Woman wearing jeans eating watermelon in her lap with spoon

Hydrating Fruits You Can Eat Before and After Your Workout at AFAC Gym

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.

Group of ladies at the gym doing TRX training

Getting Results From Your Workouts at AFAC Gym

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.

Graphic of man's silhouette running to the right with heartbeat line in red in background

Craving Cardiovascular Exercise? AFAC Gym Has You Covered

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.

Three people training with large tires outside AFAC gym

Travel Miles Ahead on Your Fitness Journey With Tire Training at AFAC Gym

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.

Woman doing sit-ups on the floor

Is the Secret to 6-Pack Abs at a Gym Near Me?

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.

Photo of woman in blue sneakers walking through fallen leaves

Fall Into Fitness as Autumn Begins at AFAC Gym

The first day of Autumn is September 22nd, a time of year when we all love to go outside, breathe in the crisp air, and admire Colorado’s spectacular fall foliage. It’s the perfect season to exercise by walking, hiking, or biking outdoors while you take in the scenery. As you enjoy hearing the leaves crunching under your feet, however, you know it won’t be long before the weather turns iffy, which means your outdoor workouts will need to go into hibernation for a while.

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club is here to help you stay on track with your workouts all year long. Head on over to our Thornton gym to discover the many ways you can make the most of the season and greet the holidays in super shape.

Front entrance of Adventure Fitness Athletic Club gym

How Is AFAC Different From Other Gyms Near Me?

Whether you’re a member of Adventure Fitness Athletic Club or you’re new the Thornton area and looking for a gym to join, you might wonder, “How AFAC is different than any of the other gyms near me?”

While a lot of people think that all gyms are basically the same, we know that AFAC is unique in many ways. Read this blog to discover why Adventure Fitness Athletic Club stands out in the crowd among all the other gyms near you.

Woman riding an upright bike at AFAC gym

Ramp Up Your Cardio Workouts With Upright Cycling at AFAC Gym

One of the most popular cardiovascular workouts at Adventure Fitness Athletic Club is upright cycling. An effective way to burn calories and strengthen your heart, lungs, and lower body, upright cycling also provides a low-impact workout that won’t put undue stress on your joints.

If you’re looking for a gym near you that offers every indoor cycling option available—including state-of-the-art upright bikes—please join us at Adventure Fitness Athletic Club. Read on to learn about all the benefits of upright bikes and how they compare to other stationary bikes at our Thornton gym.

Exercise and Mental Health graphic with a cartoon of a brain lifting a barbell

How Exercising at AFAC Gym Can Boost Your Mental and Physical Health

When most people exercise at the gym, they do so to improve their physical health. A planned and structured exercise program is designed to achieve a variety of physical fitness goals like a stronger heart and lungs, more toned and sculpted muscles, a better physique, improved balance and range of motion, and enhanced flexibility.

But did you know that exercising at AFAC gym can benefit your brain just as much as your body? Read on to learn more about the connection between exercise and a healthy mind, and some of the workouts you can join at our gym near you to support your physical and mental health.

Barbells at AFAC gym

The Benefits of Strength Training at AFAC Gym

At Adventure Fitness Athletic Club, everyone has their own unique fitness goals. Some of us want to reduce body fat, others want to increase muscle mass, and still others want to burn calories and lose weight. Many of our gym members seek to improve their mobility as they age and manage chronic health conditions. A few of us want to achieve all of the above and more!

Regardless, strength training should be a key component of everyone’s fitness program, as it supports almost every other health objective you can think of. That’s why our Thornton gym offers a wide array of strength training options so that members have many ways to incorporate this important exercise category into their regimen.

Read on to learn about the benefits of strength training and how you can make it a part of your regular workouts at our gym near you.

Four photos of young girl climbing indoor cave at AFAC gym

Autumn Is Coming! Don’t Forget Our Indoor Climbing Cave at AFAC Gym

At AFAC, we’re surrounded by outdoor rock-climbing opportunities, and many members of our Thornton gym have experienced the benefits of this thrilling activity first-hand. From the calorie-burning, full-body workout to the improved flexibility, balance, and cardio fitness, the advantages of rock climbing can’t be overstated.

One potential downside of outdoor rock climbing, however, is how inclement weather can make your adventure a little too hazardous (if not impossible). Now that we’re entering the fall season, rock climbing fans will be hanging up their shoes for a few months instead of risking a climb on slippery snow- and ice-covered cliffs.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a gym near you with an indoor climbing cave where you could still take part in your favorite activity, even during the fall and winter? If you’re a member of AFAC gym, your wish has been granted! Our full-service gym is one of the few in Thornton with an indoor climbing cave and a double auto-belay climbing wall, allowing our members to climb to their heart’s content all year long.

Rectangular graphic with text that says August is Summer Sun Safety Month, a yellow smiling sun with sunglasses, and a red background

Seek Some Shade at AFAC Gym During Summer Sun Safety Month

As we all know, summer is beautiful in the Thornton area — the sun is shining, the humidity is low, and the wildflowers are blooming. During this time of year, throngs of people head outside to enjoy their favorite fitness activities, from hiking and biking to running, climbing, golfing, and swimming.

