Uncategorized
BACK 40: Maintaining a balanced body
Published
10 years agoon
By Jolene Callahan
Fitness Fusion
Summer is a wonderful season in Montana, with long days, cooler nights and countless fun events and activities. It’s a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all the recreational activities that abound. But it’s important to keep a balanced body, as well, by integrating three crucial training components: stretching, strength training and core exercises.
You may think that stretching your hamstrings and calves is just something to be done if you have a few extra minutes before or after pounding out some miles on the trail or treadmill. The main concern is exercising, not stretching, right?
Not so fast. Stretching helps you improve range of motion in your joints, which in turn may help improve your athletic performance and decrease your risk of injury. It also helps reduce muscle tension and soreness by increasing blood flow and oxygen throughout the body, which in turn increases energy levels as well.
If you don’t stretch after exercising, one muscle group will become strong and tight, while another muscle group will remain a little weaker. In the end, you will end up with an unbalanced body, which will create aches and pains.
Strength training comes in many forms from lifting weights to body weight exercises – like pull-ups and squats – or through outdoor recreation such as rock climbing. It’s a key component to overall health and fitness, and there are a number of benefits to including strength training in your weekly activities.
By stressing your bones, strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. It also allows you to control your weight as you gain muscle, boosts stamina and helps manage chronic conditions such as back pain, arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. Adding strength training to your everyday activities will help you create a body that is strong inside out and well balanced.
Core exercises are an important part of a well-rounded fitness program, but aside from occasional sit-ups and push-ups, they’re often neglected. It pays to strengthen core muscles – the ones around your trunk and pelvis – because they train your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work together in harmony.
This leads to better balance and stability, whether on the golf course, trails or in daily activities. In fact, most sports and other physical activities depend on a stable core, and weak core muscles can leave you susceptible to poor posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries.
Aerobic activity and muscular strength are the primary elements of most fitness programs, but to have a truly well rounded program, you should include core exercises and stretching in the mix as well.
Whether you’re a novice taking the first steps toward fitness, or a committed fitness fanatic hoping to optimize your results, a balanced fitness program is the best way to reach your goals.
Jolene Callahan is owner of local fitness and pilates studio, Big Sky Fitness Fusion & Pilates, LLC, located in the Meadow Village Center. For a list of classes offered, visit bigskyfitnessfusion.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm