đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž UP TO $2200 OFF CARDIO & STRENGTH đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž ICR50 STARTS AT $999 đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž $250 OFF STRENGTH BUNDLE đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž EXTRA $400 off U30 UPRIGHT BIKE đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž $250 OFF STRENGTH BUNDLE đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž đŸ·ïž

Your cart is currently empty.

Blog / Wellness

Tough Times Call for Tough Training

30 May, 2022 | 5 minutes read

"Unprecedented" is a word we've all heard enough of. A global pandemic is a first for everyone. We're all fighting through and doing our best to make it out alive and healthy, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, suicide rates and mental health disorders have increased since the start of COVID-19. 

chalkboard drawing of a head and stressors around it

 

Obesity and psychiatric disorders have been steadily on the rise and have seen a sharp increase since the start of the pandemic.

Life has changed drastically with more individuals working from home, further isolating themselves and becoming sedentary. This takes a toll on our psychological and physical health. More time sitting behind a computer comes with drastic consequences. 

"A growing body of evidence suggests that spending too many hours sitting is hazardous to your health. Habitual inactivity raises risks for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis, and metabolic syndrome."

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/the-dangers-of-sitting

It's hard to argue against the stranglehold our devices have on us. What was your average screen time in the last week? Mine was over four hours per day! I need to get my priorities straight.

As advanced as we like to pretend that we are, humans are animals designed to exert energy, take in natural sunlight, and challenge ourselves physically.

The good news is that exercise has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. While steady state endurance workouts and lower intensity exercise can help, I am a big proponent of shorter, more intense workouts, particularly HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and the lesser-known protocol called SIIT (Sprint Intensity Interval Training).

Both are proven methods to counteract these issues, plus they can be more effective in less time than long, easier workouts. One of the many things this pandemic has taught us to value and not take for granted is our time. By engaging in shorter bouts of high intensity training, we can accomplish the same goal while saving time for other priorities.

"People who exercise have better mental fitness, and a new imaging study from UC Davis Health System shows why. Intense exercise increases levels of two common neurotransmitters -- glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA -- that are responsible for chemical messaging within the brain.”

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225101241.htm
woman with a laptop and a cell phone looking stressed

 

If you are struggling with your mental health, regularly performing HIIT should be a non-negotiable part of your life.

HIIT does require a safe and effective approach, however. First things first, consult with your doctor before beginning a new workout regimen.

When I start working with clients that need to improve their physical and mental health, hard exercise is the first priority. Integrating HIIT training needs to be done carefully and gradually. Finding a qualified trainer, coach or knowledgeable workout buddy is a fantastic choice. Sometimes we don’t have that option for in-person training in a gym.

If you lack access to a trainer, iFIT is an industry leading program available right on the Matrix touchscreen consoles. You'll get commercial-quality equipment synced to over 16,000 studio classes and global destination workouts, all led by the world's most inspiring trainers that will guide you through interval training. 

Having the proper home fitness equipment to train safely and effectively is crucial if that’s the route you’re going to go. Matrix Home Fitness offers a variety of top-quality options that are designed to sustain intense intervals. The 50 Series exercise bikes, ellipticals and Ascent Trainers are particularly effective at HIIT and SIIT workouts because the resistance can change instantly between your high intensity and recovery intervals.

The Sprint 8 program built into the Matrix consoles is a time saver at just 20 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. Plus, since it's a SIIT workout, it's a real butt-kicker! There's even an option to follow the program with Coach Phil, the inventor of Sprint 8, coaching you along the way. It's been proven to increase telomere length, which is a direct indication of improved physical health.

man and woman boxing

HIIT exercise may have saved my life.

It’s important to position a broken nose quickly before the bones set. 

I grabbed the popsicle sticks off the kitchen counter again. My home remedy involved pressing a stick to each side of my nose and manipulating the swollen silly putty back into something resembling a human feature. Strangely enough, I enjoyed it. All of it. 

