The kettlebell windmill offers you several benefits in one exercise. With the windmill, you can strengthen your shoulders, stabilize your core, stretch your hips, hamstrings, obliques, and more. Not only do you use these muscles in daily life, but you also depend on them as you run, jump, and lift weights. So, whether you want to improve your everyday strength and flexibility or sharpen your competitive edge, kettlebell windmills can help.

As effective as this exercise is, the kettlebell windmill is a complex movement that can be tricky to execute. Read this blog to learn how to master the kettlebell windmill at our Thornton gym.

It’s amazing how a slight change in form can target completely different muscles when you’re exercising. One great example of this is chinups and pullups. While many people use the terms “chinup” and “pullup” interchangeably, they are actually two distinct exercises.

Whether you’re a beginning lifter or have been pumping iron for a while, chinups and pullups are fundamental exercises that should be a staple of your workout regimen at AFAC gym. Read this blog to learn more about the differences between chinups and pullups, what muscles they work, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into your fitness routine at our Thornton gym.

Joining a gym can be an exciting experience! You’re trying out equipment you’ve never used, meeting a lot of new people, and figuring out what classes you want to take (there are so many great ones to choose from!) You’ll start to get the hang of things after a few weeks, but you still might second-guess yourself about the gym’s policies and wonder, “Am I staying on this machine too long?” … “Am I allowed to talk on the phone?” … “Can I use two pieces of equipment at the same time?”

At AFAC gym, there’s nothing to worry about! Our team is here to answer all of your questions about gym etiquette. Read this blog to learn the basics about etiquette at our Thornton gym.

Are you looking for a simple lower-body exercise that will give you super results? Say hello to step-ups! That’s right, just climbing up a step and coming back down fires up your leg and glute muscles in ways that can outshine classic lower body exercises like lunges and squats.

While it might seem like climbing the occasional flight of stairs is a good way to add step-ups to your daily exercise routine, it’s even better to do step-ups at the gym. That way, you can focus on form and add resistance to make your step-ups more targeted and effective. In this blog, we’ll discuss what step-ups are, the muscles they work, their benefits, and how to do step-ups at our Thornton gym.

Time. It’s the one thing that many of us never seem to have enough of. We’re always busy taking care of our families, friends, jobs, homes, and ourselves. As members of AFAC gym, we all do our best to squeeze workouts into our schedules, but even that can be difficult sometimes.

Thankfully, our Thornton gym offers many ways for members to get the most effective workouts, as quickly as possible. One of the top exercise timesavers at AFAC gym is our Power Plates. The flat surface of each Power Plate can vibrate up to 50 times per second. By performing typical bodyweight exercises on a Power Plate platform, your body will not only fight against regular gravity, but also against the micro vibrations. Independent studies have shown that working out on a Power Plate activates up to 138% more muscle fibers than a standard workout. This, in turn, burns up to 50% more calories. That means getting stronger and burning more calories doesn’t have to mean more hours at the gym! It can be as simple as doing your regular workout on a Power Plate. As a matter of fact, it’s claimed that 10 minutes of Power Plate training can provide the same results as 60 minutes of conventional strenuous training.

Read this blog to learn more about our Power Plate Classes with Jamie, as well as the benefits of using a Power Plate and exercises you can try at AFAC gym.

Have you been itching to start a strength training program at AFAC gym, but hesitate because you’ve never lifted a weight in your life? Don’t let that stop you! Regardless of your age or fitness level, it’s not too late to start strength training. And, no matter how old you are when you begin a strength training program, the benefits of this type of exercise are almost too numerous to count.

Strength training, also known as resistance training or weight training, can help you build lean, stronger muscles, keep your metabolism higher (which means you’ll burn more calories all day long, even when you’re resting), and bolster your bones and joints. At any age, strength training can improve psychological wellbeing, and, as we get older, it can help us maintain mobility, balance, coordination, and muscle mass in our bodies.

What’s more, there are many exercises that count as strength training. In addition to lifting free weights, strength training can also be achieved with bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, medicine balls, weightlifting machines, and other equipment at the gym. Don’t be afraid to mix it up! More variety in your strength training program will only help you become stronger.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to get started with a strength training program and the many ways our Thornton gym can lead you through this fitness journey.

During the cold winter months, you might find yourself dreaming of hot summer days and eating a sweet, juicy piece of watermelon after your workout at the gym.

Watermelon is the ultimate cool-down treat during the dog days of summer, and it also comes with an impressive list of benefits that can keep you healthier and happier no matter what the weather is like outside.

The next time you’re craving a snack before or after your workout at our Thornton gym, consider the following reasons why eating watermelon is a wonderful way to quench your thirst, not only in the summertime, but all year long.

What looks like a simple exercise but is almost never easy? The plank!

The plank is a bodyweight exercise that you can do anywhere, whether you’re at our Thornton gym, at home, or even when you’re traveling. All you have to do is hold your body up on your hands and feet, as if you’re about to do a pushup. Sounds easy, right?

Sure, getting into the plank position is easy, and holding the plank position for a few seconds can be easy. But since planking is something that can be done indefinitely, the difficulty level can range from easy, 5-second planks to an excruciating exercise that leaves your entire body trembling.

It turns out, holding a plank is a seriously challenging workout that also comes with a serious list of benefits. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to perform a proper plank and the many benefits that this straightforward exercise offers when you do it every day.

When you go to the doctor for a checkup, what’s one of the first things they do? They put a cuff around your arm and read your blood pressure, of course. That’s because, when it comes to keeping tabs on your health, your blood pressure is a key indicator of how you’re doing.

If your blood pressure is too high, you won’t feel any different, but it could lead to serious conditions like heart disease and stroke — both of which are leading causes of death in the United States.

Thankfully, as long as it’s caught in time, high blood pressure is a treatable and manageable condition. One of the most common treatments for high blood pressure is exercise. That’s right — not only will exercising at the gym keep you strong and fit, but it can also help you to manage and prevent serious health conditions like high blood pressure.

Read this blog to learn more about what high blood pressure is and some exercises you can do at our Thornton gym to support healthier blood pressure readings.

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.