working-out-but-not-losing-weightCategoriesBlog cardio workout Fitness Center muscle workout Nutrition Personal Training

Are You Working Out but Not Losing Weight? Find Out Why!

Why are you not losing weight, even though your working out?

Starting out on your fitness journey can be one of the biggest steps you take towards a healthier lifestyle. Working out and eating a balanced diet can do wonders for your overall health but staying committed can be more challenging than it sounds. While everyone may have different goals in their fitness journey, one of the most relatable would probably be losing weight, perhaps to shed some extra pounds or reach a healthy weight.

Say that you started exercising often and cut down on unhealthy food to achieve your goal. However, after months of doing this, the numbers on the scale remain the same. In some cases, what may happen is you lose weight at first, but gradually, it slows down until it completely stops. Nothing can be more frustrating than working out but not losing weight, especially since committing to a routine can be hard on its own.

It is important to understand that weight loss is a complicated process. Results do not happen overnight, and it takes much discipline to get your desired results. If you have found yourself in a plateau or not losing weight at all despite exercising often, check out the information below to understand why it might be happening

Ignoring Your Diet

For anyone who is working out but not losing weight, one of the first things to look into would be diet. Even if you burn calories from your workouts, you may still not see results if you end up consuming more calories and eating unhealthy food.

Generally, eating at a caloric deficit will help you lose weight. However, while doing this, you also have to pay attention to what type of food you are eating. Many often associate cutting calories with cutting food groups like carbohydrates but doing this will only make you have less energy and increase the likelihood of binging. Thus, it is best to stick to whole foods to maximize your nutrient intake while still hitting your caloric goals.

Lack of Sleep

Poor quality or lack of sleep may also affect your weight loss goals. Having less than the optimal hours of sleep increases the risk for obesity and may affect your eating habits. Being sleep deprived may cause you to have less concentration through the day, which can subsequently affect the food you eat.

Studies have also observed the relationship between sleep and weight, showing that getting enough sleep is an important aspect of your weight loss progress. Thus, if you have been more selective about your diet and working out but not losing weight, it could be caused by your poor sleeping patterns.

Too Much Cardio

Cardio is often most associated with weight loss since it can pump up your heart rate and help you burn more calories. While there is no denying that cardio is an important part of your workout routine, you must not limit yourself to this. Focusing too much on cardio and neglecting strength training and other workouts can cause you to rid of muscle mass that ultimately slows down metabolism and fat loss.

Doing cardio in excess can also cause you to lose any progress you may have achieved from other workouts and increase the probability of overfatigue and muscle soreness. Given how intensive cardio sessions can be, you may also end up eating more to get enough energy for longer sessions. As such, it is important to find the right balance when exercising since overdoing one type can also be a common culprit explanation for working out but not losing weight.

Since there is no fixed answer to how much cardio is considered “too much,” it is best to consult with a personal trainer who can assess your age, fitness level, medical condition, and overall state.

No Rest Days

While it is true that your workout should not be too easy, this does not necessarily mean you should push your body beyond what it can do. The common misconception is that the more you work out, the more weight you will lose. However, in reality, rest days are important to give your body and muscles time to recover from the strenuous exercises that you did in previous days.

When it comes to finding the balance between work and recovery, always remember to listen to your body. Doing intensity workouts can help you push yourself to see results, but after, you must also allow yourself to rest. This allows you to build muscle, which then leads to more calories burnt. Additionally, it ensures that your body stays healthy and minimizes risk from injuries, as these can be common when you overwork yourself.

Constantly Stressed

Stress can have a huge influence on your health and lifestyle, so if you are constantly stressed out, this may inhibit your weight loss progress. Exercising is naturally a stressor, so your body produces cortisol or the stress hormone when working out. This is completely normal, but if you do not give yourself enough time to rest, your body produces too much cortisol, which can be harmful in the long run.

Aside from exercising, you may also have multiple other stressors in your life. Whether it be affecting your physical, mental, emotional, or any aspect of health, these can all prevent you from reaching your weight loss goal. Stress can easily make you feel overwhelmed and affect your decision-making skills, so you must not forget the importance of your overall wellness.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol may also hinder your weight loss. Putting it simply, alcohol is high in calories, so if you frequently drink it, you are adding more calories on top of those you consumed from your diet. That said, you do not necessarily need to cut alcohol off completely as you can still drink it in moderation. Similarly, it is advisable to choose beverages with lower calories, such as vodkas and spirits.