I had fallen head over heels for the intensity that boxing brought into my life. The pain of training, broken bones, and wars in the gym. The grueling road work, isolation, and oppressive demands of a combat sport were intoxicating.  Before boxing, I was lost and headed down a path of self-destruction.

What I hadn’t realized until after my boxing career ended, was that the training is what made me feel so alive and powerful. Boxing is a high intensity sport; naturally split into intervals we know as rounds. Preparing to fight means performing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).

This type of training saved me from my days of hard partying and poor behavior patterns that claimed the lives of many childhood friends. It also set a foundation for helping others overcome life’s challenges in my career as a fitness professional.

I credit the intense physical training I learned long ago for the mental and physical toughness that has helped me through the pandemic. 

Intense training leaves me with a sense of fulfillment, inner peace and physical relaxation like nothing else; all of which are necessary to battle mental health challenges.

woman sitting cross leg meditating

Take charge of your health.

Achieving and maintaining optimal physical and mental fitness will never be easy. But it will always be relevant in your life, as tough times are an unavoidable part of the human journey.

Don’t feel like you must go run a marathon or bike 100 miles.

Write a game plan and create appointments for yourself to exercise daily. Start with just 20-minute workouts. But two to three times per week, make those 20 minutes really count with intervals of high intensity, followed by recovery intervals.

Don’t feel alone. Lean on friends, family and the professionals you have access to.

Meditate, get out into nature and pursue hobbies that feed your soul. 

Lastly, invest in yourself because this is the only body you get! It’s time for you to take charge of your health.

 ______________________________________________________________

About the Author

Chad Yarvitz, Matrix Master Trainer, USA

man facing head-on and smiling

Chad is the owner and president of a successful studio gym located in San Diego, CA. His professional training facility is ranked among the top gyms in the region, specializing in boxing fusion classes incorporating strength and cardio. Chad is a 2008 California Golden Glove Champion, has trained with boxing legend Freddie Roach and has been a sparring partner for world champions such as Amir Khan, Ray Beltran and Mauricio Herrera. Chad is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer.

Explore

Related Posts

Strength Train for Sleep and Heart Health Benefits

Strength Train for Sleep and Heart Health Benefits

Today, 1 in 3 adults do not regularly get the recommended amount...

Discover More
Exciting Updates with Matrix v. 1.7 Software Update!

Exciting Updates with Matrix v. 1.7 Software Update!

Our newest software update (v. 1.7) for Matrix retail consoles is deploying...

Discover More
5 Common Running Injuries and How to Prevent Them

5 Common Running Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Running is a great form of exercise that can be done year-round,...

Discover More
Low Impact, Lofty Results: How to Get the Most Out of Your Elliptical

Low Impact, Lofty Results: How to Get the Most Out of Your Elliptical

Feel like it might be time to shake up your workouts and...

Discover More
Folding vs. Non-folding Treadmills

Folding vs. Non-folding Treadmills

When shopping for a treadmill, there are many features to choose from....

Discover More
How Workout Mindsets Influence Eating Decisions

How Workout Mindsets Influence Eating Decisions

Regular workouts give the body necessary challenges to gain strength and fitness....

Discover More
Walk to Ease Lower Back Pain

Walk to Ease Lower Back Pain

Aging offers many challenges, but one of the greatest threats to wellbeing...

Discover More
5 Advantages of Low Intensity Workouts

5 Advantages of Low Intensity Workouts

Active individuals sometimes think of easier workouts as unnecessary. But lower intensity...

Discover More
Top 15 Reasons to Love the ClimbMill

Top 15 Reasons to Love the ClimbMill

We’ve all been told to stand more throughout the day, get in...

Discover More
4 Ways Exercise Boosts the Immune System

4 Ways Exercise Boosts the Immune System

Few people exercise solely for the immune system benefits but working out...

