain to generate brain-derived neurotrophic factor, known as BDNF.  BDNF is one of the most active neurotrophins which are chemicals that stimulate and control neurogenesis.

“In the brain, BDNF is active in the hippocampus, cortex, and forebrain—areas vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking.  Hence, BDNF is important for long-term memory.

It is also expressed in the retina, motor neurons, the kidneys, saliva, and the prostate.

BDNF has been shown to play a role in neuroplasticity, which allows nerve cells in the brain to compensate for the injury, new situations or changes in the environment.

BDNF helps to support the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth, regeneration and creation of new neurons and synapses [synapses are the connectors between the neurons in your brain that allow for communication].”²

BDNF protein is good for learning and memory…

“The BDNF gene provides instructions for making a protein found in the brain and spinal cord called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein promotes the survival of nerve cells (neurons) by playing a role in the growth, maturation (differentiation), and maintenance of these cells. In the brain, the BDNF protein is active at the connections between nerve cells (synapses), where cell-to-cell communication occurs. The synapses can change and adapt over time in response to experience, a characteristic called synaptic plasticity. The BDNF protein helps regulate synaptic plasticity, which is important for learning and memory.

The BDNF protein is found in regions of the brain that control eating, drinking, and body weight; the protein likely contributes to the management of these functions.”³

In addition to the stimulation of BDNF, infrared heat exposure can help to speed up the functioning of your brain…

“Studies have found that sauna use substantially increases norepinepherine levels, a hormone that increases focus and attention span.  Heat stress also increases prolactin, a hormone which encourages the growth of myelin (the insulation around the nerve fibres in your brain), which determines how fast your brain works.”4

Do something good for your brain.  Add infrared and heat to your workouts.

Steve

¹ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/mental-health-benefits-exercise_n_2956099.html² https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/a-comprehensive-list-of-natural-ways-to-increase-bdnf/³ https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/BDNF4 https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/reasons-sweating-far-often/#7_Saunas_Lead_to_BetterMental_Performance

HOTWORX believes in increased workout efficiencies in every form, not just the motion of exercise, but also, specific to this blog post, in the form of hydration.  Proper hydration is obviously important for hot exercise.  Quietly, the company has been working to complete its’ line of workout powders and is now poised to introduce the completed line with a “Powder Power” awareness initiative.

The line is scheduled to be released in the next few weeks to all franchise locations for HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Studios and for Planet Beach Spa locations that have installed HOTWORX workout saunas.

The goal with the Powder Power initiative is to educate clients about the advantage of hydrating with more than just water, making it more effective with added nutrients that your body needs and immediately when your body needs it.  Below is a description of how and why to mix these powders when your body is ready to benefit from the intake:

Post Workout - The Post Workout powder contains just the right blend of amino acids that are necessary to fuel muscle recovery and growth.  I find that it is best when used to combine with water during your workout as well as just following the workout.  Don’t let the name fool you here, it is a good idea to use this supplement during the workout as well as after.  Your body needs these aminos the moment you begin to place workout stress on your muscles.

Pre Workout - This powder can give you the equivalent boost of at least two cups of coffee and plenty of vitamins and minerals as well to help you get your mind right for the workout you are about to have.  Mix with water and drink about 1 hour to 30 minutes prior to your workout.

Essential Greens - This powder plays an important role in the detoxifying process by clearing the digestive tract, eliminating toxins and cleansing the organs. Essential Greens aids in regulating immune function and protects cells from damaging free radicals. The multiple types and range of greens provides necessary nutrients to the body that help convert food into energy and serve as a convenient and fast way to consume nutrient-dense foods in a single serving while allowing the body to focus on cleansing. Other benefits include reduction of inflammation, weight loss, proper regulation of pH, cleansing of bowels and intestines, and absorption of toxins along the intestinal walls.  This powder concentrate includes powerful super greens including Kale, Spinach, Alfalfa, Algea, Kamut, Oat and several others.  Drink with one 8 oz. of water per day.

Antioxidant Essentials - This powder is loaded with essential vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.  In addition to improving skin tone, this powder helps to improve digestion, and assists in cleaning the blood and protects cells from free radical damage. It also helps your body repair cells, fight disease and manage weight.  This supplement contains many well known antioxidant foods like Kiwi, coconut, grape, apple, blueberry, Acai berry, Cranberry and several others.  Drink with one 8 oz. of water per day.

Heart Healthy Essentials - This powder supports the health of the entire cardiovascular system with an impressive array of all-natural essential heart-healthy nutrients including: vitamins and L-Arginine, CoQ10, and L-Citrulline.  Heart Healthy promotes good blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and gives the heart and blood vessels essential nutrients.  These powders aid in digestion, improve oxygen process, lower cholesterol, improve circulation, help to regulate heartbeat, fight free radicals in the body, reduce plaque in the blood stream, and repair damaged tissue of the heart and veins.  Drink with one 8 oz. glass of water per day.

Clean Energy - With a tropical fusion of flavors this all-in-one powder provides all the clarity, endurance, joint care, skin care, anti-oxidants plus a full multi-vitamin in one great tasting product. ... It provides energy, hydration and body recovery from exercise and daily life.

With this lineup of six different powders, HOTWORX has provided a complete way for clients to hydrate with nutrient rich powders enabling more than just drinking water.  Rather, let’s call it smart hydration that allows you to give your body what it needs precisely when it needs it.  It is an “on-demand” way for your body to get fluids and nutrients efficiently.

One more advantage for the use of powders for supplementation is ease of intake.  Pills can be hard on the throat and digestive system, whereas powders are very easy on them.  The powder form is much faster acting as well…

POWDER POWER!!!

Steve

Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing :(

Such is life.  Proper balance is always the key.

That being said, too much water intake can be bad for your body.  Yes, you CAN overdose on water.  The key is to properly time when, and in what quantity of water should you drink throughout your day.  As always, finding the right balance is what you need to do.

“In rare cases, drinking an extreme amount in a short time can be dangerous. It can cause the level of salt, or sodium, in your blood to drop too low. That's a condition called hyponatremia. It's very serious, and can be fatal. You may hear it called water intoxication.” ¹

Give your body what it needs, when it needs it, and with the proper dosage.  When your body signals with thirst, react to balance out the situation.

When you are thirsty, drink!

“In response to dehydration, your body increases its production of cholesterol to keep cell membranes moist and pliable, which allows tissues to exchange nutrients for waste in an efficient manner. Low water consumption also reduces the volume and the flow-rate of your blood, which may increase the risk of cholesterol accumulating in your arteries.” ²

When you are thirsty drink!

For sure, there are more people dehydrated than over hydrated.

According to Dr. Chris Mcstay the kidneys can only process about a half liter per hour. ³

Of course, when you exercise, especially hot exercise, you will need more water and you will need to replace electrolytes that are lost through sweating.  You will also need to feed your muscles amino acids to aid in recovery and to help you gain strength.

Use hydration as a tool to feed your body the nutrients it needs as well.  Kill two birds with one stone!  Let the water be the vessel to supply the electrolytes and the proteins at the very moment that your body has to have it.  Find a great workout powder to mix with your water, one for pre-workout and one for during and after the workout to make this happen.  

Next weeks blog post will complete the hydration series with an article entitled “Powder Power”.  Be sure to get that one into your inbox for insight regarding modern methods of workout supplementation that are centered around the workout, and timed to deliver what your body needs, when your body needs it!

If you really want to be a nerd about this, then use the Gatorade Fluid Loss Calculator.4  You can click on the footnote below to get to that page.  It is a pretty awesome tool to help you understand how much fluid you lose during a workout, and therefore, how much fluid you should drink during a workout.  The rule of thumb is that you should drink 100-150% of the fluid you expend during your workout.  So, If you know that you will lose 16 oz. in the workout, then drink, let’s say 20 oz. while you workout, preferably mixed with a powder that supplies electrolytes and aminos.

Balance what your body loses with an even higher quality fluid intake, and drink when you’re thirsty.  Make sense?

Be sure to read next weeks post.

Steve

¹ https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/water-intoxication#1² https://www.livestrong.com/article/413306-does-diet-soda-count-as-water-intake/³ https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/water-intoxication#14 https://data.gssiweb.com/fluidLoss/calculator

I find it amusing when I hear people talk about water consumption as if somehow it doesn’t count when something is added to the water.  Some athletes actually believe that flavored drinks (the good or bad drinks) can’t be counted in the daily water consumption measurement of ounces.  Of course, that is a false perception…”water folly”, if you will.

Need validation?

“Since most powders quickly dissolve after mixing with water, powdered drinks are mostly comprised of water. According to the World Health Organization, the average woman requires 2.7 liters and the average man 3.7 liters of water each day to meet their body's needs. If you regularly engage in strenuous physical activities – such as sports or athletics – you may require more water in order to replenish your fluids each day. One common method of gauging your daily fluid intake is to make sure you drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Since powdered drinks contain mostly liquid, an 8-ounce glass of water mixed with a powdered drink mixture can count towards your daily water requirement.” ¹

Why not add something beneficial to your water, when appropriate throughout the day?  Do this for exercise.

For example, rather than consuming 3 to 4 or more cups of coffee per day you could easily substitute with a really good pre-workout powder that could provide a healthy alternative for 2 of those cups of coffee, and a nice jolt prior to your workout too.

And…

Why not mix a powder branch chain amino supplement during and after your workout into your water for muscle recovery?

This is smart hydration.

Give your body what it needs, when it needs it.

For workouts, it needs electrolytes and aminos, especially during the hot workouts.  Electrolytes are needed to replenish what is depleted during the workout and aminos are necessary to accelerate muscle repair at the moment of distress!

Importance of electrolytes:

“When we sweat, we lose water along with electrolytes like sodium, potassium calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and chlorine. Without enough of these minerals in your body, you won't be able to retain the water you're chugging during workouts or on a hot day, which could lead to dehydration.” ²

Importance of Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's):

It is vitally important to give your body BCAA’s during and after workouts.  During workouts, especially hot exercise, your body depletes itself of stored energy known as glycogen and it needs a secondary source of energy to make up the difference.  When you are eating lean and reducing calorie intake as a part of your fitness program, it is even more important to supplement with BCAA’s.

When dieting your body fights to preserve fat stores.  This is known as the catabolic crisis.  You can solve this crisis through the properly timed intake of BCAA’s.

“BCAAs are responsible for stimulating protein synthesis, and also improve each cell’s ability to perform its own protein synthesis. So not only do BCAAs complete this process on their own, but they provide support for the process to be carried out by other agents of the body. Talk about double duty! Another important function of BCAAs is their ability to slow down the rate of protein breakdown, decreasing overall protein loss. These two benefits halt the “catabolic crisis,” and directly support the preservation of your hard-earned muscle mass.” ³

Stay tuned for next week’s follow up blog post.  We will explore in detail the importance of blending nutrients with water throughout your daily 8 glass (more or less depending on your body type) water intake.

For now, just know that water is water, and unless you blend a diuretic with it, every drop of water counts toward your daily need, even when blended with powders.

Steve

¹ https://www.livestrong.com/article/413306-does-diet-soda-count-as-water-intake/² https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a21085214/what-are-electrolytes/³ https://pi-nutrition.com/bcaa-how-can-it-boost-your-post-workout/

It’s not too often in fitness that a new training discovery is revealed that would classify as epic.  I would have to say that the article that I will cite from in this post explains a new and yes, epic, fitness paradigm shift.

This new focus is pliability!

Here is a moment of truth for those who want to establish a greater mind + body connection…

Alex Guerrero is the personal body coach for Tom Brady.  Next is a glimpse of his training philosophy…

“[A]ging [then] becomes a number, and your only ability to not do something is based on the muscles' ability to support whatever your acts of daily living are. I feel that pliability is the key to being able to accomplish that, [and] you can start to make physiologic change over the course of 14-day cycles. Over two weeks you can start to create new neural pathways for the way that you want to function and move …” ¹

Pliability training is based on creating new neural pathways to connect the brain to the muscle.

Guerrero realized that the athletes he was training were all performing movements comprised of learned behavior and they were feeling good after an injury recovery only to result in re-injury.  He hypothesized that since the brain was developing more neural pathways based on the way the athletes wanted to move, then the same principle should be applied to treatment.  He felt that, “if the brain can create neural pathways based on functional movement, then I should be able to do some functional movement during my treatments so that the brain can create more neural pathways for getting better as opposed to just feeling better.”

Have you ever thought about the longevity of Tom Brady’s career?  If you’re a fitness professional you should have at least wondered why he still performs at the level that he does.  Brady’s muscles have managed to keep up with his NFL athletic requirements over an incredibly long career span.

Some of the old training methods held dear by many athletes have had to be scuttled in the process of moving to pliability training for performance longevity.

Modern training methods have shifted from the old school heavy weights and high impact sets that take their impact toll on the human body.

Resistance bands provide superior pliability results…

“So, for example, Tom doesn't do bench presses, but when he has to test for bench press, he can still lift 225 pounds, 18 times. We don't lose any power or strength by doing [resistance bands]. We’re just looking to keep our muscles long and lean so that they can be functional for what you're asking them to do every day.” ²

Check out this story of a Guerrero client…

“Our oldest client is 87; his best friend is 85. Their goal was to go ride the Tour de France circuit on their bikes. I thought that was a crazy goal, right? But they figured it would take them three months and they wanted to go do that. So, we put together a program for them, and they did it. They came back five months later, and not only did they do [the Tour de France], but they also decided to go on a [scuba] diving expedition …” ³

Guerrero also uses far infrared as a part of his pliability training.  Interestingly he uses infrared sleepwear to accomplish this.

HOTWORX will be rolling out the use of bands with two new workouts this August to all studio locations.

Stay tuned.

Steve

¹ https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/18/tb12-method.aspx² https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/18/tb12-method.aspx³ https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/18/tb12-method.aspx

Time is perhaps the most valuable commodity that we have in life.  When it comes to fitness, people are more discerning than ever to find the right programs to make the most of their time in the gym.

The four things that they want to achieve quickly are to:

• Look Better

• Move Better

• Feel Better

• Live Longer

During my fitness career spanning the last three decades, I have watched the percentage of health club members within the population double.  In the 80’s, 10% of the population kept a fitness club membership, and now it has risen to over 20%!  That represents a massive increase in the number of health club members.  The message is slowly getting through.

Almost all would agree that more results in less time is a good thing for most any progressive endeavor in life.  Consider Moore’s Law, or the breaking of Olympic records, for example.

If we can attract even more people into a regular fitness program because they are able to get better results in less time, then perhaps we can accelerate, even more, the recruitment of individuals into the culture of wellness.  It is a noble pursuit, and there is so much room for improvement.  Let’s face it, 20% is better than 10%, but it still sucks!  We can do better until 100% of the population joins in.

HOTWORX believes in this cause.  The mission of the brand is to provide more workout in less time to its franchise studio members and to its residential fitness sauna clients.

“Exercise is a miracle drug.  I’m such a believer that it’s the key to health, wellness and longevity that I prescribe it to every patient I see.  Take it often, and you’ll live a longer, healthier life.  Your medical costs will be lower, you’ll sleep better at night, and your workdays will be more productive.  Your mood will improve, and your risk of developing almost any chronic disease will drop.” ¹  Dr. Jordan D Metzl

Infrared energy and the heat generated from infrared can provide a superior workout environment for acceleration of sweating and for acceleration of body detoxification, to mention just a two of the many benefits.

It makes sense to add infrared to exercise.

When exercise is combined with infrared amazing results happen fast.  The moment that you walk into an infrared workout sauna you begin to feel good.  Your muscles begin to relax so that you can warm up faster allowing for better stretching to prepare for the great workout that is about to ensue.  During the workout, accelerated sweating, detox, and muscle toning from more heat shock proteins result in greater strength and flexibility gains! …not to mention the massive calorie burn!

Simply put, the HOTWORX workout method provides for a higher quality workout with greater results in less time.

More Workout, Less Time!

Steve

¹ The Science of Exercise, p. 4, Time, Inc. Books 2018

If you have ever experienced poor sleep quality, then you know that it can be detrimental to your work productivity and to your general quality of life.  Simply put, you feel like crap when you don’t get enough sleep.  I experienced poor sleep quality myself until I discovered infrared sauna workouts.  For the past three years my sleep has been greatly improved with regular infrared workouts.

Unfortunately, not a lot of research exists on the link between better sleep and exposure to infrared.  We know that sleep deprivation causes buildup of free radicals in the brain that can cause damage over time.

It’s obvious how much better we all feel during the day following a great night of sleep.

The goal is to achieve slow wave sleep, or deep sleep on a regular nightly basis.

Webster’s defines slow wave sleep as a state of deep usually dreamless sleep that occurs regularly during a normal period of sleep with intervening periods of REM sleep and that is characterized by delta waves and a low level of autonomic physiological activity. ¹

See the chart below…

It is hypothesized that saunas condition the body and the brain for deep sleep by heating the body and then through the cooling process better sleep is induced.

It has been established through research that regular weekly exercise can increase slow wave sleep as well.

It stands to reason that combining infrared with working out can have a positive effect on sleep.

“A recent National Sleep Foundation poll found that regular exercisers were significantly more likely to report sleeping well on most nights than people who were not physically active. Research has shown exercise can help to improve not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality: studies show daytime physical activity may stimulate longer periods of slow-wave sleep, the deepest and most restorative stages of sleep.” ²

In one study an infrared sauna was used to examine the effectiveness in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a condition with no definitive therapy as of the date of the study.  Ten inpatients were observed.  Perceived fatigue was significantly decreased following infrared sauna therapy.  Negative mood, anxiety, depression and fatigue were significantly improved.  No patients reported any negative effects from the infrared therapy.  The study concluded that thermal infrared sauna therapy may be a useful and safe treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. ³

In another study exercise was tested to see if a structured program of physical fitness activities could reduce insomnia.  The study concluded that aerobic physical activity is an effective treatment “to improve sleep quality, mood and quality of life in older adults with chronic insomnia.” 4

Lack of a large body of research on the topic aside, common sense should tell us that regular workouts involving detoxification through sweating can be great for sleep.  I can attest through my own experience that it is true!

Steve

¹ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slow-wave%20sleep² https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201309/better-sleep-found-exercising-regular-basis-³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/257487434 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2992829/

“Retailers understand that it is critical to enhance the convenience of the overall shopping experience, given that convenience is linked to customer satisfaction and intentions to shop the store in the future, as well as the overall attitude toward the shopping experience…” ¹

Think about it, the best products always make life easier in some way, shape or form.

So, I’m here in Oxford, MS this week, my second home.  This is the town where I attended Ole Miss for my undergraduate degree and where I opened my very first business when I was 23, a basic gym with a weight room and an aerobics studio back in 1987.  There were no 24 hour gyms to speak of back in the 80’s.

Now fast-forward to 2017.

Once again in Oxford, I decided to open a gym.  This time I had the opportunity to open with three great business partners.  My intention was to create a completely new type of fitness facility, one with newly developed, patent pending, workout conveniences based on heat, infrared energy and isometrics.

With that goal in mind, the 24 hour infrared fitness studio concept was born.

HOTWORX became the first ever fitness studio that enabled clients to experience hot yoga (and over 10 other hot exercise options as well) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

When I’m in Oxford (the greatest small town in America, I might add) I spend a lot of time at Uptown Coffee which is located downtown on The Square.  Many of my blog articles including this one have been written from this coffee shop.  When I first got here today I sat my computer backpack down in one of my favorite spots and then proceeded to the counter to get some java.

When I was checking out, the gentleman behind the counter asked me how long I had been with HOTWORX (my company affiliation given away no doubt by the hat I was wearing flipped backwards for fitness readiness, lol).

I responded with the story of how we opened the original location here in Oxford on February 13 of last year.  It’s hard to believe that it has only been one and a half years since that event, but during that time a lot of life has been lived and many great workouts have been experienced.

Getting to the point…the young barista then went on to ask me about hot yoga and I told him why he would love our version of hot yoga at 125 degrees.  He also was extremely excited about the HOTWORX Burn Off App when I told him that it would allow him to book any workout he wants at any time of day.

Time is money, as the old saying goes, and more convenience creates greater value in the minds of customers!

People want convenience so that they can obtain desired results without wasting time.  As a business person I am not really big on long philosophical mission statements.  Rather, I prefer to let the business do the talking by providing a great product and a great service.  That being said, after a few short weeks of being open with the original location in Oxford, we realized that our “de facto” mission was simply to provide great workouts fast so that people can have more time to live…

More Workout, Less Time!

The end result of that brief conversation resulted in me handing the gentleman 4 workout passes.  He seemed very happy and looked forward to coming in to the studio with his friends.

The convenience factor is one of the most powerful customer motivators of all.

Steve

¹ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272543759_The_Importance_of_Convenience_in_Consumer_Purchasing

The immune system is your body's ability to recognize and defend itself against infectious bacteria, organisms, viruses and the development of disease.  The lymph system consists of tissues that store white blood cells that are used for fighting disease within the body. The lymph nodes are the radar for the body providing early detection when harmful organisms have made their intrusions into the body.  Upon detection, the lymph system is prompted to make more infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.Infrared exposure supports the immune system:“Fact: Far infrared saunas provide a gentle, side-effect-free, effective mechanism for detoxification. Their waves penetrate deep into the human body, elevating the body’s surface temperature, activating circulation, sweating and excretion of toxins from the lymph and blood through the skin. The heat also increases your heart rate and encourages deeper breathing, which boosts the drainage process even further.” ¹Far Infrared (FIR) exposure provides for a natural way to enhance the human immune system.Through the heating of the core body temperature and through the penetration of infrared energy, FIR boosts your immune system, thereby increasing the count of white blood cells and killer T-cells.  T-cells kill cancer cells and other cells that are infected with viruses along with cells that are otherwise damaged and need to be eradicated from the body.“Far Infrared Sauna Therapy (F.I.R.S.T.) helps to boost the immune system in many ways. First off, as the far infrared heat raises the body’s core temperature it also induces an artificial fever. A fever is one of the body’s immune responses that attempts to neutralize a bacterial or viral infection. White blood cells also rapidly proliferate due to the suitable environment and can also help fight off the harmful pathogens and microbes that invade the body.  Additionally, as far infrared heat penetrates deep into our body and increases the body’s temperature we sweat out 5-6 times more toxins, fat, and impurities than normal sweat. Every system in our body performs better when it functions in a detoxified state, especially our immune system.” ²Exercise can also assist with building your immune system.  People who practice yoga are far less susceptible to colds in the winter due to their boosted ability to fight off germs that cause sickness.  Immagine how beneficial your workouts could be if you combined yoga with infrared. HOTWORX created a sauna for that purpose.

Why not get more out of your workouts in less time.  It makes no sense to separate the sauna session from the yoga session, or any other workout session, when you can combine exercise with infrared to save time and double the results.Steve

¹ https://branchbasics.com/blog/16-ways-to-activate-your-lymphatic-system/² http://completebalancehealth.com/index.php?page=immune-system-therapy-far-north-infrared-wellness

I am amused when I see certain so-called “infrared” fitness studios that claim to provide infrared fitness classes from live in-studio instructors. The reason I am amused is because they have gone to the trouble of opening an entire fitness studio based on a false assumption.The false assumption is that because the room is heated by an infrared based heater that the true infrared effects are being realized by the customer. The fact is that there are no infrared heaters that can safely provide the proper level of infrared energy to humans from a distance of more than about three feet. Therefore, the workout studio may get hot from an infrared heating system that blows hot air, but the beneficial infrared energy never reaches the clients due to how far the heaters are from the clients.Ignorance is bliss, so don’t be fooled.I was being given a tour of a day spa by one of the owners a couple of years ago and he was so proud to show me his new infrared hot yoga studio. He was excited, blissful even, to point out the infrared wall heaters that actually blew the heat out from the wall to heat the room. I didn’t want to rain on his infrared charade, so I kept quiet and just listened and looked. Of course, any infrared energy that was generated by the mere three heaters that were in that studio would never reach the clients.The Earth is perfectly radiated by the Sun from a position of 93,000,000 miles. Venus and Mercury are obviously more intensely irradiated than the Earth since they are closer to the Sun. The planets that are further away from the infrared radiation of the sun are much colder. The same logic applies to infrared heaters and workout studios.Word to the wise…The best proximity for humans to benefit from current infrared heater technology is from 1 to 3 feet. Therefore, the dimensions an infrared sauna enclosure is most suitable for infrared workouts, not a big room.The patent pending HOTWORX 63 square foot workout sauna was designed to provide the perfect infrared workout environment for 3 clients to enjoy maximum benefits.Steve

Did you know that you can improve the quality of your workouts by increasing the heat shock proteins through hot exercise?

Summer is here and we are all looking to tone up fast for the weekend trips to the beach!  One of the most efficient ways to get your body toned quick is through infrared training.  One of the reasons for this is due to the elevated heat shock protein (HSP) production during exposure to a heated infrared sauna and during exercise.

Since this HSP production is increased through exercise and through exposure to heat, then why not combine infrared heat with exercise for more HSP production?

That is exactly what HOTWORX has done.  The company created a new method of fitness called 3D Training for its members to obtain more workout in less time.  The combination of infrared energy, heat and exercise delivers better results in less time in part because of the enhanced production of HSP’s.

