#fitness
The Anatomy of a Perfect Plank

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!


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#nutrition
Memorial Day Recipe: Raspberry Orange Spritzer

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays, not only because America remembers the heroes who have served our country, but because it's a tradition that I spend it with my family. The weekend also kicks summer into high gear, and that calls for refreshing, fruity drinks! My fam gets together to make good food, drink, and have a good time!


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#nutrition
How to Get Past a Bad Day of Eating

As we go through life, we're constantly categorizing (whether consciously or subconsciously) everything that crosses our path. He is this. She is that. These are different. That's the same. Yet, where does this lead us? No day is ever the same. And it’s this sense of variety that most of us thrive on and live for. So, why is that when it comes to analyzing our eating habits, we feel the need to categorize them as either “good” or “bad”? Let's dig into this a bit further.


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#fitness
The Game of Thrones Epic Workout Challenge

Every Sunday night, I plop down on the couch for an hour straight to watch my favorite show, Game of Thrones. It's impossible to resist my love for dragons, action-packed battles, and the crazy power trips! But instead of sitting for an hour, I created a workout game that I do while the show is playing. It allows me to get in a good workout while watching.


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#fitness
4 Simple Tips to Prevent Running Injuries

Injury prevention is a major concern for any runner. Let’s face it, you're not going to get too far with a torn ligament in your foot, knee, or back. And don’t get me started on shin splints — they're the worst! It's critical that you take all necessary precautions to prevent an injury from sneaking into your training schedule.


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#fitness
Try This: 30-Minute Morning Circuit Workout

Many of us want our workouts to be like the meals we cook—fast, fun, convenient, and good for us. Luckily, workouts are similar to recipes. We can add, subtract, or adjust them to fit our needs. Whether you have a busy schedule or you are just a morning person, this workout will start your day off right!


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#nutrition
Eat Smart: A 7-Day Healthy Meal Plan

The expectation for college students is to eat whatever you can, whenever you can, as long as it's cheap. But I didn't. I started meal planning sophomore year. Sundays were spent seeking out deals in the local ads, creating a meal plan and shopping list, grocery shopping, and finally, preparing food for the week. Meal planning may seem like a hassle, but it actually comes with a lot of benefits.


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#lifestyle
Infographic: Is Flab The Ultimate Confidence Killer?

With summer in sight, more of us are feeling self-conscious about our bodies -- and will enjoy the season less as a result. That's according to a new survey commissioned by Anytime Fitness.

76% of the 1,000 respondents said that they feel the same or worse about their body image this year. Another 53% plan to "cover up everything they can" at the beach. That doesn't bode well for fun in the sun.


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#fitness
5 Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Join a Gym

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.


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#fitness
Gym Intimidation - Everyone Deserves a Compliment

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.


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