With the start of every New Year, many of us resolve to lose weight. Whether we want to lose a few pounds or a few dozen, we look to January 1st as a day when we’ll commit to exercising more at the gym and eating less. After all, that’s the best way to lose weight, right? Eat less and exercise more?

It turns out, weight loss is a little more complicated than that. While exercising at our Thornton gym and eating fewer calories can lead to weight loss, there is one other factor in the equation – our metabolism.

What exactly is a metabolism, and how does it affect how much we weigh? Read this blog to learn more.

Knee pain is one of the most common discomforts felt by Americans of all ages, and 25% of adults suffer with frequent knee pain that limits their function and mobility. Along with knee pain, people may also experience other symptoms like knee redness, swelling, stiffness, weakness, and instability. In addition, they might also hear popping or crunching noises coming from their knee joint or be unable to straighten their knee all the way.

In most cases, knee pain is caused by an injury, arthritis, or overuse. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in people age 50 and older. Among those with knee osteoarthritis, knee pain is a top reason why they decide to get knee replacement surgery.

While knee replacement surgery is often the best treatment for severe, debilitating knee pain, most people can find relief without surgery. One of the main nonsurgical treatments for knee pain is exercise. It almost seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? How could moving your knee more reduce the pain you feel? But it’s true, there are specific exercises you can do at our gym near you to relieve your knee pain and get back to your active lifestyle again.

In this blog, we’ll explore some exercises you can do at our Thornton gym to improve the flexibility and function of your sore knees.

You’ve probably heard that regular exercise offers many benefits for your mental health. In study after study, exercise has been shown to give people more energy throughout the day, a sharper memory, better sleep at night, a more positive attitude, and an overall sense of relaxation and well-being. As a matter of fact, doctors regularly prescribe exercise as a treatment for a variety of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and stress.

While this is all great news for those of us who work out regularly at the gym, it begs the question, which exercises should I do to support my mental health? Research has shown that even modest amounts of any exercise, regardless of your age or fitness level, can be a powerful tool that improves mental health. In this blog, we’ll explore some specific brain-boosting exercises you can try at AFAC gym.

During the holiday season, you’ll hear “The 12 Days of Christmas” song playing everywhere, from grocery stores to TV commercials and maybe even at AFAC gym. Many of us know at least some of the lyrics by heart, whether you’re singing about the eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, or five golden rings.

For many fitness enthusiasts, the holidays aren’t complete without a fun 12 Days of Christmas workout. You can find many versions of this workout online, but in the spirit of the season, our Thornton gym has come up with our own 12 Days of Christmas workout for you to love (or love to hate!)

Read all about our 12 Days of Christmas workout in this blog and then feel free to give it a try at our gym near you. AFAC gym wishes you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season!

When those first layers of snow start to build up on the mountains and resorts begin to open, you know that ski season has finally arrived. But, even though you may have been keeping up with your regular workouts at AFAC gym, you might wonder, are you physically ready to spend hours on the slopes, day after day?

For many members of our Thornton gym, the answer is probably no, not quite. That’s why it’s important to train specifically for ski season about 6-8 weeks before hitting the hills.

No one wants to leave a ski vacation early because their legs couldn’t last, or worse yet, because they were injured. Ski injuries often occur because a muscle, joint, ligament, or tendon is asked to go beyond what it’s trained to do, leading to sprains, tears, and breaks. And, while you can’t prevent all ski injuries, you can help your body to be strong and adaptable to the unique movements of skiing before laying down fresh tracks.

In this blog, we’ll discuss a few moves that you can do at our gym near you to prepare for ski season. We hope your ski season is filled with fun and fresh powder!

It’s official! The holiday season is in full swing with its non-stop schedule of shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, special events, family gatherings, and eating. During this incredibly busy time of year, it’s easy to let your gym workouts fall by the wayside.

Research shows, however, that once you stop exercising, de-training begins in just a few weeks. Instead of quitting your routine at our Thornton gym, it’s better to do maintenance workouts so that you don’t lose all the progress you’ve worked so hard to gain. Even if you reduce the time you spend at the gym for each session or cut back to one workout per week, that’s a lot better than stopping exercise altogether and then trying to make up for lost ground after the New Year begins.

In addition to maintaining your fitness and all the gains you’ve made, there are many other reasons why you should give yourself the gift of regular exercise during the holiday season. Read on to learn more.

Sometimes, the simplest tools will give us the most impressive results. This is the case with Battle Ropes. One of the newest fitness crazes is based on working out with thick, giant ropes that are very similar to ropes used throughout the centuries for a wide variety of reasons, including the tug-of-war games you played as a kid.