This type of exercise provides for exceptional body toning fast, largely through the use of a patent pending infrared workout sauna for three clients to use during workouts.

The HOTWORX method consists of the use of 30 minute isometric workouts for tone and flexibility and 15 minute HIIT workouts for more toning and cardio.  These infrared sauna workouts help your body to generate heat shock proteins for better protein synthesis and to afford clients the path to fast results for a hardened physique.

Here is some of the science…

“During exercise…HSPs are transiently elevated to facilitate the "chaperoning" of amino acids to the site of muscle damage to initiate recovery. Accumulation of amino acids to the local site of injury isn't merely sufficient for repair, as correct protein folding needs to occur as well. HSPs ensure the correct assembly of these amino acids into the appropriate protein, ultimately enhancing hypertrophy [muscle gain].” ¹

HSP’s created from heat exposure can help retain lean muscle by:

1-knocking back free radicals to allow for a reduction of catabolism or the wasting of lean muscle tissue.  Free radicals damage the structure of DNA that can lead to cancer.

2-repairing damaged protein cells to allow for healthy cells to increase muscle and strength while fostering workout recovery.

3-helping to preserve more of the aminos that are necessary for protein synthesis.

Studies have shown that visits to the sauna to create repetitive hyperthermia in short time sessions, 15 or 30 minutes, can result in muscle growth.  More lean muscle is what it takes to achieve improved muscle tone.

Steve

¹ https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-can-heat-boost-muscle-growth

We know that light travels in waves, and that those waves consist of particles known as photons thanks to Einstein.  The length of the light wave from crest to crest determines the color of the light within the visible spectrum and it determines the effect the light has on objects from the non-visible spectrum as well.

Ionizing v. Non Ionizing:

“Radiation is generally classified ionizing or non-ionizing, based on whether it has enough energy to knock electrons off atoms that it interacts with, as well as being able to do lower-energy damage such as breaking chemical bonds in molecules. Ionizing radiation, which is caused by unstable atoms giving off energy to reach a more stable state, is more of a health threat to humans because it involves changing the basic makeup of atoms in cells, and more specifically the DNA molecules inside of cells.” ¹

Somewhere in the UVA to UVB ultraviolet range (to the left of the Visible spectrum as depicted in the diagram above) wavelengths begin to generate DNA damaging light waves.  These waves are defined by the dictionary as: high-energy radiation capable of producing ionization in substances through which it passes. ²  It is well known that overexposure to ultraviolet light can cause damage to the skin and even skin cancer due to the alteration of cell DNA from ionization.

The ionizing wavelengths fade out and end within the ultraviolet spectrum as the light waves get longer and begin to fall within the visible.

On the other side away from the UV radiation (to the right of the Visible spectrum as depicted by the diagram above) the longer infrared light waves fall just outside of the visible spectrum.  We know that the wavelength of infrared is non-ionizing and therefore, non-damaging to the human body.

In fact, infrared wavelengths can penetrate the skin up to 1.5 inches or more and can provide many positive benefits to the human body.

These benefits include:

• detoxification
• increased blood circulation
• lowered blood pressure
• suppressed sunburn cell formation
• treatment for arteriovenous fistula
• improved sleep
• reduced pain and stiffness
• lowered side effects of diabetes
• improved mood
• inhibited growth of some types of cancer cells
• improved motor functions
• lowered nasal inflammation (allergic rhinitis)
• increased rate of caloric burn
• accelerated injury recovery
• improved immunity functions
• lowered stress

HOTWORX has combined the advantages of infrared energy and heat with over 10 unique isometric and HIIT workouts to provide for more workout in less time with the use of an advanced, patent pending, workout sauna.

Take advantage of non-ionizing light wave therapy to improve your quality of life!

Steve

¹ https://www.mirion.com/introduction-to-radiation-safety/what-is-radiation/² dictionary.com

Energy from an infrared sauna can be absorbed into the skin 1.5 inches or more.  Since the radiant heat from an infrared sauna warms the body from within rather than just heating the body with hot air from the outside, things happen on a cellular level in response to the infrared penetration through the skin.

Here are three responses to this infrared interaction on the cellular level:

1-Break-up of toxins from fat cells

Your body stores toxins in fat cells and other fatty organs such as the brain.  If fat is absent you can’t store toxins, so keep exercising and eating clean!

Furthermore, to take it to a higher level, know that infrared exposure makes the fat soluble toxin removal process from cells more efficient.

Doctors use infrared sauna therapy to help reduce fat cell toxins.

“Far Infrared Saunas are being used by some doctors to stimulate the release of toxins from the bodies of their patients. They have found that a lower temperature (105-130 F) sauna taken for a longer duration is most beneficial. These low temperatures stimulate a fat sweat, which eliminates toxins stored in fat, as opposed to the high temperature sauna (over 180 F), which encourages a water sweat.” ¹

Specifically with respect to fat soluble toxins, as noted below, research indicates further that sweating the toxins out can be beneficial.

“Sauna Sessions: Sweating to rid your body of both heavy metals and foreign compounds, is one of the most effective ways of eliminating fat-soluble toxins. A 2012 review of 50 studies found that sweating actually works to remove lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, especially within individuals who have high heavy metal toxicity. Sweating can also eliminate hormone-disrupting BPA, which accumulates in one’s fat cells. Although there is debate as to what the best type of sauna is for detoxing, some studies have found that far-infrared saunas are the most effective…”  ²

2- Nitric Oxide Effect

You might recall the Nitric Oxide Effect from one of my previous blog posts.  Within the cells nitric oxide is generated by arginine.  Nitric oxide allows the blood vessels to relax enabling greater blood flow.  This was discovered in the early 1990’s.

“When your body is exposed to infrared light, it triggers a reaction on a cellular level.  This reaction signals your body to start producing a lot of Nitric Oxide, which increases blood flow.  There is much evidence that this type of increase in Nitric Oxide can help performance of muscles in the short term, as well as reduce wear and tear in the long term.  Historically, Nitroglycerin has been given to heart patients as a means of preventing heart attacks.  This compound readily turns into Nitric Oxide within the body, offering all the benefits mentioned earlier.  With modern technology, it has been observed that Nitric Oxide levels can be seen to increase in dramatic levels in just 5 minutes.  This novel new approach of non-invasive treatment can help avoid costly prescription medications, and trips to the doctor.” ³

Nitric Oxide can dramatically increase blood circulation…

“The key to this dramatic improvement in blood flow is nitric oxide, a short-lived gas that is crucial to the health of the arteries. This powerful signaling molecule relaxes the arteries, helps regulate blood pressure, fights free radicals and discourages platelets from clumping together in the blood vessels. By increasing the production of nitric oxide and improving circulation, NIR [infrared] light therapy promotes healing and relieves pain.” 4

Increase in blood circulation has many benefits including that of better organ function and cell growth!

3-Heat Shock Proteins

Heat shock proteins (HSP) help to regenerate damaged cells.  These proteins are present in all cells.  Heat shock proteins were first discovered in the later part of the 20th century.

Exposure to infrared heat causes the body to synthesize HSP.

Through renaturation, HSP’S gather up and recycle damaged proteins.  HSP’s can also rally the body’s T-cells (3white blood cell that is key to the immune system) to identify and begin to destroy a tumor.

“…the effect of a body temperature range of FIR [far infrared] suppressing the proliferation of some cancer cells is controlled by the basal expression level of heat shock protein (HSP). This finding suggested that FIR should be very effective medical treatment for some cancer cells which have a low level of HSP70. Still more, if the level of HSP70 in any cancer of a patient was measured, the effect of medical treatment by FIR can be foreseen for the cancer.” 5

Through the consistent exposure to infrared energy and hyperthermic conditioning, the rejuvenation of cells can take place.  The infrared effect of detoxification and cellular stimulation to regenerate can help to keep the human body invigorated.

Steve

1  https://www.evolutionhealth.com/sauna-detoxification2  http://www.lymeknowledge.com/7-ways-to-remove-fat-soluble-toxins/3  organicnewsroom.com4  http://www.advancedneurocaresystems.com/science-how-it-works/45939787895  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17968683

I recently gave a speech in Las Vegas at the Franchise Finance Conference hosted by Franchise Times Magazine.  There were a few other fitness brands that gave presentations in the large ballroom at the Mirage that was full of bankers, investors and private equity companies.

One thing that I noticed in common with our brand HOTWORX and the other fitness franchises was that we all are experiencing a rise in the number of members who now maintain multiple fitness club memberships.

I am reminded of a phrase that comes from William Cowper's poem, “The Task” (1785):

Variety is the spice of life!

Variety and diversity make life interesting.  In fitness, people demand variety and diversity with their workouts to keep from being bored with a training program.  Cross-training involves several different forms of exercise and it is a very important practice.

HOTWORX is now pilot testing two new workouts:  Hot Bands and Hot Flex, which will be added to the lineup of 10 different workout types for all studios later this year.

The layout above provides incredible workout variety, …unprecedented for a 2300 square foot fitness studio.  In that layout there are actually over 1700 workout time slots each day for users to take advantage of all of the different workouts, which is also an unprecedented level of workout capacity made available on a 24/7 basis.  The cross-training possibilities with this concept are second to none.  That is why many people who join HOTWORX find that they don’t need the multiple fitness center memberships any longer.

Even so, we continue to encourage multiple fitness center memberships.  For myself, if I need the heavy weights, then I use my Anytime Fitness membership.  I am a multiple center member too.  However, if a member can obtain enough variety under one roof, then perhaps that one membership is best for them.

Variety, diversification, cross-training… Call it what you like.  Relief from boredom is important for motivation.  Motivation is key to fitness results, but so is science.

Why is workout variety important from a biology standpoint?

“Varying your exercise routine can also help you stay physically challenged. Many of the body's physiological systems (e.g., the muscular system) adapt to an exercise program within approximately six to eight weeks. If you do not modify your exercise routine, you reach a plateau because your body has adapted to the repetitive training stimulus.” ¹

Let me be clear about one thing, though!  Variety is supremely important, but not at the expense of measurement.  For each workout type that you practice, you should always have at least one solid posture or exercise that can provide to you a point of performance reference.  For example, in yoga it might be how far you can stretch without losing form to reach your toes with one particular posture.  In resistance training it might be how many good form push ups you can perform with your feet elevated by a bench.

Never allow a trainer to change your workout completely each time without providing a proper way to measure progress and performance.

While knowing that workout variation is important you should always measure your performance improvements.

Variety shocks muscles into new development and can help to push your body beyond a workout plateau.  Adding different workout types to your routine forces muscles to respond and adapt to new stimulus.

Now is the time to elevate your routine with fitness multiplicity.

Steve

¹ https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/1210/why-is-it-important-to-vary-my-workout-routines

Studies have shown that people who use fitness trackers become more active.

In business, we know how important it is to inspect what you expect.  There’s nothing more motivating than an impending inspection from a supervisor or knowing that a customer can give you a review for the world to see at any time when you own a business.  The same accountability holds true for your level of fitness.

If you expect to get in shape, then you will need to inspect your progress.  Accountability motivates!

At some point in your fitness journey, you should consider making key data fitness tracking an important component to help you reach beyond your current fitness level.  Keep in mind that there are many fitness tracking devices on the market that can help you, but pay close attention to accuracy and choose your device accordingly.

One researcher from Stanford had this to say about a recent study of fitness tracking accuracy.

“My take on this is that it’s very hard to train an algorithm that would be accurate across a wide variety of people because energy expenditure is variable based on someone’s fitness level, height and weight, etc.” Heart rate, she said, is measured directly, whereas energy expenditure must be measured indirectly through proxy calculations.” ¹

Generally heart rate data is reliable with devices that use blood motion light sensors, but energy expenditure (calorie burn) accuracy is less reliable.  My advice is to invest in a tracker from one of the major brands that have good reputations such as Apple Watch, FitBit, Garmen, or Polar.

And…

Don’t be lulled into a focus on passive fitness data such as step tracking.  Just tracking steps is not enough.

So, when you purchase your fitness device, what should you do next?  This question is what prompted HOTWORX to create a “key” fitness data set with a simple fitness tracking method.

“…our survey suggests—and experts we spoke with agree—that you should view trackers as one tool in a comprehensive effort to be more active, lose weight, and improve your health.” ²

That Consumer Reports quote is spot on.  Keep it simple and understand that your new fitness tracker is just a tool.  A trusted fitness watch, a body fat calculator and a scale are the tools that you need to track your fitness data.

The premise for HOTWORX was to reduce the data set to the most important fitness information, and to keep things simple.  There are many data points that can be used to track fitness, but what are the most vital stats to compile, and what is the simplest way to track them in a gym or studio setting?  That question provided the motivation to create a better data tracking method.

Arguably, the most relevant set of data for most fitness programs includes that of: calories, body fat, and body weight.

To create a user friendly method for tracking this data, it takes an app that can work with any fitness device so long as that device has a heart rate monitor and an easily accessible (and viewable) data screen.  High quality, brand name wrist devices work the best for this method.

HOTWORX KEY DATA FITNESS TRACKING METHOD

Here is how it works:

1-Purchase and learn how to use a quality fitness wrist device for heart rate monitoring and calories burned.

2-Join a HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio and then download the mobile fitness “Burn Off App”.

3-Use the Burn Off App with your fitness watch and mobile phone to track the workout calories and one hour workout after-burn data for every workout at the studio.

4-Use the Omron body fat testing device (provided at HOTWORX studios for customers to use 24/7) for body fat % and record the data with the “Burn Off App” photo method.  Recording body fat monthly is usually the best test interval for body fat.

5-Use the scale for body weight once per week or once per month (or any time interval) and record the results with the Burn Off App photo method.

These vital fitness tracking measurements will provide you with a simple set of highly relevant fitness data in an easy to track format.

Steve

¹ https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2017/05/fitness-trackers-accurately-measure-heart-rate-but-not-calories-burned.html² https://www.consumerreports.org/fitness-trackers/precise-devices-fitness-trackers-are-more-accurate-than-ever/

I’ve written on this before.  It’s a topic worthy of continual scientific research and a topic that is important for fitness bloggers to report on.

After all, what could be more important to the human experience than brain health?

Of course, any form of exercise is good for stress relief and cognition.  Yet, as fitness advocates, trainers and fitness club owners should go beyond the biceps and begin to focus on exercise that is better for the brain.

Developing good habits to improve the activities of thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering is obviously important, and fitness programs should place more emphasis on them.

Workouts combined with exposure to infrared heat can be powerful exercise for the brain!

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) reports the following…

“When participating in cardio exercise, the brain releases and increases the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, which is like Miracle-Gro for new brain cells, forming new cells, neural pathways and connections,” explains Aneil Koerper, C.S.C.S., health and fitness coordinator for The Terraces of Phoenix in Phoenix, Ariz.

“Research suggests that physical fitness may foster cognitive health through more than one mechanism,” adds Clark. Besides stepping up the secretion of BDNF, “it also appears to increase the rate of neurogenesis—the actual creation of new neurons—across one’s lifespan. It also improves circulation while increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of one’s blood; enhanced blood flow to the brain has been linked to corresponding improvements in cognitive functioning.” ¹

Now, let’s think about combining infrared energy and heat with a workout…

It has been shown that infrared sauna exposure and the high cardio effects of HIIT training increases the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Additionally…

“In a study (RCT) of 70 participants, far infrared light treatment at acupuncture points increased their serotonin levels. Increasing serotonin levels can help increase mood [R].

In rats, long-term infrared light treatment reduced anxiety and depression-like behavior” ²

INFRARED ENERGY + HEAT + WORKOUTS = MORE RESULTS IN LESS TIME

What you should do now is to try one of the 12 different HOTWORX HIIT or isometric infrared workouts.  You will notice immediate mood upswings beyond the effects of normal workouts in an air-conditioned gym.

Consider the following infrared research:

“These data imply that transcranial [through the skull] laser stimulation could be used as a noninvasive and efficacious approach to increase brain functions such as those related to cognitive and emotional dimensions. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation has also been proven to be safe and successful at improving neurological outcome in humans in controlled clinical trials of stroke. This innovative approach could lead to the development of non-invasive, performance-enhancing interventions in healthy humans and in those in need of neuropsychological rehabilitation.” ³

The HOTWORX infrared workout sauna is one such intervention development.

What about other benefits to the brain?

“One report in rats (Wu et al., 2012) and another in humans (Schiffer et al., 2009) provide further evidence that LLLT [infrared laser] modulates mood and may alleviate depression. In animal models, LLLT facilitates cytochrome oxidase activity, cortical oxygenation and cerebral blood flow and thereby improves memory retention.” 4

“Collectively, these data imply that LLLT could be used as a non-invasive and efficacious approach to increase brain functions such as those related to cognitive and emotional dimensions. LLLT may also provide neuroprotection against neurological conditions which may be related to reduced oxidative energy metabolism. This research could ultimately lead to the development of non-invasive, non-pharmacologic, therapeutic, cytoprotective and performance-enhancing interventions in both healthy humans and in those in need of rehabilitation efforts under conditions where neuronal metabolism is compromised, by treating neuropsychological disorders in which metabolic dysfunction plays an underlying causal role.” 5

“Transcranial infrared stimulation may be used efficaciously to support neuronal mitochondrial respiration as a new non-invasive, cognition-improving intervention in animals and humans. This fascinating new approach should also be able to influence other brain functions…” 6

Let me put it into layman terms.  We have all been to the beach and have felt the warmth of the sun on our bodies.  The mental rejuvenating effects of a trip to the beach is undeniable.

Of course, the warmth from the sun at the beach is infrared!

The infrared energy penetrates through the skin up to 1.5 inches deep into the body including the brain during a HOTWORX sauna workout.

Combining the elements of infrared energy and heat with your workout can give you better “brain” results than what you can obtain in a traditional gym environment.

Steve

¹ https://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/1748/creating-the-ultimate-mind-body-connection/

² https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/infrared-radiation-benefits/

³ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/F_Gonzalez-Lima/publication/233827091_Transcranial_infrared_laser_stimulation_produces_beneficial_cognitive_and_emotional_effects_in_humans/links/59eac69ea6fdccef8b08dbce/Transcranial-infrared-laser-stimulation-produces-beneficial-cognitive-and-emotional-effects-in-humans.pdf

4 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/F_Gonzalez-Lima/publication/233827091_Transcranial_infrared_laser_stimulation_produces_beneficial_cognitive_and_emotional_effects_in_humans/links/59eac69ea6fdccef8b08dbce/Transcranial-infrared-laser-stimulation-produces-beneficial-cognitive-and-emotional-effects-in-humans.pdf

5 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/F_Gonzalez-Lima/publication/233827091_Transcranial_infrared_laser_stimulation_produces_beneficial_cognitive_and_emotional_effects_in_humans/links/59eac69ea6fdccef8b08dbce/Transcranial-infrared-laser-stimulation-produces-beneficial-cognitive-and-emotional-effects-in-humans.pdf

6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953713/

One year ago, we celebrated the grand opening of the very first HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio.  It’s hard to believe that it has been a year already!  The Oxford, MS  location has surpassed all expectations in terms of level of membership and customer satisfaction.  The ratings from our customers say it all.  We set out to create a workout environment that could deliver great fitness results to our members in way less time, and I can tell you that we are accomplishing that mission every day, in cities all over America and in some international cities now.  The first year has been a wild ride, but we are just getting started!

Makes me want to cheer, so here it is like we say it here at Ole Miss…HOTTY TODDY!!!

I apologize that this blog post may sound a little salesy, but our team has worked very hard to bring a new innovative and disruptive fitness concept to the marketplace and we had to celebrate for just a moment in Oxford where the franchise all began in 2017.

We upgraded the studio with new row equipment, a new 30-second interval timer monitor in the FX Zone, new motivational images, more branded retail products, a new lobby video and finally, we launched two new workout videos: Hot Bands and Hot Flex.

Hot Bands: 30-minute infrared workout featuring the use of bands for a total body workout using the combination of isometrics and slow dynamic reps.  You can expect to burn 25-30% more calories in 30 minutes compared to Hot Yoga.

Hot Flex: 15-minute pro athletics style infrared stretching routine for use as an advanced warm-up or as an advanced cool down to any of the other HOTWORX workouts.  It can also be used by itself if a member is simply looking to improve flexibility.

Brittany Williams, champion fitness competitor and Virtual Instructor for Hot Bands and Hot Flex, was on hand for the event in Oxford!

We also want to congratulate our newest franchisees representing 6 new locations to be opened in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Midland-Odessa, TX- CJ and Amy Foster (pictured at left), and Orlando, FL- Matt and Sheila Bater (pictured at right).  

With over 150 new HOTWORX studio franchises now either open or in development from coast to coast, the company is poised to bring the franchise concept to every fitness minded neighborhood in the country so that all can experience a new and better way to get healthy and to stay in shape.

Steve

Before I explain what snow skiing, yoga and surfing have in common with an infrared sauna, let me point out what they have in common with each other.

The obvious commonality is that they are all forms of physical movement.  Skiing and surfing are more sports oriented than yoga, but they all require physical balance and form.

Each of these activities requires discipline to perfect.  Each of these disciplines can benefit from each other.  Without a doubt, performing one of the activities can improve your skills with either of the other activities.

I am an avid snow skier and I practice hot yoga.  I always see the benefits that they contribute to each other.  What about surfing, though?  I had yet to experience surfing until this past weekend.  Throughout my whole life I dreamed of surfing, so I finally planned the trip.  We went to Laguna Beach, California where I hired Ryan, a top notch instructor, to teach myself and my fiancée how to surf.  I was curious to see if my skiing and yoga experience could somehow translate to benefit my first attempt at surfing.

Well, all of the planks, cobras and downward dogs really helped me to jump up on the surf board!   And, when I would cut the board to the right or the left, I instinctively borrowed from my skiing experience.

Now that I had added surfing to my list of workouts, I wondered, what was the one thing that most related them to one another?

What was the greatest commonality between the three activities?

BALANCE!

Coordination of all body parts in the effort to ski down a mountain, hold an eagle pose, or ride a wave requires good balance.  Ability to balance is the most important fitness skill that ties them all together.  Balance can be improved with the right training.

Which brings me to the infrared sauna.

What does an infrared sauna have in common with skiing, yoga and surfing?  How does it relate to all three?  Well, it can be the one tool that dramatically increases performance for anyone who practices one, two, or all three of the disciplines.

Using an infrared sauna as a workout tool for isometric forms of exercise can greatly enhance physical balance and coordination through isometrics.  When working out in an infrared sauna your body warms up for exercise much faster and readies itself for postures with greater flexibility and provides more opportunity for accelerated balance training.  Strength is gained more rapidly as your body is forced to acclimate to the heat.  When you are stronger, achieving balance is easier.

Combining all of the activities can be fun and it can compound to advance your level of balance higher than you might have ever thought possible.  Yoga can be one of the most beneficial workouts of all to use in the infrared sauna as you seek to improve balance.  Infrared yoga can be foundational to your other activities.  From that foundation, even greater levels of balance can be achieved through snow skiing and surfing!

HOTWORX offers eight different versions of isometric workouts that will greatly improve your balance.  These 30 minute workouts at 125º F include yoga, pilates, and other specialty hybrid workouts that are focused on various body parts.

Skyrocket your balance through infrared isometrics and watch performance jump for all of your other activities too!!!

Steve

“Seeing the mind as separate from your body can be very detrimental to your success. When you start to see them as one, you will accelerate your success and get so much more out of your workouts.”¹

Find a fitness center that values and fosters the Mind + Body = Power™️ equation.

I am appalled by gyms that allow and even encourage ridiculous behavior such as staff providing tootsie rolls to clients, or pizza parties, and I have even seen youtube videos of members eating sandwiches while sitting on a workout machine.  What is that?

Sorry, but a fitness center should BE a fitness center, a health club should BE a health club…a place for results and not a $10 per month slot machine with no hope to win the fitness jackpot. The only path to the fitness jackpot is through mindful dedication to results.

Results, my friend.  It’s about results for your mind and body!

Without a doubt the first priority in your quest for a high level workout is to place yourself into the proper results oriented environment.

Most people are aware of the notion that a mind/body connection is beneficial in some way.  However, most people have no idea what it really means or how it benefits a fitness program.

Mind + Body can be a powerful way to get you to the best workouts of your life.

It begins with this simple truth.  You get what you focus on.  When you focus your attention on what your body is doing during your workout, then you will perform better and your results will be greater.  The more often you practice high level mental focus on your muscles and movement, the stronger you will become.  You will absolutely gain more strength quicker if you begin to view the mind and the body as one.

Envision high levels of focus and determination just before your workouts.  Rid your mind of daily stress and focus on your workout.

Never forget that the workout environment can make or break the mind/body connection.

One of the reasons we created the HOTWORX workout sauna was to provide a tool to help clients with workout focus.  Inside the infrared sauna, the setting is intimate and designed for three clients only.  Add the infrared energy and heat at 125º and your ability to be present in the moment for all of your workout sets is more fully enabled. Your mental engagement with your body movement in this small group training always higher than air-conditioned workout rooms.

I am reminded of one my off-season coaches who helped me train for arena football.  Coach Duke used to always tells us to “Get your mind right” in an effort to keep us focused on what our bodies were doing.

