In an effort to save money, many companies have done away with employee perks that they used to offer, including employee fitness club memberships. However, investing in the long-term health of an employee is something that can provide important benefits for both the employee and the company. Subsidizing Boston fitness center costs to make it easy and affordable for employees to access state of the art fitness equipment and professional services is a great first step.

Instituting a fitness club benefit for employees gives your team access to everything they need to achieve their optimum health and fitness goals. Employees can take spin classes in Boston or can learn from a personal trainer at a Boston health club. In a country where medical costs continue to rise, many individuals are looking for affordable ways to protect their health. Adding fitness benefits for employees is a great start to keeping healthcare costs down.

Boston corporate wellness programs offer many great benefits to employees that can help lower health insurance premiums, reduce worker’s compensation costs, improve employee productivity and morale, and decrease employee absenteeism. By making it easier for employees to focus on their wellbeing, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle, which results in more efficient employees. It’s a win-win for business owners who want to increase productivity while offering top-notch benefits, and for employees who want to improve their health and fitness.

By encouraging and supporting corporate fitness in Boston, businesses can reap the benefits of healthier, happier employees who can join the gym at a substantially reduced member rate with minimal or no joining fees required at signup. Whether employees are looking for nutritional counseling, yoga classes in Boston or just want to walk on the treadmill every day, making it easy for employees to take care of themselves is a smart business strategy.

Today’s business leaders are always looking for ways to improve employee productivity while also providing benefits that are designed to keep them healthy throughout their career. Offering wellness programs and discounts at 

Offering private showers, professional equipment, and all of the accessories that are needed to get a great workout, on-site fitness centers are a healthy workplace trend that many businesses are surprised to find are affordable to implement as well. Opening a fitness center in Boston at your business does involve some work with the initial investment, design, and implementation. However, most companies find that it’s a small price to pay for having healthier, happier employees who are also more productive. By making it easier for employees to work on their own wellness, business owners can reap the benefits.

Many gyms in Boston that are open to the general public can be crowded at high points throughout the day and aren’t able to provide the personal attention that a staffed on-site fitness center can offer. Working with a company like Fitcorp to open an on-site fitness center means that you will get ongoing support from the management team and pre-operating consulting process that will help you through every step of the process.

Having a private fitness center in your business gives employees the chance to step away from their jobs without having to run across town to get to their Boston gym. Instead, employees can easily rejuvenate both their bodies and their minds with a smaller, professionally-run fitness center that is just for them. It’s a wonderful benefit that business owners can provide, and one that will benefit the business and employees each day.

One of the biggest reasons that individuals stop going to gym is because the location isn’t convenient enough. It’s simply too far away, or they don’t have the motivation to entice them to go on a regular basis. Making fitness a habit can be tough, and many individuals beat themselves up for not trying harder at it. However, when you’ve got a busy lifestyle that includes a hectic career and even more hectic family life, then you know what it’s like to try to fit one more stop into your day. Although it may be tough to balance work and family, it’s still important to take care of yourself so that you can keep up with everything that life throws your way.

When it comes to health clubs in Boston, Fitcorp’s network of premier fitness clubs makes it easy for even the busiest individuals to get into shape, with several locations that are conveniently located throughout the Greater Boston area. Offering members the convenience and dependability that they need to keep coming back, Fitcorp is dedicated to the health and fitness of its members.

The Fitcorp network of premier fitness centers in Boston was designed to make it easy to include exercise into your day, with group exercise classes that are scheduled at convenient times in order to meet the needs of your busy schedule. Fitcorp can show you how easy and enjoyable it can be to add fitness into your life. Whether you are just starting out, are new to the area, or are simply looking to get back into a fitness routine that you can stick to for the long run, there is a Fitcorp conveniently located near you. For more information, check out the complete list of our fitness center locations. 

In today’s health-conscious society, many people are looking for that “magic pill” that will instantly make them the healthiest and fittest person they can be. Individuals often try to accomplish this ideal state of health through exercise and nutritional supplements alone. However, there’s much more to it when it comes to achieving your optimum wellness.

Studies show that while exercise is incredibly important for maintaining our muscular and circulatory systems, we also need the added benefits of good nutrition, relaxation, and detoxification to achieve maximum health to complete the fitness equation. Nutritional counseling, massage, and acupuncture services at our Boston fitness centers can help you achieve your best state of health, by helping you to be relaxed, focused, and energetic every day.

