Category Archives: FIT + WELL

Meet Kemtai, The Fitness App That Corrects Your Form

October 1, 2021

After spending over a year avoiding crowds and likely also the workout studio and weight room, you might have already leapt at the recent opportunity to return to your gym. But also, maybe not? Working out from home really wasn’t so bad once we started to find our flow, and you don’t need us to tell you about the abundance of at-home workout products, apps, and service out there. (Instagram’s got that covered.) Also, reluctant as we are to say it, Covid isn’t over over yet.

That said, there is one thing that home workouts definitely lack: Feedback. Whether you typically work out with a trainer or even just a friend, it’s always nice to know there’s somebody there to (hopefully) call out your less-than-textbook form when you start slacking.

Well, it looks like there might be a way to finally get that experience from home, too—and it doesn’t require you to add yet another fitness app to your phone’s home screen, or heap any more bulky fitness equipment onto the unruly pile of miscellaneous workout gear in the corner of your living room.

Kemtai is a new web-based fitness platform that turns your laptop or desktop computer into an advanced, motion-tracking digital personal trainer, complete with real-time personalized feedback and guidance. 

Technically speaking, it leverages computer vision technology and artificial intelligence to analyze motion and provide real-time training feedback. Humanly speaking, it tells you when you’re dragging ass—or potentially setting yourself up for injury. 

Unlike, say, Tempo, which offers some motion tracking functionality but requires you to spend thousands of dollars on 100-plus pounds of bulky equipment, Kemtai provides you with personalized, real-time training feedback and guidance during workouts right from your web browser. And it works on virtually any computer with a camera.

Behind the lens, Kemtai captures and tracks 44 different data points on your body—more than any other motion-tracking fitness product available, apparently. In addition to real-time training feedback and guidance during workouts, one of the best perks is being able to see quantitative results from one workout to the next, and even from rep to rep.

The service costs $19 per month, which will give you access to diverse workouts and series from a range of different trainers and workout styles ranging from HIIT and strength training to yoga and Pilates, but you can actually access Kemtai’s coolest feature for free here. Kemtai Now is the platform’s AI-based custom workout builder, and it is definitely one of the quickest and simplest ways we’ve found to get a sweat on when there isn’t a ton of time and we don’t feel like searching around for the perfect workout. The feature is capable of assembling endless unique workout combinations based on your preferences,

This Supplement Combats Cravings

September 15, 2021

Nucific’s Bio X4 is a supplement we are trying now – why? Because it purports to deal with cravings for fat and sugar. It contains powerful probiotics from 5 strains to provide a healthier balance of “good” gut bacteria. Think: relief from bloating. It also has 3 key digestive enzymes: amylase, lipase and bromelain to help better break down the food and help absorb more of the energy and nutrients – making your whole body feel healthy and perform at its peak.

It also contains EGCG, a compound in green tea, which helps boost your metabolism and give you natural energy. And the Caralluma Fimbriata in the product helps curb unhealthy food cravings.

Of course, results vary for consumers because all individuals are unique. But they do offer a 90-day money-back guarantee – if you don’t see results you don’t have to worry. I love that.

Nucific is also offering readers 25% off sitewide on their products. Using code NUCIFIC25 at checkout!

Here’s the breakdown!

 

 

 

Staying Level: Blood Glucose, and Why it Matters in Fitness

August 25, 2021

Getting fit and staying healthy is a process. The deeper you get into it, the more you realize that you don’t know enough about your body. Knowledge is the key to proper fitness and health, which is why it’s so important that you understand your body’s processes and nutritional needs.

Previously, we talked about ‘Adrenal Fatigue and the Perils of Running On Empty’. Adrenal fatigue can present itself in many different ways, including through chronic inflammation, fatigue, and insomnia.

Today, we’re going to talk about one other symptom of hormonal imbalance: blood sugar level imbalances. We’ll cover the basics of blood sugar levels, why they matter in fitness, and what you can do to help manage them.

Blood Sugar Basics

Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are the concentration of sugar or glucose present in your blood. Our bodies need glucose to be able to function, as it’s our bodies’ main source of energy.

You get glucose when your body processes carbohydrates, which is why you feel more energized after you eat. According to Mayo Clinic, your blood sugar needs to be less than 100 mg/dL at a fasting level for it to be considered a normal range.

Keeping your blood sugar level at a normal range is important for your short-term and long-term health. Healthline notes that high blood sugar levels can lead to problems down the rode such as nerve and organ damage, and in many cases blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Linking Fitness and Blood Sugar

But what does your blood sugar have to do staying and keeping fit? Experts at Cleveland Clinic say that exercise matters for tracking your blood sugar because it helps your body use insulin more efficiently. Using insulin more efficiently means that your blood sugar levels are likely to be lower after a bout of exercise.

While this is good news for people who tend towards hyperglycemia, it’s also a point of concern for those with hypoglycemia, or blood sugar levels lower than normal. Hypoglycemia can be caused by Addison disease, another disease of the pituitary and adrenal glands. With hypoglycemia, you can suffer from dizziness, blurred vision, and in extreme cases seizures and comas.

With all of this in mind, it’s thus incredibly important that you’re aware of your regular blood glucose range before intensive physical activity. While exercise can benefit your body for the most part, if you suffer from hypoglycemia unchecked activity can be dangerous.

How to Manage Your Blood Glucose

One of the biggest concerns for prediabetics and diabetics is how to manage their blood sugar levels to prevent dangerous spikes or dips. Exercise is one way to lower your blood glucose after a meal, but there are other methods available as well.

