Did you know that holding your body in a prone position just a few inches off the floor is both challenging and great for your physique? That’s right, planks are all the rage, replacing crunches as the go-to core exercise. Everyone's planking these days—elite athletes, my mom and dad, and even 71-year-olds breaking world records. We can thank our yoga and Pilates instructors for this one!

Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a fitter, healthier version of yourself! Whether you’ve been a gym member before or are a first-timer, you’re in the right place. Here, you'll find like-minded folks who are striving to simply be better than they were yesterday. Welcome to the Anytime Fitness family!

By: Becky Fulton

I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just got the notice that my divorce was final and I knew I was ready for change. I don’t remember if I saw a picture of myself, heard a comment from someone, or what exactly “clicked," but Gary (my new personal trainer) must have noticed something.

Despite a freakish May snowfall here at Anytime HQ, summer has pretty much arrived for most of us in North America. It’s the time of year when everyone wants to be outside biking, hiking, running, golfing, swimming, gardening, grilling, or whatever your chosen activity may be.

It’s all-too-easy to skip the gym on days like these. But we’re here to set you straight. Turns out that now might just be the very best time to get in the gym. Self-serving? Most assuredly. But that doesn’t make it any less true! Allow us to explain.

Weighing over 400 pounds made me feel very nervous when walking into any place, let alone the gym. I always thought everyone was staring and judging me. It can be incredibly intimidating. But don't think you have to be in shape to join a gym. I wasn't and I lost over 200 pounds! Let me tell you a story.

With spring suddenly upon us, I’m sure many of you are looking to take your fitness to the next level. After all, we all want to look lean and fit for the summer, right? And many of us want to perform at our best when it comes to training and competition too! Whether you’re looking to run a few extra miles outside, join a new boot camp class, or get back into your favorite warm weather sport, one thing is for certain—you need to adequately fuel your body.

Though some people may vehemently disagree, weight loss is relatively easy to accomplish. If you really want to lose weight and you commit to taking in fewer calories than you expend, the weight is very likely to come off. So then, what's the tricky part? Maintenance. Let's discuss.