We utilize a well-rounded approach to fitness, offering options like yoga classes in Boston, nutritional counseling, massage, and acupuncture at some of our Boston fitness centers. By combining these services with state of the art cardio and strength training areas, you can work on optimizing your whole health in one convenient location. This approach to long-term health focuses on your total wellbeing, guiding you toward a healthy lifestyle that you’ll want to maintain.

While there is no “magic pill” for staying healthy and avoiding disease, group fitness classes in Boston and one-on-one services for nutritional education, massage, and other wellness services will certainly help increase your overall health. In addition to developing strength, and cardio skills in the gym, you can work on the rest of your body with our additional services, which are provided by licensed professionals dedicated to your health and wellbeing. When you take care of your whole body and complete the fitness equation with smart choices, you’ll be prepared to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Personal trainers do much more than just motivate and push members to work harder; they understand what it takes to meet the most common goals of gym members, including weight loss and development of increased muscle mass. Instead of hopping onto a cardio machine for 30 minutes and doing the same number of reps in the strength training area, why not recharge your routine with the help of a personal trainer? A Fitcorp personal trainer will change the way you work out.

Our personal trainers understand your unique challenges and will work with you to develop an individualized plan help you meet your fitness goals. When you have a partner on your side to help you each step of the way, you are more likely to keep working towards your goals of health and wellness. At Fitcorp, we strive to make that journey fun and enjoyable, with the help of our certified personal trainers.

Featuring AJ Govoni’s favorite must have workout gear

I wish there was some sort of award granted to me after every trip to the gym taken in the dead of winter! I’m not going to lie and say I run outside in the winter…because I don’t. It’s too cold and I applaud those dedicated runners who do. Crazy! I’ll stick to inside the gym- where I’m safe from all harsh winter elements. However, a nice incentive would motive me to get out there and tackle each work out-despite the cold. I’m thinking something along the lines of an instantly in-shape slim body, money granted, closet full of free clothes, a round of applause- really anything.  Anyways, for those of you who have no problem facing the unforgiving weather of a New England winter I would like to share with you some functional, yet fashionable training gear from Oakley that will allow you to perform your best-even in the freezing cold.

I had asked AJ Govoni – a woman who I find to be very inspirational to put together a few outfits from Oakley Women, focusing on ones that are versatile for outdoor runners along with ones that are going to get her through an active day and her most intense workouts (She even modeled the clothes in some pics so you ladies get a better look at them). I not only value AJ’s opinion because she is stylish, but she is also extremely active in the fitness world. She works as a personal trainer, owner/leader of outdoor bootcamps, Oakley Women Ambassador, active traveler and a published freelance writer. So as you can see she lives a very lively lifestyle and I’m sure expects the best from the brand of workout attire she wears. She says that “I really live in my gym clothes, so I need clothes that will fuel my activity but also have me feeling/looking good”- Oakley Women is her brand of choice because it does exactly that.

I’ve never really taken the time to see what Oakley Women has to offer for workout attire, because I’ve always thought it was primarily for the top extreme sport athletes, however I was wrong. “Oakley Women is for every active women- the yogis, the runners, the bootcamp queens, moms, weekend warriors, etc”. Oakley Women is functional and fashionable-taking your training to the next level. So take a look at the attire AJ recommends from Oakley Women and what it has to offer now along with a sneak peak on what Spring 2013 will have in store. I’m thinking you may want to think about ditching the old brand you are so called loyal too. I know I am!

Layer Up without the Bulk!

*Outfit described from bottom up*

Runner Pant: Color: Pewter

These are my FAVORITE pair of pants to train in. Whether it’s going for a run in them, practicing yoga, or just lounging around, I live in them. They’re so comfortable. Best part is, they don’t lose shape or ride up, meaning I can do any high intense exercise. REALLY great for those early morning or late afternoon runs, when that winter dark is in full force– the REFLECTIVE Oakley O logo sign, will keep you seen! These pants are UV protective, moisture management and antibacterial action.

The Untouched Jacket: Color: Black.

Keep the winter wind out with this jacket. It’s extremely lightweight and features a full length zip and thumbhole cuffs. It’s perfect to wear over my: Blizzard Fleece Hoody: which provides me with warmth on those chilly runs but great for layering since it’s light and not bulky.