Diet, for example, plays an obvious role in your blood sugar levels. Brightcore recommends supplementing with ACV gummies, which can help lower your blood glucose levels and improve your digestive health. You can also try eating small but regular meals to ensure that you have a stable and constant supply of energy.

Harvard Health Publishing also recommends low glycemic foods like brown rice, leafy greens, nuts, and fruits. These low glycemic foods have lower levels of carbohydrates, meaning you stay full for longer but without the dangers of blood sugar spikes. These foods also tend to be low calorie, and much healthier overall, which is always a plus.

Understanding the ways our bodies work is the key to safe, healthy, and effective fitness plans. If you want a longer, healthier life, you need to listen to what your body needs, and blood sugar levels are one way to do it.

While you might usually feel fine, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor every once in a while to monitor your blood glucose for signs of prediabetes. If you do have prediabetes or are living with diabetes, try to learn more about how exercise and proper nutrition can help you improve your quality of life. When it comes to our health and our bodies, knowledge is always power.

Image via Pixabay.co

Virtual Training Is Here To Stay With Vicky Justiz

July 20, 2021

Daily Thrive by Vicky Justiz

As one of YouTube’s top virtual trainers, Vicky Justiz’ goal is to show men and women that living a healthy lifestyle does not have to feel like a punishment and doing so by making her workouts diverse and fun while offering structure and accessibility to do workouts anytime, anywhere. Daily Thrive offers a community of support where your trainer is doing the workout with you from beginning to end without intimidation, to support and motive you the whole way. A place where you are welcomed no matter your size, shape or ability while always focusing on gratitude and feeling joy when moving your body. With Daily Thrive it’s about waking up every day energized and feeling like the best version of yourself.

For $9.99 a month, users will have access to simple, creative, effective and engaging workouts designed to accommodate all levels of fitness from beginners to advanced.  An app built to create consistent habits and feeling the benefits of moving your body. Workouts are organized by difficulty level, body part, and work out length ranging from ten minutes to an hour long, with brand new exclusive workouts every Monday highlighting innovative virtual training techniques proven to keep users motivated through evolving exercises and engaging regimens.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle it’s all about finding a form of exercise that you enjoy and that helps you stay consistent, fulfilled and accomplished. With Daily Thrive, you will find something that makes you feel good and that you look forward to every single time. The fitness app is always evolving, and users can expect updates in the months to come including educating users on how our bodies work, how nutrition works and demystifying fitness and nutrition.

Daily Thrive by Vicky Justiz is now available in the App Store, Google Play, APPLE TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire, ROKU and online at www.dailythrive.app.

About Vicky Justiz:

Vicky Justiz is a digital entrepreneur, content creator, a NASM certified personal trainer and founder of Daily Thrive app. Vicky has worked with notable wellness, fitness and lifestyle brands such as LuluLemon, Gatorade, Audible, Women’s Best, and Fabletics, to name a few. Her digital journey began six years ago on YouTube where she started uploading at home workouts and saw an impressive community of women who followed along. She saw the impact that it was making on these women and decided to do it full time. With over 1 million subscribers on YouTube and 200k followers on Instagram, Vicky is passionate about empowering others through her platforms while sharing her knowledge and living a happy life and inspiring others to do the same.

Are Your Workouts This Hot Tough?

July 19, 2021

With all of the exercise fads that have come and gone over the years in Los Angeles, few have withstood the test of time. Heated Room, however, is here to stay and innovate. This new fitness studio located in West Hollywood will be sure to blow your mind and change the way you work out forever with its state-of-art infrared heating system that will help you feel that sweet muscle burn that will make you feel your best! 

Some of the benefits offered by this infrared heat system include: 

  • Clean heat helps to reduce the presence of any dust and allergens. 
  • Allows for pain relief while also reducing likelihood of any injuries during physical activity. 
  • Maximizes fat burn while boosting blood plasma and metabolism.
  • Sweating out toxins allows the skin to improve its own elasticity while also working as a natural antibiotic. 
  • Generally reduces stress and tension (both mentally and physically). 

At Heated Room, all of the classes focus on three main goals; core, strength and alignment. The classes are centered around many of the main principles of Pilates, with the intention of lowering the risk of injury or muscle strain, improving balance, control, stability, flexibility and more. Owner and founder – Raamy Fares spared no expense in bringing his vision to life. The sound system is world-class and has been imported from the UK and the machines are top-of-the-line. 

The goal of Heated Room is to offer an experience from each individual the moment they enter the building. With the help of architecture studio 64North, Fares was able to execute the design of the studio beautifully creating an immersive experience from the moment you walk in.

Lucky enough for Angelenos , the studio is now open and memberships can be purchased today. Here are a few different options for exercising at Heated Room: 

  • Monthly memberships starting at $300 USD
  • Heated Room class pass for $36
  • Rent a private Reformer Room for just $100/hr

Sculpt your body to its core. Energize and transform your front, side, and back with a rigorous class designed around traditional Pilates Principles.

Retrain your body and mind to work as one with targeted core movements and upbeat tracks in the heated room. You’ll leave feeling hot—and definitely not bothered.  

Light up every muscle with their heated, high-intensity mat pilates class. Move through concentrated sequences to tone and define legs, arms, shoulders, and seat.  These full body workout demands everything you’ve got to strengthen as you lengthen.

Connect movement with breath as you flow through Vinyasa sequences in their heated room. Stabilize your core and build fire. This isn’t exercise; this is body art.

Heated Room delivers structured classes that focus on your core, strength and alignment with the help of world class trained instructors. Fully equipped with all the necessities, the heated mat pilates room and their private Reformer room has everything you need to start sweating and transform your body!

Check out Heated Room’s website to see more pictures or view the class schedule!