Corporate Fitness and Active Aging

Your body needs to be able to handle whatever life throws at it, whether you’re an athlete training for your next competition, a weekend warrior striving for a personal best, or someone just wanting to finish a round of yardwork without a sore back. Progressive Resistance Training is the key to building your body’s natural armor, protecting you from injury while unlocking new levels of performance.

Your body builds resilience only when it is truly challenged. There are three primary ways your muscles adapt: mechanical tension, micro-tears, and metabolic stress.

• Mechanical Tension: This is the literal "pull" on your muscles when lifting something heavy. Your body responds by strengthening the connections to your bones, making your tendons more resilient.

• Micro-Tears: When you lift weights near your limit, you cause tiny tears in your muscle fibers. While this sounds negative, it’s the essential signal that tells your body to increase muscle size and density.

• Metabolic Stress: This is the "burn" you feel toward the end of a set. It’s a mixture of lactic acid and blood rushing to the area. The more you challenge this system, the more efficient your body becomes at managing this response, allowing you to work harder for longer.

When building your body, you need a plan. Jumping in and lifting the heaviest thing you can find is a recipe for disaster. A solid rule of thumb is to increase your total workload by about 10% per week. It’s also vital to listen to your body. If your muscles are painful to the touch, it’s okay to swap a heavy lift for some flexibility work. Remember: your muscles are challenged in the gym, but they grow during recovery.

A progressive training plan does more than just grow your biceps; it makes your whole body more resilient. By sticking to a program, you improve neuromuscular coordination, allowing your brain to recruit muscle fibers more efficiently. You also strengthen your bones. When your skeleton is taxed beyond its normal limits, it is driven to increase its density and rigidity. Perhaps most importantly, every challenging session proves to you that you can do hard things. You’re building mental toughness that carries over into every other part of your life.

Don't wait for the perfect day to get started. Make a plan, track your progress, and start seeing results. Progressive fitness training is the ultimate investment in your future self. Every "hard set" you finish today is a building block for the resilient body you’ll have tomorrow.

During long breaks like Thanksgiving, we adopt a different rhythm. We sleep in, move a little less, stop by the refrigerator a little more, and enjoy our unplanned days. That is normal and healthy. When the time comes to return to work and restart healthy routines, the change can feel rough. It is not about willpower—it is about habits. Once we have stepped away, our routines need time to rebuild.

Here is the good news: you do not need to do everything at once. Big goals can feel overwhelming, especially after a long weekend or traveling. Instead, focus on one small step at a time. Go for a short walk during your lunch break. Pack a healthy lunch instead of grabbing fast food. These small wins help you rebuild momentum and confidence. Over time, these small wins will add up to substantial changes.

Make things easier for yourself by setting up your environment for success. If you want to move more, keep a pair of walking shoes at your desk. If you are trying to drink more water, keep a reusable bottle next to your computer. If you want to bring healthy snacks, stock your desk drawer with nuts or fruit instead of chips. When your surroundings support your goals, good choices become automatic.

It is also helpful to reconnect with your “why.” Ask yourself: Why do I want to get back to my routine? You want to have more energy for your family after work. You feel sharper and less stressed when you eat well and stay active. Whatever your reason, keeping it in mind may help you push through those first few sluggish days.

Taking a break does not mean you have failed. Breaks are part of balance. What matters most is not how perfectly you restart, but that you do restart. Progress comes from showing up consistently, even in small ways. So today, take one small step that points you in the right direction. Go for that quick walk. Stretch between meetings. Choose water instead of soda. Getting back to it is not about being perfect… it is about progress. One step, one habit, one day at a time.

Running can be a great form of exercise; it can also be frustrating if you’ve hit a plateau or feel like you are not very good at it. The key to enjoying running might not be running longer but running smarter. Variable speed and intensity training techniques, such as intervals, tempo runs, and Fartlek workouts, can help build endurance, increase efficiency, and make your runs more dynamic. Whether you’re training for a 5K or a marathon, these methods can take your stamina to the next level.

Logging miles at the same pace every run might feel comfortable, but it can also hold you back. If your endurance isn’t improving despite consistent effort, it’s time to mix things up. Variable speed and intensity training introduces bursts of speed, recovery jogs, and effort changes that challenge your body to adapt. This approach keeps workouts engaging and helps you improve as a runner wether you are just starting out or training for your next marathon.

Interval Training

Intervals alternate between high-intensity bursts and recovery periods. A simple workout includes running at a challenging pace for 30 seconds, followed by a minute of light jogging, repeated for 20–30 minutes. This method enhances cardiovascular efficiency and conditions your body to sustain faster paces longer.