“…instead of just going through your next workout in an automated fashion, bring more awareness to what you are doing and to the ‘here and now’.” ²

Focus your thoughts inward and about your muscles doing the work.  Zone in on balance and form.  Your brain sends signals to your muscles and you should ensure that there is no distraction for this connection.

“Yoga is an excellent way to develop this mind muscle connection through movement and meditation. The practice of yoga forces you to dig into your mind and be present. Heated yoga is even a more advanced variation that will take this mind body connection to another level. It is hard to hold a balancing posture when your mind isn’t 100% fully focused on the present moment.” ³

With the HOTWORX yoga workout we currently open the posture sequence with Eagle pose.  The Eagle is a good example of an exercise that requires a high level of mind/body connection for power in a posture hold over an extended amount of time.

Power according to Webster’s is, (1) : ability to act or produce an effect.

So, for more power to move and to deliver fitness results to yourself, practice the integration of mind + body!!!

Experience more fitness power when your mind and body work together as one.

Steve¹ http://www.fitnessrxwomen.com/training/workout-tips-advice/the-mind-body-connection/² http://www.bodyrock.tv/fitness/mind-body-connection-maximize-workout/³ http://www.fitnessrxwomen.com/training/workout-tips-advice/the-mind-body-connection/

Nothing makes you feel more refreshed than a good sweat from a great workout.  The more you sweat, the more you detox your body.

In the Ayurveda/yoga world, “svedhana (Sanskrit for sweat) is one of the five panchakarma or curative therapies.  Additional responses of the body to heat include the stimulation of white blood cell production; boosting the immune system; promoting relaxation, and an increase in the speed of healing of connective tissue injuries and peripheral vascular disease symptoms.” ¹

As your body responds to hot yoga it strengthens, detoxifies and heals.  Sweating from hot yoga, and all other forms of hot exercise, provides for even more detoxification.

Specific to sweating, there is mounting scientific evidence to indicate that it can take a lot of stress off of your kidneys and colon when it comes to the body’s need to rid itself of toxins.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and it can play a larger role in detox if you use it to do so.  The level of toxicity that is present in your body is relative to how efficiently your body can rid itself of these impurities, so why not use your skin to its’ maximum detox potential.

Sweat rids the body of dangerous water soluble toxins, such as heavy metals, and oil soluble toxins such as gasoline and pesticides.

In Mark Sircus’ book, Far-Infrared and Vibrational Medicine, he explains that:

“Treating heavy metal toxicity is a demanding challenge that tests our responsibility to be incredibly informed about a wide spectrum of issues, many of them complex.  One of the most over-looked aspects of elimination is actually the skin which offers a vast exit route to poisons trapped in the body.” ²

The skin accounts for approximately 7% of our bodyweight.

The skin acts as a border exchange between elements outside of the body and within the body.  If manipulated properly, the workout environment can greatly enhance the bodys’ ability to enable the exit of toxins through the skin using sweat as the transportation medium.  Toxin that exits through the skin is more easily controlled than that of the internal organs.  Twisting postures combined with deep penetrating infrared energy and heat can greatly enhance this process during workouts.

Dr. Sircus explains how important sweat therapy can be when it is used to rid a patient of toxicity by describing one of the worst cases of environmental toxicity in U.S. history.  He shows how Dr. Ziem at the Johns Hopkins Center for Environment Health used the treatment.  Dr. Ziem utilized sauna therapy on his patient to the point where the toxins could be clearly seen on the towels used to wipe the patient’s sweat.

Additionally, the book goes on to quote Dr. Dietrich Klinghart, a frequent infrared sauna user himself.  He makes a clear point that,  “Far infrared saunas can mobilize mercury in deeper tissues.” ³

Far infrared sweating is superior to traditional sauna sweating.

15-20% of infrared sauna sweat contains toxins as opposed to only 3-5% in sweat from a traditional sauna.

Please pay special attention to this important conclusion about the importance of infrared sweating from Dr. Sircus’ book:

“It makes perfect sense to bypass (as much as possible) the kidneys and large intestines, which are already overloaded with toxicity and greatly reduced in their capacity to eliminate toxic substances.  If a person is heavy metal toxic it is because their normal channels of elimination have not been able to keep up with the load.”

We all know that our body is bombarded with toxins from what we consume through eating, drinking, touching and breathing.  Pollution has destroyed the purity of our environments, so we need to do everything we can to flush our system and rid our bodies of these agents every week!

Infrared saunas can make you sweat profusely up to 3 times the sweat volume as compared to traditional saunas.  Combine infrared heat with working out!  You can just imagine the volume of sweat that can be produced!  Try it and see for yourself.

Bye, bye toxins…

More from Sircus’ book…

Dr. Robert O. Young found that the following benefits resulted from the use of radiant heat [infrared] saunas:

-Speeds up metabolic processes of vital organs and glands, including endocrine glands.

-Inhibits the development of pleomorphic microforms [fungi, yeasts, bacteria and molds] and creates a ‘fever reaction’ of rising temperature that neutralizes them.

-Places demand on the heart to work harder thus, exercising it and also producing a drop in diastolic blood pressure (the low side).

-Stimulates dilation of peripheral blood vessels thus, relieving pain (including muscle pain) and speeding the healing of sprain, strain, bursitis, arthritis, and peripheral vascular disease symptoms.

-Promotes relaxation, thereby creating a feeling of well-being.4

Infrared saunas require lower temperatures (for HOTWORX the ideal workout temperature is 125º F), whereas conventional saunas require 180º to over 200º to get similar sweating results.

Take a load off of your internal organs…  Sweat it out!!!

Steve

¹ Hot Yoga, Marilyn² Far-Infrared and Vibrational Medicine, Dr. Mark Sircus³ Far-Infrared and Vibrational Medicine, Dr. Mark Sircus4 Far-Infrared and Vibrational Medicine, Dr. Mark Sircus

Let HOTWORX show you the ropes.  Every HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio franchise equips the functional training area “FX Zone” with one or two fitness “battle ropes” that are anchored to the floor.

Try adding a few battle rope intervals to your workout routine.

Appropriately termed, fitness “battle ropes” most likely evolved from ropes used by the ships of the world down through the history naval warfare.  You can just imagine hard working sailors on decks of these ships grasping heavy ropes to help maneuver sails and to assist in docking the vessels at port.  Without a doubt the swinging and fastening of those true battle ropes must have called for incredible physical force and manpower.

No wonder that modern day fitness has found a way to utilize this ancient naval practice to make for great workouts.

“Battle Rope training is a staple in Unconventional Gyms across the country, and there’s a good reason why: they’re one of the most functional pieces of equipment for high-intensity training and hardcore conditioning.” ¹

Battle ropes can offer you a great addition to your functional workout.  There are countless combinations of techniques that can be applied to their use.  They utilize the force of gravity with the force of the anchored ropes themselves for a powerful wave movement combination.

Hand coordination and posture are keys to a successful battle rope set.

The rope training allows you to utilize wave force engaging your body to respond by adapting to the motions of the ropes.

"It's a little like running with the upper body," said Jonathan Ross, spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. "It's not just using different muscles but training muscles in different ways.” ²

Check out the video below for three basic moves:

1-up and down alternating wave,

2-side to side fly,

3-arc right and arc left…

My Movie - Small

I recommend giant sets utilizing all three moves in a 60 second interval with 20 seconds for each move.  You can also just do one move per 60 second interval.  Take a 30 second rest between sets but go all out using your best pace for the 60 second workout set.  Use the countdown timers in the FX Zone to properly gauge your intervals.

Battle ropes are great for arms, shoulders, back and with proper form the squat position works the lower body as well, especially the glutes.  Another big advantage with ropes is that there is a very low risk of injury, specifically as compared to weight training with barbells.

Consider this…

“…unlike with the bar, there’s a very nominal risk of injury. If your form breaks down on a max with a barbell, your risk for injury increases enormously because of the weight involved. If you screw up with the rope, the exercise won’t be effective but it won’t hurt you.” ³

Battle rope intervals are a form of HIIT assuming that you keep your intensity level up.  This is great for burning calories.  Keep in mind that high intensity interval training creates more after workout calorie burn due to the increased recovery oxygen needs.  Ropes create a higher metabolic demand on your body, and therefore a higher energy expenditure which is a good tactic for a weight loss strategy.

So show yourself the ropes.  Your fitness routine will thank you.

Steve

¹ https://www.onnit.com/academy/5-benefits-of-battle-ropes-training/² http://www.businessinsider.com/r-battle-ropes-become-popular-go-to-fitness-tools-in-us-gyms-2015-5³ https://www.onnit.com/battle-ropes/

There is a symbiotic relationship between working out and sleeping.  For better workouts you need better sleep.  For better sleep you need better workouts.  So goes the yin-yang of life in fitness.  It stands to reason that one should seek out the very best workouts they can find.  These workouts should yield better physical (and mental) results in less time, in other words, a higher level of quality.

That being said, try adding more heat and energy to your workouts (we call this 3D Training) if you are seeking to improve your sleep and reduce stress.

Let’s take a look at some of the science…

As reported by selfhacked.com, according to Dr. Michael Hamblin, a professor at Harvard who has published close to 300 papers, mostly on phototherapy, “…light therapy somehow releases the block that stops them from sleeping, by perhaps relaxing them.”  The article goes on to report that light therapy reduces glutamate which reduces overexcitement in the brain and that serotonin metabolism is positively affected as there are more serotonin metabolites in the urine when people are exposed to infrared.¹

From my experience, I can assure you that sleep is of a much higher quality when I am on a weekly workout schedule that includes 3 to 4 HOTWORX workouts.  I also know from personal experience that my sleep is not as good when my weekly workouts do not include infrared.

[Sorry to digress, but people often ask if infrared exposure can damage the eyes.  This is most likely due to confusion associated with UV light which is harmful to the unprotected eyes.  So, here is an important bit of information for your health that I discovered in this week’s research:  When asked whether infrared can damage eyesight, Dr. Hamblin believes that infrared is actually good for your eyes.  He points out that infrared can help with cataracts and can preserve retinal photoreceptors.  Look for a full blown article on this topic soon.]

Now back to sleep.

“The goal is to schedule your day to fit in 7-8 hours of sleep along with time for physical activity, to balance the effects of both.” ²

Since we know that our body recovers from workouts more efficiently with better sleep, then why not add an element to your workout environment that is backed by science to improve your sleep, such as infrared.

Sleep recharges your physical and mental batteries.  Sleep is vital to short-term muscle recovery.  Be diligent to plan for deep, uninterrupted sleep.  Always remember that quality sleep can be obtained through quality workouts.

Steve

¹ https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/interview-with-dr-michael-hamblin-harvard-professor-and-infrared-therapy-expert/² https://www.trifectanutrition.com/blog/importance-sleep-fitness

I know there are some really good treadmill manufacturers out there who are doing some things in an effort to make the treadmill less boring, but, for me, I just can’t make myself do another session on a treadmill.  I just don’t find it interesting anymore.  So, several years ago I just decided to run outdoors and do stadium steps for a more inspiring way to get my cardio.

Then, I discovered a better way forward.

Enter HOTWORX as a new option for cardio conditioning…

Now, with the choices of hot yoga, hot pilates, hot iso, and hot HIIT sessions, I am never uninspired or bored with my cardio work.  With the added elements of heat (125º Fahrenheit) and infrared energy into the workout environment, your heart rate will reach an optimal training level of 70-90% of your maximum heart rate much sooner than that of an air-conditioned training room.  Then, with the help of your fitness tracker (heart rate sensor is a must feature for your device), you can handily maintain that optimum HR level for rest of the 30 minute isometric or 15 minute HIIT session.

The really cool thing about doing cardio with hot isometrics or HIIT (or with the new Hot Bands coming soon) is the fact that you really don’t realize that your doing cardio because of the constant changing of postures and HIIT techniques led by the virtual instructors!  When I compare an exciting HOTWORX session to a traditional cardio session on a treadmill… thinking of the treadmill brings these things to mind, “grinding”, “old school” and “boooring!!!”  I am sure there are some great treadmill options, and I don’t mean to pick on that machine, but it’s not for me anymore.  I need added dimensions to accelerate my cardio.

Try 3D Training for cardio and you will see that…

Cardio has now evolved.

Steve

For any new fitness product or service introduction, testing is very important prior to launch.  It all starts with an idea for a product or a new workout.  But, any idea must first beg the question, will the product improve the lives of the customers?  If the answer is yes, then put the idea to the test!

Here are a couple of examples…

In the case of the HOTWORX fitness sauna (two patents pending), the idea came in August of 2014 on a Jamaican vacation and then a full year of design, creation of components and manufacturer testing ensued.  The final end product resulted with a sauna that serves its purpose exceptionally well, which is to provide great hot exercise for a small group of three customers.

Let’s take a look at what it takes to create a great workout.  First there is the idea that usually springs from a thought, such as, will it be a new yoga, pilates, or some hybrid form with athletic style isometrics?  Or, should we try something entirely different like a hot bands workout for the next launch?  The same flow of thinking happens no matter what the new product or service might be.  It’s the same with the creation of a workout just as it is for the creation of a retail item, or a machine.

At the HOTWORX headquarters in Marrero, LA, testing is now taking place for two new workouts, Hot Bands and Hot ??? (to be announced soon).  The new bands workout is a full body 30 minute workout and here’s a teaser: Hot ??? is the first ever ???… (clue: a 15 minute session) meant to serve as an advanced ???…to be used in conjunction with any other HOTWORX isometric, HIIT, or combined with the new band workout (more to say soon).

Here is a “Hot Bands” sneak peek…

During...[video width="1280" height="720" m4v="http://hotworx.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_1103.m4v"][/video]

After…

[video width="404" height="720" m4v="http://hotworx.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_1104_2-copy.m4v"][/video]

Get some hot resistance, coming soon!!!

Steve

Well, we certainly see that phrase, “timing is everything”, used in almost every life endeavor from cooking to athletics and from comedy to rocket launches to political campaign launches.  So whether you believe in the phrase or not, certainly we can all recognize that timing is involved in everything.  Consider the quotes from these accomplished historical figures:

“Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”― Hesiod, Greek poet 800 BC

“You don't have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it'll go.”― Yogi Berra

“Life is about timing.”― Carl Lewis

In fitness, “timing is everything” for sure.

Consistency, repetition, and discipline are all measured by intervals of time.  Heart rate, the most important fitness indicator, is a measurement number of beats within a specified time period.  Proper timing is the key to success in fitness, as in life.  Manifest your fitness destiny by taking control of your personal timing!

Take control of your workouts with proper timing and…

…take the time to make the positive choice of the right fitness programs and when you do, remember these words of wisdom from a great American poet.

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Definition of timing according to Webster’s:

1  a: placement or occurrence in time, the timing of the sale couldn't have been better

b: the ability to select the precise moment for doing something for optimum effect, a boxer with impeccable timing.

2: observation and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the elapsed time of an act, action, or process. ¹

Here is another way to define timing that might better illuminate the relevance of timing to fitness:

The regulation of occurrence, pace, or coordination to achieve a desired effect, as in music, the theater, or athletics. ²

We have recently launched a simple new tool for our members to use in our functional training area known as the FX Zone.

In addition to our silent trainer video we are installing an additional TV monitor that will display 24/7 a 30 second revolving interval timer to enable customers to practice functional interval training without having to look at their wrist watch.  The FX Zone timer is a simple, highly visible tool to allow for rest and workout intervals in any combination of multiples of 30 seconds!  This is yet another tool to increase the level of convenience and motivation for HOTWORX Studio members.

Of course, the HOTWORX Burn Off App is another “timing” tool, and is worthy of mentioning again.  The app is used for calorie calculations during the time of the workout(s) and during the one hour after-burn.  The 90 day challenge let’s our members see where they stack up against themselves and other members who are app users for calories burned, body weight and body fat% gains and losses.  The app challenge automatically resets every 90 days to allow for constant measurement against that specific amount of time.

Make the most out of every timing interval that you commit to!  Your fitness depends on it.

I’ll end this blog article with a quote to ponder from another historical figure who changed the lives of almost every person on our planet.  He certainly made the most out of his lifetime interval!

“Of all the inventions of humans, the computer is going to rank near or at the top as history unfolds and we look back. It is the most awesome tool that we have ever invented. I feel incredibly lucky to be at exactly the right place in Silicon Valley, at exactly the right time, historically, where this invention has taken form.”― Steve Jobs

TIMING IS EVERYTHING…

Steve

(1) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timing(2) http://www.yourdictionary.com/timing#mfzsBlcBzvCxKZFL.99

“Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasize core stability.” (1)

When we set out to design the floor plan for the first HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Studio in Oxford, MS, we spent a great deal of time with the process of getting the 2300 square foot layout perfect in the effort to create the ultimate fitness studio.  We felt that 10 HOTWORX saunas with one sauna row for isometrics and one sauna row for HIIT was right, but we had extra space so we soon determined that we should use it for a functional training area to compliment the hot exercise saunas.

Thus, the FX Zone (FX stands for functional exercise) was born.

For most fitness training, functional exercise combined with good infrared workouts is an exceptional way to set up a weekly routine.  The practice of the two is a powerful cross-training combination.  There are many benefits including: muscle growth and strength gains from both infrared isometrics and resistance exercises in the FX zone…add flexibility from hot yoga and pilates, balance and core training from suspension strap exercises in the FX Zone, and the list goes on and on, only limited by the imagination…

I must admit that I do still lift heavy weights, mostly out of habit from my football and bodybuilding roots, but I do find now that I can go for a couple of weeks with the use of a HOTWORX sauna and a functional training area alone and still feel like I have satisfied my fitness training needs completely!  I really do think that soon I may let go of the olympic bar and plates and heavy selectorized equipment entirely.

Bands, suspension straps and gravity go a LONG way, and when necessary, can be the ONLY thing necessary for a good resistance workout.  You can throw in battle ropes, stability balls, dumbbells and kettlebells to spice things up, all of which are included in the FX Zone.

FX ZONE inside of HOTWORX OXFORD, MS

Get FUNCTIONAL!!!

Steve

(1) https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2021/functional-fitness-is-it-right-for-you/

There is a very good reason why we designed the HOTWORX infrared sauna with the precise interior dimensions that it has.  We wanted to create the perfect workout environment for three people to train together as a group.

Why three?

To understand this, let me explain a little about my background.  I owned and operated a small gym in New Orleans for almost six years and during that entire time, I maintained a practice as a fitness and athletic trainer.  I trained small groups each week.  I found that the ideal group size was three.  It was just more enjoyable as a trainer and it was more motivating and effective for my clients when there was three of them.  Four was too many and two was not enough.

Three was perfect, so why not create a perfect workout environment for three!

As a result of my experience as a trainer, when I designed the HOTWORX sauna I determined that a 7’ x 9’ space with people facing one of the 9’ walls was perfect for a group of three.  I can remember placing different yoga mats in one of our offices that we call the “War Room”, and stepping off what I thought would be the best dimensions as it soon became clear to me what the measurements should be.  I then began working with engineers to draw the schematics for a new kind of infrared sauna.  We then worked to properly place the video monitor and the infrared heaters, purposely leaving the back 9’ wall free of heaters to accommodate multiple workout postures.

Know that HOTWORX was created to deliver the perfect environment for a small group of three clients to achieve the workouts of their lives!

Steve

A quick Google search for fitness apps will reveal pages of sites that discuss the features of fitness app after fitness app after fitness app.  There is an incredible world of fitness apps out there.  There are so many options, almost to the point of causing stress.  All of these apps were designed to help people get in shape, but the features sometimes lose sight of the fact that you have to actually do the workout, not just show up to the gym or submit to some guilt based motivational functionality.  In many instances, the fitness app world has fallen victim to scope creep.After researching for this blog post two things came to mind, the “KISS principle” we all know as keep it simple stupid, and “Occam’s Razor” which refers to the philosophical idea or scientific principle that the simplest answer is usually correct.When we created the HOTWORX Burn Off App, we felt that we needed to allow our members to use the app in conjunction with any fitness device that they trusted so long as it had a heart rate sensor for better accuracy, so we developed the app to allow users to do that with a very simple feature.  Then we proceeded with the idea that the app needed to do two things really well to help customers get in shape,  (1) allow users to book workout appointments easily, and (2) track calories burned during and after HOTWORX workouts.  Now, the final simple tool that we have upgraded the app to do is (3) allow users the ability to measure workout results on the body.  Burn Off App users can now track the “burn off” of bodyweight and body fat percentage.

One more improvement - - - we have now made it easy for our member users to track as many back to back workouts as they desire within one training session.With the simple HOTWORX Burn Off App:  Book your workout appointment - track calorie “burn off” during multiple workouts and during the one hour after-burn - track your weight and body fat “burn off”.  Then watch the new you develop in the mirror…it’s as simple as that!Steve

Calling all fitness professionals…

I am super excited to announce that HOTWORX will be hosting the first ever, and first annual international Virtual Instructor Competition in conjunction with our annual company convention this July in Lake Tahoe!  We are looking for five outstanding fitness instructors who will be filmed throughout the next year as virtual instructors for the franchise.

Our number one motive for creating this international fitness Competition is to find the top five Virtual Instructors from anywhere who can deliver exceptional workouts to thousands of HOTWORX Studio members every day, 24 hours a day across the world for the next year!

We are looking for potential competitors who can represent modern fitness good looks and demonstrate compelling technical workout skills.  We want trainers and instructors who are also fitness models (or aspire to become a fitness model).  These applicants should be technically qualified through experience and/or certification in one or more of these disciplines: yoga, Pilates, barre, and all other forms of isometrics, athletic stretching, bands, TRX/suspension training, indoor cycling and indoor rowing.

The Top 5 will represent the company throughout the year as Virtual Instructors and as brand ambassadors promoting the HOTWORX method of fitness, aka the “Burn Off Movement” for the brand and for all of the franchise locations worldwide.

Each Top 5 winner will be awarded a prize package worth over $10,000…

The five winners will receive a one year contract that includes $5000 cash plus all travel, meals and hotel accommodations to cover at least two trips to New Orleans per year for filming and photo shoots (valued at $2500).  Each top 5 winner will receive memberships to all participating HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studios and Planet Beach spray & spa locations (valued at $1600).  As an added bonus, each winner will receive a $500 HOTWORX fitness gear package and a $500 dollar credit to spend on planetbeachSHOP.com.

Do you have what it takes?  

Tell a friend about this new and very unique fitness competition.  Tell your gym to sponsor a competitor for this event.  Check out HOTWORX.net on this Thursday, February 1st for more details and information concerning the various rounds of competition.  

This will be exciting for fitness!!!

Steve

For More Information and to Submit Application, visit:http://hotworx.net/virtualinstructorcompetition

As a fitness professional and as an owner of many fitness facilities throughout my career, I am amused sometimes to listen to overzealous trainers and fitness center owners who destroy good workouts because they think that a workout type should be different every time. For example, some will listen to people who think they need a different yoga posture sequence for every workout and these trainers and owners take action based on every ill-informed comment.This “change your workout every time” hysteria is a very naive approach to a single workout type. What people fail to recognize is there are so many ways to progress within a single consistent workout type such as improvements in heart rate, endurance, balance, form, strength, etc. Clients need to see how these metrics are improved by comparing each exercise performance to the same exercise in the previous workouts! Stay on track and don’t succumb to bad advice.Word to trainers and to fitness center owners: You get what you measure! Any good business owner or coach knows that measurement is everything. If your clients can’t properly measure the progress of their workouts, then they will never know where they stand. It is our duty as fitness professionals to understand this, practice it ourselves, and teach the importance of workout type consistency to our clients.Beware of trainers who change workouts on the fly every time. This is a very haphazard approach to fitness. Good fitness programs are always based on principle and discipline. Claiming boredom is no excuse for lack of discipline!Only the naive person would call for a premature change in any given workout type. I see this lack of informed judgement often within the fitness industry and I am amused by it, but it disturbs to no end as a fitness professional. The clients (who are looking for the best advice they can find) need to be instructed as to the importance of the adherence to the full lifespan of a good workout. Trainers should stick to a good workout and change only when a workout has been fully utilized and measured properly by the clients.Gain a deeper understanding of what constitutes a good workout. Demand consistency for measurement and learn to use a workout for all of its potential for progression. Look at your levels of endurance, balance, strength and flexibility as it relates to each exercise within the workout before you utter the word boredom.Use cross-training for variety, but ensure that the individual workout types remain consistent!Steve

You’ve already heard them.  No doubt, I’ve heard them too already this new year.  I am referring to the jokes about well intended New Years resolutions that are destined for failure once again.

Good intentions never accomplished anything!  You have to make a change and take action.

Every year it’s the same.  It seems that nobody takes their resolutions seriously anymore.  The number one resolution is always to get back in shape physically.  Perhaps the reason people make so many jokes about this resolution is because they always fail at this every year.  Every year they rush to the gym in January only to quit in February.  Shame!!!  Stop it.

Everyone is familiar with Einstein’s definition of insanity, right?  So let’s apply the logic. If you keep doing the same thing every year and expect to get different results, then, well… you must be crazy.  Stop the madness this year.  Find a different way to stay motivated and to get in shape.

Change!  Get out of the comfort zone and take action!!

