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Should You Workout When You’re Not 100 Percent?

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Should You Workout When You’re Not 100 Percent?

That is the question…

If you’re a regular at MINT, you may find that you take fewer sick days compared with your sedentary peers.  A 2015 study found that regular exercise might give your immune system a boost.  You can read more about that in the Phys Ed blog for the New York Times.

But even the most die-hard MINTer is likely to get a cold or the flu this winter, or to suffer from allergies from exposure to indoor pollutants like mold.  Should you skip your work out when you’re feeling lousy?  It depends.  Here is the question you need to ask yourself: Are all of your symptoms above or below your neck?

Above the neck symptoms include a stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, or sneezing.  Below the neck symptoms are things like a cough from deep in your chest or an upset stomach.

If it’s just a cold, you may find that you feel better after spin class.  You can always dial back the intensity of your sprints and climbs, de-germ your bike with wipes, and enjoy a good heart-pumping workout.  You’ll probably breathe easier after class – exercise can temporarily relieve nasal congestion.  In fact, studies have shown that your cold may not impair your lung function at all.

Nausea, aches, and a ‘productive’ cough are all signs that you should take a day or two off to rest and recovery.  Try out some restorative yoga poses you can do from the comfort of your bed. Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of sleep, and tell your body that you will be back on the bike in no time.

Best wishes for a healthy and active winter!

MINT cycling instructor
Nikki Mueller is a MINT cycling instructor!

Holiday Season Workouts

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10 Holiday Workouts
Holiday season has already begun, which means our normal routine is altered as we are busy with travel plans, visits with family and friends, more time to veg around, and routine gym closures.

 

Just because you will be busy during this holiday season, does not mean you shouldn’t take some time for yourself to maintain the fit bod you’ve been working towards. While it is human nature to indulge over the holidays with treats and sweets, it is important to keep up with an exercise regimen – to get you feeling accomplished, strong, and less guilty following those holiday meals. Because you may be traveling over the holidays and/or the gym has adjusted hours over the holiday weekend, that does not mean that you can’t find a way to work out in the comfort of your own home.

 

Take a look at these fun holiday themed workouts to give you some inspiration and incorporate them into your routine over this holiday season! Enjoy!
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

Healthy Chanukah Latkes

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December 25th is quickly approaching and while many of us have Christmas festivities on our minds, you may also be anxiously awaiting the start of Chanukah!

Latkes Photo cred: Sarah and Jason, Flickr
Latkes, photo cred: Sarah and Jason, Flickr

Chanukah begins this year on December 24th – so this time of year is certainly one to celebrate, with Christmas and Chanukah both overlapping. As these holidays approach, it is a little easy to become indulgent and neglect some of our healthier and more mindful habits. In order to better prepare for the 8 nights of Chanukah, below is a link to some healthy latke recipes.

Latkes are potato pancakes, traditionally made with shredded potatoes and fried in oil. This link provides some great healthy alternatives to make latkes a little more guilt free with options to substitute potatoes for ingredients such as zucchini, beets or sweet potato just to name a few.

Take a look and enjoy! Happy holidays!

Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.
Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

Naughty or Nice New Membership Special, Dec. 22-27

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Have you been naughty (couch surfin’) or nice (working of holiday indulgences)?

mancouch-300x200

Either way… get a head start on your New Year’s resolutions with a special new MINT membership deal.

Join MINT (through an online membership purchase) anytime between Dec. 22 and Dec. 27, and get FREE classes in January and THREE personal training sessions to use during January!

SIGN UP TODAY!

[Use promo code: CLASSES]

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Details:

– Online purchase must be a Cardio + Strength + Classes membership (this membership includes dual club + class access)

PlyoFit– Must be purchased between the dates of Dec. 22 and Dec. 27, 2016


– No enrollment fee

– No cancellation fee

– Personal training sessions must be used by Jan. 31, 2017

– Offer is available to new members only (must not have been an active member in past 6 months)

5 Creative Ways to Stay Active During the Holidays

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Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, etc, etc, etc. Whatever it is you celebrate, we hope you truly enjoy it and spend time with family and friends. But that doesn’t make you have to halt your active lifestyle.

MINT Ambassador, Erika, rounded up some creative ways to stay active during the holiday season!

5 Creative Ways to Stay Active During the Holidays

1. If you’re staying in DC, check out an indoor neighborhood pool.

2. Play with the kids! Got cousins, nieces and nephews? Put them to work!

  • Play TAG! volunteer to be “IT” for a few rounds and see how many steps you can rack up.
  • Everyone (read: kiddos) love a good human jungle gym! Get low, offer piggy back rides and superman flights  (Note: Some height and weight restrictions may apply!)

3. Make your holiday gatherings a game!

  • Every time you get asked an awkward question, do 5 pushups. (You know what we’re talking about! “When will you two get married?” “No kids yet?” “Do you really need another glass of egg nog?” and on, and on, and on….)
  • Every time you go to a retail store, do 5 burpees
  • Every time you hear a child crying, do 5 squats
  • Every time you get asked, “Did you eat yet?” do a 60-second plank
  • Every time you meet a new relative (baby, spouse, distant cousin…), do 5 jumping jacks
  • Every time you go to a bar, 50 crunches

4. Dust off mom and dad’s throwback VHS/DVD workout videos and get your sweat on, old school style. Jazzercise, anyone?

5. If you’re heading out of town, or back to your hometown, pop into your local fitness club or studio (solo or grab a family member or friend) and ask about a visitor pass or short-term access membership.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday season – no matter what you’re celebrating!

December 19, 2016: Facilities Updates

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Please read on for facility updates that will be happening late December into January at both MINT locations.

  • New locks for the lockers will be installed at both clubs between Dec 26 and Jan 10. We anticipate minimal member disruption during this process.

DOWNTOWN

  • The steam rooms are working! We are experiencing intermediate issues and we think they are now good to go!
  • The club front doors are being replaced in the next two weeks.

DUPONT

  • Window shades will be installed at the Dupont cardio area by Jan 10.
  • We may need to perform extensive work on the men’s showers soon; we’ll keep updates coming regarding any closures.