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Like many people, when the residents of our Chicago, IL apartments get busy, the gym can find its way on the bottom of the priorities list. If this sounds familiar, you probably understand how hard it can be to get back into the swing of workout things once you've fallen out of practice. Fortunately, there are small steps you can take before making the big leap into the gym.
Start by Walking
Get your body used to the idea of exercise by taking a few brisk laps around your block. Walking warms up the muscles and gets your blood flowing. It's a great way to enjoy low-impact exercise that prepares your body for bigger and better things ahead.
Take the Stairs
Skipping the elevator in favor of the stairs is a great way to get your heart rate up gradually and in a healthy way.
Invite a Friend
It's a lot less scary to face the workout situation when you're not going it alone. Invite a friend who has similar fitness goals to join you at the gym, or consider joining group classes where you'll be in the company of other like-minded individuals who are looking for ways to be their best, healthiest selves.
Download an App
If being in the presence of other people is intimidating, try working out a few hours a week in the privacy of your own home. There are plenty of workout apps that will help you get motivated while simultaneously tracking your progress. YouTube is also filled with a plethora of fitness videos you can partake in from the comfort of your living room.
Set Reasonable Goals
Sure, working out seven days a week might sound like a great idea on paper, but is this a reasonable goal? Probably not. Setting unreasonable expectations will often lead to failure, which can further make you feel bad. Instead, set reasonable goals that are completely attainable, then adjust your goal-setting process as your fitness regimen progresses.
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Everyone can use a bit more Zen in their life, so we encourage a calm and relaxing environment here at our apartments in Chicago. With our newly remodeled quiet yoga and meditation space, we hope to inspire community members to enjoy a more reflective way of life. With that in mind, we offer these beginner foundational yoga postures and motions.
1. Mindful Breathing Practice
As the Sanskrit proverb goes, “Breath is life, and breathing well promotes longevity on earth.” Apparently, abdominal breathing triggers a relaxation response in the body as it slows respiration, boosts energy and reduces one’s concept of perceived pain and stress. Simply taking time to mindfully breathe — breathing in the goodness and expelling the "bad" — is an easy way to recharge any time of day.
2. Flex and Flow Motions
By taking on a posture such as Cat/Cow, you can gently circle the wrists and ankles, point the toes and flex those knee joints. While the motions aren’t complex or fancy, they do help you reconnect with the rhythm and flow of the energy force surrounding us. The body in turn stimulates the lymphatic system, warms the muscles and alleviates mental tension and stagnation.
3. Mountain Pose
Also known as Tadasana, the mountain pose simply involves standing on the toes and reaching as high to the sky as possible. This opens the lungs and pathways to the meridians where negative thoughts, energy and stress are often harbored. This correctional posture keeps us mindful that by simply being in "balance," we can stave off numerous ailments as we age.
4. Standing Balance Poses
By incorporating Mountain Pose into your routine, you will increase spinal flexibility. If you need a more intense back-stretching yoga position, Eagle Pose and Standing Tree are more advanced body manipulations ideal for core work and relaxation. You can gently move the body down in a crescent-moon-shaped bending pose in alternating breaths to increase body awareness and mental focus, and to challenge those core muscles.
5. Downward Facing Dog
This classic hatha yoga position creates a sense of harmony between the lower and upper body, as you place yourself on hands and knees and allow the chest to open while bending forward with gentle stretches. Easily modified to suit anyone’s age or current physical condition, downward facing dog promotes mental acumen and whole-body flexibility.
Looking for Chicago Apartments?
Find a new home here at River Park North Apartments in Chicago, Illinois, where you can take respite in our private community yoga studio. Contact us today to learn more about our floor plans and availability.
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When you don’t want to exercise outside due to temperature extremes or bad weather, you can still get your daily dose of physical activity in your apartment. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do quiet activities that won’t bother your neighbors. Consider including one or more of the following fitness activities in your workout routine.
Lift Weights
If you want to do some strength training at home, you can easily do this with a couple of dumbbells. Hold one in each hand, and alternate doing curls with them toward your chest to give your biceps a workout. Doing this activity doesn’t involve jumping or making any noise, so it’s ideal for apartment workouts. If you have a weight bench in your apartment, you should be aware that the bars on these can make a clanging sound that might disturb your neighbors when you lift weights.
