A key component of staying in your home is based on your overall fitness and health. The daily chores of laundry, groceries and vacuuming require strength and balance. Gardening, washing cars and mowing the lawn take endurance. The better fit you are, the more likely you’ll be able to continue to do the things you love for a long time.
It Starts With the Legs
Healthy legs are what keeps you mobile. The stronger your legs are, the easier it is to do just about everything. Healthy leg muscles makes it easier to do cardio work, from walking to working out on the elliptical machine. Leg strengthening exercises help to build endurance. Strengthening and improving endurance will help you have a healthier heart and overall fitness.
Good balance is essential to safety. Falls are the leading cause of injury for the 65 + group in the USA. Developing your core muscles help improve balance. Increasing your fitness, particularly leg strength and balance, will help prevent falls.
Leg Strength and Brain Health
Studies at the Kings College London have found that leg muscle strength is a significant indicator of a healthy brain. This 10 year study of twins found that the twin who had stronger legs had less age related brain changes than the other. Good fitness promotes mental well being and increases your ability to be independent.
How to Build Leg Muscles
Lunges and squats are some of the most efficient exercises to build leg muscles. Here are some more ideas: Hip extension, Knee Extensions, Calf raises, Ankle circles.
*Check with your doctor before you start any sort of fitness routine
Leg Strength and Overall Health
We all know that physical fitness is essential to a healthy life. Exercise can keep the heart stay healthy, keeps many diseases at bay and is essential to overall well-being. Strength training is important for every part of your body, and the first place to start is with the legs.
Susie Landsem
Aging in Place by Design
Growing up an athlete in the Ferndale area, Sean lettered in Football and Baseball during his career at Ferndale High School. After High School Sean continued his baseball career in college playing for the Skagit Valley College Cardinals, Western Washington Vikings as well as the Bellingham Bells in 2014. Sean received his bachelors of science from WWU in Kinesiology focusing in the area of sports psychology, in which he often references in his coaching, training, and physical therapy. Sean has volunteered as assistant football coach at Bellingham High School, been a Physical Therapy Aide at Performance Physical Therapy, and an associate at Fairhaven Runners. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and by RMAX International (TACFIT Instructor). Currently Sean is enrolled in the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Whatcom Community College, where he working towards growing his skills in rehabilitation exercise and performance training. Sean enjoys weight training, trail running, paddle boarding, mountain biking, coaching, playing guitar and spending time with his family, friends and dog Koda.
Alexa Thompson is a graduate of Western Washington University’s Kinesiology Department and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Alexa is a former Varsity Crew member with WWU’s Women’s Varsity Crew team. In her final season, Alexa’s Varsity 4 boat finished third in the nation in NCAA Division II Nationals. She and her teammates also successfully defended their third consecutive title as of “Best in the West” for a Varsity 4. So if you have any questions about how to get the most out of our Concept II rowing machine workout Alexa would be happy to give you a lesson. As you can imagine Alexa has logged a significant amount of training miles during her tenure with WWU.
Looking for gift ideas this Holiday Season? Tell them how much you care by giving them the gift of Fitness this Christmas! Purchase a gift certificate for Personal Training, either for one session or a package of multiple sessions. Nothing lets them know how important their health and well-being is to you then by purchasing training sessions with one of our Personal Training Staff. Give the gift of Fitness this Christmas with a Personal Training gift certificate. Great Stocking Stuffer!!
Looking for gift ideas this Holiday Season? Tell them how much you care by giving them the gift of Fitness this Christmas! Purchase a gift certificate for Personal Training, either for one session or a package of multiple sessions. Nothing lets them know how important their health and well-being is to you then by purchasing training sessions with one of our Personal Training Staff. Give the gift of Fitness this Christmas with a Personal Training gift certificate. Great Stocking Stuffer!!
BAC would like to welcome a new member to our Personal Training Team, Suzanne Toy! Suzanne is a native Southern Californian with a lifelong passion for fitness. For the past 12 years Suzanne has been personal training in the Pasadena and Orange County areas. Prior to her personal training career Suzanne taught kindergarten for 10+ years. She enjoys educating people, giving direction and boosting confidence while getting results in the gym. Suzanne enjoys teaching boot camps, TRX, Kettlebells and spin classes. Outside of the gym Suzanne enjoys cooking, hiking, trail runs and water activities. She is excited to live in the Pacific Northwest with her boyfriend Curt.