Fartlek Training

Swedish for “speed play,” Fartlek training adds unstructured bursts of speed to your run. Instead of strict timing, you might sprint to a stop sign, jog to the next tree, then push the pace for a minute. This technique improves endurance while keeping runs fun and unpredictable.

Tempo Runs

Tempo runs are performed at a “comfortably hard” pace—about 80–90% of your max effort. A classic tempo run includes a 10-minute warm-up, 20 minutes at a challenging pace, and a 10-minute cooldown. Training at this intensity helps you sustain faster speeds without fatigue setting in too soon.

Long Runs with Pace Variability

Instead of running at a steady pace, add variations. For example, during a 10-mile run, maintain an easy pace for five miles, pick up speed for two miles, return to an easy pace for two miles, then finish strong. This method improves endurance and race-day readiness.

Building endurance isn’t just about running more—it’s about training smarter. By incorporating variable speed and intensity techniques, you’ll boost stamina, increase efficiency, and break through plateaus. Try adding one of these workouts to your routine and see how your endurance transforms!

Sample Schedule

• Monday: Rest or light recovery jog
• Tuesday: Interval or tempo run
• Wednesday: Easy run or cross-training
• Thursday: Fartlek run
• Friday: Rest or active recovery
• Saturday: Long run with pace variability
• Sunday: Easy run or cross-training

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overtraining: Too much intensity leads to burnout or injury. Rest days are crucial.
• Skipping Warm-Ups & Cooldowns: Warming up prevents injury and cooling down aids recovery.
• Neglecting Nutrition & Hydration: Proper fueling sustains energy levels and improves performance.

If you have questions on what will best suit your needs and would like a more individualized training program contact your NIFS fitness center staff!

Staying active and making healthy choices is important, especially as we get older. Strength training and maintaining a healthy body composition can make a big difference in how we move, look, and feel as we age. 

Understanding Body Composition 

Body composition is the balance of muscle, fat, bone, and other tissues in your body. As we get older, this balance tends to shift. Without regular exercise, body fat usually increases, and muscle mass can start to decrease. This change can impact your health and increase disease risks. 

Muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, often starts in your 40s and speeds up with age. At the same time, fat storage—especially around the belly—can increase, even if your weight stays the same. This shift in body composition can slow your metabolism, making it easier to gain fat. Hormonal changes, such as lower testosterone and estrogen levels, also contribute to these changes. 

Why Strength Training Matters 

Strength training, or resistance training, involves exercises that use weights, resistance bands, or body weight to strengthen muscles. It’s one of the best ways to combat age-related body changes. Here are some key benefits of strength training as you age: 

• Maintains and Builds Muscle: Strength training can help you prevent muscle loss and even build new muscle. 

• Increases Metabolism: Muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest, so by building muscle, you’re boosting your calorie burn all day. 

• Helps Burn Fat: Strength training not only builds muscle but also helps burn fat by raising your metabolism. 

• Strengthens Bones: Lifting weights improves bone density, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis. 

• Improves Balance and Flexibility: Strong muscles around your joints help you stay steady and can reduce the risk of falls. 

• Lowers Chronic Disease Risks: Strength training can decrease the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. 

Adjusting Your Strength Training Routine by Age 

As you age, your strength training goals may change. Here’s a general guide for each stage: 

• 40s: Focus on maintaining muscle and preventing early muscle loss. Include exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts to build strength. If you’re new to strength training, start slowly and increase intensity gradually. 

• 50s and 60s: Prioritize functional strength and flexibility. Exercises that improve balance, such as planks and resistance band work, are especially helpful. Make time for recovery and add stretching or yoga for flexibility. 

• 70s and Beyond: In your 70s and beyond, it’s all about maintaining independence and supporting everyday movements. Light weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises are ideal. Listen to your body, and make adjustments to stay safe and comfortable. 

Additional Tips to Support Muscle Mass 

• Eat Enough Protein: Protein helps your muscles repair and grow, especially after workouts. Foods like lean meat, fish, beans, and eggs are excellent sources. 

• Stay Hydrated: Hydration keeps your muscles working well, so be sure to drink enough water daily. 

How to Start a Strength Training Routine 

If you’re new to strength training, start with bodyweight exercises, light weights, or resistance bands. As you gain confidence, you can increase the weight or number of reps. Set realistic goals and track your progress to stay motivated. Consistency is key—strength training provides benefits that build over time. For personalized support, visit your onsite NIFS fitness center, where our staff can help you get started! 

