We’re deep into December, which means we’re also deep into holiday stress. Between work, kids, shopping, cooking, and all that quality time with your family, stress can build like a pressure cooker – and when we’re strapped for time it’s a lot easier to deal with it with cookies and pie than a quick trip to your local gym. But if you want to set and meet good fitness goals for 2018, setting aside time to exercise is still the healthiest way to deal with holiday stress.
But even if you’re so frazzled from holiday cheer you don’t know what to do at the gym, never fear: fitness classes are the perfect way to torch calories and stress in equal measure. Here’s a few to try at your local Fitness Connection this month.
Find your Zen with yoga. Countless studies have shown that yoga is a powerful tool to calm your nervous system, which can help with stress and anxiety. Practically speaking, yoga forces you to focus on where you hold tension in your body (shoulders, necks, jaws and elsewhere) so that you can learn to fully relax yourself. Yoga’s breathing exercises can also help you soothe your nervous system by slowing and deepening your breaths.
Burn through it with HIIT. If you’re looking for something a little more high-energy, HIIT classes may be right for you. HIIT (or high intensity interval training) emphasizes burning a lot of energy in short intervals of sprinting, push-ups, weightlifting and more. HIIT burns fat and improves fitness more quickly than moderate aerobic exercise, and it can be accomplished in a shorter span of time – ideal for packed holiday schedules. And like everything else on this list, HIIT classes have set routines, so you don’t have to think about what you’re going to do in your workout today. Just come in and follow the leader.
Take your stress for a Spin. If your joints are aching or you just want to stay stationary for your workout, spin class may be for you. Because of its high-intensity cardiovascular workout, social atmosphere, motivational music and instructor guidance, spin class can help you zone out and focus on your fitness while burning away calories and stress alike.
If you have any more questions about the classes available at Fitness Connection, just ask any of the instructors or staff at your local gym. We’re always ready to be your Fitness Connection.