In a town in which fitness centers are plentiful and everyone is hoping to drop that extra weight, Urban Fitness gives clients a way to break out of the typical workout routine. Having recently opened on Jan. 4, the studio classifies itself as being exclusively focused on personal training. Located on Eastwood Road in Lumina Commons, Urban Fitness prides itself on being remarkably different from standard gyms.

“We are not a gym,” said manager Linda Brown. “We are a functional training facility.” Unlike most gyms, the Urban Fitness studio is not crowded with elliptical machines and treadmills. Yoga balance and medicine balls are stacked neatly against the walls, while workout benches are strategically placed in different areas of the room.

The centerpiece that helps this fitness center stand out from the others hangs from the ceiling, down to the floor.

“It’s a TRX,” says trainer Maleia Tumolo. “It stands for total resistance exercise.” Featured in Men’s Health Magazine, the TRX is crucial to the studio’s functional training programs. It helps clients to perform exercises such as push-ups, squats and pull-ups, while working more than just one specific group of muscles. It can be used for more than 50 different exercises.

“It provides instability,” trainer Chad Erskine pointed out, showing how a push-up is performed on the TRX. “It keeps the body guessing.”

Five trainers are available to clients at Urban Fitness, and while they all conduct one-on-one and group training sessions, each also specializes in something unique. Tumolo specializes in marathon training, program design and Pilates. Erskine is a sports specific trainer. Rhonda Willett is a Pilates instructor, and also specializes in golf training. Canaan Dorian is a functional sports trainer and teaches a TRX class.

Robin Conroy is the boxing trainer. Having recently won her first boxing match, she’s been training on and off for three years with coach Andre Thompson and competes with USA boxing on the amateur level.

Conroy’s boxing classes involve bag and mitt work for beginners through advanced boxers. She uses her experience in boxing to keep the class fresh with different workouts and offers 15 different boxing combinations for her clients, who may also sign up for one-on-one boxing sessions.

Not only does the studio offer one-on-one and group training, in addition to boxing, Pilates and TRX, it offers boot camp. All are available for people of any age or experience level.

Urban Fitness is also equipped to bring the TRX to offices for group training, and it can be booked to help with stretching and preparing athletes for races and other sporting events. The studio is also involved with Wilmington Health Nuts and offers free sessions to the group to allow physical therapists and chiropractors to see what kind of services it offers.

The studio’s services are based heavily around the client’s comfort and goals, Brown pointed out. Sessions and fee structures are centered around a client’s long and short term goals, as well as how they might maintain a healthy lifestyle. Those interested in Urban Fitness are welcome to make an appointment for a free consultation.

Urban Fitness is a by-appointment-only studio, without regular hours and is closed on Sunday. Its clientele ranges from overweight individuals to those just wanting to stay healthy, as well as serious athletes.

Brown took a personal interest in the fitness center after it had such an impact on her life. By training at the previous Urban Studios, which was located downtown, Brown lost 45 pounds.

“It changed my life,” she said. Now, she retains a healthy and active lifestyle and hopes to help others do the same.

Take Care-
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is actually very beneficial. It helps to refuel your body, maintain blood sugar and energy levels and control your appetite.

Healthy snacking will help your body get the nutrients it needs and help you avoid overeating at meal times.

Indulge in these guilt-free snacks. Remember we encourage an anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic, paleo-style diet for weight loss and wellness. A body must get healthy before it can lose weight.

1.Fruit and Yogurt Parfait.Organic plain yogurt is best. Yogurts with added flavors are higher in sugar. Instead, flavor your yogurt with fruit. Blueberries are an excellent choice as they have a lower glycemic content that will help balance blood glucose and insulin levels.

2.Romaine Lettuce Wrap With Organic Turkey and a Slice of Raw-Milk or Skim Mozzarella Cheese.

Romaine lettuce contains the highest nutritional and fiber content of all lettuce. Turkey is 94% protein which helps you to lose weight by boosting your metabolism and decreasing hunger. Adding raw milk grass-fed cheese not only adds flavor but also adds calcium without any harmful hormones or preservatives. A great source for grass-fed wild meat, game and poultry is at U.S. Wellness Meats.

3. Veggie Sticks With Cottage Cheese Dip. Non-starchy vegetables contain almost eight times the amount of fiber found in whole grains. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system. Fat-free organic cottage cheese makes an excellent low calorie snack.

4. Shrimp Cocktail Shrimp is 90% protein. Try dipping it in some cocktail sauce for a low calorie, high protein snack.

5. A Handful of Nuts. Walnuts are the best choice as they’re rich in protein and fiber but they also contain a high dose of omega 3 fatty acids (good fats) as compared to other nuts. Healthy fats help lower your risk of disease. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, meaning they help prevent inflammatory diseases such as stroke or heart disease. People who are overweight are actually suffering from an inflammatory condition.

6. Celery Sticks and Almond Butter. This is a great combination of protein, monounsaturated fat and energy. Almond butter is a healthier alternative to peanut butter as it contains no added ingredients or preservatives and better fats. (peanuts are a legume not a nut)

7. Deviled Eggs. Eggs are very high in protein which makes them a great snack. My Guacamole Deviled Eggs are a great high-protein healthy snack with good fats.

8. Herring Wraps. Buy a few tinned containers in a few different flavored sauces such as tomato or tangy mustard, herring fillets are high in omega 3 fish oils. Don’t but if they are in soybean oil. Try wrapping them in a few leaves of romaine lettuce.

9. Banana Nut Pop. Dip a banana in plain organic yogurt and roll in walnuts or coconut. Freeze. Yummy!

Bananas are a great source of fiber and potassium. They do have a high sugar content so eat in moderation. Coconuts have anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and are one of the best sources in the world for MCFA (medium-chain triglyceride fatty acids)

10. Lemon Tuna Avocado Snack. Halve an avocado and scoop out the flesh. Mix with lemon juice and tuna. Serve in the shells. Good protein, good fat.

Avocado’s are high in monounsaturated fat and potassium. Tuna is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acid and is very nutrient-dense. Protein builds muscle which in turn burns more calories to help you lose weight.

And here’s your BONUS snack idea….

***Smoked salmon.

Don’t get salmon that’s been smothered in brown sugar. Salmon is one of the best sources of protein and healthy fats on earth. Always try to buy wild-caught and not farmed raised (fed grains).

Dr. Ron Spallone, D.C is a wellness expert who practices Ortho-Molecular Medicine. He writes a blog entitled “Intelligent, Natural Weight Loss.” Along with world-class fitness expert Roger Asmus, he helps people achieve new results with the latest in weight loss and exercise science. Ongoing information is available here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Spallone_D.C.

There are many good points and Ideas about the benefits of snacking to promote weight loss. This article has great suggestions for snacks and please follow the link posted below from Weight Loss Diet/Lose Weight Blog to get more great ideas for healthy snacking!

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