Health Mark Kettle Vibes Class

Health Mark is now offering a new approach to training. The type of training offered will consist of the use of whole body vibration in conjunction with kettle bell equipment. Using the two theories of exercise in combination with each other will help the participants notice more rapid results throughout the whole body. Performing an exercise routine while on a whole body vibration machine will help the participants feel the benefits of a workout at a faster rate due to increased rapid muscle firing caused by the vibrating platform. The unstable vibrating surface also helps activate the “stabilizing” muscle groups while the major muscle groups are being worked too. Whole body vibrations machines have been proven to help increase blood and lymphatic circulation, strength and endurance while used in an exercise program. The addition of kettle bell exercises while on the whole body vibration machine will add a more dynamic and “challenge” to the exercise routine. Kettle bell exercise routines can benefit upper and lower body muscles groups through a series of exercise movements. The exercise routines in combination can help participants burn calories, burn fat, build strength, increase endurance and tone lean muscle. Come take part in the Kettle Vibes class offered by Health Mark and let us help you reach your health goals! If you would like to know more about class times and prices feel free to contact us!

What is Spinal Traction?

The goal of spinal traction is to pull the vertebrae apart from each other. The purpose of using spinal traction is generally to create more space for nerves where they exit the spinal column or to relieve pressure on the cartilage disks between the bones or on the small spinal joints themselves. At lower intensities, spinal traction can also be used to stretch small spinal muscles. The theory behind spinal traction is that if the disks are pulled apart, they will regain hydration or have an influx of water. This act would then make disks more shock absorbent.
Traction is used to treat many injuries, some including: pinched nerves, neck and back tightness, and headaches. While in traction, the neck or the low back is stretched, and along with it, the spine is stretched a little as well. If you have pinched nerves in your spine, this can help take some of the pressure off and ease arm or leg pain. Traction is also good for treating bulging discs in your spine, which can also pinch your nerves if they lose enough water in the middle. By pulling your spine apart a little, traction can help the disc’s water and gel slip back into place. Also, neck traction is good for treating headaches because it can stretch the muscles in the back of your neck and at the base of your skull. These muscles often cause headaches when they get too tight.

To learn more about traction devices contact us at: http://www.healthmarkinc.net/

Benefits of Using a Portable Stretch Barre!

The Bar Method is one of the most exciting and most popular new workouts to hit the gym. By combining elements of yoga, Pilates and even ballet, the Bar Method offers you a great way to get back into shape. There’s plenty of movement involved when you use the Bar Method, but, unlike running or jogging, there’s very little impact placed on your body. So you’re less likely to get injured while doing the Bar Method. But like running, jogging, swimming and a host of other activities, you can get your body in terrific shape by doing the Bar Method at the gym.

Like yoga or Pilates, the Bar Method is usually performed by an entire class and features a range of stretches and movements that focus around bars that line the room. If you’ve ever seen a ballet studio that’s surrounded by mirrors and bars, you can probably imagine what the Bar Method entails. The great thing about the Bar Method is that it has a ton of benefits for your body. Here are 5 of them.

1. Improved Flexibility

Because you’re using certain elements of yoga, the Bar Method will help you to improve your flexibility after just a few sessions. The Bar Method includes plenty of stretching and lots of motions where you will be required to hold a certain pose or stretch. This will help your muscles stretch better and will improve the flexibility throughout your body. Don’t be surprised if you can maneuver your body in completely new ways as a result of using the Bar Method.

2. Better Posture

Again, like yoga, you are required to hold some poses and stretches when you are in a Bar Method class. You will need to keep your shoulders back and make sure that your spine is aligned properly. These types of movements will help you improve your posture over time. By completing more and more of the movements involved with the Bar Method, you’ll naturally work your posture back into the correct position.

3. A New Routine

Running, jogging, walking and even swimming can start to get a little boring over time. The Bar Method is a completely new method of training for your body and there are so many variations of it that you will not get bored quickly. When you are into a workout, you’ll give it your best and maximize your results. The Bar Method is perfect for switching up your routine.

4. Muscle Tone

Through all the stretching and pushing and pulling that you’ll do during the Bar Method, you will notice that your muscles, specifically in your arms and legs, will become more toned.

5. Minimized Chance of Injuries

Because there is no impact involved with the Bar Method, you are not likely to get injured like you might if you stick to running.

5 Tips for a Healthy New Year!

As the New Year is approaching us, why not make a New Years Resolution to live a healthier life. Every year many people do make resolutions to change habits, or exercise more… Here are some tips to follow for a healthier New Year!

1. Get Involved in an Exercise Program.
Many people plan to change their exercising habits every year. However, after a lack of motivation or knowledge of exercises, many people abandon that goal. When establishing an exercise program there are a few important factors to consider. Home exercising or gym? Group workout or individual? Running or weights?
The workout that is best to use is the workout you will do in a routine. Many people find it beneficial to workout in a gym setting with a partner, or group. Working out with another person helps keep the motivation of workout out.

2. Plan Meals in Advance.
When trying to pursue a healthy lifestyle it is important to consider diet in those plans. One way to veer from unhealthy eating habits it to plan meals a week in advance. Planning meals helps cut out fast food stops on the way home from work, and also lets people know what types of foods they are eating.

3. Drink More Water.
The human body is more than 60% water. Organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys function off water, therefore, it is essential to take in large amounts of water. This New Year try to shy away from carbonated beverages and focus on taking in more water.

4. Keep a Consistent Schedule.
It is important to get into a routine of doing things. Once the body gets into routine of a consistent schedule it will become easier for the body to adjust. After work many people like to go strait home and rest. If your one of these people maybe getting an exercise schedule in the morning before work will benefit you more.