Sign Up for a Gym Membership to Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

What better way to kickstart your weight loss journey than by signing up to a fitness center in Palm Harbor or Trinity? At Fitness 360, we offer top amenities, workout classes, and personal training sessions to help you find the most suitable exercise routine to reach your goals. Contact us today at 727-797-5100 to get started with your membership.

types-of-workout-classesCategoriesBlog cardio workout Fitness Center Lifestyle muscle workout Personal Training

Types of Workout Classes Offered at Fitness 360 in Trinity

Types of workout classes you can join at Fitness 360.

When it comes to offering a top gym facility filled with equipment and workout classes, Fitness 360 strives to be the best choice for fitness enthusiasts. Having many locations in Florida, the fitness center in Trinity is particularly notable as it offers more workout machines than most other fitness studios in the area. Aside from the 24-hour unlimited gym access, you can also find several amenities to give you the full experience in the center.

If you are new to the fitness lifestyle or generally need assistance in finding your place, you might not be too comfortable going to the weights and cardio equipment right away. To help you in your health journey, you can attend the training classes offered at Fitness 360 to have an instructor guide you all the way. Whether you are interested in a cardio workout or strength training workout, the Trinity center offers different types of workout classes for you to explore.

Spin Classes

You can think of spin classes as an indoor cycling class since it essentially involves working out while riding a bike and doing other movements for a certain amount of time. These have become one of the most popular types of workout classes today as they are fun and engaging and definitely burn big calories.

Throughout the workout, you will have an instructor going through each step with you, so you can follow their instructions more clearly. Depending on the difficulty of the class you sign up for, the workout may also include dumbbells to give you a full body workout and train different muscle groups.

Yoga Classes

The Fitness 360 Trinity location also offers yoga classes for anyone looking to get mental clarity along with the physical benefits. For these classes, you will mostly be working on a mat. Your instructor will ask you to do different poses, also known as asana, while performing breathing techniques to help you stay relaxed and concentrated.

Yoga movements are known to be extremely precise, so you may notice that they are done slowly and more deliberately. However, these are a great form of strength training to build muscle and improve your overall balance. Yoga can be done by anyone, regardless of fitness levels, do not hesitate to try out this class in our center. If you are interested, you can also try out hot yoga, where the class is done in a warm studio to increase your heart rate and get you to sweat.

Boot Camps

If you are looking for a well-rounded workout combining strength and cardio, you might enjoy our boot camps. As the name suggests, these are group sessions that use circuit training style sessions and mix bodyweight exercises and calisthenics to give you a full body workout. Since boot camps are usually fast paced, make sure you are prepared for the challenges that come with it when signing up for the class!

Though boot camp training can be one of the most intense types of workout classes, especially for starters, it is highly effective in building your strength and endurance.

Heart Rate-Based Training

As its name suggests, this class is designed with your heart rate in mind. The idea is to work out at different intensities based on this so that you can get your cardio system working while still considering your limitations. When doing cardio, it can be easy to push yourself too much to the point that your muscles and systems are overstressed. Thus, with the personalized approach used in this training class, you can get a more accurate range of intensities to use.

Get Promotional Deals at Fitness 360 in Trinity Today

With the many types of workout classes we have in our Trinity location, you can surely get a good workout done at any time. Should you be interested in any of our classes, you can call us at (727) 797 5100 to learn more about our offers.

valentines-day-workoutCategoriesBlog cardio workout Fitness Center muscle workout

Valentine’s Day Workouts for You and Your Special Someone!

Don’t Skip a Valentine’s Day Workout

In just a matter of days, another Valentine’s Day will arrive and sweethearts around the world will celebrate their relationships. After the past year we’ve all been through, spending time with your special someone might mean just a little bit more. Even though we’re sure you’re excited to celebrate the holiday, why not add a Valentine’s Day workout to the festivities?!

Valentine’s Day is a unique holiday, as it’s usually celebrated between two people, rather than families and friends. This means that most of us will have a little spare time during the day to squeeze in a workout. Working out together can be a fun and unique way to set the day’s activities off. Get in a workout in the morning to energize you for the rest of your day together!

Or, you can close out your day with a workout and then enjoy a romantic night together.

Working Out Brings You Closer

There’s a reason people who love to work out at the gym will often look for partners who love it, too. Working out as a couple is a great way to stay motivated, but there’s also a biological element involved. As you work out, your body releases endorphins, those awesome little hormones that make you feel good. This means that not only does the act of supporting each other bring you closer together as a couple, but biology is hard at work, too!

Gyms Will Be Open on Valentine’s Day

Given the nature of the holiday, fitness centers will remain open during their normal business hours. Therefore, you have no reason to skip a session, even if you choose to shorten it a bit so you’ll have a little extra time with your partner. You can choose a Valentine’s Day workout in the form of cardio, a Les Mills class, weight training, personal training, or whatever else gets your blood flowing.