Strength training is one of the best ways to improve body composition and support your health as you age. It’s never too late to start, and by making it a regular part of your routine, you can set yourself up for a stronger, healthier future. 

Walking is a simple act that can have some impressive health benefits. Most of us walk to get from one place to another but let’s use this daily activity to feel better and take care of ourselves. Walking requires no special equipment or training, making it incredibly accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you live in a city or a quiet suburban neighborhood, you can easily incorporate walking into your routine. Tailor your walking workouts to suit your schedule and preferences. Whether it's a brisk walk during your lunch break or a leisurely stroll after dinner, the flexibility and convenience of walking make it a sustainable exercise option for long-term health and fitness. Here are three reasons why walking should be prioritized in your fitness regimen.

1. Increased Cardiovascular Health. Walking is a form of aerobic exercise that gets your heart pumping and blood flowing. Even a leisurely paced walk can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve overall cardiovascular health. When you regularly increase your heart rate above resting levels you can strengthen your heart, decrease the risk of heart disease, and hopefully live a little longer.
2. Weight Management. There are about 100 calories in every mile you move. Walking can be an integral piece of maintaining your weight when combined with a balanced diet. Walking can help burn calories, increase metabolism, and promote fat loss. Whether you're aiming to shed a few extra pounds or maintain your current weight, incorporating daily walks into your routine can make a significant difference in achieving your goals.
3. Bone and Joint Health. Walking is gentle on the joints while still promoting mobility and flexibility. Regular walking can help strengthen muscles, improve joint stability, and reduce the risk of conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Whether you're recovering from an injury or simply looking to maintain joint health as you age, walking is an excellent choice to keep your body moving.

Walking is a simple yet powerful form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. Whether you're looking to help your heart, manage weight, or improve bone health, incorporating regular walks into your daily routine can lead to profound improvements in overall health. So, lace up your shoes, step outside, and embark on a journey towards a healthier, happier you through the transformative power of walking.

A vacation is great to “get away from it all.” It is up to you if that includes your normal exercise routine. Most of the research indicates that one week off from exercising will not take away from the progress you have made. In some instances, a week off can increase your performance by allowing lingering injuries time to heal. More than one week off can lead to declines in cardiovascular and muscular ability. During your vacation take these steps to not lose the progress you have made.

Staying active is the best way to avoid losses in physical ability. This does not have to be the same intensity as your usual workout, all movement counts. Try to do something most days of the week, it can be as simple as taking a walk or playing beach games with family and friends. If you are wanting to keep your progress and do not have access to a gym, set a goal for the week. For example, on the first day of vacation see how many pushups you can do in a row. Every day after that try to increase that number. Do the same thing for the number of squats you can do.

Stay mindful of what you eat. A couple of nice meals are a great change of pace. Try to limit the number unhealthy snacks. Extra salt and sugar are known to increase water retention and add extra pounds. Keeping your diet in check will make it easier to get back into the routine when returning from vacation.

Your vacation is a great get away but that does not mean you have to abandon all things fitness. Plan and you will be able to rest recover and set yourself up for the next round of post vacation goals.

3 tips to keeping active on your summer vacation:

1. Explore new places. Renting kayaks is a great upper body and core workout. If water isn't your think, climbing to the top of a lighthouse will engage leg muscles you may not have used in a while.  
2. Keep it simple. Bodyweight exercises like pushups and squats are great to keep the muscles moving.
3. Make it Fun. Play games, incorporate family and friends, bring a ball and be a kid again.

On the Go Workout:

20-minute get moving routine

Speed walk 5 minutes

10 Squats

10 Standing knee raises per leg

10 Pushups (incline pushups on a bench)

10 Triceps dips (on bench)

Repeat 2-3 times

The first thing you want to do before building a workout plan is to start with the end in mind, what is your goal? Are you looking to lose weight, get stronger, increase flexibility, run a 5k? Once you figure out why you want to exercise it becomes easier to plan how frequency, duration, and what exercises you should do.

Building an effective strength training program can be simple when you follow this simple structure. Make sure each workout has a push, pull, squat, press, and hinge. These functional movement patterns incorporate all the muscles of the body. The movements are needed for activities we do daily.

A well-balanced exercise plan will incorporate different exercises that accomplish your goals. Mixing cardiovascular and strength training will give you great results, the best part is you can split it up into 10 minute exercise sessions. Try to incorporate these ideas into your next workout.

Struggling to get started and need some help? Reach out to your NIFS staff at your corporate fitness center, or your local gym to get you started with an individualized exercise prescription. Remember, when new to exercise, be sure to check with your physician before getting started.