But it turns out that Battle Ropes can give you a muscle strengthening, high-intensity cardiovascular workout that’s also low-impact and can cater to any fitness level.

So, the next time you pass by the Battle Ropes at AFAC gym, stop for about 10 minutes and give them a whirl. Research shows that 10 minutes of intense rope training can give you an effective full-body workout that increases cardiovascular fitness. In this blog we’ll discuss several Battle Rope workouts that you can slam through at our gym in Thornton.

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at AFAC gym! We have so much to be grateful for, and are especially thankful for every member of our gym in Thornton. It is a pleasure to see you each day, working hard to achieve your goals. Thank you for being a part of our fitness family at AFAC gym.

To show our appreciation, we will be open on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon! Join us for Jamie’s Huff & Puff Before You Stuff Class from 8:30 to 9:30 to get your Thanksgiving Day started off on the right foot. Sign up on our class schedule page or through MINDBODY. We will resume regular gym hours the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 26.

We know that the holidays can be a challenging time to keep on track with a diet and exercise program, but it’s possible to eat, drink, be merry, and stay fit — all at the same time. In this blog, we’ll discuss some ways you can keep your Thanksgiving healthy and happy.

As a member of AFAC gym, you workout regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While exercising at the gym is a big part of staying fit, it’s equally important to stick to a nutritious diet that gives your body what it needs to remain strong and fight disease.

Did you know that the No. 1 health issue facing men and women in the United States and worldwide is heart disease? That means keeping our hearts healthy should be a top priority for all of us. The good news is that most heart disease can be prevented by making healthy food choices.

On Nov. 2, 2021, the American Heart Association released updated dietary guidelines for the first time in 15 years. The advice is consistent with dietary guidelines from the federal government but puts more emphasis on watching our dietary patterns instead of eating specific foods or nutrients.

Read on to learn more about the American Heart Association’s updated advice and to discover other ways you can focus on heart health, including regular workouts at our gym near you.

Every year on November 11th, the United States celebrates Veterans Day. This federal holiday honors the brave men and women who have served in any branch of our nation’s armed forces — military, naval, air, or space.

This November 11th, everyone at our gym in Thornton is remembering Veterans Day with an abundance of gratitude. To all those who have served, and to those who continue to serve our country, Happy Veterans Day from AFAC gym! There is no way to thank you and your loved ones for everything you’ve sacrificed for our freedom, but on Veterans Day, we have to try. Veterans, we salute you! From our hearts to yours, thank you for all you do to protect our citizens, our country, and our way of life.

Who is your favorite veteran? Whether they’re a family member, friend, or famous vet you admire, we challenge you to remember them by completing a special workout in their honor. Read on to learn how you can sweat for a vet at our gym near you.

As the winter weather blows into the Thornton area, it might be tempting to skip your gym workouts and curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate instead. But, even though your comfy couch is calling your name, it’s important to keep moving all winter long. Your regular gym workouts will help you stay in shape for the spring, ward of colds and flus, burn off those holiday calories, and keep you mentally happy even though you miss the balmy days of summer.

The good news is, while it seems like the rest of the world has gone into hibernation, our Thornton gym is open and ready to support you during your fitness journey. That means you can still enjoy all your favorite exercises and classes that you love throughout the year.

So brave those chilly winds and snow-covered hills to make your way to our gym near you for a great workout! Read on for some winter workout ideas that you can try at AFAC gym.

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stick to healthy habits, holidays like Halloween have us raiding our kids’ spoils for a few too many sweets. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with splurging for special occasions! When you feel like maybe you’ve overindulged in treats, the trick is — don’t beat yourself up, simply get back on the horse and keep galloping toward your fitness goals.

If you’re ready to burn off those fun size candy bars, AFAC gym is here to help. Whether you want to work out at our gym near you, hit a local trail, or exercise at home, read on for some not-so-spooky exercise ideas. There’s no need to fear for your waistline when you have our Thornton gym here to support you!

At Adventure Fitness Athletic Club, our goal is to give our gym members the very best equipment, staff, and workout opportunities available in the Thornton area. On top of that, we are also proud of the support and encouragement we provide to everyone at our gym, regardless of their age or ability. Whether you work out on your own, join one of our awesome classes, or schedule a private session with one of our personal trainers, everyone at AFAC is here to assist and cheer you on, every step of the way.