Try infrared this year.  One sure fire way to think outside of the box this year is to workout inside of an infrared box.  HOTWORX originated the 63 square foot infrared workout sauna for small group fitness.  HOTWORX is expanding rapidly because people are experiencing greater fitness results in way less time.  HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio franchises are opening all over the United States now offering members a new and very different way to get in shape this year.  HOTWORX Studios have a member usage ratio that is double that of the health club industry average.  This high usage is because of the studio experience and the accelerated results from the infrared workouts.

Add more dimensions (heat + infrared energy) to your workout resolution this year!!!

Steve

Train with a small group this year.  Your focus, motivation, accountability and fun levels will go up if you do.  Check out the research below:

“Group Training is Better:  Fortunately, working out with others is also more fun, as researchers found by studying elite male rowers at Oxford University. The rowers first exercised on a rowing machine in the company of their teammates; the next day, they performed the same workout at the same intensity, but by themselves. After each session, researchers tested the pain tolerance of each of the athletes, finding a higher pain tolerance when the rowers worked out together. The researchers concluded that exercising with others enhances the release of the pain-suppressing (and happiness-inducing) chemicals in your brain." (1)

Working out with a small group creates accountability through a positive form of peer pressure.  I see the small groups of three people working out inside of infrared saunas at HOTWORX studios all the time.  They have a lot of fun while they motivate each other and hold each other accountable.

For better results this year, train with a small group!

Steve

(1) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-pozen/exercise-productivity_b_2005463.html

Americans value hard work.  It pays (literally) to get more done while you are working!  You can greatly enhance your work quality and quantity within a specific amount of time if you practice a regular fitness routine, and an infrared fitness program can get you even more workout in less time!

“A habit of regular exercise will help keep you mentally sharper throughout your entire life. As you age, your body generates fewer and fewer brain cells (a process called neurogenesis). However, early research in mice suggests that exercise can help prevent this slowdown. In other words, by the time they reach their 50s, 60s, and 70s, people who exercise might have more brain cells than their more sedentary peers — giving them a major advantage in the workplace.”  (1)

The facts supporting the notion that fitness improves your productivity is overwhelming.  Study after study proves this time and again:

“The evidence is compelling. A modest exercise habit can help keep you sharper into old age, give you more energy to take on the day, and improve your mood. So stop making excuses, find a group of like-minded peers, and start exercising today!” (2)

“Physical exercise stimulates the development of new mitochondria within your cells, meaning that your body will be able to produce more ATP over time. That gives you more energy to exert yourself physically, but it also means more energy for your brain, boosting your mental output.” (3)

“Researchers expected that midday exercise would enhance mood. But the boosts in productivity surprised them, proving that workplace exercise programs benefit more than just the workers—they give companies more efficient employees who work better together. Health care costs can be expected to go down for employees who exercise regularly at work, resulting in fewer sick days, better attendance and more cooperation between co-workers.” (4)

Commitment to exercise will:  boost your alertness, help you to prevent illness, improve your mental health, and make you a more disciplined person.  All of these things together will make you a work machine!

There is nothing more satisfying than achieving career success and receiving praise from your peers for a job well done!!!

Note that alertness is one of the most important traits to have for work productivity.  Alertness leads to better focus, and there is nothing better than a mid-day workout, or lunchtime fitness routine to boost your workplace focus.  Alertness happens from workouts when more oxygen is supplied to the brain.  Give your brain a workout boost!

I am a member of a mid-day workout team of three.  In our small group we do a HOTWORX infrared workout at 11:30am almost every day of the work week.   This is usually a 30 minute isometric workout.  Some days we do a 15 minute hot HIIT workout inside the infrared sauna.  The boost in energy for the rest of the work day is incredible!  If your company does not offer this type of workout opportunity, request it now from your HR department.  Better productivity means higher revenues for your organization.

Do it for yourself too.  More productivity can get you higher commissions or a promotion, or both!  The only true form of job security is job performance…never forget that!

Try an infrared workout for better productivity in 2018.

Let’s have a healthy, happy new year!

Steve

(1) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-pozen/exercise-productivity_b_2005463.html(2) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-pozen/exercise-productivity_b_2005463.html(3) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-pozen/exercise-productivity_b_2005463.html(4) http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=795

Let’s talk turkey.  We have all spent time on the couch sleeping off a good holiday turkey and dressing meal.  Then, when we woke up, someone in the family said something like this,  “I see that tryptophan just got the best of you this year, hahaha!”  True, something did make you sleepy, but it likely was not just the Christmas turkey.

“A common assertion in the US is that heavy consumption of turkey meat results in drowsiness, due to high levels of tryptophan contained in turkey.  However, the amount of tryptophan in turkey is comparable to that contained in other meats.  Drowsiness after eating may be caused by other foods eaten with the turkey, particularly carbohydrates.  Ingestion of a meal rich in carbohydrates triggers the release of insulin.” (1)

Let’s validate even further…

“As it turns out, turkey contains no more of the amino acid tryptophan than other kinds of poultry. In fact, turkey actually has slightly less tryptophan than chicken, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, LDN, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman and author of The Flexitarian Diet.”  (2)

How about this idea?  Maybe we just eat so much for the holiday dinner that we pass out.

“It takes a great deal of energy to digest a large meal. When your stomach is full, blood is directed away from other organ systems, including your nervous system. The result? You will feel the need to snooze after any big meal, particularly if it is high in fats and carbohydrates.” (3)

Fats and alcohol can slow you down too as factors in the holiday snooze session equation.  Fats slow down your metabolism and we all know that alcohol is a depressant.

Attack the snooze this season with a commitment to an infrared fitness program beginning the day after Christmas!  Infrared energy and heat combined with a workout will give you a multi-dimensional, or 3D Training™ result.  This method will jolt your metabolism out of the holiday snooze and back into the fitness groove!

Get ready for 2018 now, don’t procrastinate.

Look for next weeks blog post to gain insight regarding the relation of fitness to workplace productivity.

Prepare yourself for a great new year!

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan(2) https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-tryptophan#1(3) https://www.thoughtco.com/does-eating-turkey-make-you-sleepy-607798

Tis the season for helping others and giving. We all make giving to others and helping those in need a priority during the Christmas season. With that in mind, why should I be writing a blog article about giving to yourself? Because taking care of yourself throughout this time of year, rather than letting yourself go could quite possibly be the greatest gift that you could give to your loved ones.Why? Because when you feel good about yourself, then you will treat others even better. There is research to support this idea.One sure way to feel better about yourself is to go workout.“Exercise helps prevent and improve a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. Research on depression, anxiety and exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also help improve mood and reduce anxiety.”(1)Working out delivers a guaranteed mood swing to the positive. Stress seems to evaporate during and after a great workout. Don’t stop the workouts this holiday season! Keep your loved ones in mind and head to the fitness studio this year instead of letting the holiday season stress get the best of you. Give a good mood to yourself so that you can give more and do more for others this year.“But why does being in a good mood make us helpful? There are probably several reasons. For one, positive mood indicates that the environment is not dangerous and therefore that we can safely help others. Second, we like other people more when we are in good moods, and that may lead us to help them.” (2)Give yourself the gift of uninterrupted fitness this holiday season as a way to enhance your Christmas spirit of giving and helping others!Happy Holidays and Merry Fitness!

(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/ art-20046495

(2) http://open.lib.umn.edu/socialpsychology/chapter/9-2-the-role-of- affect-moods-and-emotions/

As an owner of many gyms and fitness facilities throughout my career, I can tell you that one of the most frustrating aspects of gym management is dealing with trainer staffs and group fitness instructors.  As a certified trainer myself, I have a great deal of respect for the fitness trainer and group instructor professions, but I am a realist.

What happens when trainers or instructors show up late for a session or a group fitness class?  Even worse, what happens when they show up unprepared, demotivated or hungover?  What happens is bad customer service.  This happens a lot, and when it does, the result is a lower quality fitness experience for the members and for clients.

Customers deserve better…

HOTWORX delivers to its members on-time and on-point instruction for every single small group session 24 hours a day every day of the year.  This is made possible through the use of virtual instructors.

Hours of planning, filming and editing go into the creation of every virtually instructed workout.  This tireless production is done to ensure that clients receive the best possible fitness experience every time they use a HOTWORX 24 hour infrared fitness studio.

Virtual instruction ensures professionalism with every workout!

Virtual instruction ensures that workouts are delivered from experienced and highly skilled trainers and group fitness professionals every time!

Specially designed software serves up these workouts on-time, un-buffered and to the exact schedule as published by the studio 24/7.

If you want high quality, on-time and consistent quality fitness sessions, then give a Virtual Fitness Instructor a try.

Add heat and infrared energy to your fitness training regimen and you get what we call 3-Dimensional Training.  Altering the atmosphere of your workout environment can yield compounded benefits that stay with you even if you are forced to take a break from training for some reason.

I have read many accounts of how quickly strength and muscle diminishes when a person  stops working out.  Sometimes taking a break from training is necessary due to injury or for other reasons.  Major anxiety happens when an athlete or fitness enthusiast has to stop an active lifestyle.  Anything that can prolong the fitness level of an athlete during a forced training hiatus is a good practice to consider.

“If you're forced to stop training for 3-6 weeks you'll start to lose some muscle, but how much can depend on what you do to prevent excessive losses.” (1)

Recently, I was forced by my doctor to stop training entirely for a month due to a minor surgery.  I did have time to think about how I would manage this time off from training and I decided to train with super intensity up until the day before the surgery.  I maintained my weight training regimen and my HOTWORX infrared workout sessions but with higher levels of intensity prior to surgery.

I have been active in fitness and athletic training for over 30 years now.  Looking back on times in my past when I took breaks from training for reasons such as injuries or rest after major competitions, I always noticed significant decreases in strength and conditioning.  To my astonishment, this time I actually felt like I picked up right where I left off!  I noticed it, and all of the people that I work out with noticed it and made comments.

What was the X factor?  The obvious difference for me this time around was the 3D HOTWORX training.

You should always eat clean food and keep up sufficient levels of protein on a forced break just like you do when you are in training, but think about the quality of your fitness routine prior to a break from training as well.  I am proof that quality of training matters when you are forced into a break.  In my case, adding infrared energy and heat to my workout was just as important as clean eating.  A quality workout infused with infrared and heat can enhance and prolong your level of fitness enabling you to ride out a break from activity.

(1) https://www.t-nation.com/training/how-to-keep-muscle-during-a-layoff

We generally understand a boutique is a small exclusive business that offers a very specialized form of services or products.  What began as a way to describe a small clothing store now gives definition to other business types such as hotels, advertising agencies and health clubs.

Today, when it comes to fitness centers, people want “specialty” from boutique studios that focus on quality over quantity!  Why not give them the membership they want this year?  Or, maybe its time to buy a boutique fitness franchise for yourself this year!

“The free-standing boutiques will continue to evolve now that they have made an inroad in our industry. The boutique concept is here to stay, at least for now, and has raised the bar for the big-box clubs to emulate their good qualities (high-end physical environment, connected community, perceived excellence of instruction and customer loyalty).” (1)

In an article written by Grace DeSimone, editor of the American College of Sport Medicine's Resources for the Group Exercise Instructor, she comments that she is, “not surprised, that group training has climbed up the trend list this year. I credit the onslaught of fitness boutique studios dedicated to a variety of group fitness classes ranging from indoor cycling to boot camp, obstacle courses, yoga, Pilates and ballet barre fitness programs. Boutique studios have taken what's old and made it new again by breeding small communities of like-minded people and bonding them through activity. It's like finding the right group to sit with in the high school cafeteria. You belong. You have friends. And guess what? You are cool.”  (2)  She adds that, “The interesting phenomenon this time around is that we have added technology and more athleticism, attracting a different breed of instructor. Say hello to your "hybrid trainer." This breed of fitness professional can train individuals, coach groups and motivate the masses.” (3)

Indeed, the fitness instructor has evolved.  Many boutique fitness studios are now finding ways to utilize Virtual Class Instructors and Virtual Trainers.  This is certainly a way to ensure that clients always receive quality instruction.  HOTWORX pioneered the use of virtual instructors inside of an infrared sauna and uses rows of three person saunas within its unique 24 hour infrared fitness studio franchises.

HOTWORX is growing rapidly across the country because of its unique 24 hour boutique fitness concept.  Customers love the fact that they can experience over 10 isometric and HIIT workouts in an intimate small group environment 24 hours a day, and with the added benefit of infrared!

Find the right boutique fitness studio, buy some gift certificates and maybe some mats, towels and yoga bags, then wrap them up and give the gift of boutique fitness this Christmas!  There is no better gift than that of health to those you love.

Happy shopping, and Merry Fitness!

(1) http://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/2017/06/health-club-industry-trends-jim-worthingtons-thoughts-whats-ahead/(2) https://certification.acsm.org/blog/2017/november/boutique-fitness-studios-reviving-group-exercise-trend(3) https://certification.acsm.org/blog/2017/november/boutique-fitness-studios-reviving-group-exercise-trend

Infrared light promotes the production of serotonin.  Higher levels of serotonin helps to improve your mood.  Serotonin is a chemical found in the human body, a neurotransmitter that carries signals alongside the nerves.

Serotonin is thought to be especially active in constricting smooth muscles, transmitting impulses between nerve cells, regulating cyclic body processes and contributing to wellbeing and happiness. (1)

Most research agrees that serotonin is responsible for mood balance.  Higher levels of serotonin lead to better moods and a deficit in serotonin can lead to depression.

Infrared light, exercise and diet are proven ways to increase levels of serotonin.

“Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the U.S. saw a clear improvement in the mental health of patients suffering from depression when they were exposed to heat from infrared lamps. This could help explain the natural anti-depressant effects of the sun.” (2)

According to a recent article in WebMD written by Charles Raison, MD, two new studies using an infrared heating device on individuals with depression have shown positive outcomes for depressive symptoms.  “In the first study of 16 individuals with major depression, a single hyperthermia treatment reduced their depression scores almost by 50% five days later.” (3)

Hot yoga and other hot workout forms are gaining tremendous popularity, and for good reason.  One of those reasons is the positive effect on a client’s mood from the heat during those workouts.  Workouts in general are good for your mood, and hot workouts are even better… but when infrared is added to the equation your mood and sense of wellbeing is elevated even more!

(1) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/kc/serotonin-facts-232248(2) http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/infrared-heat-eases-depression-symptoms-study-finds-1.2905272(3) https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/2016/07/can-sitting-in-a-sauna-ease-depression.html

“Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.”

                                                                                …World Health Organization

There is a lot of confusion today with respect to EMF, which stands for electromagnetic field, and how it relates to infrared saunas and the health effects of these charged particles on the human body.  EMF’s are electric and magnetic fields of energy that are created by electronic devices including cell phones, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, etc. We are concerned with infrared sauna heaters, which is also an electrical device that emits low level electromagnetic radiation.

Electrical currents exist throughout the natural world and low level electromagnetic radiation is generated by the human body due to normal chemical reactions.

Though scientifically unfounded, hysteria seems to exist over the issue of EMF’s among certain groups of people.  Beware of articles you read that fail to cite scientific research!  There have been thousands of studies worldwide on the topic of EMF’s and public health.  The evidence has been analyzed by governmental agencies and conclusions have been made.

Let’s take the Environmental Protection Agency, for example.  Please read these excerpts from the EPA Website:

-“In the United States, there are no federal standards limiting electromagnetic fields from power lines and other sources to people at work or home.”

-“There is no clear scientific evidence that electromagnetic fields affect health. However, if you are concerned about possible health risks from electric and magnetic fields you can reduce your exposure by:

Increasing the distance between yourself and the source - The greater the distance between you and the source of EMF, the less your exposure.

Limiting the time spent around the source - The less time you spend near EMF, the lower your exposure.” (1)

HOTWORX infrared fitness saunas emit EMF levels that are well within the EPA recommended exposure levels which are .5 mG to 2.5 mG and workouts are performed 1 to 2 feet away from the EMF source.  Below you will see a slide from the HOTWORX User Certification Course that shows the actual levels of EMF milliGauss emitted inside of the HOTWORX infrared sauna at 127º Fahrenheit.

What does the World Health Organization have to say about EMF’s?

“Despite many studies, the evidence for any effect remains highly controversial. However, it is clear that if electromagnetic fields do have an effect on cancer, then any increase in risk will be extremely small. The results to date contain many inconsistencies, but no large increases in risk have been found for any cancer in children or adults.”

“A number of epidemiological studies suggest small increases in risk of childhood leukemia with exposure to low frequency magnetic fields in the home. However, scientists have not generally concluded that these results indicate a cause-effect relation between exposure to the fields and disease (as opposed to artifacts in the study or effects unrelated to field exposure). In part, this conclusion has been reached because animal and laboratory studies fail to demonstrate any reproducible effects that are consistent with the hypothesis that fields cause or promote cancer. Large-scale studies are currently underway in several countries and may help resolve these issues.” (2)

Governmental agencies have consistently concluded based on the evidence that there are no health consequences from exposure to low level EMF’s.

With respect to HOTWORX infrared workout saunas, since customers are only exposed for 30 minutes or 15 minutes per workout and due to the fact that users are typically 1 to 2 feet away from the EMF source, there should be no need for concern.

Ensure that your sauna EMF’s fall within EPA guidelines and enjoy the infrared!

(1) https://www3.epa.gov/radtown/electric-magnetic-fields.html(2) http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html

Champion athletes always cross train.  They never allow themselves to plateau due to a stale, monotonous training routine.  As defined in a recent Runner’s World Magazine article, “cross-training is when a runner trains by doing another kind of fitness workout such as cycling, swimming, a fitness class or strength training, to supplement their running. It builds strength and flexibility in muscles that running doesn't utilize. It prevents injury by correcting muscular imbalances. And the variety prevents boredom and burnout.” (1)

Champions are always looking for a way to make gains and to push beyond their previous best.  For example, take a look at what Aaron Rogers, NFL top quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, has to say.  In addition to his traditional weight/resistance training routine for football, he also practices yoga.

According to reports in Men’s Fitness Magazine, “Rodgers is one of the fittest quarterbacks in the league, keeping himself in shape with a rock-solid core workout—which he detailed for Men’s Fitness—as well as weightlifting, squats, TRX moves, and yoga.” (2)

Rogers made the following statement to the Men’s Fitness journalist:

“I did a lot of stretching and yoga this offseason, which I have always felt has helped me to sustain my legs and my athleticism and just taking off in practice on some scrambles. Yoga is just wonderful for me. I feel like I am moving as well as I did when I was 23 and I'm 33. Stretching, for me, is amazing. Flexibility can add years to your life…” (3)

Many clients of HOTWORX use the 30 minute hot isometrics and the 15 minute hot HIIT workouts to supplement their athletic endeavors.  These sports include running, weight training, skiing, rock climbing, and the list goes on.  These amateur and pro athletes maintain their fundamental training practices of dynamic resistance in the forms of weight training and suspension training, but supplement with hot infrared exercise to make progress in flexibility, balance, detoxification, recovery and even to make additional gains in strength.

Sorry fellas, but gone are the days of coming in to the gym to do bench press and dumbbell curls to call it a day.  Modern fitness calls for more specialized training and not for just one method, or “rut” routine, if you will.

Add some hot infrared to your athletic training!

(1) https://www.runnersworld.com/cross-training(2) http://www.mensfitness.com/sports/football/aaron-rodgers-talks-offseason-training-yoga-and-eating-habits-i-want-play-another-10(3) http://www.mensfitness.com/sports/football/aaron-rodgers-talks-offseason-training-yoga-and-eating-habits-i-want-play-another-10

HOTWORX has officially launched in Mexico.  This past week I had the opportunity to work with our distributor, Art Garcia and his team at Pro Fitness MX in Mexico City for the IHRSA Conference and Expo.  The Pro Fitness booth was buzzing with prospects during the two days that I was there.  Fitness professionals from many different cities throughout Mexico showed great interest in our 24 hour infrared fitness concept.

Art and I gave a brief presentation at the show.  Share this blog post to any of your friends from south of the border, or from anywhere, who might have an interest in becoming a master franchisee for Mexico.No matter where we go, fitness professionals pay close attention to the advantages that the HOTWORX 3D training method brings to the industry.  Customers always want to get the most out of every set during their workouts and they are intrigued by the option of adding heat and infrared energy to exercise. Fitness professionals in the U.S., Ireland, Poland, Panama, and now Mexico are using HOTWORX to elevate the results of their clients!

As I was returning from my son’s football practice today, I noticed a news feed across my phone that declared, “1 in 6 Deaths on the Planet are Linked to Pollution”.  I thought to myself, how shocking, and my second thought was how sad.  We are destroying our environment and the result is that we are killing ourselves in the process.

When I sat down to write this blog post I googled to find that news story and I was not surprised to see that it was reported by all of the major outlets including BBC, CNBC, and PBS to name a few.  They were all reporting new findings according to The Lancet Commission on pollution and health that was recently published October 19.

According to the Lancet Commission report:

“Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today. Diseases caused by pollution were responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths in 2015—16% of all deaths worldwide—three times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined and 15 times more than from all wars and other forms of violence. In the most severely affected countries, pollution-related disease is responsible for more than one death in four” (1).

“But the commission found deaths due to modern pollutants — in the air, water and soil, such as motor vehicle exhaust fumes during rush-hour traffic or industrial waste that seeps into water supplies — are on the rise” (2).

Modern pollution is created from chemicals, exhausts and fumes as opposed to the traditional wood burning stoves, fireplaces and dirty water.

For the big picture, we should all try to do our part to save the planet, such as paying attention to how we handle our waste and how we source our energy needs.  On the very personal level, though, we should learn how to manage the pollution that we absorb into our own bodies and we should encourage our friends and family to do the same if we want to live longer and have a better quality of life.

One way that we can manage our personal toxin levels is to incorporate an infrared fitness routine into our weekly schedules.  HOTWORX has developed 10 infrared workouts that can help to manage the toxin overloads that we are all exposed to from the food we eat, the liquids we drink and the air that we breathe on a daily basis.

Sweat it out!

(1) http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)32345-0/fulltext(2) https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/one-out-of-six-deaths-worldwide-were-pollution-related-in-2015

There is a trend that has been developing in the fitness industry.  People are willing to maintain more than one fitness club membership these days.  Everywhere I go in my travels to visit new HOTWORX Studio locations, I hear from customers and from franchisees that everyone has multiple memberships to different gyms and fitness studios.  Fitness customers are looking for specialty workouts now more than ever!

Customers want one gym for weight training and one fitness studio for pilates and another club for kick-boxing, etc.  I find that many of our HOTWORX members like the supplemental balance, cardio, detox and recovery that they can obtain from infrared workouts.  Some may like a serious gym for weight training, a multi-sport club for swimming and HOTWORX for stability, cardio and detox.

In addition to my HOTWORX Studio workouts, I maintain a membership to a national gym chain out of convenience for my weight training needs.  Many of our HOTWORX franchisees, general managers and staff do the same.  In fact, many people I have talked with keep 3,4,5 or more fitness memberships!  People know, now more than ever, that they need to workout to remain healthy and to elevate their quality of life.  This is driving them to experiment with different specialized workouts and different workout environments to give them an edge.

As a workout professional, I recommend, if your budget allows, that you seek out multiple memberships so that you can address your specific fitness needs with the most professional environments and services that you want.  If you need to add infrared fitness to your mix, then pay a visit to a HOTWORX 24hr Infrared Fitness Studio.

Multiple fitness memberships can keep you motivated!

Infrared heat is good for the brain.  Exercise is good for the brain.  Why not benefit from both at the same time!?

A 2013 Huffington Post article asserts that 20 minutes of yoga is good for the brain.  The article published on huffingtonpost.com cites from a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health which included 30 female college students who performed 20 minutes of yoga and then 20 minutes of exercise on a treadmill.  Participants in the study took cognitive tests after the yoga session and again after the treadmill session.  Results showed higher scores for tests following the yoga sessions (1).

Isometric exercise that places emphasis on proper breathing and the connection of physical performance and mental awareness may produce similar brain enhancing results.  HOTWORX provides multiple hot isometric routines that guide customers through mind-breath-body workouts for heightened mental awareness.

An infrared sauna environment can stimulate the brain as well.  According to best selling wellness author Dr. Joseph Mercola, sauna bathing promotes brain health.  Dr. Mercola cites research from Finland which found that those who use a sauna four to seven times per week for at least 15 minutes per session had a 66% lower risk for developing dementia and a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.  He points to other research that “has shown sauna use increases levels of norepinephrine, a stress hormone that increases focus and attention, as well as prolactin, which may promote myelin growth, helping your brain to function faster and repair nerve cell damage” (2).  Myelin is the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that increases impulse speed.

Mercola also explains that researchers have found a link between heat exposure and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons. BDNF also triggers numerous other chemicals that promote neural health.

According to another study, Dr. Mercola shows how exercising in heat increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) more so than training in lower temperatures indicating that sauna workouts could be beneficial to the brain.

Researchers “found that exercising in heat increased the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which is thought to stimulate cerebral output of BDNF.”

Power up your brain with hot exercise!

(1) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/10/20-minutes-yoga-brain_n_3404766.html(2) https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/09/benefits-of-sauna-therapy.aspx

Around the turn of the last century foam rollers began to populate the corners of gym floors all across the globe.  A foam roller is simply a tool to allow a user to deliver a self administered deep tissue massage.  This form of massage is also known as self myofascial release.  Foam rollers come in many sizes, colors, textures and density, but generally they look like the one  below.