Here are some examples of exercises using push, pull, squat, press, and hinge:

Push

• Pushups
• Chest Press
• Med Ball throw

Pull

• Rows
• Lat Pulldown
• Pullups

Squat

• Step ups
• Squats
• Squat Jumps

Press

• Overhead Press
• Kneeling one arm overhead press
• Front press

Hinge

• Good mornings
• Kettlebell Swings
• Deadlifts

Try this quick strength plan today after a brief warmup, repeat 2-3 times:

10 Pushups

10 Rows

10 Squats

10 Overhead Press

10 Good Mornings

20 second Plank

Many of us suddenly have been thrust into working from home. I am sitting on a folding chair, leaning over my keyboard, looking at my laptop screen that is sitting on a folding table. Needless to say, I am not in an ergonomically sound position. The Mayo Clinic has a great blog about how to set up your workspace perfectly. If you have a real home office with an adjustable chair and monitor, please follow their directions.

Make Your Home Office More Ergonomic

We do not live in an ideal world. After two days of working from home, my back is already sore. We need to do the obvious things to make our new “offices” more ergonomic:

• Check to make sure your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a comfortable 90 degrees.
• Next, check your arms. Your elbows should be near your sides and at a 90-degree angle.
• Your keyboard should be a comfortable distance away so that you are not reaching or scrunched.

These are the things you can control through office design.

Sit Correctly

Your behavior will be what saves or destroys your back moving forward. There are a few simple steps and activities you can do to keep your back healthy. The first thing you need to do is to sit up straight. That means sitting up and bringing your shoulder blades back and down. You are most likely not going to be able to sit with perfect posture all day long. When you find yourself slouching, just reset and sit tall and roll your shoulders back and down again. For some of us, it might be uncomfortable to sit with proper posture because we are habitual slouchers. That’s okay too; start by sitting with great posture at the top of every hour.

Strengthen Your Back

The next activities are meant to strengthen your back. The first of these is a plank. Proper form for a plank is where you are in looking at the floor with either your elbows or hands directly beneath your shoulders; your back should be mostly flat with your pelvis rolled like you are trying to put your tailbone into your belly button. Your legs should be straight and together with either your knees or toes touching the ground. You should plan on doing planks 2–3 times a day for at least 20 seconds.

The next activity is a Superman. This is where you lie on your stomach and lift your arms and legs off the ground a few inches. You will do this 10–20 times in a row for 1–2 sets. For best results, alternate with planks.

Stretch Your Back

The last thing you can to save your back is to stretch it. We are going to do 10 cat/cows and 10 bird dogs, both at lunchtime and when you finish up for the day. These stretches are easy to do, and you will be surprised at how much better your back will feel.

Top 3 Tips to Keep Your Back from Getting Sore While Working from Home

These tips will help you survive working from home with your back intact.

Sit Up Straight

• Practice good posture.
• Sit tall with your shoulder blades back and down.

Strengthen Your Back 2–3 Times a Day

• Do 2–3 planks for at least 20 seconds.
• Do 2 sets of 10-20 Supermans.

Stretch at Lunch and When You Finish for the Day

• Do 10 cat/cow stretches
• Do 10 bird dogs

Are you working from home?  How do you incorporate a balance of sitting and moving to avoid a stiff back?  Comment below.

Tami is a determined woman.  She began as a secret exerciser doing her own thing.  She is now a bold woman with confidence willing to try everything she can.  She actively recruits co-workers to join her for exercise sessions at the onsite corporate fitness center in their workplace and is always game to try new exercises.  It has been fantastic to be able to get to know Tami during the past few years.

Turning a Resolution into a Lifestyle

It was the end of December 2011 when I saw a picture of myself from Christmas that year and I was horrified. I couldn’t believe that I had let myself get so out of control with my weight gain, eating habits, and lack of exercise. My face was round and my stomach was larger than it had ever been. At that moment, I decided that I was going to make a lifestyle change, I had to. I just prayed that I would have the desire to stick with it as many past New Year’s resolutions had not been successful.

That Christmas, my daughter had received a Wii console system and I decided this was going to be my mode of getting fit. I started by weighing in and found myself to be 225 lbs. at a height of 5’5 and according to the console, I was obese. That was not going to do it for me, a change had to happen!