TwentySix.2 active sunglasses: 

I love these sunglasses for outdoor training and running. They’re really lightweight and the patented Unobtainium nosepads and earpads provide a no-slip grip. For me, these are the best for outdoor running or bootcamps because even when you’re sweating, they’ll stay on your face. I love them because they’re stylish, it’s hard to find sunglasses that both are stylish and functional. REALLY important to protect your eyes from the sun. These babies are 100% UVA/UVB/UVC protective. BE ABLE to see clearly this time of year from blocking out the blinding reflections off of the glistening snow!!

By: AJ Govoni

Elevate your performance with Oakley Women Spring 2013 Line

Line will feature Bright Colors. Bold Statement.

Going along with the Spring 2013 gear that is AJ is wearing  is the…

Skinny Tote: Work, travel and gym bag all in one! The Skinny Tote has a dedicated pocket for your laptop which makes for the perfect carry-on bag for work travel. With inside separate pockets, this bag holds my daily needs, and the removable mini laundry bag to keep my dirty sneakers and internal strap for a yoga mat means I really have no excuse to skip out on the gym after or during work!

**Personally one of my favorites…great for women who go to Fitcorp from the office! Accompanies the whole “from office diva to work out warrior” concept!**

Align Sports Bra: Color: White

I really like how the sports bra has a double layer in the middle of the bust. This adds great style along with more coverage…providing comfort.

Blizzard Fleece Hoody:

Shown under the “Untouched Jacket” in winter outfit too.

The training pants show off the fun, bright, bold colors we have to look forward to for spring! I also love the pewter color band around the waist-acts as a fabulous reflector for those night runners.

You can be a part of Oakley Women and learn more about what’s in store for Spring 2013 by logging on to OakleyPBC.com and sign up to be a member.

The site allows you to not only shop but, to read about athletes and Oakley Women ambassadors’ (like AJ) favorite workouts, recipes, training tips, and gear. I also heard that you could win a free pair of Oakley Women sunglasses by becoming a member! It’s free! Ladies…we LOVE free stuff!

Also if you need a little motivation or want some tips on anything from working out to traveling I suggest contacting AJ:

Twitter: @livefitordie – Facebook: www.facebook.com/livefitordie

For some the training might not begin until that day when the race registration is completed. Once you pay, you’ve reached the point of no return; time to start pounding the pavement.

But how long has it been since the last run? For some it could be weeks or even months. That first run might be brutal. With each step your muscles struggle to expand and contract smoothly, feeling as if they’re not quite thawed from a deep freeze. The joints have the sensation of being thickly coated in rust and stuffed with cobwebs. You smile to show your training partner that this is fun, but inside your mind is screaming ‘AAAAAAAARGH!’

No matter what you do for activity during a long stretch in which you’re not running, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re most likely working different muscles (or using them differently). When you get back to running you’ll need to re-acclimate. The amount of time it takes to do that varies from person to person, and also depends on how long you were away from running.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Even if you don’t want to transition to year round training, adding in some maintenance running in the off-season can make a world of difference. “I would suggest keeping two runs per week to maintain an acclimation to the impact just so they don’t have to restart,” says John Furey, master trainer and marathon coach at Fitcorp.

Two runs per week wouldn’t really be that time consuming. For the small amount of time it would take from your schedule, the payoff could be huge come race day. For the sake of argument, let’s say a seasonal runner goes with a standard 20-week buildup to their marathon. There are 52 weeks in a year so that leaves another 32 weeks of potential gains on the table. Assuming you can get in ten miles per week, whether it’s over two runs per week as John suggests or spread out even more, and that adds up to an additional 320 miles of running.

Just think of how many more Snickers bars you can eat guilt-free with an additional 320 miles on your legs. Snickers aren’t really your style? Well then, feel free to substitute whatever food or drink motivates you. I’d still avoid the drive-thru as much as possible; the woman from the Wendy’s commercials is going to have serious health issues if she keeps tearing through those Baconators at that torrid pace.

Beyond the dietary benefits, your legs will be that much stronger and you’ll reduce the acclimation period when for when it’s time to get serious about training again. While your running buddies are still clearing the ice, rust, and cobwebs from their legs, you’ll be gliding along fairly smoothly. If you can get to quality training quicker in the training cycle then that means you could be in line for much better work near the end of the cycle. That could all translate into a coveted PR. What’s not to love about a PR?

Just by simply mixing in some running during your off season you could be setting yourself up for a successful run at your next big race. A little more mileage (and less Baconators!) could make it so much easier for you to hold bragging rights over your buddies once your cross the finish line.