As defined by spine-health.com, myofascial release is a manipulative treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture, or inflammation (1).  With the daily stresses of life and with any rigorous fitness routine, your body will tighten and form trigger points in your muscles and fascia.  You can smooth out these trigger points and gain more flexibility with a foam roller.  A consistent practice of foam rolling may also lower your risk of injury.

Fascia is the fibrous tissue that connects all joints, muscles and organs in the body.  There are three types of fascia:  1-visceral fascia that keeps organs in place, 2-superficial fascia that is found just under the skin, and 3-deep fascia that surrounds groups of muscles.  Fascia connects the muscles, nerves, bones and organs.  Foam rolling, which is a deep tissue massage, provides therapy for the deep fascia.

“A foam rolling session can increase the range of movement (ROM) at the joint where the roller has been applied (more specifically, at the joint across which the insertion point of the muscle sits).  When the rolling lasts for more than 15 seconds, increases in joint ROM can be seen.  After about 90 seconds you probably wont see any further benefit to ROM…” (2)

Foam rolling is way less expensive than a traditional massage.  The average price for a deep tissue massage is around $110 to $120 per session at your typical day spa.  Why pay for that when you can achieve the same result with a foam roller at the end of your workout.

Most HOTWORX isometric workouts incorporate foam rolling at the end of the infrared workout session.  Foam rolling combined with infrared is an extremely effective method for acceleration of workout recovery!  Don’t leave the studio or gym without getting your roll on!

(1) https://www.spine-health.com/glossary/myofascial-release(2) https://trainersblog.com/2016/04/04/a-brief-history-of-the-foam-roller/

Let’s face it.  Our skin takes a beating everywhere we go.  Every day, due to environmental factors including such things as exposure to UV and air pollution, or skin is under assault.  To counter this, why not treat your skin each time that you workout, while you are working out?  As the old saying goes, kill two birds with one stone, or a more modern way to say it…let’s multi-task.  Give your skin rejuvenation while you derive all of the mental and physical benefits of a great workout!

I hear from our customers all the time about how much better their skin looks and feels after a workout in the infrared sauna.

You might ask “why” does skin look better after Far Infrared (FIR) exercise?  Let’s take a look at the science.  I stumbled across a website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2687728/) for the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.  The webpage had republished and abstract from this study, Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation (1), that was performed in 2004 and then published in 2006.  Please read the results of this study below:

“In order to determine the effects of infrared radiation on collagen and elastin production, dermal fibroblasts were exposed to infrared radiation for varying lengths of time and collagen and elastin contents were subsequently determined. Additionally, 20 patients with mild to moderate facial wrinkles and hyperpigmented lesions received daily treatments of far infrared radiation (900 to 1000 µm) for six-months. During the treatment, patients and a medical observer conducted independent photographic and clinical evaluations every 4 weeks, and skin biopsies were obtained for histological analysis at baseline and one month post-treatment.

[Collagen and elastin assays were performed after a 24-hour post-irradiation incubation period. Results were compared with a control group which was not exposed to IR radiation….Twenty females (ages 35-61; mean 44.3 years, skin phototypes III-IV) with facial wrinkles and hyperpigmented lesions were enrolled in the study from March to October, 2004. Patients received 15-20 minute daily treatments (on 5 weekdays) of far IR radiation for a period of 6 months.]

We found that the content of collagen and elastin produced by the fibroblasts increased after infrared radiation, and that this increase was proportional to the duration of irradiation exposure. Following 6 months of treatment, all patients reported good (51-75%) improvements in skin texture and roughness. Additionally, patients noted fair (25-50%) improvement in color tone of the skin”

This study shows that IR exposure is a good, non-ablative (non-abrasive, no skin peeling) way to rebuild collagen, elastin and to treat the effects of photo aging!

The abstract goes on to note that several studies have shown that FIR exposure can also accelerate the healing of wounds due to this collagen increase and the stepped up process of cell production.

So, go ahead, multi-task and get more from your workout in less time by rejuvenating your skin while you workout!!!

(1) Yonsei Med J. 2006 Aug 31; 47(4): 485–490.Published online 2006 Aug 31. doi:  10.3349/ymj.2006.47.4.485

Last week my lunchtime HOTWORX® team decided to do a BONFIRE™ workout on Monday to kick off the week.  The Bonfire workout consists of back-to-back hot isometrics and hot HIIT.  It is a total of 45 minutes of actual workout with 30 minutes of isometrics followed by or preceded by 15 minutes of HIIT, all done in the infrared sauna at 125º F.  Here are my results as recorded with my Apple Watch (note: I always use the “Other” workout setting for HOTWORX):

Monday Workout: Hot Cycle followed by Hot Yoga

• 140 calories burned from the 15 minute HIIT session on the cycle,
• 160 Heart Rate immediately after Hot Cycle
• 616 total calories burned after the combined HIIT followed immediately by Hot Yoga for 30 minutes.

I checked my Apple Watch again 1.5 hours after the workout and a total of 1,191 total calories had been burned.

The after-burn during that 1.5 hours was 575 calories!

Let’s put that workout into perspective in terms of the number of calories burned as a ratio to my basal metabolic rate (BMR). BMR represents the total number of calories that your body needs in a 24 hour day to provide energy for your vital functions when you are at rest. The Bonfire 45 minute workout and 1.5 hour after-burn accounted for 71% of my total BMR of 1675 daily calories (as calculated using the Under Armour site http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator). That is approximately 10% of my day generating over two-thirds of the calorie burn of my entire BMR! Training hard with a workout like that will get you to a calorie deficit very quickly if you are looking to lose weight and shed fat.

If you want the ultimate 45 minute zero impact, calorie scorching workout, my recommendation is the HOTWORX® BONFIRE™…

EARN THE BURN!!!

Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption, or EPOC is the increased amount of oxygen that your body uses to return to its normal rate of metabolism, or homeostasis, following a workout.  This process is also known informally as the after-burn.  Most fitness enthusiasts measure the after-burn in terms of calories burned within a certain amount of time immediately following the workout.  For HOTWORX, the after-burn is measured during the 1 hour time period immediately following the workout.  It is important to note that EPOC and, therefore, calories burned within a certain time period immediately after a workout vary greatly depending on the intensity of the workout and body composition of the individual.

Calories are interlinked with EPOC.  Calories are units of measure that determine the level of oxygen processed by your body.  The website dictionary.com provides a more formal definition of a calorie below.

A nutritionist’s calorie is:  “A unit of energy-producing potential supplied by food and released upon oxidation by the body, equal to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C at one atmosphere pressure.”  http://www.dictionary.com/browse/calorie

Oxygen consumption is also the best measure of workout effort.  Oxygen that is consumed by your body is measured by volume.  This is known as VO2 which stands for volume (V) of oxygen (O2).

“In essence, VO2 is the best indicator of exercise intensity because it is tied closely to energy expenditure. The higher the intensity, the more oxygen clients consume and the more calories they burn.” http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/calculating-caloric-expenditure-0

Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP is the energy molecules used by your cells.  The food that you eat is converted into ATP for use as energy.  VO2 determines your body’s ability to generate ATP.  ATP provides energy to your muscles for your workouts.  Your VO2max, or your maximum level of oxygen consumption capability is the ultimate factor in determining your cardio fitness level.

VO2max can be improved, and one of the most effective ways to improve it is through HIIT.  HIIT, or high intensity interval training, is a proven training method for elite athletes enabling them to achieve the highest levels of VO2max.  HIIT can be used by fitness beginners as well so long as they approach a HIIT workout by going at their own best pace to achieve progress.

“Depending on the nature of the training program adopted, an unfit person can improve their VO2max from 5% to 30%.” http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/articles/vo2-and-vo2max.shtml

Steady-state oxygen consumption aerobics, such as normal treadmill activity, uses the aerobic pathways to produce ATP.  When ATP is derived from anaerobic pathways, however, the need for post-workout oxygen is increased and can raise the level of the after-burn, or EPOC effect.  Please recognize that this fact can create a false negative set of data when a person is relying on a device that measures calorie burning based primarily on heart rate.  Note that the result of a HIIT session might be even more effective than the calorie burn reading that is displayed on your Apple Watch or your FitBit might suggest.

Exercise that places a greater demand on the anaerobic energy pathways during the workout can increase the need for oxygen after the workout, thereby enhancing the EPOC.

The EPOC effect is caused by the workout recovery process that includes: ATP production, muscle glycogen resynthesis, blood oxygen restoration, muscle repair with protein, and body temperature restoration.

If you are looking for a quality EPOC, try the HOTWORX HIIT with the 15 minute Hot Cycle or Hot Row.

I’ll end this blog post with two quotes from the American Council on Exercise:

“EPOC IS INFLUENCED BY THE INTENSITY, NOT THE DURATION OF EXERCISE.”

“HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO STIMULATE THE EPOC EFFECT.”  https://www.acefitness.org/blog/5008/7-things-to-know-about-excess-post-exercise-oxygen-consumption-epoc

Are you looking for a better workout schedule?  Try 30 minutes of infrared isometrics three to four times per week with friends for lunch.  I can tell you that for myself and my two friends/colleagues, April and Shawna, we all swear by the lunchtime HOTWORX workouts.  There are some great advantages to this workout routine including:

Strength Gains

With a consistent weekly routine of hot isometrics you will achieve substantial gains in strength.  I have noticed marked strength improvements with my weight training as a result of my lunchtime HOTWORX routine.  April shared her story of substantial strength gains with Shawna and myself this week during one of our sessions.  She explained that she had begun doing her previous home workout in addition to the HOTWORX sessions and that she was much stronger with the old workout sets due to her lunchtime infrared routine with us.

Motivation

It has been proven scientifically that working out with others elevates your intensity.  I know this is true from experience with my lunchtime workout team!  Camaraderie definitely increases your motivation.

Reduce Stress, Increase Energy

Half way through the work day for a busy executive is a good time to practice stress management and to accelerate energy levels.  From the moment you walk into the HOTWORX sauna stress begins to go away, and when the workout begins your energy is mobilized both mentally and physically.  When you are finished with the workout, the fist bumps of workout success are made with your colleagues and then you go back to work with a new attitude for the rest of the day.

Workout Variety

With eight isometric workouts to choose from, a different HOTWORX lunchtime workout can be experienced each day.  It’s very effective to cross-train day to day from Hot ISO to Hot Yoga to Hot Pilates, Hot Buns, etc…  The variety helps to strengthen all your isometric workouts and for improvements to exercise that you might do outside of HOTWORX such as weight training, outdoor cycling, snow skiing and running.

Decrease Appetite

Our lunchtime infrared workouts usually begin at 11:30 which is perfect to help reduce your lunchtime appetite.  Some trainers call this a “fasted” approach to the workout, usually in reference to cardio, and it will be a workout while your body is in a fasted state if you eat an early, low calorie breakfast with no snacks before the lunchtime workout.  Fasted workouts can help you to burn more fat!  Keep your breakfast moderate and don’t eat again until after your lunchtime workout.

The infrared workout helps to reduce hunger and causes you to want less food for lunch.  I always experience this effect with a lunchtime workout.  According to David Stensel, Ph. D., ”Exercise may lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite in the short term, while raising levels of peptide YY, a hormone that suppresses appetite.” https://www.today.com/news/exercise-can-curb-hunger-new-research-finds-wbna44523397

Finally, having an infrared HOTWORX workout for lunch with your friends is just plain awesome for your personal work results…, and as a CEO, that is productivity music to my ears!

“Give me a chance to create fever and I will cure any disease.” -Parmenides, 5th century b.c.

Heat has been used as a method of therapy for centuries.  Ancient cultures used sweat lodges and primitive sauna structures as a way to cleanse the body from the inside out.  Today we use high-tech infrared saunas for the same reason and for more precise purposes with much greater efficiency.

Given the proper temperature, an infrared sauna can be a wonderful tool for fitness and detox.

HOTWORX has discovered that the ideal infrared workout temperature is 125º fahrenheit.  We have proven that this temperature is optimal for 30 minutes of isometrics and for 15 minutes of HIIT exercise performance.  It turns out that it is a good temperature for the elimination of fat-soluble toxins as well!  In his book Beyond Antibiotics, Dr. Michael A. Schmidt describes the benefits of this “fat sweat” temperature as follows:

“Saunas are being used by some doctors to stimulate the release of toxins from the bodies of their patients. They have found that a lower temperature (105º-130ºF) sauna taken for a longer duration is most beneficial. These low temperatures stimulate a fat sweat, which eliminates toxins stored in fat, as opposed to the high temperature sauna, which encourages a water sweat.” https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2015/08/how-to-make-a-sauna-hotter/

One study analyzed the composition of sweat comparing the sweat from participants who used the traditional hot rocks sauna with higher temperatures to sweat from subjects who used an infrared sauna at lower temperatures.  The sweat analysis found that the higher temperature sauna sweat was 95-97% water, but the sweat from the infrared sauna was 80-85% water with the remaining 15-20% composed of cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, acids, ammonia and sodium. https://www.evolutionhealth.com/sauna-detoxification

Your body can burn fat more efficiently when your core temperature rises, and even more so when exposed to an infrared sauna temperature in the 105º-130º range (as indicated by the sweat analysis study).  Obviously you begin to sweat when your core body temperature rises, whereby eliminating toxins that can interfere with your metabolism.  As this toxic interference is reduced, you will burn more fat more efficiently.

The use of infrared heat works very well to raise core temperature quickly due to the deep penetration of the energy and heat into the body.  Ultimately, when this thermogenic event is combined with exercise and proper diet/nutrition, the results are incredible.

In a 2012 experiencelife.com article, Dr. Tim Jackson was quoted saying, “… if you really like the idea of sitting in a sauna for fat loss, you might consider seeking out a far-infrared sauna. Several case studies show significant reduction in body fat after months of far-infrared-sauna use," says Jackson.  Tim Jackson is a doctor of physical therapy and functional medicine specialist at the NeuroSensory Center of Charlotte in Huntersville, N.C. https://experiencelife.com/article/expert-answers-on-saunas-for-weight-loss-sore-achilles-tendons-and-more/

As for my observations, I have seen so many people who have benefited from the consistent practice of infrared exercise at 125º.  I continue to see amazing results personally as I supplement my own weight training routine with three or more HOTWORX sessions per week.  The fat loss happens very quickly and can be maintained with regular weekly hot exercise sessions.  I have seen huge results with my co-workers who use our corporate HOTWORX infrared fitness sauna.  I can point to countless examples of our customers who have posted their similar results on social media.  Simply put, when performed at the right infrared temperature, hot exercise works for those who desire accelerated fat loss.

As a former NPC National Collegiate Bodybuilding Champion, I can tell you that paying attention to every training routine detail makes the difference between winning and losing the title.  Recently, I have have been listening to stories from athletes who have used HOTWORX infrared workouts to enhance their competition training routines.  One such competitor is Lindsay Ruggles who is an executive at our corporate headquarters located on the Westbank of New Orleans.  Take a moment to learn from her interview below:

Q-Why did you incorporate HOTWORX into your training routine?

A-At first I started it to increase flexibility, then I began to notice the recovery effects of the HOTWORX sessions.  The low impact cardio was a plus, too.  With my low carb diet regimen, high intensity dynamic movements become very difficult and can cause damage to my joints.  As a child, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis which is a disease that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluid within the body.  Cystic fibrosis can plug up tubes, ducts, and passageways that lead to your liver, lungs, and other digestive organs.  The use of HOTWORX has reduced the mucus in my lungs from cystic fibrosis.

Q-Other than HOTWORX, what does your primary training routine consist of?

A-That consists of steady state interval fasted cardio 5 mornings per week.  Then I have 3 days on weight training followed by one day off, then 2 days on weights, followed by one day off.  Each week I follow all of my weight training workouts with cardio.

Q-Tell us about your training coach and what he likes about HOTWORX as a part of your routine, and how many times per week you do HOTWORX?

A-What my coach and I found most beneficial was the fact that I didn’t have to use any diuretics with the addition of HOTWORX into my training routine.  I was able to drink more water…no dehydrating days leading up to my competition!  My coach is conservative when it comes to the overuse of food and supplements.  Use of HOTWORX alleviated the need for supplementation allowing my body to get where it needed to be on its own.  I do HOTWORX about three times per week - two of which are my off days from the gym, where I strictly use it for recovery.

Q-Do you incorporate isometrics and HIIT?  Which specific HOTWORX workouts do you utilize?

A-All isometric.  Mostly I do Roll, Core and Warrior.

Q-What has been the results of your infrared workouts?

A-I have lost 20 pounds in 16 weeks and went from 4 visible abs to 8!

Q-For the average person’s fitness routine, how would you recommend the use of HOTWORX?

A-Stay in there!  Stay the full 30 minutes.  Acclimate to the heat.  You will feel the detoxification and you will feel great afterward.

Lindsay Ruggles

If it’s good for an extreme fitness buff like Lindsay, then imagine how effective it is for the general fitness population!

Every day we are victims of assault! Our bodies are attacked by air pollution, processed foods and drinks, and toxins that we touch and that are absorbed into our skin. As the toxicity of our environments continues to increase, now, more than ever, we need a strategy for personal detoxification. One way to counter the daily toxin assault on our bodies is to practice infrared detox. Inside of an infrared sauna the energy and heat penetrates the body very deeply, and in doing so, it stimulates detoxification at the cellular level. Check out the series of excerpts below to gain a better understanding of how exposure to infrared energy can help with your detoxification needs.“Infrared Sauna – …IR penetrates the tissues of the body to a depth of around 1.5 inches, heating up the insides of the cells which stimulates the release of toxins.” https://well.org/fitness/detoxing-saunas/The HOTWORX series of 10 isometric and HIIT workouts utilizes a specially designed far infrared sauna to provide for the execution of a fitness strategy and a detox strategy within the same training session.“Far Infrared Rays are invisible waves of energy that have the ability to penetrate all layers of the human physical body, penetrating into the inner-most regions of the tissues, muscles and bone. I am a huge proponent of using Far Infrared as an aid in detoxification. In my practice, I have found that this type of therapy may help in fat loss, chronic fatigue [1], water retention, skin disorders, as well as in the elimination heavy metals, poisons, and carcinogenic material from our bodies. Far Infrared can also increase the processing enzyme activity in our digestive tract, as well as boost metabolism.”Dr. Edward Grouphttps://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-therapy/HOTWORX has discovered that the ideal infrared sauna temperature for a 30 minute isometric and a 15 minute HIIT workout is 125 degrees fahrenheit…“Far Infrared Saunas are being used by some doctors to stimulate the release of toxins from the bodies of their patients. They have found that a lower temperature (105-130 F) sauna taken for a longer duration is most beneficial. These low temperatures stimulate a fat sweat, which eliminates toxins stored in fat, as opposed to the high temperature sauna (over 180 F), which encourages a water sweat.” https://www.evolutionhealth.com/sauna-detoxificationHOTWORX recommends at least three infrared workouts per week for general fitness and detox.“… [A]ll of us live in an invisible cesspool, and we don't know it. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothing we wear... One of the detox strategies employed by Dr. George Yu, a surgical oncologist in Washington D.C who also happens to be a colleague of Dr. Clement's, is based on using very high doses of niacin, up to 5,000 milligrams, along with intense exercise immediately followed by a sauna… According to Dr. Clement, infrared saunas help release every type of toxic contamination you have in your body; most notable of which are mercury and lead."http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/21/dr-clement-on-detoxification.aspxBut, why not combine infrared sauna therapy with the workout? HOTWORX has done this to provide for more workout in less time with the 3D training method: infrared energy + heat + exercise.What about our firefighters who are increasingly exposed to toxins released when petrochemical based items begin to burn? Did you know…“Cancer is the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths in the United States, and according to the International Association of Fire Fighters, about 60 percent of career firefighters will die this way, “with their boots off,” as they call it… Studies have confirmed that firefighters’ gear and skin gets coated in higher levels of potentially carcinogenic compounds, such as phthalates—chemicals that are added to plastics to make them soft—as well as arsenic, lead, and mercury. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/09/our-toxic-homes/404722/HOTWORX recently donated an infrared workout sauna to the firefighters of Haltom City, TX Fire Station #1, the first sauna donated in the effort to help kick the “ash” out of cancer!“Sweat therapy using saunas has been extensively researched and shown to be effective at lowering levels of fat soluble chemicals. One study observed an average reduction of 21.3% of 16 different chemicals in adipose tissue samples following sauna therapy. Interestingly, a follow up measurement four months after completion of the sauna program detected an average reduction of 42.4% for the same 16 chemicals…This post-treatment reduction has led some physicians to speculate that the program was rehabilitating for the body’s natural mechanisms of elimination. Many physicians concluded that sauna therapy certainly does provide this rehabilitating effect. The Bio-Toxic Reduction Program reported that dozens of patients experienced significant reductions in body toxin levels and improvements in a wide array of medical conditions.” http://my.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/save-your-life-fire-stationFirefighters often complain about the lingering smell of toxins in their hair and skin for days after battling a fire. In a recent news story, one firefighter provides a detox story…“We got back from a fire the other day, decontaminated our gear and then my Lieutenant and I jumped into the sauna for about 15 minutes. Within the first two minutes you are just sweating profusely. You could tell a big difference, the smell of the smoke was not stuck in my nose or my skin,” said Geryak. http://fox59.com/2017/04/20/ifd-firefighters-sweat-out-dangerous-toxins-to-fight-back-against-growing-cancer-epidemic/The scientific and anecdotal evidence continues mount to suggest that people should consider infrared sauna detoxification. And to enhance your detox even further, try infrared exercise!

Hot exercise is the most efficient way to detox your body.  In order to maximize the detox effect it is important to wipe your body clean from the sweat that you generate from hot exercise so that those toxins do not re-enter your body.

You should use a cold towelette immediately following your workout session.  The cold towelette feels amazing on your skin but it performs a more important function than just making you feel good, it wipes your body clean from all of the unhealthy elements that you have just detoxed through the sweat generated from your workout and from the penetration of the infrared energy and heat.

Try a lemon essential oil infused towelette.  Lemon essential oil is good for mental clarity as an aromatherapy and it is excellent for cleansing the skin.

“Lemon oil is stimulating while it is calming. It has anti-infection, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant, and anti-fungal properties.  Lemon oil works in many areas of your life, from household cleaning to supporting brain energy and freshening the air.  As an extra bonus, lemon oil adds flavor to your water or your favorite foods, all while helping you get rid of bacteria!”  http://www.celestinevision.com/2015/07/health/health-benefits-of-lemon-essential-oil/

Immediately following your workout you should grab a cold lemon towelette.  I recommend that you wipe your face first, then your neck followed by the rest of your body.  Once you try it you will want it after every workout session in the sauna!

It’s a guilt-free pleasure!!

Like many people, I enjoy going to rock concerts.  Good bands form to make good music, and like a great rock band does for music, you can form a “fitness band” to to make great workouts!

At our headquarters on the Westbank of New Orleans, myself along with April Grandbouche our Director of Logistics and Manufacturing, and Robyn Powell our Director of IT, we formed a fitness band of three and we have been killing it for lunchtime workouts inside of our corporate HOTWORX sauna.  We discovered the effectiveness of this approach to working out which includes: motivation, accountability and camaraderie combined with the fun of doing a different HOTWORX isometric or HIIT workout every day on a rotation.

Motivation

It has been proven that motivation goes up when workouts are performed in a group.  You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “band together for a common cause” (author unknown).  One can accomplish more when banded together by three!  Energy of one can be transformed into synergy of three given the right workout and environment.

Accountability

Form a fitness band and your workout discipline will elevate in terms of workout frequency and workout intensity.  You will not want to let your band down!  It’s a good form of peer pressure.

Camaraderie

The HOTWORX sauna and workout program was invented to leverage the power of a small group of three individuals working out together to the same program.  In a small group of three the competitiveness is intimate and empowering.  For our group, we find camaraderie in the fact that we all have busy schedules, we all have kids and we all work for the same organization.  We workout fast and we have fun doing it as a team!

The fact that more workout gets done in way less time is probably the most important advantage.  As a former 90 minute hot yoga enthusiast, I can tell you that you will experience the same, perhaps even better results with a 30 minute HOTWORX routine, which makes it perfect for a lunchtime group!  Use a cold lemon infused towelette to wipe off the toxins afterwards and you will be refreshed, energized and ready for the rest of your work day.

Great rock bands synchronize their instruments and vocals to create great music.  You can find your band of three and create a great hot workout vibe for your new fitness band!

Firefighters battle against untold numbers of toxins as they perform their duty in selfless service to our communities.  When battling fires, cancer causing toxins are absorbed by firefighters through their skin and should be removed through detox as soon as possible.  “68 percent of firefighters develop cancer, compared with 22 percent in the general population.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/05/16/greenfield-firefighters-get-sauna-sweat-out-toxins-fires/322414001/

HOTWORX was honored to give an infrared workout and detox sauna to the firefighters of Haltom City, TX recently.  Due to the efforts of the HOTWORX Studio franchisees Chaise and Shanee' Hudson, the unit was donated and dedicated to Fire Chief Perry Bynum and the firefighters of the Haltom Fire Station #1. Chaise is also a lieutenant at that station.  HOTWORX has pledged to donate saunas to the other two fire stations under the command of Chief Bynum in the very near future.