My exercise routine started out by playing the activity games, step aerobics, yoga, stretching, “running”/jumping in place, etc. for approximately 5 days a week for 45 minutes or more. I also had access to a gym, which after a month or so of the Wii, was my next mode of exercise. I would wake up at 3:50 in the morning in order to make it to the gym, make it back home in time to wake my daughter up for school, and get to work by 7:30 am. It was hard at first, but the weight was starting to really come off and I loved seeing the results and feeling good. By April, I was jogging on the treadmill with a 12 minute mile. Wow! I couldn’t believe I was “running”! At that point I was hooked….I loved running!

Not only did my exercise habits changed, but so did my eating habits. We read so many articles about eating a healthy breakfast, 2 small snacks a day, portion control, low carbs, good carbs, fruits and veggies, well, I put it into practice. And it worked. I was starting to really know my body and what worked, what made me feel good, and how to get results. Education is key in obtaining a healthy weight loss goal.

I can’t really say that I’ve had any setbacks, which is amazing since it’s been over 3 years since I’ve started this lifestyle change. It’s a decision that I made back then and have not wanted to turn back. Since 2012, I’ve lost 63 lbs and have dropped 5 pant sizes. I’ve recently completed my first ½ marathon, although I didn’t finish in my goal time, I finished a measly 13 minutes over my goal. That just means I need to train a little bit harder next time. By no means am I finished with my goals that I keep setting for myself. Once I set a goal and meet it, I set a new goal for myself and keep going!

My advice to you….make the decision to make a better you! Strive to be healthy and you will succeed!

*Weight loss claims or individual results vary and are not guaranteed.

Mandy Kisamore was a little reserved when we first met. She is not a jump in the front of the room type of person. She came to a few classes and then became more of a regular.  After a while she started to hang around after class and ask questions that began with her and then shifted toward her children, and her family. She has done a lot of work from when she started and it hasn’t stopped with her.  Check out her story about how she transformed herself and her family.  It has been extremely rewarding to be able to be a part of Mandy’s success. 

Transforming Myself and My Family

Exercise was not one of my favorite things to do.  It was never fun; I would never look forward to it, or hate to miss a class. Today is a different story.

Three years ago I started to get serious about taking care of myself.  This transformation has been, and continues to be, a struggle that I have to work on at every class, at every workout, and every time I exercise.

Here is my story.  In the beginning, my family and friends would always tell me that I needed to find some “me” time.  Having a husband and two kids at home, finding “me” time was the last thing I thought was a possibility.  After thinking about this “me” time that I apparently needed, I decided that I would start checking out the gym at work and the classes that were offered.  I thought that would be something positive for me, mentally and physically.  That could be my “me” time, one night a week for 45 minutes. 

Of course going to the gym itself is overwhelming, and joining a class for the first time was terrifying for me.  I found myself frustrated during the past three years because the scale did not tell me the number I wanted it to. I have had to shift my thinking to look at the inches I have lost, the new pants I have had to buy, the muscles I have built, and the confidence I have gained.  During the past three years I have had some setbacks which were frustrating, but I know that I cannot stop now. I feel that I have come so far that giving up and going back to where I was is not an option for me.  I started with a lower body class, it was only 30 minutes and who doesn’t want a better back side? A few friends and I started going to the class together. It was definitely a good decision to start with people I knew.  To my surprise, I ended up enjoying the class and started going once a week.  I attended this class for a month, and then added two classes a week for the next month, then three a week the next month. I soon found myself going to as many classes as I could fit into my schedule. As time went on, I could feel how much better I felt inside, and I could see the changes that were happening to my body.  These helped me stay motivated and continue trying different exercise classes.

My motivation to keep pushing through and continuing to make this more of a lifestyle change than what started as just a way to find “me” time is definitely my family.  To see the changes and the positive thought process this “me time” has brought to my family is amazing to see.  At one point during this journey my son said he was proud of me.  That was such a motivator for me to keep going no matter how hard it was, or how much I didn’t think I could keep up with it.  Since then, my kids have started paying attention to their eating habits, and exercising because they want to.  My husband, sister, and father have been making changes to be healthier as a result of what I have started.  It is wonderful to see that what started as one group fitness class has turned into a positive change for my entire family.

To me, every positive change you make is a success, whether it is stepping foot in the gym, joining your first class, or trying a healthier meal out on your family.  These changes can lead to so many more positive changes in your life. Although I haven’t reached my initial goals yet, I have found the smaller goals I have made are just as important.  I have to remind myself of what I’ve already accomplished, and that I am a work in progress.  I am going to keep trying to be a better healthier me, for myself and my family.   

Interested in helping your employees make great strides in changing their habits to live healthier lives?  Checkout NIFS Fitness Management Services to see how we help your workforce.

*Weight loss claims or individual results vary and are not guaranteed.