Do Stretches
Stretching is a great way to make sure that your muscles are ready for a workout, which helps lower your risk of injuries. Doing stretches also keeps your muscles and joints more flexible overall. You can do simple stretches in your apartment that give your arms, legs and other muscles a good workout. For example, you can stand or lie down while pulling one knee up to your chest, then switch to the other knee. You can also alternate reaching up and over with each arm. Another form to try is the butterfly stretch that involves sitting with your feet together and knees bent while pushing your thighs down toward the floor as much as possible.
Try Low-Impact Cardio Moves
Cardio exercises give your heart and muscles a solid workout. Jumping jacks and similar cardio exercises are too noisy to do in apartments, but there are others you can try. These include curtsy lunges that involve standing in a lunge position, holding one leg slightly diagonal behind you and dipping in a curtsy move. Doing plank exercises or low-impact squats are also good cardio moves that won’t bother your neighbors.
If you’re looking for a place to exercise outside your home, our community includes a 24-hour fitness center. Please contact us for more details on our apartments in Chicago, IL.
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Living in an apartment can lead to improved health and fitness. In this post, we'll discuss four health and fitness tips for apartment living.
Take advantage of the gym
How often do you have a gym that’s a three-minute walk from your front door? Most apartment complexes have convenient gyms on-site. In addition, these gyms always seem to have weight sets, treadmills, exercise bikes, and anything else you could need in a gym setting. Say goodbye to expensive gym memberships and crowded gyms! A quiet, free gym is just minutes from your couch!
Ensure a fully stocked kitchen
To improve your health while living in an apartment, it’s a good idea to always keep your kitchen stocked with healthy ingredients. If your apartment is stocked with healthy foods, you’ll be less tempted to go to that burger joint or order in pizza. Make sure to stock your pantry with healthy, space-saving essentials, such as canned beans and vegetables, pasta and more. It's also beneficial to stock your freezer and buy some local produce to balance your diet.
Bring in nature
It’s been proven that plants help to purify the air in our homes while also boosting our moods. To improve your health and wellness while living in an apartment, pick a few of your favorite plants and flowers and add them to various places in your apartment. To help your plants thrive, be sure to water them frequently and ensure they have adequate sunlight.
Keep tidy
Studies show that a messy room or apartment can lead to greater stress and unhappiness. For apartment living, keeping things tidy should be a top priority for your sanity. If you’re the messy type, try to focus on changing your habits and cleaning up more. Even if it’s a gradual change, you’d be surprised at how a tidy apartment can boost your mood and well-being.
Reach optimal health with apartment living!
If you’re looking for a new Chicago apartment that is focused on your health and fitness goals, then contact River North Park apartments today!
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With a well-equipped fitness center conveniently located amid our apartments in Chicago, there’s no excuse for not taking advantage of the benefits of a cardio workout. Using the following types of workout equipment can help one reduce their chances of heart disease, lower stress and promote weight loss.
Rowing Machines
Not only can rowing machines strengthen cardiovascular function, but they also help tone muscle and improve endurance. Those eyeing weight loss goals will appreciate how many calories rowing burns, and individuals with chronic pain conditions often choose this equipment because it places very little strain on the body. As a bonus, rowing machines are superior for building core strength and toning tummy muscles.
Air Bikes
When using an air bike, the resistance is created by the user. Hence the harder one pedals, the more the fan in the unit pushes back. This allows users to change resistance at specific paces, making it ideal for those who are focusing on high-intensity interval workouts. Those looking to tone up and build muscle in their arms will appreciate the moving handles that push and pull to give the upper body a good workout.
Elliptical Machines
Elliptical machines provide non-impact conditioning by allowing the body to perform running motions without putting strain on the joints. Most ellipticals today boast cross-training abilities and feature moving handles for upper body toning. Another feature of ellipticals that help maximize lower body workouts and cardio functioning is that they allow one to use a reverse stride. It’s also easy to adjust mid-workout, giving it maximum versatility.
Treadmills
Using a treadmill is one of the best ways to get the heart pumping, and today’s models offer an array of features that help promote weight loss and build muscles in the core and lower body. With options such as incline adjustment and variable settings that create life-like running courses and obstacles, each workout can be custom-tailored to suit specific fitness goals.
Explore Our Luxury Chicago Apartments at River North Park
With a state-of-the-art fitness center and other lavish amenities amid our community, we are highly regarded for offering premier apartments in Chicago, IL. Contact us today to schedule a tour at River Park North Apartments.
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