[caption id="attachment_26480" align="aligncenter" width="300"]

Chaise & Shanee’ next to the fire station unit.[/caption]

HOTWORX was presented with an incredible plaque and ceremonial firefighters axe at the donation event as shown in the photo below.  Part of the plaque read: “Haltom City Fire/Rescue and HOTWORX Teaming up to kick the “Ash” out of Cancer!”

As a result of the first sauna being donated to the Haltom Fire-Rescue station, a new program has been created to donate at least one HOTWORX sauna per year to a fire station that has been nominated by a franchisee and possibly more than one per year as the HOTWORX organization grows and expands.  All nominated stations that are not selected to receive a donated unit will be entitled to purchase one for 50% off of the list price for the sauna and 50% off of shipping and white glove installation.

[caption id="attachment_26479" align="aligncenter" width="300"]

Myself, HOTWORX franchisees Chaise & Shanee’ Hudson, and Fire Chief Perry Bynum[/caption]

Additionally, all participating HOTWORX Studios and Planet Beach spray & spa locations that have HOTWORX saunas will grant a permanent 20% membership discount to all firefighters.

We would like to send out a big thanks all firefighter's for their bravery and service to all of us. In the future we look forward to helping as many firefighters as possible in their constant battle against cancer causing toxins.  Let’s kick the “Ash” out of cancer together!

It’s ok.  It’s even advisable to practice a variety of workouts within any given week of fitness.  What is important is that the individual workouts remain consistent.  Nobody wants to get bored with their fitness routine and workouts should remain exciting and fun.  Individual workouts should remain consistent, though, so that clients can measure their performance effectively.  To keep things exciting, combining different types of consistent workouts is a great idea!

We kept these things in mind when we created the first HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio.  As a professional trainer, I knew that we had to keep our individual workouts consistent and familiar to our customers while keeping things exciting for them with variety and options.  Cross training by practicing different types of workouts has been around for a long time, and it can provide stimulation for muscle development beyond just keeping to the same workout type every session.

“Research on exercise adherence indicates that many individuals drop out of exercise programs because they become bored or injured. Cross training is a safe and relatively easy way to add variety to an exercise program. In the process, it can play a positive role in promoting long-term exercise adherence by reducing the incidence of injury and eliminating or diminishing the potential for boredom.”  https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy-living-article/60/36/what-is-cross-training-and-why-is-it/

We have found from our membership data that the HOTWORX Studio concept has an incredibly high exercise adherence ratio as compared to industry standards.  One of the reasons for this high level of repeat studio member visits is due to the opportunity to easily practice cross training.  HOTWORX members can choose from 8 different 30 minute isometric workouts 2 different 15 minute HIIT workouts and a complete functional training area called the FX Zone.  There are endless combinations of ways to cross train.  Some members practice the “Bonfire Workout” which is a back to back workout session consisting of isometrics followed immediately by HIIT or vice versa!  Some members simply schedule a different workout type every day, for example: Monday-Hot Yoga, Tuesday-Bonfire Hot Iso and Hot Cycle, Wednesday-Hot Warrior, Thursday-Hot Pilates, Friday-Bonfire Hot Core and Hot Row.

There are thousands of ways to combine the workouts in the 24 hour HOTWORX infrared fitness studio environment.  The cross training combinations are limitless.

Keep the individual workouts consistent and cross train for variety!

It’s mid-summer and the vacation season is in full swing.  Like many Americans, I celebrated the 4th of July with friends at a pool party.  This particular party was at a large pool in Biloxi, MS that is on the grounds of a major hotel-casino facility.  The pool was packed for the holiday.  Unfortunately for our group, which consisted of athletes of all types and fitness enthusiasts, smoking is allowed at this facility which is open to the public for a fee.  The secondhand smoke permeated all of the air surrounding that pool.  It was disgusting.

Secondhand tobacco smoke is a serious health problem!

When you type in a search for toxicity of secondhand smoke, you will likely see a Google featured snippet from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website. It reads:

“Secondhand smoke is smoke from burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Secondhand smoke also is smoke that has been exhaled, or breathed out, by the person smoking. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer.”   (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm)

“Since 1964, approximately 2,500,000 nonsmokers have died from health problems caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.”(https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm)

It is obvious that breathing secondhand smoke is toxic, but what we don’t stop to think about is the toxicity of secondhand smoke as it is absorbed through the skin.

“ ‘What’s new here is that the researchers have now shown that a meaningful uptake of nicotine is possible from dermal exposure to secondhand smoke,’ says Frederick Frasch. He’s a scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown, W.V.”  (https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/nicotine-smoke-enters-body-through-skin)

“…keeping skin exposures to nicotine low is important. This chemical is toxic. It has been used as a pesticide. It also can sicken — even kill — people if they are exposed to too much (such as if liquid nicotine spills onto their skin).”  (https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/nicotine-smoke-enters-body-through-skin)

Back to my story…

The day after July 4th, I worked out with two of my colleagues at our headquarters.  We tackled the HOTWORX Hot Warrior during our lunch break.  This workout is an elevated blend of yoga, athletic isometrics and pilates.  Almost immediately during that infrared sauna workout at 125 degrees, I began to sweat.  To my astonishment, I could literally smell the same odor from the pool the day before!  I was sweating out the same toxins that my skin had absorbed (and that I had breathed in) from the secondhand smoke exposure.  Thank goodness for the HOTWORX workout or those toxins may still be in my body.

The following day I powered through Hot Core with my co-workers and then on Friday we all did the HOTWORX Hot Yoga.  We are fortunate to have a HOTWORX infrared workout sauna installed at our corporate offices here on the Westbank of New Orleans.  What a perfect corporate wellness addition to our gym.  After three straight days of hot infrared exercise I feel completely clean on the inside!

In all of my experience with athletic training and fitness, I can say with complete confidence that there is no better workout for detox than HOTWORX, hands down!

One of the greatest advantages of yoga and other isometric types of workouts is the benefits that are gained from exercise without the wear and tear of high impact movement.  Indoor cycling and rowing provide solid zero impact workouts too.  Infrared heat makes low impact training even more attractive due to the workout recovery component that it adds to the fitness equation.

Athletic style fitness training is all the rage these days.  As a former athlete, I can attest to the effectiveness of ballistic movement and plyometrics, but injuries are sure to occur with such high impact methods. While plyometrics can provide excellent training for sports, there is a high probability of risk for injury and I would not recommend it for general fitness programs.

Recently I was speaking to another fitness professional who made the prediction that in the near future there would be a wave of long term injuries caused from excessive plyometric exercise practiced for general fitness reasons.  Unfortunately, I believe that he is right.

“If you are considering this type of training be warned! With high reward always comes high risk. The incidences of orthopedic injuries with ballistic activities are higher than with traditional exercise. In my practice I have seen many athletes who have started plyometric exercises without having the proper core strength to begin with.”  http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/daniel-baumstark-physical-injury-and-rehab/plyometric-exercise-is-that-for-me/

Flawed plyometric programming and larger fitness training classes are contributing to the problem.  Plyometrics, or “jump training” can be very dangerous due to the stress from the landings mainly.  The high acceleration and landing impact is dangerous resulting in wear and tear to the spine and joints. The damage can be cumulative and can result in long term injury over time.

Reports have shown that high-impact repetitive exercise results in spinal shrinkage. “Studies indicate that the musculoskeletal system is subjected to impact forces between 3-5 times body weight as a result of landing from a plyometric activity (depth jumps).”  http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/plyometric-injuries.html#

“My premise is that all injuries (i.e. tissue damage) are caused by the application of forces that exceed the structural tolerances of the tissues injured. A bone fracture is an obvious example. Simply put, plyometrics exposes a trainee to injury level forces and this is unnecessary to gain the adaptive benefits of exercise.”  http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1198071/what-are-the-risks-of-plyometric

Fortunately, there are better ways to achieve optimum levels of fitness.  Zero impact programs can easily get your heart rate to the right level quickly, especially when they are performed in a heated studio.

HOTWORX provides a variety of infrared workouts that are all designed for zero impact fitness.  With our 3-Dimensional training method that combines zero impact exercise with heat and infrared energy, the metabolism is accelerated and the time to warm up to the full workout intensity is reduced to provide for more fitness in less time with no impact to the joints!

I hear of people who complain about that “thing” that has grown to incredible heights and has been around for a long time that they should have bought stock in years ago, or that they should have bought the franchise for before they sold out of territory.  The fact is, they failed to recognize the difference between a fad and a trend and did not act on the investment opportunity.

A fad is a temporary fashion, but a trend is a sustained movement.

Hot Yoga has been around now for half a century.  I dare say that nobody considers it to be a fad anymore.

“Trends evolve and develop. Fads don’t.” “A trend is an evolutionary behaviour, gaining momentum & cultural roots…” “Fads don’t change things. Trends do” “Trends are the behaviour, fads are how the behaviour is expressed” “Timescale and groups: fads are short, small & divisive, trends are long, large and inclusive”  https://image.slidesharecdn.com/squared2012feedback-120320173131-phpapp02/95/what-is-the-difference-between-a-fad-and-a-trend-14-728.jpg?cb=1332267339

What turns into a trend for the long term is spawned from discoveries of how to make something good even better.  Of course, our example would be yoga.  Yoga has been around for many centuries.  The discovery of “hot” yoga in the 1960’s made yoga better.  Then in 2014 the innovation of the HOTWORX infrared sauna design for heated exercise made hot yoga and other isometric and HIIT workout forms even better!

Let’s look outside of our industry.

Take telephones for example.  Obviously, the telephone was an invention that is still “trending” today.  The telephone has been around for over a century now, but there have been many upgrades and innovations applied to the telephone over the years.  Nobody uses a rotary phone anymore.  Touch phones were introduced by Bell Telephone Company in 1963 leading everyone to a better way to dial.

Apple completely reinvented the phone again with the introduction of the iPhone in the summer of 2007.  Now, Apple is, and has been the most valuable company in the world for quite some time.  The iPhone was not a fad, it was a compilation of discoveries that made a long term trend even better, and it continues to evolve and improve.

How can I recognize a fad?

The best way to describe a fad is to say that it is a temporary fashion.  The fitness landscape is littered with the carcasses of products and brands that were fads.  Take a look back.  Do you remember the Ab-Buster, Bowflex, ThighMaster, Stripper Aerobics…, all flash-in-the pan products that failed to remain relevant in the arc of the general fitness trend.  And, I have to say there is the one product that really gets under my skin as a fitness professional, the twister board.  What an exercise folly, and a fad for the record books if there ever was one…  

Now what about fitness products that have withstood the test of time.  The Reebok Step is such a great example.  Step workouts are still alive and well!  I also have to recognize the TRX brand and suspension training as one of those discoveries that become a long term trend.  As a TRX certified trainer, I can tell you that suspension training is an awesome, zero impact addition to any functional workout.

How can I recognize a trend?

One way, in fitness, is to measure the repeat usage of that product by its customers.  HOTWORX Studios has an incredible repeat usage rate.  For typical gyms, daily usage hovers at around 10-15% of total membership base per day.  With HOTWORX, the usage is MUCH higher reaching over 50% at times.  What’s trending now is HOTWORX!!!  Customers want more from their workouts, and in less time.  Getting better workouts and saving time will never go out of style!

Yes, one function of sweating is detoxification of your body.  Common sense should tell you that.  But, in spite of the vast body of evidence that continues to mount, there are still people that refuse to believe it.  To the shrinking number of those who cling to that stubborn refusal, here is a question for you…

How do you explain why numerous scientific studies have shown that toxicants including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are excreted through the skin from sweating?

Over the weekend, one such “stubborn” individual boldly stated that health benefits from sauna usage was a myth.  I argued that the only myth in that stream of online debate was his purporting to actually know something about fitness.  He asked for any evidence from a scientific journal.  Well, sir, here it is:

I like to quote from a Canadian research paper that was published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health in 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312275/

In this article, the authors cite 52 references from various other health and medical journals.

Please take a moment to read a few notable quotes from the article…

“Sweat contains metals not only from the blood plasma, but also evidently originating from dermal layers (particularly with significant dermal exposures, as for workers in welding, smelting, or battery manufacturing).”

“Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury may be excreted in appreciable quantities through the skin, and rates of excretion were reported to match or even exceed urinary excretion in a 24-hour period. This is of particular interest should renal compromise limit urinary excretion of toxic elements.”

“…the available evidence suggests that physicians could consider recommending sweating as tolerated via exercise (preferred) and/or use of a sauna as a low-risk, potentially beneficial treatment for individuals who may be experiencing effects of toxic elements, or for individuals with regular exposure to or accretion of toxicants.”

“Sweating is not only observed to enhance excretion of the toxic elements of interest in this paper, but also may increase excretion of diverse toxicants, as observed in New York rescue workers [47], or in particular persistent flame retardants [48] and bisphenol-A [49].”

Here at the HOTWORX Blog, we take sweating seriously!

I’ve already written about the importance of setting up an event as a motivator for your fitness program.  This topic is so important, though, I feel that it is worthy of a second blog post.  In my years as an entrepreneur I have found that nothing, not even cash, motivates people more than a trip incentive for extraordinary productivity.  For example, our franchise company is currently incentivized by a potential trip to Jamaica for top performers.  We will see who will be on that Superstar Trip later this year!

An event to prepare for is probably the strongest inspiration that there is to get your body in shape.  Fitness Competitions are an extreme example.  Competing in a fitness show is certainly a reason to work out hard, but your event doesn’t have to be that intense.  It can be a simple weekend vacation to the beach that gets you to your ideal weight or that helps you to finally reveal your abs again.  All kinds of events are motivating and your imagination is your only boundary when creating these “fitness” events.  Just because I call them fitness events doesn’t mean that you have to perform some physical activity at the event, though.  Activity vacations are great and you should plan one soon, and maybe you just don’t want to be winded next time you go hiking or skiing and that is your goal. That’s great, but alternatively, maybe you want to look your very best for your friends wedding, or maybe there is a banquet you want to be sharp for, or a conference, or a high school reunion coming up.   Every event like those is an opportunity to take your fitness motivation to a higher level too.

At the corporate headquarters for HOTWORX on the Westbank of New Orleans, we facilitate two trip incentives for our corporate staff and our franchisees and their staff.  For productivity in the first half of the year, the top performers travel to the Superstar Trip in the fall.  Then the top performers sail on the Success Cruise in the spring for their productivity in the second half of the year.  Of course, these trips are designed to increase work productivity, but they also foster more intense employee fitness training as a side benefit to the organization.  A healthier staff means more productivity, as has been well documented!!!

So, get passionate about your next trip.  Set up a vacation or identify an upcoming event that inspires you, daily, to bring it when you train!  Be sure to supplement your workouts with hot exercise.  And remember… The quality of how you look and feel and live depends on your level of motivation!!!!

I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t want a better workout in a shorter amount of time.  This is why we created the 3-Dimensional workout. When you add elements of (D1) heat and (D2) infrared energy to your (D3) workout, then you can accomplish way more in less time.  When you workout in the HOTWORX infrared sauna you will experience a great isometric or HIIT routine while you are detoxing and while you are recovering from your workout.  Yes, that’s right, recovery WHILE you are working out due to the infrared energy vibrations providing therapy for your muscles!

Because of the 125 degrees inside of the infrared sauna, your core will heat up way more rapidly allowing your heart rate to rise to your desired workout level much sooner than a workout in a typical air-conditioned fitness studio.  Infrared heat is far superior to traditionally heated studios due to the aforementioned fact and all of the other benefits listed three paragraphs below.

I stumbled upon a great article about infrared on well-beingsecrets.com.  The health and fitness blogger is Helen Nichols, a self described “passionate health junkie” who holds a degree in nutritional science.  When you get a moment, check out the link to her article and pay close attention to the section titled “Far Infrared Saunas” and the benefits of far infrared therapy.

Did you know… ”All living things need sunshine for two reasons – far infrared heat and Vitamin D.  Far Infrared Rays (FIR) are the so-called ‘warm’ energy present in all living things, which is emitted from sunlight.”

The infrared energy list of benefits to your workout include: body detox, improved blood circulation, reduced blood pressure, immune system boosts, prevents sunburns, treats arteriovenous fistula (blood vessel disorder), improves digestion, helps chronic fatigue, reduces pain and stiffness, lowers side effects of diabetes, treats some forms of cancer, improves motor functions, treats allergic rhinitis (hay fever), stimulates weight loss and reduces stress by improving mood and well being.  http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-rays/

Let’s just say far infrared is good for you and your workout!

“Compared to steam saunas or conventional heat, far infrared is thought to be seven times more effective at detoxifying heavy metals (such as mercury and aluminum), cholesterol, alcohol, nicotine, ammonia, sulfuric acid, and other environmental toxins”.  http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/health-benefits-of-far-infrared-rays/

Infrared works at the cellular level increasing the efficiency of the metabolic process and thereby improving the efficiency of your workouts!  More workout in less time!!  Just remember

heat + infrared energy + exercise = 3-Dimensional workouts for those who want to increase workout effectiveness.

Go for MORE workout in LESS time.

As a fitness trainer with many years of one-on-one and small group training experience, I can certainly understand how the thought of relinquishing in-person training to a virtual instructor would cause angst throughout the personal training industry. What we have found, though, is that customers love the virtually instructed workouts with small groups of three people.  While it is very important to have a fitness studio manager with personal training credits and experience, it is no longer necessary to maintain a full staff of live trainers.

Virtual instructors are always on point, and on time.  There is nothing worse than showing up for a fitness class or for yoga and the instructor is late or lacking in customer communication skills.  How about the trainer who just has to scream at the class due to some primal "control" issue?  That might work for high school football but it's not very motivating in a professional fitness setting.

Timing is everything!  With professionally produced virtual instructor videos, timer countdowns and exercise queueing can be more precise.  There is no opportunity for editing during a live instructor session.  With virtual instruction, customers appreciate that they will always receive the same on time and high quality workout.

Virtually instructed workouts for HOTWORX are delivered by highly qualified instructors for each session.  HOTWORX originated the 3 person, 63 square foot, virtually instructed, infrared workout sauna (patents now pending for utility and design).

One more thing, virtual instructors never show up hungover, or with a low energy level!

Aromatherapy has been used as a form of medicine for centuries with records dating back to ancient times.  Aromatherapy is the use of plant essential oils to improve mind and body functions.  The scent of properly mixed and released essential oil blends can have positive effects on a workout, especially a hot exercise session.  You have to try it to understand the uplifting experience.  Essential oil scents can be used to elevate your emotional state before, during and after your workout session.  It has the effect of increasing awareness and improving workout focus.

In my last blog I mentioned working out with one of our members in Oxford, MS in the Hot Row Sauna.  Hot Row is a 15 minute HOTWORX original super HIIT workout that is a must on the bucket list for any fitness enthusiast.

The member that I was working out with had a 2oz bottle of Wyx spa spray.  She took it out, told me about it, and proceeded to spray it in her area and asked if I wanted it in my area.  Of course I said yes.  I hadn’t used the spa spray in a while and it was nice to get reacquainted with its effectiveness.  My favorite is the tea tree and melon blend from Wyx.  Towards the end of the HIIT session, she sprayed both areas again.  She told me that she absolutely loved the Wyx essential oil and that she was hooked on the spray for the workout!

When she sprayed my space I noticed an immediate heightening of the senses, and it really enhanced the sauna environment.  Without a doubt, I noticed an increased level of motivation to keep pushing and rowing and sweating!

Below is a description of my favorite workout “space and body” spray:

Wyx Spa Spray - Tea Tree Melon

Size: 2 fl oz

For: Space & Body.  This spa spray will enhance any yoga/workout session (and any HIIT session) while creating a mind-body connection.

The blend:  Purified water, pure essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia), pure essential oil of peppermint (Menthe Arvensis), pure essential oil of camphor (Cinnamomum Camphora), an all natural blend of honeydew melon, musk melon, watermelon & cucumber.

Suggested Use:  Shake well, hold in upright position and spray on yoga mat and body before, during and after yoga, or HIIT and sauna. Great to use during any workout session and to freshen any room, workplace or vehicle.

There are countless combinations of blends that can be experimented with to create a good essential oil workout scent.  Tea tree, eucalyptus (make sure you are not allergic to eucalyptus), geranium, lemon, orange, peppermint, rosemary, black pepper and lavender essential oils are good, to name a few.  Find your favorite scent and keep it in your gym bag, or yoga bag to energize your workouts.  Spray it on your skin when you are sweating and be sure to keep it out of your eyes.  Also, you should spray your workout mat/towel and around your space inside of the HOTWORX infrared sauna.

Try adding a couple of drops of a citrus essential oil such as lemon to your workout water for increased hydration efficiency and better water taste.

Add a little aromatherapy for your next hot exercise session.

Today I had an amazing workout at the original HOTWORX Studio here in beautiful Oxford, MS.  I started with the FX Zone for an awesome functional back and bicep workout utilizing the Myokore suspension straps for back and a combination of dumbbells, suspension straps, and bands for biceps.  Then, after a short break, I jumped in the infrared HOTWORX sauna for a perfect 15 minute total body blast of cardio (and resistance) training with the cross-rower.

I was fortunate enough to get my HIIT with one of our customers who enhanced the workout for the two of us by using a tea tree essential oil workout spray that really invigorates the environment for a HIIT session.  Stay tuned for next weeks blog post which will explore the use of essential oils for infrared sauna workouts.

Back to the cross-rower for the perfect HIIT.  The cross-rower allows you to experience a chest press, row, and leg press all at once.  Think about doing all three exercises constantly for 15 minutes with high intensity intervals, and inside of the infrared heat at 125 degrees!  Yes, WOW is the word for that experience!!  As a fitness professional, I can tell you that it is the best 15 minutes of HIIT that you will find, bar none.

Talk about a 3D workout…infrared—125 degrees—upper and lower body resistance training…all at the same time.  This type of training is for those who want to get the utmost in results in the shortest amount of time.  You gotta try this HOTWORX original workout!!!

Interested in becoming a HOTWORX franchisee? Visit hotworx.net/franchising for more details!

Functional training continues to gain in popularity throughout the fitness world today. So, what is functional training anyway?

“Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasize core stability.”  http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/functional-fitness/art-20047680

In contrast to the rows of limited movement weight training machines that occupy so much room in the average gym, there is no limit to the types of functional exercise movements that can be created and practiced with good form.  All you need is body weight, gravity, a small area of space, and a few simple fitness tools.

In each HOTWORX 24 hour infrared fitness studio there is an area called the FX Zone.  FX stands for functional exercise.  The FX Zone is a functional training area that provides for supplemental resistance exercise with bands, Myokore suspension training straps, dip bars, chin bars, dumbbells, kettle bells, ropes, medicine balls, stability balls and the like.

In the FX Zone a 24 hour “silent trainer” coaches clients through two types of functional workouts, a band workout and a suspension workout.  There is no need for a trainer screaming at you in the FX Zone.  The workouts are set to 60 second interval countdowns for each exercise.  A new workout begins every 25 minutes and clients can jump in when they are ready and stay for as long as they desire to workout.  Or, if they choose, clients can simply freestyle any type of functional training they want in the FX Zone.

We are happy to announce that we have over 30 new franchise HOTWORX studios now under development in 5 states.  Soon you will be able to experience the silent FX trainer in person in your own town.  The silent trainer keeps your workout form on track and the timer keeps you moving.  Many clients combine functional exercise with the HOTWORX infrared workouts for the best of functional resistance and isometric training back-to-back.

There are many “firsts” in terms of fitness technology that HOTWORX has introduced to the industry including: The patent pending 63 square foot three person infrared workout sauna, virtual instruction for small group infrared training, the “silent” functional trainer (topic for next week), the Burn Off App, the 30 minute infrared isometric workout and the 15 minute infrared HIIT to name a few.But… perhaps the most important HOTWORX innovation is the invention of 24 hour availability of hot yoga! My blog title is probably not quite right, because there is more than just hot yoga 24/7. With the HOTWORX infrared workout sauna, our members can now utilize access to a variety of hot exercise options 24 hours a day. This is a huge advantage for our members. In the modern world, the traditional fitness studio class schedules are just not convenient for everyone, and even for people who maintain a normal daily work schedule, they sometimes prefer to workout late at night, super early in the morning, or at odd hours during the weekend.

24 hour availability for a variety of studio workouts is important to the modern fitness enthusiast!

Two things really annoy me when I see them practiced by personal trainers and fitness instructors of all types of exercise.  One, many trainers just ignore the importance of flexibility as a component of each workout and the second thing that really gets under my skin is when instructors advise clients that they must do something different EVERY time they workout.  Injuries happen frequently due to this schizophrenic approach to training.

Lack of proper stretching for flexibility is not good and that can be the subject of another blog article, but what bothers me most is the constant push for changing of every workout and change for every set of each exercise.  Change is good, but timing is everything when it comes to changing your workout routine.  Thus, the seemingly lost art of consistency in fitness needs to be taken into account, once again, to reign in the excessive variety zealots!

What is consistency in fitness?  Let’s take a look at the online definition of the word.

Google Definition

noun: consistency

1. conformity in the application of something, typically that which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness.