Quick DIY Home Workout

Even though there’s no reason to skip the gym on Valentine’s Day, it’s understandable that you might want to limit the time actually at the gym if you have big plans. If you’re looking for a quick workout that you can do at home or at the gym, try five sets of these exercises:

  • 10 Burpees
  • 20 Air Squats
  • 20 Push-Ups
  • 20 Walking Lunges
  • 20 Sit-Ups
  • 10 Leg Raises

Not-So-Quick Workout

Whether you don’t have big plans for the holiday or would simply like your Valentine’s Day workout to be more intense, we have a home and gym option for that, too. For each of the exercises in the following categories, perform two sets of 14 reps:

Core Set:

  • Russian Twists (7 each side)
  • Toe Touches
  • Straight Leg Jackknifes
  • Side Plank with Leg Lifts (7 each side)

Arm Set:

  • Bicep Curls
  • Tricep Press
  • Deadlifts
  • Side Bends (7 each side)

Leg Set:

  • Squat and Dumbbell Swing
  • Donkey Kicks
  • Split Squat Hold and Toe Raises
  • Side Lunges (7 each side)
  • Skaters (7 each side)

A Great Valentine’s Day Workout at Fitness 360!

If you’re searching for a gym you and your partner can hit on Valentine’s Day, check out Fitness 360! Our fitness centers are the perfect place for you and your special someone to workout in a stress and judgment-free environment.

Each of our centers has a variety of workout equipment, classes, and personal training sessions designed to help you reach your fitness goals.

Join today for only $2.14! You can also learn more about our 12 personal training sessions for less than $20 a week!

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9 Cardio Tips to Enhance Your Cardio Workout!

Cardio tips to take your workout to the next level!

If you want to make the most out of your workout schedule, then adding cardio into your routine is a paramount. Cardio burns calories get your heart rate up and helps strengthen and tone muscles.

Since cardio is so important to your workout regimen, we’ve taken some time to compile 10 of our favorite cardio tips that will help you get the most out of every session!

Use a Slight Incline

An easy way to make walking or running on a treadmill more effective is by increasing the incline. This increases your heart rate, burns more calories, strengthens your legs, and other such benefits. A good plan is to alternate between different inclines and a flat walk or run.

Don’t Use the Handrail

Many people instinctively hold on to the handrail when they’re using cardio equipment. Instead, pump your arms forward and back as part of the workout to get your blood pumping even more. Just be sure not to cross your arms in front of your chest, as that will reduce the exercise’s effectiveness.

More Work, Less Rest

Start off by choosing a handful of body weight exercises, resistance training, and cardio-based movements. Six or eight should suffice. Then, go from one exercise to the next without resting. Save the break for after you’ve finished the entire set of exercises. This technique will make each exercise more impactful throughout your workout.

Grab a Buddy or Two

Another wonderful way to stay motivated with your cardio routine is to not go it alone. Figure out what your workout regimen should be with a friend or two and then invite them along whenever you head to the gym. You can also keep tabs on each other’s dieting efforts and other related details. Friendly competition between friends doesn’t hurt, either!

Work with a Personal Trainer

In case you haven’t noticed, a big part of cardio is staying motivated. The use of a personal trainer will not only keep you motivated, but you’ll also be given goals to reach and be pushed to achieve those goals. Plus, you’ll be given professional instruction on how to improve all of your workout routines.

Keep Track of Pacing

The technologies available today allow us to keep track of our heart rate, walking speed, estimated calories burned, and a whole lot more. By tracking these details, you can get an idea of how effective your cardio routine has been and be given the opportunity to make changes that will make it even better.

Make a Workout Playlist

Listening to music while you work out will keep you motivated and reduce fatigue. This will often allow cardio routines to go on longer while helping the time just fly by. You should choose something upbeat and fast-paced to keep the rhythm going, but there’s really no wrong type of musical playlist.

Stick to the Workout

All the cardio tips in the world won’t help if you don’t stick to the routine that you’ve created. While it can be difficult to stay motivated and engaged, especially with everything going on in the world right now, it’s important that you don’t lose focus. Choose at least a few days a week and only skip a day if you absolutely must.

Join a Fitness Club

Fitness clubs have the equipment and staff to help you get the most out of every workout. More importantly, getting out of the house and heading to a gym where you can be exposed to a workout community will often keep you motivated. Plus, the staff and trainers can give you more cardio tips as you use the equipment in real time.

Contact Fitness 360 for More Cardio Tips and an Excellent Workout

If you follow these cardio tips, your workout sessions will be more enjoyable, and you’ll get more out of them. Fitness 360 can help improve your cardio and workout routines. To learn more about why we’re the most reputable Palm Harbor fitness center or if you have any questions about our services such as our personal training programs and Les Mills classes, give us a call at (727) 797-5100 today to schedule a free consultation.