Not having good posture can undo all of the time and energy put into getting ready for the big race (or whatever other goal you had in mind). One of the worst things that we do is sit behind a desk hunched over a computer for hours on end. In doing so our posture really suffers, but since the mind is preoccupied with important business tasks (like getting the right cover sheets for your TPS reports), the awful posture probably isn’t given a second thought.

As a physical therapist at the Prudential Center, Melissa Kennedy (MPT) has seen her fair share of physically fit number crunchers and desk jockeys come in for treatment. “Poor postural alignment can increase the risk of injury resulting from sustained sitting or standing in positions for prolonged periods of time,” said Melissa. The more time spent behind a desk, the more at risk you could be.

What if you had an epiphany after reading this and all of a sudden good posture was a focal point of your workday? As nice as that sounds, it might not be enough. Muscle balance also plays a role in this problem and not addressing that could mean problems in the future. “Posture is all about balance. If you have good posture then you have good muscle balance, and the reverse is true,” says licensed massage therapist Russ Robar. Russ continues, “If you don’t have good muscle balance then you don’t have good posture, and that leads to injuries.”

Good muscle balance is a topic for a whole other post (and something that a personal trainer could easily assist you with), so for now we’ll tackle posture. To get into more detail on the issue, let’s toss it back to Melissa: “The purpose of the spine is to help support the head. When a person is in poor postural position (i.e. leaning forward) the back muscles are called upon to support the head. As a result, the muscles become stiff and tight doing the excessive static work.”

The good news is there are several easy steps to incorporate that can help alleviate any stresses caused by the excessive, static work. For starters, get up a couple of times an hour. Little tasks such as getting water or picking up something off the printer could serve as a nice shake-out for those stiff legs. If possible, go the long way for some of those trips (as time allows).

Other ways to help involve simply moving your shoulders and head around, and stretching. Stretching can be tricky though. Maybe your office is casual to the point where you can roll out a yoga mat and bang out a downward dog or two without anyone batting an eye, but for the rest of us the more discrete approach will probably work best.

Here are a couple of quick stretches that are generally office-friendly:

• From the comfort of your office chair, sit with your knees spread apart. Bend forward to the floor until you feel a comfortable stretch in your back. Hold for ten seconds. Try doing three sets of this, and working your way up to five sessions per day.
• Now, stand up. Arch backward to make the hollow of your back deeper. Hold this for ten seconds. Try doing three sets of this, and working your way up to, you guessed it, five sessions per day.

Simple, right? Remember, good posture is something to stay on top off since it is so important. No matter what you have in terms of ergonomically sound office equipment, that won’t prevent problems brought on by stress. “Ergonomics don’t control stress, stress impacts the body as well,” says Russ. So relax, take a deep breath and know that having good posture is something that you can handle.

I’m sure you are all familiar with the cliche saying, “You get what you pay for” and to some extent I like to abide by this statement when purchasing athletic clothes. Typically when things are sold at a cheaper price; it’s mostly likely because the product is derived from lower quality materials, resulting in falling apart quicker.  Of course this isn’t true in all cases because we all know popular name brand companies can raise their prices simply because of who they are and the demand they have from their consumers.

I’ve done a lot of comparing and contrasting between name brand and no- name brand athletic clothing and have found their differences to be miniscule. Among basic staple products, such as yoga pants and tanks there isn’t a huge difference in the materials they are made out of. These products are generally made from materials such as Spandex, Polyester and Lycra (which are all sweat absorbent and functional resources). However,  the staple product that is made by let’s say… Nike, will be more expensive than the one made by the no-name brand, despite the fact that the labels state they are made from exactly the same thing; providing consumers with similar comfort and performance. So what I’m trying to say here is one shouldn’t be so closed minded to the no-name brands if it means you can save an extra buck! If the product looks good on and provides you with comfort than that’s all the matters…rock that no-name brand! The little Nike swoosh sewn on the right hand corner of your chest is not what people are going to be looking at!

On the flip side comparing and contrasting brand names to no-name brands for quality and material purposes to assure that you are indeed getting the same product can be exhausting! It’s certainly not a shopping style that you always want to practice, which is exactly why I get more than half of my athletic clothes from T.J Maxx. They do the work for me! I consider this store my little off-price haven! T.J Maxx has all the name brand athletic clothes sold at a way cheaper price! Yes, I’m aware that a majority of the merchandise is last season-but who cares! I highly doubt the person running next you on the treadmill is going to be staring you down thinking “OMG, that tank top is so last season!” Instead she may be thinking “Hmm, I saw that at T.J Maxx, she must be a bargain shopper like myself…you go girl!”