"the grading system is to be streamlined to ensure greater consistency”

synonyms:  uniformity, constancy, regularity, evenness, steadiness, stability, equilibrium;

More

the achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time.

"his principal problem in tennis has been consistency”

Without workout consistency in fitness it becomes very difficult to measure performance progress.  In business, performance progress measurement is vital to success of the organization.  Business performance is measured simply to a standard set for the same business unit in the previous month or in the same month for the previous year.  Business progress is also measured by comparing results to industry standards.  The same logic applies to individual fitness programs.  For example, If a particular workout calls for a 2.5 minute plank, then you will perform the exercise to a level.  When you do the exact same plank for the same 2.5 minutes three days later, chances are you will be stronger and you will perform at a higher level with better form and with less effort.  It is easy to measure your performance when there is consistency with your workout routines.  Conversely, if your trainer calls for you to do a different exercise every single time that you work out, then how will you measure your progress?  What will you have to measure it against?

Variety of workouts = good.Constant change within those workouts = not so good.

It is certainly ok, and even advisable most of the time to do different types of workouts during your week so long as those workouts remain consistent with their flow of exercises.  HOTWORX   24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studios provide multiple types of isometric workouts and HIIT workouts that remain consistent.  The workouts that need to be revised are upgraded every quarter or 6 months, as needed, but remain true to the flow of exercises so members can always measure their performance on a consistent basis.  Consistency provides a rock solid foundation.

Within consistency, there is plenty of opportunity to experience variety as you progress within a workout routine.  How?  As your strength, balance, endurance and form improves, through the process of improvement you will discover and learn new movement.  Focus on learning new movement.  Learning requires an openness to variety of movement and trial and error.  Discovery of new movement within the disciplines of consistent workout types is the most important variety to seek, not just variety from different exercises in every set.

When you begin to practice consistent workout routines you will easily see the gains that you will make.  Keeping it simple with consistency is powerful in terms of motivation.

Consistency provides for easy progress measurement and constant progress is the best workout reinforcement there is.  Remain consistent my friends!

Doesn’t it just seem logical to workout in the morning before your work day?  There is no doubt that a great morning workout can elevate your day.  Here are five good reasons to consider making morning the time for your daily exercise.

1- Morning workouts improve your discipline.  When your discipline improves:  you may find that you eat healthier meals;  your punctuality may become a higher priority;  and you will begin to make better research habits…

2- Workout after burn calorie effect works better beginning with breakfast after your workout.

3- The morning exercise kick starts your energy level for the day.

4- A morning workout turns up the brain power.  Studies have proven that a morning workout is better than coffee to start day with high focus.  I like both actually, the morning workout with the morning coffee!

“Aside from all the benefits that come with being healthier, your brain is literally going to its “happy place” when you exercise. Why not start your day off that way?”

https://ca.edubirdie.com/blog/benefits-of-morning-exercise

“…findings suggest that if you have a big presentation or meeting where you need your focus and attention to be at its peak, you should get in a workout ahead of time to maximize those brain functions.”  https://qz.com/592569/a-neuroscientist-says-theres-a-powerful-benefit-to-exercise-that-is-rarely-discussed/?utm_source=qzfbarchive

5- Sleep is better.  When you workout in the a.m., there is a more logical daily fatigue pattern.  When combined with infrared exposure, then you can expect even deeper and longer sleep as a result of your early day workouts.

If you want to double jump start your day, try breaking your workout up into morning and lunch for a second energy boost.  Here’s an idea… Do hot isometrics in the morning and a 15 minute hot HIIT for lunch!  Your day will be awesome and your night will be filled with deep meaningful sleep!!

Keep your morning workout quick with a 15 min HIIT or 30 minute iso.  A good 30 minute functional workout, such as bands or suspension straps, works well too for the morning “wake up call”.  Add infrared to your morning workout for a multidimensional boost!

I was handed a copy of March 2017 Muscle and Performance magazine by a co-worker recently.  She was excited to point out an article that featured the annual American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends” and she was happy to tell me all of the trends that HOTWORX currently offers within the top 10 for this year.  I pay close attention to this list every year, as any fitness professional should.  To come up with the list ACSM interviewed 1800 fitness authorities and researched over 40 distinct trends.  Here is the list:

ACSM’s Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2017

1. Wearable Technology
2. Bodyweight Training
3. High-Intensity Interval Training
4. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals
5. Strength Training
6. Group Training
7. Exercise is Medicine
8. Yoga
9. Personal Training
10. Exercise and Weight Loss

The number one trend is wearable technology.  I would argue that wearable technology for the wrist is the most important of these devices.  People want a watch that can deliver the data that they need.  The chest strap heart rate monitor is too inconvenient and wrist devices have become much more accurate and reliable.  HOTWORX studios offer a proprietary, “Burn Off” app that works in concert with any (1) wrist device so long as that device has a heart rate sensor.  The Burn Off App lets users rely on the algorithms of their own preferred device.  The Burn Off app allows HOTWORX members to track their individual 90 day calorie burning progress with the infrared sauna workouts and it resets for them automatically every 90 days.

Bodyweight Training is number two.  Wrist and ankle weights have been around for decades, but the weighted torso attachments are relatively new.  (2) We do have customers who use these tools to enhance their HOTWORX isometric workouts.  HIIT makes number (3) and HOTWORX recently introduced the first ever 15 minute infrared HIIT workouts with Hot Row and Hot Cycle.

Educated staff with experience in fitness is extremely important to ensure that customers understand the types of workouts that are offered by any club, studio or gym and to ensure that the workout experience is top notch.  (4) A degree in exercise and experience in fitness club management are preferred for general managers of HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studios.

(5) Strength training is part of the HOTWORX studio experience.  Within the FX Zone where all of the functional training tools are kept, there is an opportunity for members to follow the (9) silent trainer on the screen through a band workout or a suspension training routine.  Of course, there is plenty of opportunity for strength gains with the (8) isometric workouts as well, especially given the infrared “anabolic effect” (please take time to read my blog article, “Sauna Anabolic” to gain a better understanding of this for strength training).

Of course, there is the importance of group training.  It has been proven that people workout with higher levels of intensity when they workout with others.  (6) That is one of the reasons why we designed the original isometric workout sauna to accommodate three users per session with a patent pending 63 square foot design. (7) Higher workout intensity levels lead to greater results for a healthier life.  Fitness is viewed as medicine now.  It is well understood that exercise leads to a higher quality of life.  Now we can combine infrared energy and all of the positive benefits into the act of exercise making for an even higher quality of result in less time.

The final top 10 trend, exercise and weight loss is particularly relevant to HOTWORX.  I call the HOTWORX infrared sauna the weight loss wizard!  That is because I see incredible weight loss results for customers from the workouts every week.  (10) Members rave about the accelerated weight loss results from their HOTWORX routines.

So there you have it, HOTWORX studios incorporate all of the elements of the top ten fitness trends for this year.

Many of you may have experienced how free your mind can become at the end of a great isometric workout such as hot yoga.  I find that there is no better way to begin a work day than with a great hot yoga or pilates session.  I find that I think more clearly and I work with a more heightened level of motivation throughout the day.

Thanks to one of my co-workers, I was made privy to an article written by Wendy A. Suzuki, professor of neural science and psychology at New York University and the author of Healthy Brain Happy Life.  As a neuroscientist who is devoted to working out, she notes that, “The immediate effects of exercise on my mood and thought process proved to be a powerful tool.”  She believes that, “these neurological benefits could have profound implications for how we live, learn and age as a society.”

In the article she describes how exercise can trigger the creation of new brain cells and how exercise improves memory suggesting, “that exercise might be able to improve the imaginative functions of the hippocampus as well.”  She goes on to say that this hypothesis “raises the exciting possibility that exercise could make students more imaginative at school and adults more creative at work”.  https://qz.com/592569/a-neuroscientist-says-theres-a-powerful-benefit-to-exercise-that-is-rarely-discussed/?utm_source=qzfbarchive

What happens to the brain when we combine exercise and the sauna on a regular basis?  A double dose of positivity occurs.  A recent article in the New York Times reports a new study that suggests that regular sauna usage might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  According to the article, “The study, in Age and Ageing, controlled for alcohol intake, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes and other health and behavioral factors. It found that compared with men who used a sauna once a week, those who used a sauna four to seven times a week had a 66 percent lower risk for dementia and a 65 percent lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”   https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/well/mind/are-saunas-good-for-the-brain.html

HOTWORX provides ten different types of exercise routines to choose from, all created for use inside of an infrared sauna at 125 degrees.  The combination of the infrared energy, the heat and the exercise routines provide for multi-dimensional workouts that are good for the brain!

Recently one of our HOTWORX Authorized Location owners asked me to write about the benefits of HOTWORX and running.  I’ve done some research, so here is my take on that…

The combination of isometrics and infrared heat is super beneficial as a supplemental training method for runners.  Here are three isometrics that are good to accelerate your running performance.

Planks

Lay face down on the floor and prop yourself up on your forearms and toes, or maintain a push up position for an extended period of 1-2 minutes or more. Keep your back straight, butt down and hold it.  This is fantastic for your core.

Wall Squats

With your back against the wall, slowly lower into a squat so that your quads and calves make a 45 degree angle to the floor.  In HOTWORX we hold this for 2 1/2 minutes. This will greatly strengthen the stabilizing muscles of your quads and hips.

Iso Calf Raises

Press up onto your toes and hold for 1-2 minutes working the calves as you perform the isometric.  Strong calves are important for “better running form…more power, and faster times.  Weak calves are often the leading cause of running’s most common maladies: Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, calf strains, hamstring or hip problems, and even plantar fasciitis. Because they take on such a critical role in running mechanics, your calves require a lot of maintenance: you should regularly stretch the muscles, as well as do specific exercises to strengthen them.”  http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention/how-to-take-care-of-your-calves/slide/1

HOTWORX training adds the dimensions of heat and infrared energy to the equation.  When combined with exercise we call this 3D training.  The heat and the infrared accelerate recovery not only for the isometric workout, but also from the running.  As in any sport, muscle recovery can make a huge difference in performance.  The faster the recovery, the more often you can train, which can lead to faster strength gains.

“Running is clearly a dynamic sport, but balance and stability are just as important on the track as they are in any other sport. By using isometric exercises, runners can strengthen very specific parts of their regular movements.  In principle, this applies to virtually any sport. Regardless of your activity, you can dissect your movements down to their various phases and use isometrics to build the muscles needed in each. For example, football quaterbacks sometimes practice their throws by using band-resisted isometric exercises that mimic the various portions of their throw.  Runners can do the same.”  http://blog.firsttothefinish.com/isometric-exercises-runners/

Add some HOTWORX to boost your running performance!

Your “fitness weapon” is a four letter word.  That four letter word is G-O-A-L!

Nothing motivates people better than a good vacation goal.  Yet, no matter the fitness program, there will always be those who perform at a higher level of effort, intensity and focus.  If you ask those people why they work harder, they will most likely tell you that they are getting ready for something.  That something is usually either a sports competition/event, a vacation, or a combination of the two.  For the highest level of motivation I recommend a combination of the two!

Now, think about when you are most productive with your fitness routine, and consider the following questions from the legendary motivator, Zig Ziglar.

“As an honest, intelligent person, do you, as a general rule, get about twice as much work done on the day before you go on vacation as you normally get done?  …If we can figure out why and learn how and repeat it every day without working any longer or any harder, does it make sense that we will be more valuable to ourselves, our company, our family and our community? The answer is “Yes."

Treat every day like it's the day before vacation and you will get more work done!”  Zig Ziglar

http://www.getmotivation.com/articlelib/articles/zziglar_more_done.htm

Let’s think about what Ziglar has to say and apply it to our workouts.  If we can workout every time we are in the gym or the studio like it is the day before vacation, then think of how our level of fitness will soar.  I believe the key to this workout mentality is to choose a “fitness weapon” for motivation.  It could be a 5k run, or an obstacle course.  You may prefer to train for a yoga retreat, a hike to the top of a mountain or a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Your fitness weapon is your goal and your goal is only limited by your imagination!  Set it, go for it, and think about it every day until you are there.

I have found that the thought of snow skiing runs on certain mountains provides me with high levels of training motivation.  I think about those runs when I do HOTWORX, or when I am weight training or when I run stadiums.  Your fitness weapon is personal, but it can be shared with others.  Train with your friends to get ready for a fitness retreat, or some other vacation that involves physical activity.

The bottom line is this.  Use the vision of your activities on vacation as your fitness weapon for motivation!  Every time you workout you should train like it is the day before vacation!

Want to really “Torch the Calories”?

Here is yet another HOTWORX original…

The HOTWORX BONFIRE Workout consists of a single workout session using the combination of a hot 15 minute HIIT workout, either cycle or cross-row, and then immediately switching over to an isometric sauna for a 30 minute workout of either ISO, yoga or pilates.  What an incredible workout this is!  It is a must experience for any fitness enthusiast.

Customers will begin with an exhaustive, yet fast, lower body (Hot Cycle), or total body (Hot Row) resistance training and cardio workout.  Once the 15 minute routine is done, they exit the HIIT saunas and immediately take their shoes and socks off and enter one of the Isometric saunas.  The 30 minute isometric workout then provides the perfect compliment to the HIIT routine.  Isometrics such as yoga and pilates give a great core workout as well as training for balance, flexibility and detox with 125 degrees of heat and infrared energy to boot.

“Exercise, particularly high-intensity interval training, encourages your cells to make more proteins to feed their energy-producing machinery -- and this arrests the aging process, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal Cell Metabolism.”

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/07/health/interval-training-exercise-cellular-aging-study/index.html

The benefits of Isometrics are well documented and they include increased circulation, flexibility, bone and muscle strength.

HIIT + Isometrics + Infrared and Heat = The BONFIRE Workout

…brought to you by HOTWORX.

Earn the Burn!

High Intensity Interval Training is all the rage.

Imagine HIIT combined with heat, infrared and just the right amount of time for a workout.

Inside of the first ever HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio in Oxford, MS, the right side of the studio is all HIIT.  It consists of a row of saunas dedicated to 15 minute HIIT routines equipped with either cycles or cross-rowers.  These workouts are performed inside of the HOTWORX saunas at 125 degrees!

With perfectly choreographed low, medium and high tension intervals throughout the 15 minute HIIT workouts, more can be accomplished in less time than ever before.  Of course, this is another HOTWORX original.

The bike workout is called HOT CYCLE and the cross-row workout is known as HOT ROW.  The cross-row workout is unique in that customers experience a chest press, rowing, and leg presses all at once, and what an incredible full body workout it is in just 15 minutes!

“Studies show that 15 minutes of high intensity interval training burns more calories than jogging on a treadmill for an hour. ... This means in 24 hours after a HIIT workout your body is still burning calories and fat whereas in steady-pace workouts, you may not.May 20, 2015.”

http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-hiit-high-intensity-interval-training/

For those who want to torch the calories quick…HIIT it now!!!

Now Open…The First Ever 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio Franchise!!!

I have been keeping this one on the DL for several weeks.  It’s time to let everyone know now though.  We have been quietly working behind the scenes in Oxford, MS (home of Ole Miss) to bring to life the first ever 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studio and now it is open and flush with happy members!  They are all “sweaty and smiling” from the workout experience at the first of many more HOTWORX 24 Hour Infrared Fitness Studios to come.  We have investors and prospective franchisees now lined up to get involved.  You might want to consider reserving a territory soon!

I know it’s taboo to turn a blog post into a sales pitch, but I just can’t help myself today.

Big shout out to my partner in the Oxford location, and college best friend from way back, John Antwine.  As any fellow Ole Miss graduate should, he originally pushed for Oxford as the first location.  We also have investor partners that helped make the project possible, huge thanks to two business professionals and great guys from Jackson, MS, John Thomas and Rett Crowder.

From idea last November to Opening in February, it took only 12 weeks to get open, and that, my friends, is fast to open a bricks and mortar business concept from scratch!  Consider that we negotiated and signed a long-term lease and we began with an old building (formally the Oxford Eagle Newspaper).  We then took that raw space, gutted it and immediately began construction on the historical square in Oxford.  We crossed every hurdle to get there including all of the necessary permits, the Historical Committee (two formal city meetings with them), ADA, Fire Marshall, and created all of the things that are needed to launch a new franchise including the legal documentation.

Whew! It has been a whirlwind but it is all worthwhile when you see the satisfaction on the faces of our customers.

Of course, none of this could have been possible so quickly without the support, dedication and focus of our HOTWORX corporate team in Marrero, LA.  GREAT JOB GUYS!!!

Stay tuned for massive location growth and billions of calories and fat cells burned in the process!!!

EARN THE BURN!!!

Your yoga mat, and towel is a personal thing.  These two items are as important to an isometric workout as a good pair of Nike’s are to a runner.  When people experience yoga, pilates and other forms of isometrics with a really good mat and towel they will never go back to a lesser quality experience.

Before we rolled out the first HOTWORX infrared workout sauna we had no idea how popular our mats and towels would be.  Now we manufacture them by the thousands per month.  We knew that we were making them out of high quality materials, but we did not foresee that most of our customers would want a mat and towel of their own instead of renting them.

Why do our customers love them so much?  Quite simply put, they work well for the workouts!  The size of the towel is perfect over the size of the mat.  The materials used in manufacturing provide for a very high quality experience.  The towels are made of eco-friendly and super absorbent microfiber material with silica gel particles on the reverse side to eliminate slipping.  The HOTWORX Mat is infused with all-natural hemp fibers that are ideal For HOTWORX & any other exercise programs or routines.  The honeycomb design of the mat padding provides for superior footing while practicing yoga and other forms of isometrics.

The best way I can describe “yoga mat mania” is to liken it to buying a good pair of ski boots and skis.  As an avid snow skier, I know that the perfect pair of skis and boots makes a huge difference in skiing performance.  The same is true for workout performance when you use a high quality gear!  The mania is due to this increased level of performance with an optimum workout mat and towel, and everyone wants the very best workout that they can obtain, for sure!

We have several new workout videos that are being introduced now and one of them is Hot Warrior.  Hot Warrior is another great HOTWORX 30 minute isometric workout.  We employed the services of Nichole Mellison, professional trainer and pro bikini competitor, for this workout.  The idea was to take the Hot ISO, our original HOTWORX workout to a higher level.  Mission accomplished!

[caption id="attachment_26171" align="aligncenter" width="400"]

Nichole Mellison - Professional Fitness Athlete, Virtual Instructor for the new HOTWORX “Hot Warrior”[/caption]

Everyone has an inner warrior, a power within just waiting to be unleashed.  Nichole created a half hour infrared fitness routine that draws from yoga, pilates and general athletic isometric training methods.  The Hot Warrior is a very uniquely choreographed workout and is very challenging.  Nichole challenges you and draws from years of training experience to motivate clients to bring their “A” game.

Motivation is serious business.  Our job as trainers is to help clients find the courage and the will within to do more than they think they can during every workout.

“Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a Warrior.”  -Sun Tzu

You will be amazed at the results that can be earned through a hot exercise routine.  The multi-dimensional training method of exercise with infrared energy and heat will reduce your training time and accelerate your calorie burn!

Find your inner Hot Warrior.  Do it now.

The foundation of motivation is belief.  There’s no argument against that.  In fitness, to achieve your goals, then it certainly starts with a belief that you can.  As a fitness professional, nothing is more upsetting than to listen to a person say they need to “think about it” before they begin a fitness program.  What is there to think about?  Choose to BELIEVE that you can, and begin that program today!  Stop procrastinating.

Next step is to actually DO SOMETHING!  Find the program that will be the most effective tool to get you to your goal in a safe, timely and efficient manner.  “Do” consistently and use a method that will allow you to measure progress.  As a trainer, one of my biggest pet peeves is the trend towards, let’s call it hyper-variety of types of exercises within any one fitness genre.  How can you measure progress if you are told to do a different workout with different exercises every time you come to the gym?  That is bad advice.  I’ll save that rant for another blog post.  Just know that you need to DO a program consistently every week and stay within a reasonable pattern of “sameness”.

If you DO a routine with relentless regularity, then you will get to the next step which is to ACHIEVE.  Don’t bask in the glory for too long, though.

Now it’s time to REPEAT.  BELIEVE, DO, ACHIEVE…REPEAT.

This is the fitness cycle of success, for sure.  It sounds so easy, but we all know better.  It’s simple but not easy.  Of course, as the old saying goes, “Nothing in life worth having is easy”.  True that!!!  Just keep repeating to yourself, BELIEVE, DO, ACHIEVE, over and over again.

Never stop!

I posted this story on Facebook two years ago, but I thought it might serve as a good blog post to helps us all remain motivated as we move into spring 2017:

    A couple of years ago I was in Vegas attending an amazing marketing conference at the Aria.  I decided to stay over the weekend and go skiing to free my mind… Turns out there is a cool little spot to ski about 40 miles into the mountains away from the strip to the north.

    I packed up and left the Aria in my Jeep Cherokee rental and headed to my new hotel in the mountains closer to the little ski resort.  Don’t trust everything you read on the internet about hotels and the reviews can be deceiving too.  After one night at Hotel Deception (I jest, but I will save the name of that place to protect the innocent) and one day on the slopes, I secured a room back at the Hard Rock back in town for the next two nights and just decided it was better to drive the forty miles to ski and then forty miles back to my hotel.

    So, I committed to three days on the slopes and I have two left now.  Out of the 60-70 times I caught the lift in those 3 days, I was the only person in my chair on the lift, except for one time. Friday morning, second day of skiing, early on the slopes… 9am… morning snow man, freakin’ awesome… a slight layer of snowfall blanketed the mountain as if it were tucked in the night before from God in heaven and I am the first person on the lift…well, maybe not…

    Out of the blue some tiny girl in a neon orange snowboard outfit jumped on my chair. I had my Skullcandies in my ears listening to some bad ass rock music… probably Green Day, I can’t remember… Next thing, I notice the neon orange girl trying to communicate with me. I pulled out my earphones and she was almost screaming, “Hey, can you hold my snowboard? I need to attach it to my foot.” So I was like, “ok.” There was no security bar on this particular chair and she didn’t even care… gave me serious pause, though… For the next 15 minutes, she told me her life story. It was obvious now that she wasn’t a “millennial,” LOL!

    Her and her husband were serial entrepreneurs and had been very successful throughout the years with numerous businesses including a chain of retail stores and restaurants. They were immigrants from Korea (we are a nation of immigrants, remember?) who had settled in Vegas because their kids lived in California. She said they chose Vegas because there were so many activities that they could do and because they could be close to their kids.

    I had left the hotel that morning with the air conditioning on and 20 minutes later I had to turn on the heat… then it was snowing!  I think that experience, and the realization of the activity options, was a game-changer for me, too, perhaps, just like it must have been for the neon orange snowboarder lady.

    Anyway, we were almost to the end of the lift at the top of the mountain and she said to me (I never got her name), “I’ve been skiing for 40 years. I took up snowboarding 10 years ago. I’m not suppose to be up here because I injured my ribs last week doing a jump. I’m 68 years old…” she said to me. Next thing you know, we are off the lift and she was gone in a flash down the slope…. and at that moment, I stood there on the snow, dumbfounded.  I was at the top of the mountain wanting to at least know her name and ask her a couple of questions about…. “da," “um," “what is the secret to longevity?” “How can you do jumps on a snowboard at the age of 68?”  I will never know how the orange snowboarder lady would have answered those questions, but that experience was a game-changer for me.  It was a life altering moment.  If I hadn’t been there for exercise and free thinking, then I would have never written this blog!

   Why was the orange lady really on top of that mountain that day snowboarding by herself?  Why were she and her husband so successful in business?  There has to be a correlation between the two.  Let’s see.  She goes to the top of a mountain and carves her way down to the bottom with a snowboard and jumps in an attempt to defy gravity over and over again.  But why?  She may have never considered that while she is doing battle with gravity and practicing a sport that she loves, the “thrill” may be the reason for her success.  She flies down the mountain giving gravity the finger and she talks to strangers about her successes in business on the way back up!   Physical fitness and success go hand in hand, but there is a tie that binds, and that tie is mental toughness.  Mental toughness is the  “cradle that rocks,” to borrow a line from Van Halen.  Fitness discipline makes the body and the mind strong.  Rock on orange snowboarder lady!

    I will never know your name, I suppose, but thank you orange lady for reminding me, once again, that fitness is happiness. I know we are all on a clock, and we are all in a battle with gravity, and we each have the power to extend the amount of time that we have on this planet to achieve whatever it is that we want to accomplish.  What we need to do is to fight gravity like the orange lady who builds businesses and jumps with her snowboard at the age of 68.

I am convinced that the HOTWORX Hot Iso 30 minute workout gives the best calorie after-burn in the business.  Take a look at my most recent workout results:

As you can see, I burned 905 calories in a 105 minute period of time.

Let’s Break It Down…

After my Hot Iso workout at 125 degrees in the HOTWORX infrared sauna, I had burned 444 calories.  So then I let the workout data continue to calculate on my Apple Watch until I took the photos above.  In slightly over an hour after my workout, I had burned another 461 calories, which is more than I burned during my workout!

It Gets Better…

For a guy like me who weighs 185 and has a height of approximately 5’ 10”, my daily metabolic rate would allow me to burn 1749 doing absolutely nothing and 2274 calories per day just getting up, going to work and sitting at my desk without exercise.  So, to have a 30 minute workout that can get me 40% of the way to my BMR, and that much closer to my daily weight loss/fat burn threshold is awesome!