5. Get Plenty of Sleep.
Just as the body needs exercise and food, sleep is also very important for the human body. If we don’t allow the body to rest and recover we will never see benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Quick Workout for Busy Holiday Schedules

Body-Weight (Air Squats)
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body as far as you can by pushing your hips back and bending your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Pause, and slowly stand back up.

Judo Pushups (Or regular pushups)
Begin in a pushup position but move your feet hip-width apart and forward, and raise your hips so your body almost forms an upside-down V. Lower the front of your body until your chin nears the floor. Then lower your hips as you raise your head and shoulders toward the ceiling. Now reverse the movement and return to the starting position.

Sprinter Sit-Ups (Or regular sit-ups)
Lie on your back with your legs straight and arms at your sides, keeping your elbows bent at 90 degrees. As you sit up, twist your upper body to the left and bring your left knee toward your right elbow while you swing your left arm back. Lower your body to the starting position, and repeat to your right. That’s 1 rep

Perform 10 reps per set. Do as many sets of each as possible for 15 minutes!

How many inversions fit taller people?

Robert, a resident of North Georgia, stopped by Health Mark’s office to test the Pro Max Inversion table against his 6’10 height. After adjusting the settings, Robert proved that the Pro Max Inversion Table can comfortably and safely fit a person with a 6’10 structure. Robert purchased a Pro Max Inversion Table right after this picture was taken!

NATIONAL PARKINSON FOUNDATION & WHOLE BODY VIBRATION

Some of our WHOLE BODY VIBRATION EQUIPMENT on display at our cooperate sponsorship tent. The Body Rocker and Port-A-Vibe were big hit!!! We are looking to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s and relax the muscles.

MOVING DAY ATLANTA: NPF

Setting up our sponsor tent featuring some of the equipment from our WholeBody Vibration category!

MOVING DAY ATLANTA : NATIONAL PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION

MOVING DAY ATLANTA : We had to great opportunity of sponsoring the NPF(NATIONAL PARKINSON’S FOUNDATION) event held at the Georgia Tech this past weekend. There was a great turnout on the chilly Saturday morning!

Moving Day® is the National Parkinson Foundation’s annual fundraising walk/run event. It is a fun and inspiring fundraising event that unites families, friends and communities in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. This celebration of movement will feature a family-friendly walk course, a kids area, a caregivers relaxation tent and a special Movement Pavilion featuring yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, etc. all proven to help manage the symptoms of PD.

Benefits of Combining Yoga and Whole Body Vibration Exercise Routines!

Students and practitioners of yoga may be surprised that a Whole Body Vibration machine can greatly enhance their yoga exercise.

Benefits of Combining Yoga with Whole Body Vibration (WBV)

Both yoga and Whole Body Vibration are known to increase flexibility; certain yoga postures target different parts of the body (muscles, muscle groups, joints, organs etc.) as do differing positions assumed while exercising on a Whole Body Vibration platform. In addition, both yoga and WBV increase lubrication of joints, ligaments and tendons, as well as blood circulation, oxygenation and lymphatic drainage. They both also tend to reset the neurological system and this really boosts flexibility, balance and mobility (range of motion).

What else do they have in common? They’re both beneficial in detoxifying the body. Both yoga and exercise on a vibration machine tone muscles, increase metabolic rate, helping to burn fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

How the addition of a Whole Body Vibration machine helps yoga enthusiasts…

Doing yoga asanas (postures/poses) on a WBV plate will quickly strengthen the core and rapidly enhance flexibility. Imagine doing a Plank Pose (Kumbhakasana) for a minute on the floor. Pretty easy! Now do that same Plank Pose with your hands on an oscillating WBV plate that is moving multiple times every second. The asana just became a whole lot more challenging. In just a minimal amount of time doing yoga postures on a Whole Body Vibration platform, the muscles will be challenged and strengthened.

Combining Yoga with Whole Body Vibration

Plank Pose
The Plank Pose is basically a static push-up with the arms kept straight (not locked) and anyone familiar with the pose will realize that the benefits can be realized in a fraction of the time required on the floor (or mat) when a WBV platform is used. This is only one example of the amplification provided with WBV.

To really accelerate the effects, try doing the same pose dynamically. Again using the Plank Pose as an example, bend the arms slowly lowering the torso until your chin is only a few inches from the vibrating plate and slowly push back up again (just like a normal push-up). You will notice an enormous difference between doing this on the platform as compared to doing the same movement on the floor (or mat).

When performing any posture without the machine, most yoga practitioners will notice that they can hold a static position much longer, but have will reach the same point of fatigue in a few seconds when WBV is added.

*Other simple poses that are enhanced by a Whole Body Vibration machine…

Standing poses…
Combining Yoga with Whole Body Vibration
Squat Pose
Squat Pose (Malasana)
Lunge Pose (Anjaneyasana)
Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

Seated Poses:
Combining Yoga with Whole Body Vibration
Boat Pose
Boat Pose (Navasana)
Seated Spinal Twist (Matsyendrasana)
Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
*For more information or instructions on any of the above asanas (or others not mentioned) just search for them online, there’s a wealth of information available.

So, as you can plainly see, yoga and Whole Body Vibration individually are both great ways to get in shape and stay in shape. But together, they add a fun new twist to fitness, keeping things interesting and at the same time allowing you to challenge yourself as much as you want.

With Whole Body Vibration and yoga, you get the best of both worlds; you really can experience all the traditional benefits of each exercise individually, without diluting either one. While in fact, when they’re combined, you’re rewarded with an incredibly effective and efficient fitness experience.