I’ve purchased Nike, New Balance, ADIDAS, Reebok, and LuLuLemon (yes! LuLulemon) tops at T.J Maxx for less than $20. We all know that any top from one of these stores directly is going to cost $20 or more. You can forget about running Spandex or shorts…you’re talking one pair for $40 or more at any one of these name brand stores! So Unnecessary!

So I told you that I primarily shop at T.J Maxx for athletic clothes, but I didn’t tell you that I rarely ever shop under their full priced merchandise for athletic gear. I head straight to the clearance rack!  I used to work at a T.J Maxx so I am aware that they do markdowns once a week, unlike most retailers who will do it seasonally or once a month! T.J Maxx marks items down for many reasons, not just because an item is ugly or because its damaged, but perhaps the color is a less popular one. I found a few bright lime green tanks on the clearance rack for $7, while at the very same time the pink version of that top was on the rack selling for full price. So the point is don’t ever over look the clearance rack at T.J Maxx and think it’s just a bunch of ugly leftovers! Sure you may have to dig through the racks like a crazy woman to find what you are looking for, but no one ever said shopping was easy! I recommend looking through the entire clearance rack-even if it’s not the athletic wear section. You may find a gem hidden in the women’s clearance dress section or perhaps amongst the denim. It’s very rare (and yes I’ve been guilty myself) that shoppers put merchandise back where they belong. So hunt for those bargain ladies and save those dollah bills!

Written by: Kayla Dunn

Fear of that very intimidating first step is a major contributor. Anybody who aspires to get into shape probably knows that once you get into an exercise routine, you’re well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. But that’s the real trick, clearing that initial hurdle and getting into a routine. Habitually not working out is a routine in and of itself, albeit a bad one. Breaking that bad routine is infinitely harder than falling out of a good one. So how do you do it?

For starters, as tough as it is, avoiding the excuses is tantamount to success. There’s an old saying: Excuses are like…well, you know…everyone has one and they all stink. As harsh as it might sound, there’s a lot of truth there. Life moves at a breakneck pace today and very few people have a schedule that leaves time for convenient, unobtrusive exercise.

Make no mistake about it, it will take effort to not only work an exercise regiment into your routine, but to also make it an integral part of your life. Don’t worry though, because that hard work will pay off big time. Altering your lifestyle to a more active, healthy one will be one of the most rewarding things you can do.

Here are some ways to help you navigate the transition to a healthier lifestyle:

Have Fun

Don’t force yourself into an activity you know you won’t like. Grab a partner or join a small group class for support and accountability. The social aspect of working out is a lot more inclusive than one might think. Plus it’s easier to work hard if you are surrounded by others pushing you.

Switch Things Up

Seriously consider hiring a qualified trainer to help you establish your game plan.  The best trainers will combine their training sessions with homework and the best classes to compliment your overall routine. The exercises and techniques learned from time spent with a trainer will add to your repertoire and provide you with more to do on your own. Also, you can impress your friends at parties with your expanded base of fitness knowledge.

Set Goals

Setting goals and planning to participate in an event is so very important. You’re more likely to run that 5k if the entry fee has already been paid for. The event (a 5K, charity walk, mini-tri, etc.) helps back up your training and provides a focus and a purpose to your efforts. If you want to take it a step further, make those goals and events known. If you’re the only person who is aware of the goals then it’s easier to adjust, alter or even flat out ignore it. Once a goal is out there and recognized by others, it’s a lot more difficult to shy away from it.

When considering your new lifestyle, it’s important to also remember to pay attention to your diet. According to Mike Parent, Chief Fitness Officer of Fitcorp, “Fitness is king, nutrition is queen. If you ignore what goes down the hatch, you will not be as successful.  Don’t call it a ‘diet’ but a permanent plan to eat healthier and make better choices.  This does not mean you’ll be eating sticks and berries and you’ll be surprised how small improvements create a leaner you.”

That leaner you just might want to run that 5k after all, but try not to get overwhelmed thinking of accomplishing any daunting tasks. Take it one step, one workout, at a time and before you know it you’ll be wondering how you ever lived anyway but active and healthy.