Find yourself a good BMR calculator online, and there are several good ones out there that you can use to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate.  This will allow you to know based on your age, sex, weight and height, where you will need to go to reach the daily weight loss/fat burn threshold.  When you go beyond that number and you limit your caloric intake to your BMR + daily activity level without exercise, then you will lose weight and fat in a very expedient manner.  The key is to find the most effective exercise for calorie burn and after-burn so that you can reach an effective daily calorie deficit.

“Putting yourself in a 500-calorie deficit every day should result in the loss of one pound every week, Greaves says.”  http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/boost-weight-loss-by-knowing-your-bmr.aspx

If I wanted to lose a pound per week, then I would keep eating like I do to maintain my 185 lbs. and I would increase my calorie burn by 3500 calories per week, thereby creating a 3500 calorie deficit per week.  I could accomplish that by doing a 30 minute HOTWORX workout 4 times per week.  How awesome is that?  BURN Baby BURN those calories…

Just keeping it simple is usually the best weight loss strategy.

A driver should never drive without a speedometer. A pilot can’t fly without an altimeter, and a scuba diver should never dive without a dive watch.At the very least, any serious workout person should include the use of a reliable measuring tool for the two most important fitness metrics, heart rate and calorie burn. The challenge is for that person to find the right fitness tracker for them. It’s personal.As with many devices, fitness trackers are not based on an exact standard and no two formulas are the same. Fitness trackers are created to record performance based on formulas that interpret data that they collect from your activity.If you are looking for the right device, be diligent and do your homework. There are so many to choose from and your search can be daunting for sure.What’s important is that you settle in on a device that you like and that you trust. Once you have that device, keep it for a while and use it to measure your progress.You have to remember, though, that no device will give you 100% accuracy. Most of the more popular brands such as Apple Watch, FitBit, Polar, Garmen and even Timex are accurate to within 10-15% for calorie burn according to reports. It needs to be accurate “enough” and you have to trust it because you will develop a relationship with your fitness tracker in the same way that have a relationship with your phone and your laptop. Don’t set yourself up for a device divorce by making the wrong choice!Personally, I would not use a tracker that did not have a really good heart rate monitor. Heart rate is probably the most important piece of the data puzzle when you are trying to measure energy expenditure!In life, You Get What You Track…

As promised, here is the “Three Dimensional Training” post.So what is 3D Training? Most people workout in the traditional single dimension of exercise only without any environmental considerations. When you add dimensions to your workout, you will force your body to adapt to perform and you can expose your body to elements that will increase your physical effectiveness. So, if you could accelerate your results and decrease the amount of time that is necessary for the workout, then wouldn’t that be important for clients as well as fitness center owners? For the client it would mean greater results in less time. For the fitness entrepreneur it would mean more happy clients and more facility capacity due to less time that would be needed per workout. WIN, WIN!HOTWORX now introduces you to 3D Training. The Three Dimensional Training method involves three elements: 1-heat, 2-infrared energy and 3-exercise. When these three elements, or dimensions are combined then fitness magic takes place.

Dimension 1- Heat

When your core body temperature rises your metabolism speeds up. In last weeks post you learned that for every 1 degree Celsius (approximately 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) increase in core temperature, your metabolism go up 10-13%! Another workout advantage is that warm ups take less time in a heated studio.Champion athletes practice heat acclimation to reach higher levels of conditioning. When your body acclimates to heat there is an anabolic effect. Take a look at this research that is worthy of a re-quote from one of my blog posts about a year ago:“According to Rhonda Perciavalle Patrick, Ph.D., increasing your core temperature for short periods, as is done by using a sauna, may offer dramatic improvements to your athletic performance. She calls this concept “hyperthermic conditioning,” which emerging research suggests has multiple positive effects on your body, from increased endurance to the growth of new brain cells.” http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/24/sauna-benefits.aspx

Dimension 2- Infrared

Infrared is not just an option for creating heat, Infrared is energy.Infrared energy has the effect of strengthening and activating the regenerative processes in the human body. This is why workouts in an infrared energy environment can help to accelerate workout recovery.According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information,“Thermal radiation (or infrared) is a band of energy in the complete electromagnetic spectrum and it has been used effectively for millennia to treat/ease certain maladies and discomforts.” In one study, as cited by their website, “After constant exposure to FIR, wound healing was significantly quickened and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 expressing myofibroblasts and collagen content were increased.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3699878/

Dimension 3- Exercise

Two forms of exercise work very well inside of the HOTWORX infrared sauna, Isometrics and HIIT. With isometrics, various different methods can be used such as yoga and pilates. With HIIT (high intensity interval training), a short 15 minute routine with a cycle or row will provide just the right amount of workout results when combined with heat and infrared energy.So whether you operate a fitness facility, or you are simply looking for the most efficient way to stay in shape, add more dimensions to your workout. You can get more done in less time with the HOTWORX 3D Training method!

Next week stay tuned for “Three Dimensional Training,” the perfect blog topic for the new year. Leading up to that blog topic, let’s take a look at one of those training dimensions, heat.Elevating your body’s core temperature accelerates your metabolism. In fact, for every degree Celsius (or approximately 1.8 degrees fahrenheit) your body temperature goes up, “your metabolism increases by 10 to 13 percent.” http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/how-does-body-temperature-affect-metabolism.htmlNaturally, training in a heated environment whether it’s running outside in Vegas during the middle of summer or yoga inside of a HOTWORX infrared sauna, your body’s core temperature will elevate more rapidly than when you are working out in an air-conditioned gym or fitness studio. Rapid elevation of your core temperature shortens your warm up phase and allows you to get to the calorie burn faster. With a heated studio it only takes a short period of time with a workout such as pilates to generate an incredible super charge to your metabolism/calorie burn and, as a result you will experience the same high level of post workout calorie “after-burn!”Get your mind right! Don’t overdo it for New Years Eve. Plan now to add hot exercise to your fitness regime for 2017!! If you are a trainer or gym owner, get a jump on the competition and offer hot exercise to your clients. The results will speak for themselves.

That’s right. Introducing another HOTWORX Original, “HOT CYCLE.” So, what if three people decided to move cycles into an infrared sauna and do a 15 minute HIIT session at 125 degrees? We did just that today! What an incredible workout and an absolute thrashing of the lower body and cardio. This combination of the heat, the infrared energy absorption and the cycles made for a lightning fast metabolic rush and detox frenzy. I have to say that I have never experienced a workout quite like that.It was so much fun to sweat and smash the bike pedals in the heat with two of my good friends and work colleagues. Big thanks to Bebe and Victoria today…great workout guys!!We made fitness history today and we will call it HOTWORX HOT CYCLE. The idea is to offer cycle training for clients who want to do a quick HIIT session either by itself or to add it to the Hot Yoga or other Hot Isometric workouts. Imagine that your workout begins with a 15 minute cycle in the heat with 125 degrees of pure infrared, and then you move straight over to the next HOTWORX sauna for Hot Yoga to round out your day of fitness.Think about that as you carve the Christmas turkey while sipping on your eggnog…HOT CYCLE is coming to an authorized HOTWORX location soon. If you own a fitness facility or if you are looking to open a new studio, consider how effective the suite of HOTWORX workouts can be for your clients.If you are looking to maximize your training, or if you want to torch the calories that you will put on from now until New Year’s Day, ask your spa or health club to install a few HOTWORX infrared sauna units.

Most athletes have experienced some form of training in higher altitudes than what might be normal for them. Each year I compare my level of conditioning to the previous year by how I perform on the ski slopes. I began skiing when I was 32. I’m 53 now and I can tell you that this year my level of cardio conditioning was by far the best that I have ever experienced on the slopes. I have to attribute this to hot exercise and I passionately recommend HOTWORX to every athlete who is looking for a way to break through a training plateau.I skied four days straight without even thinking about my cardio endurance. I never felt “winded” due to any strain on my cardio system. My thighs experienced the normal burning from time to time, but I never had to stop skiing due to being out of breath. Unlike prior years, I never even thought about breathing.When you combine a workout with infrared heat, you are adding another dimension to your training. This promotes added results from your workouts. Supplementing elements of infrared and heat forces your body to acclimate to an environment that is well beyond normal. I call this “‘Three Dimensional Training." There is simply no way to get this level of intensity when you train in normal environments or inside of an air-conditioned gym.Be on the look out for my first blog post of 2017 where I plan to give a full explanation of this “3-D Training” method…In the meantime, check your altitude, and power through the toxicity of this holiday season with more hot exercise.

After working non-stop, on the road across the Northwest part of the USA for the last 6 days, I went for some down time today. I happened to end my work trip in Salt Lake City, so I planned ahead to spend a few days on the ski slopes.I use snow skiing as a motivational tool when I work out. My ski trips are planned and then used as my physical GOAL! If I am weight training or if I am working out in the HOTWORX, I am in constant training for my next ski trip! That’s me. For you, it might be a hiking vacation, or a vacation that involves paddle boarding, or yoga, or some other physical activity.I have always believed that in order for anyone to achieve a balance in life, some sort of physical goal has to be a part of the equation. For me, that physical goal has been quality snow skiing. I work to improve my physical fitness for the purpose of upping the “quality” of my snow skiing game. Skiing is the most fun that I can have while achieving a high level of quality exercise at the same time. Accomplishment of a goal is always fun!So, I practice weight training and HOTWORX to make myself a better skier. If I am a better skier, then I have more fun on the slopes, and to me that is the greatest natural high ever! A good ski trip is a super motivator for my fitness routine.I ready myself with weight training and HOTWORX, then I set a specific date for my next ski trip. When I finally get off the first gondola ride up the mountain, it’s GOAL time!Use of a physical goal that is a sport related vacation can elevate the performance of your workout program.Ready, Set, GOAL your way to fitness!

Thanksgiving has passed and we have all consumed an inordinate amount of calories already. Black Friday is gone, Cyber Monday is over, and now it’s Christmas party after Christmas party and then here comes the office Holiday party and, of course, it’s on to New Year’s Eve. There’s bowl game after bowl game to watch and bowls and bowls of chips to eat while you watch… It’s not just Christmas season, it’s calorie season!Finally we arrive at some point in January where we just have to say whoa! That’s when we realize that we have consumed way too many calories in such a short amount of time :(What have we done to ourselves this calorie season?Well, what is a calorie anyway? It’s a measure. So, an inch is a measurement of length, a degree is a measurement of temperature, and a “calorie” is a measurement for energy. As defined, one calorie represents the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.If you have a few minutes, check out this cool little video that explains the calorie in very simple terms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEQaH4LruUoMany factors weigh in to determine the rate by which you burn calories. These factors include age, sex, height and weight to name a few. There are environmental factors as well, such as air composition and level of temperature. As a general rule, it takes a 3500 calorie burn to lose a pound of body weight. This can be accomplished with just three HOTWORX sessions. With HOTWORX, the average person can burn 250-450 calories during the 30 minute infrared workout and they can experience another 350-600 with the 60 minute after burn immediately following the workout.Want to manage the Calorie Season this year? Grab your Fitbit and go to the HOTWORX sauna!

Let’s face it. Gravity wins in the end. That’s ok. Seems to me, though, that we should fight the good fight for as long as we possibly can. Collectively, we are actually doing pretty good in our physical war against gravity, and we should continue to do more.Just over 100 years ago life expectancy was in the 40’s age range, now it is in the 80’s.I smile when I hear people say things like, “Age doesn’t matter, it’s just a number.” Yes, it is just a number, but it is the most important number at any give point in your life. Like it or not, your performance expectations are tied to your age.Your health and appearance are a reflection of how well you are doing in your personal fight with gravity. Are you winning against gravity based on the expectation for your age? Further to that point, how important is the quality of your physical mobility and how long do you want to live? Set goals! Your longevity should be important to you. We should all strive to do our part to add to the collective health of our species.That being said, what can we do? First, we can set a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)!How about a goal to smack down gravity well past the age mark of 100!Next, we can seek out fitness programs that will accelerate our ability to fight gravity! Some programs are better than others. As a businessman, it seems to me that it is always best to find the most for the least. As a trainer, if I can get the same results in less time, and if those results last for longer, then I want that program!As busy professionals, we need fitness routines that can leverage multiple advantages at once in order to save time and accelerate results. Multidimensional routines give the most results in the least amount of time, period.This is where I must recommend infrared training.Working out in an infrared heat environment promotes recovery from the workout while you are actually doing the workout! Infrared also forces your body to acclimate to the heat, thereby accelerating your metabolism and muscle development. There are too many other benefits to mention with this one blog article.Just know that hot exercise in an infrared sauna can be the best weapon in the war against gravity!The HOTWORX sauna and program provides six incredible infrared workouts and a meditation session. Every fitness facility should have it!

A hot 30 minute isometric workout is definitely good for everybody, but generally there are two reasons that clients will use this type of session, and they are:1. General Fitness: 80% of clients who practice a form of hot exercise do it for their main or their only fitness routine. They find that three to five 30 minute sessions per week gets them to their physical goals and it is all they need.2. Supplemental Athletic Training: 20% of clients use hot exercise to break a progression plateau for their athletic training in preparation for some form of competition or sport activity. Some of these clients are professional fitness instructors who are looking to improve their practice. These clients have discovered that hot isometrics, yoga and pilates can take their performance to a much higher level.Many athletes, yoga and pilates instructors, and fitness trainers use HOTWORX as a way to take their practice to another higher level. Celebrities are using HOTWORX now as one of their secrets to better their appearance.No matter which “camp” a client might fall into, with hot exercise, both get the results they are looking for. The accelerated detox and massive calorie burn gives the 80% camp the body toning they are looking for; the improved recovery, balance, flexibility and endurance gives the 20% camp what they are looking for. Both clients win with hot exercise!The fitness industry continues to expand by attracting new clients into the vast array of training methods that are offered. Gone are the days of simple weight training, aerobics and a treadmill. Clients want more. Clients want interesting, specialty exercise that can take their results to the next level!

There is a big difference in the environment of a typical hot exercise studio and the hot exercise environment in a HOTWORX sauna. The most important difference is the air!Traditional hot yoga studios will attempt to recreate the climate of parts of India with 104 degrees fahrenheit and 40% humidity. While that might be a good re-creation of Indian climate, it is not necessarily the best environment for working out. Ironically, it is not really possible to recreate the outdoor climate of any region with old school hot air, or convection heating. Outdoor heat comes from the sun. The heat from the sun is infrared.Infrared heat is far superior to traditional HV/AC heating because it is radiant and more natural.I am amused sometimes when I visit hot yoga studios to try the workout and they are not able to tell me what type of heat they use. I was at a studio recently and asked the yoga experts at the front desk what type of heat they used for hot yoga…they looked at me like a deer in headlights! How can you provide hot exercise for clients without an understanding of the heat?! They were very friendly and the workout was good, but the heat was old school and loud, blowing out from the vents…not good.Inside of a HOTWORX sauna you will have only radiant infrared heat and the heaters are totally quiet allowing you to focus on the instructions of the virtual trainer. The heat is very comfortable to the lungs.Recently, HOTWORX was featured on an episode of The Doctors and on the show as they worked out in the sauna, one of the yoga professionals made the statement that, “the air is awesome!” Dr. Berman remarked that the environment of the infrared sauna was more motivating than traditional studios. The air is awesome because of the radiant infrared heat and it allows clients to train in 125 degrees with more effort in less time!Consider providing HOTWORX for your clients and members. Give them radiant hot workouts with clean, low humidity air.

Since I began supplementing my weight training routine with weekly sessions in the HOTWORX, I have noticed that I am able to maintain a higher level of lean muscle with no change in my diet. The infrared as the “X” factor is so obvious. Infrared sauna usage benefits muscle building!Infrared heat exposure triggers the release of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This form of hyperthermic conditioning is super effective for muscle development.The release of proteins is another means by which infrared sauna exposure aids in muscle growth.Take a look at this research: “As mentioned…one of the many physiological adaptations that occur when sitting in a sauna is the release of heat shock proteins. In an experiment conducted in rats, heat treatment (41°C) not only caused a release of heat shock proteins but remarkably the rats were able to regrow more muscle than the control group not given heat treatment. On average, there was a 30% improvement in muscle growth compared to the control group.” http://www.purepharma.com/us_en/blog/can-using-a-sauna-improve-athletic-performance/Another way to accelerate lean muscle growth is through improved workout recovery from infrared sauna exposure. It’s no secret that infrared heat is good for healing over-worked muscles.Quick recap…Release of HGH, release of proteins and accelerated muscle recovery are three great reasons to add HOTWORX sessions to any fitness regime.Those muscle building benefits are also three great reasons to provide hot exercise options for your fitness clients!

No doubt fitness tracking technology is popular and very useful to measure workout performance. That being said, what type of tracker is best for you? Let’s take a brief dive into it.What’s important? Accuracy, of course. It should be the most important consideration. So, who’s algorithm do you trust? Functionality and wearability add to the workout experience as well.I have used both the wrist tracker and the chest tracker. I prefer the wrist tracker for functionality and wearability, and I feel that my wrist tracker is sufficiently accurate.“…in reality, the choice between strap and wrist isn't black and white. For many people chest straps are a no-go and even they can't provide spot-on accuracy.” http://www.wareable.com/sport/heart-rate-monitors-chest-straps-v-wristGenerally, the chest band is considered to be a bit more accurate because it is worn closer to the source of the data. However, a word of caution here because all algorithms are not created equal…Recently I took a popular 1 hour circuit training session from a large studio chain and I used their chest strap. I also used my Apple Watch to track calorie burn for the one hour workout. My watch tracked my calorie burn at 417 (which is about the average of my 30 minute HOTWORX workouts as tracked by my watch). The studio’s chest tracker measured that same workout for me at 778. Wow, what a discrepancy!If that studio’s algorithm is accurate, then my Apple Watch is tracking at almost 50% under my actual calorie burn! Their formula would make my 30 minute HOTWORX workouts average 800+ calories burned per session! That would be great, but it’s just too good to be true for my height, weight and level of conditioning. I trust the Apple algorithm more than the algorithm of the studio! Beware of false positive tracking tied to membership sales!!I have tracked more different types of workouts than any other person I know and I can say with certainty that I burn more calories per minute with HOTWORX than any other workout that I have done. I track all of my workouts with the same tracker, my Apple Watch. For me it works and I feel that the data is consistent and accurate. In my research I have noticed that FitBit and Garmen get very good reviews as well.I would argue that knowing the amount of calories that you burn during your workout and right after your workout is the most important measurement of training success.My best advise is to find the tracker that you trust and one that enhances your workout experience!

It has been proven that training with others improves workout performance. Plenty of scientific evidence proves this, but let’s face it, common sense should tell us that effort increases when others are around. A workout group of three people makes for a good fitness team. Small group training has gained tremendous popularity in recent years and for good reason. Group training gets results for clients through increased workout intensity and elevated levels of performance in general.I know this to be true first hand. At one point in my past, I trained for a year and a half to prepare for arena football. During that time I hired a coach to train me. Coach Turner used many different drills and tools from ropes to hurdles, sleds and bungees to name a few. On occasion, he would group me with other athletes including football players, baseball players and even olympic track competitors. One of the drills that we would perform as a group involved bungees that were attached to a goal post. There were four of us, each strapped to a bungee and positioned side by side to each other. The drill was simple…it required running in place against the force of the bungee. I remember feeling the presence of the other athletes next to me and I remember seeing them in my periphery. My legs wanted to quit, but my mind would not let my body quit because of the fear of not keeping up with the other guys. That is a simple but very real example of the power of a group in training! Mind over matter, made possible by peer pressure! Good peer pressure.In the case of HOTWORX, the patent pending infrared sauna for three clients to workout together for 30 minutes in 125 degrees of heat, the power of 3 can be experienced much like the power of the bungee drill that I just described. I’ve had many awesome group sessions in the HOTWORX. Everyone should witness the intensity, the fun and the results that people obtain when they workout as a small team of three inspired by each other inside of the HOTWORX sauna.Give your clients the power of 3.

I was inspired to learn more about the nitric oxide effect of infrared saunas while watching one of the physicians on the The Doctors episode that HOTWORX was recently featured on. She stated that, “There’s really interesting data about infrared heat specifically increasing nitric oxide, which is a signaling molecule that actually increases circulation. So that’s why people do tout this as beneficial for the skin and also to improve muscle recovery…”Check out the video clip below…

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Nitric oxide signals blood vessels when to increase in width, whereby improving circulation throughout the body. This serves to foster anti-inflamation, reduction of swelling and it eases the pain of arthritis.While the “underlying mechanism is not fully understood,” “Repeated thermal therapy manifested by far-infrared (FIR) radiation improves vascular function in both patients and mouse model with coronary heart disease.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23756809I am amazed at the seemingly endless benefits that are continually discovered with respect to infrared heat therapy. The patent pending HOTWORX sauna provides an excellent small group studio environment for fitness and infrared through isometrics.Give your members a nitric oxide boost with HOTWORX! You will see a boost in membership sales and retention when you do!!

That sounds like an oxymoron, right? How can you recover from a workout while you are actually working out? Is that really possible? Yes it is possible.When you combine isometrics with infrared heat, then you will certainly experience recovery during the workout itself! This happens due to the penetration of the radiant infrared heat energy.Exposure to infrared has been described as a form of vibrational energy medicine…“Far-infrared heat follows the same principle: warm the injury site to speed healing. Why is infrared heat better than say, a heating pad? Because the vibrational energy of far-infrared light is unlike that of the heat energy we use for everyday functions, like cooking. Boiling water could actually damage our skin but it doesn't heat internal organs.” http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/other37.htmThere is no doubt that exposure to infrared while working out makes recovery more efficient. Just Try it. Far-infrared technologies are even being used today to treat cancer.As a weight trainer, I can attest first hand to the accelerated recovery that occurs when I supplement my routine with HOTWORX. HOTWORX provides for a great recovery from any type of workout, but it is also a great workout in and of itself.HOTWORX originated the combination of isometrics and infrared heat to provide for speedy recovery while affording the client increases in flexibility, balance, cardio and endurance.The cool thing thing for me is that a session in the HOTWORX actually speeds up my recovery from the HOTWORX workout itself and from my weight training workouts as well…. now that is a Recovery Workout!

It takes twice as long to warm up for a workout in an air-conditioned studio. Why waste that time? Your body likes heat and we all know that warming up prior to exercise is the right thing to do. Why not shorten the prep time and get straight to the business of a great workout!?Everyone should experience how quickly your body loosens up when you step into an infrared sauna for a fitness session at 125 degrees.In her book Hot Yoga Masterclass, Dr. Gabrielle Raiz proclaims, “How on earth could exercising in an air-conditioned gym be better for you? Your body will end up in a tug-of-war between getting warm enough for exercise and cooling down too much because of the pumped cold air risking undue damage.”Infrared sauna heat provides an exceptional environment for workouts. You will discover that your body is ready for exercise much sooner as opposed to traditional fitness studios and weight rooms.All HOTWORX workouts utilize a modified sun salutation for a warm-up that takes less than 3 minutes. Most warm-ups in non-heated studios require a longer period of time, usually 5 minutes or more to properly prep the body for the main workout. Time is money, as they say, so why not reap the same or more benefits in less time. All HOTWORX workouts are 30 minutes in length and they deliver superior results for clients!Join the HOTWORX revolution. Your members want this option to accelerate their workouts!

How did heat get to here in fitness?Heat is an ancient form of therapy. Sweat lodges and saunas have been around for centuries. Thousands of years ago the Greeks and Egyptians used various forms of heat therapy, including the sun, thermal baths, hot mud and caverns with volcanic heated air.Exercise has been around since the ancient times as well. The Greeks believed that development of the body was equally important as developing the mind. The Greeks held the first Olympics…Consider these two quotes from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine. “Sport is a preserver of health”…, “Give me the power to produce fever, and I will cure all disease.” Parmenides, 5th Century BCSo when did the combination of “sport,” or exercise and heat begin?Some scholars trace the origin of hot yoga back to the Hindu panchagni tapas, a ritual in India known as the “fire sacrifice,” which was an ascetic practice to transcend suffering through intentional discomfort. In the western sports and fitness, our version of this ritual would probably cause us to proclaim something like, “no pain, no gain,” or “work through the pain!”Moving into modern times, another important historical question is: When did heated workout studios begin?“Bikram Choudhary is an Olympic champion in weight-lifting. In the 1960’s, he won Olympic Gold in his class. For personal health reasons, Bikram sequenced traditional Yoga poses in a very specific way, in order to promote the health and healing of the physical body and mind.” https://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/2011/04/29/the-origin-of-hot-yoga/Bikram experimented with heat in yoga studios in Japan during the ‘70s where he noticed that students exerted themselves more when practicing yoga in the heat. In the Bikram studios of today, the rooms are heated to 104 degrees.This brings us to the most modern form of hot exercise…HOTWORX, the first ever fusion of infrared heat and isometrics that provides a 30 minute workout at 125 degrees. The HOTWORX workouts include a pure isometric workout, hot yoga, hot pilates and other specialty isometric workouts for the core, the butt and self myofacial release with foam rollers.Evolve your club or spa to HOTWORX. It can be a game-changer for your fitness business!