A lot of gyms near you don’t offer this level of support, and this is one of the benefits that sets AFAC apart from the rest. Read on to learn more about how our Thornton gym creates a positive environment where you are not just a member, but also an important part of our fitness family.

If you’re looking for a new exercise class that will help you crush your fitness goals, you may want to give Tabata a try! At AFAC gym, classes are held every Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:00 pm. All fitness levels are welcome!

You can sign up for our weekly Tabata class by going to our class schedule page, or you can also register through MINDBODY. Non-members can even join for a $10 per-class fee. If you have any questions about Tabata or any other classes at our gym in Thornton, feel free to speak to a member of our team for assistance.

Tabata is a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that you won’t find at many other gyms near you. It’s a great way to get a quick, effective workout that will burn fat, increase your cardiovascular fitness, and build strength.

Why do you enjoy working out at AFAC gym? Is it our fantastic selection of top-of-the-line exercise equipment? Or the fact that you never have to wait in line to work out? How about our friendly, supportive atmosphere where everyone treats you like family? Or perhaps it’s our full schedule of exercise classes? Or our therapeutic cryotherapy chamber that you can’t find at any other gyms near you?

Whatever your reasons are for loving AFAC gym, we hope you will tell us all about it by leaving a positive 5-star Google review. Simply scan in one of the QR codes posted throughout our gym in Thornton with your smart phone and you’ll be directed to our Google page where you can write your review. It’s that easy!

Read on for some tips on how to write a great review for our gym near you. We truly appreciate your kind words and support!

Now that the weather is getting cooler in the Thornton area, people tend to drink less water, which means they can become dehydrated easier than they do during warmer months. Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean your water consumption should drop along with the thermostat! Proper hydration is important all year long — especially before, during, and after your workouts at our gym in Thornton, to maximize your performance and help your body recover from strenuous exercise.

If a cold drink of water just doesn’t appeal to you, there are other ways to hydrate that are just as healthy (or even healthier). A prime example of this is hydrating through eating fruit and other foods with a high-water content. Keep reading to learn about how grabbing a juicy piece of fruit can help you hydrate whether you’re ready to exercise at our gym near you or any other time you feel thirsty.

No one goes to the gym for mediocre results. With every rep, every minute on the treadmill, every drop of sweat, every sore muscle, you’re hoping to get 100% out of your workouts.

While it may seem counterintuitive, getting the results you want at our gym in Thornton isn’t necessarily based on the amount of time you spend here (although we always love to see your smiling face!) It’s also about how you spend your time at the gym and even outside the gym. Whether you’re here to become stronger, lose weight, look more toned, or compete in a bodybuilding contest, read on to learn a few tips about how to receive the biggest return on your investment at our gym near you.

There’s something about cardiovascular exercise that makes you feel good. Your heart beats faster, your lungs expand, and you breathe deeper. After a while, you feel more energized and alive. By the time you’re done, almost invincible.

Cardiovascular exercise — also known as cardio, aerobic exercise, or endurance exercise — is any activity that relies heavily on oxygen to produce the energy needed to sustain the activity. In addition to giving you a “high,” regular cardiovascular exercise improves many aspects of health including heart, lung, and circulatory performance, mental health, weight regulation, mood, and sleep.

Whether you get your cardio at our gym in Thornton or outside on the open road, it’s important to fit in a certain amount every week. Read on to learn more about what cardiovascular exercise is, how much is recommended for the average person, what its benefits are, and the many ways our gym near you can help you get all the cardio you need.

You already know that tires make your car move, but did you know that tire training can get your body moving, too? That’s right, something as basic as a tire offers you a ton of different workout variations that increase your strength, speed, agility, and cardiovascular fitness.

In addition to a full range of traditional gym equipment, Adventure Fitness Athletic Club also has tires and sledgehammers available to our members so that they can participate in this unique method of strength and conditioning training. Read on to learn about exercising with tires at our gym in Thornton, some sample workouts to try, and the benefits of this surprisingly effective bodybuilding tool.

One of the most common questions asked of personal trainers at the gym is, “How do I get 6-pack abs?”

It’s an understandable question, since strong, defined abdominal muscles can boost your physical health, mental health, appearance, and confidence. However, getting that defined 6-pack look takes more than performing a specific set of exercises. Much of the battle is also fought in the way you eat, because even if you do 1,000 crunches per day, your abdominal muscles can remain hidden underneath a layer of belly fat.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what it takes to achieve 6-pack abs and the exercises you can do at AFAC’s gym in Thornton to help you along this fitness journey.