While there’s no better feeling than getting fit under the bright blue skies, too much sunshine can damage your skin and eyes. The month of August has been named Summer Sun Safety Month to remind us of the importance of protecting ourselves from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

The team at AFAC gym encourages you to enjoy the summer season, but to do so safely. Our Thornton gym is the perfect place for our members to work out in the shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day when the sun is at its strongest. Read on to learn other ways to protect yourself from the sun and why it’s important during the summer and all year long.

Calendar with yellow Post-It that says Back to School

Back-to-School Fitness Advice From AFAC Gym

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, there’s probably no busier time in your life than back-to-school season. As the relaxing days of summer give way to strict schedules and rushed routines, it can feel like it’s almost impossible to squeeze one more thing in, which means workouts at the gym sometimes take a backseat.

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club is here to help you through this hectic time. Thanks to our flexible hours and abundance of classes and equipment, our members can still make fitness a priority at our Thornton gym so that they’re physically and mentally ready for those school bells to ring in the new year.

In this blog, AFAC gym lays out a few tips to show you how regular exercise is not only possible during the school year, but also an important part of keeping healthy, strong, and more relaxed.

Man performing hip thrust exercise with barbell at AFAC gym

Hip Thrusts: A “How To” Guide from AFAC Gym

Are you hoping to get great glutes at the gym? If so, the hip thrust is one exercise you’ll want to include in your fitness routine. A hip thrust is similar to a glute bridge, except you keep your shoulders raised and add weight for resistance. That might seem like a relatively simple concept, but you’ll want to make sure to use correct form so you get the results you expect and prevent injury. Read on to learn more about the benefits of hip thrusts and how to perform them properly at AFAC’s gym in Thornton, CO.

Man seated and using gym equipment

Tips from AFAC Gym to Keep You Cool in the Summer Heat

Remember when winter was here with its biting cold, and we couldn’t wait until spring arrived? It wasn’t that long ago. And now, here we are in the middle of summer with mid-day temperatures reaching the 90s in the Thornton, CO, area, and we’re complaining about the heat, especially when we try to exercise outside.

Not only is exercising in the scorching heat uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous as our body temperatures rise to the point that serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heatstroke set in.

That doesn’t mean you should never exercise outdoors in the summer, but it does mean you need to take some extra precautions to avoid hurting yourself. As you mix up your indoor workouts at our Thornton gym with your outdoor exercise excursions, here are some tips from Adventure Fitness Athletic Club to help you keep your cool.

Adventure Fitness Athletic Club glass front door with address and phone number

How Do I Find a Gym Near Me? What to Look for in Your Local Gym

Finding the perfect gym near you is an important decision, as the facility you choose will help determine whether or not you achieve your fitness goals. After all, if your gym offers exactly what you need, then chances are, you’ll stick with it!

While that sounds easy enough, it can actually be a challenge to decide which gym is right for you. From having the right equipment and classes to providing you with additional services and personal training support, there’s a lot that goes into the ideal gym experience.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the factors that you’ll want to consider when you select the Thornton gym that works best with your wants, needs, and goals. We think you’ll agree that Adventure Fitness Athletic Club checks all the boxes and more!

Clubs and maces at AFAC Gym

Work Out Like a Warrior With Maces and Clubs at AFAC Gym

In the last decade, maces and clubs have become a heavy favorite among fitness enthusiasts and gym members worldwide.

Maces and clubs are highly effective athletic training tools, and you’ll find both at Adventure Fitness Athletic Club. Our Thornton gym has a variety of maces and clubs that you can use for strength training, balance training, and even rehab.

Their unbalanced weight distribution is what makes maces and clubs so unique and challenging to work with, and mastering how to use them requires time and practice. The personal trainers at AFAC gym can show you how to incorporate maces and clubs into your workout, so if you’d like to try them, please don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance. In this blog, we’ll discuss in more detail what maces and clubs are, how they’re used, and the benefits of adding them to your workout.

Woman squatting on BOSU ball at gym

The Importance of Balance Training at AFAC Gym

When people train at the gym, they often focus on cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility. While these are indeed three key components to fitness, there is a fourth leg holding up the fitness table that might be missing — balance.

That’s right, balance is a fundamental part of fitness, too, and it’s often the most neglected. That’s probably because most people don’t understand the importance of balance, both inside and outside the gym.

At Adventure Fitness Athletic Club, our Thornton gym offers several workouts and classes that allow you to practice and preserve your balance. Read this blog to learn more about what balance is, what its benefits are, and some effective balance exercises you can incorporate into your workout program.

Several people exercising with balls and kettlebells at gym

There’s Strength in Numbers! Check Out the Group Classes at AFAC Gym

Are you ready to sweat with some strangers-who-are-soon-to be-friends at Adventure Fitness Athletic Club? Then you need to join one or more of our group classes. Our Thornton gym offers dozens of classes every week that are open to people of all levels of fitness, from beginners to experienced athletes. Even if you’ve never attended a gym class before, we welcome you to join us! Every one of our classes can be tailored to your fitness level and our instructors are here to ensure you learn how to complete each move with proper form.