Discover More
Rising to New Heights: The Ascent Trainer

Rising to New Heights: The Ascent Trainer

Reconceiving the elliptical introduced an entirely new way to work out by...

Discover More
Move More for Better Blood Sugar

Move More for Better Blood Sugar

High blood sugar is a risk factor for further metabolic issues, especially...

Discover More
Balancing Home and Gym Workouts

Balancing Home and Gym Workouts

Most of us have a gym membership. Whether it’s a full-service gym,...

Discover More
Work Out to Reduce Your Worries

Work Out to Reduce Your Worries

Did you know a single workout can be effective at limiting your...

Discover More
Amplify Results with 3 P's: Progression, Pairing, & Plyometrics

Amplify Results with 3 P's: Progression, Pairing, & Plyometrics

You’re in the groove. You’re getting it done. You’re working out regularly...

Discover More
How to Pick the Perfect Console

How to Pick the Perfect Console

Buying fitness equipment is a big decision. It's a major purchase with...

Discover More
The Myth of

The Myth of "No Pain, No Gain"

In the US, one in three adults has been encouraged to exercise by their...

Discover More
Commercial vs Home Treadmills — What's the Difference?

Commercial vs Home Treadmills — What's the Difference?

What's the difference between commercial treadmills and home treadmills? What are commercial-grade...

Discover More
Enhance Your Workout with Bluetooth FTMS

Enhance Your Workout with Bluetooth FTMS

In the fitness world, some things never change.  For those looking to...

Discover More
How to Run on Zwift with a Matrix Treadmill

How to Run on Zwift with a Matrix Treadmill

Guest author, Taggart VanEtten, is the 100-mile treadmill world record holder, a...

Discover More
Make Time of What's Important in 6 Steps

Make Time of What's Important in 6 Steps

It’s another one of those days. You begin your morning feeling motivated....

Discover More
Fitness and Wellness for All

Fitness and Wellness for All

Johnson Health Tech is the world's largest specialty fitness retailer, operating more...

Discover More
Retain Muscle as You Lose Weight

Retain Muscle as You Lose Weight

Weight loss is a common goal. We lose weight as a combination...

Discover More
3 Simple Tips to Jumpstart Your Home Workout Habit

3 Simple Tips to Jumpstart Your Home Workout Habit

Why is getting into the groove of a home exercise routine so...

Discover More
Best Ways to Add Challenge to Your Exercise Routine

Best Ways to Add Challenge to Your Exercise Routine

When starting out or returning to exercise, consistency is important. Focusing on...

Discover More
Sprint 8 — Behind the Science

Sprint 8 — Behind the Science

Why does it work? Muscle mass naturally decreases and body fat increases...

Discover More
Johnson Health Tech Around the World

Johnson Health Tech Around the World

Johnson Health Tech has manufacturing all over the world. Take a closer...

Discover More
How to Get the Most Out of Indoor Cycling with Matrix

How to Get the Most Out of Indoor Cycling with Matrix

Over the last few years, indoor cycling classes have been popping up in...

Discover More
R&D— Designed to Exceed Expectations

R&D— Designed to Exceed Expectations

From the console to the deck and everything in between, Johnson Health...

Discover More
Excellence Has Its Rewards

Excellence Has Its Rewards

Johnson Health Tech is honored to be consistently recognized by esteemed industry...

Discover More
Enhance your workouts with Sprint 8

Enhance your workouts with Sprint 8

Experience HIIT at home Sprint 8 is an efficient, fat-burning HIIT workout...

Discover More
Johnson Health Tech— The Future of Fitness

Johnson Health Tech— The Future of Fitness

Today, Johnson Health Tech continues to drive the evolution of fitness and...

Discover More
Johnson Health Tech Brand Development and Globalism

Johnson Health Tech Brand Development and Globalism

As Johnson Health Tech matured, they evolved into a vertically integrated fitness powerhouse, owning all stages of production, distribution, and sales.

Discover More
What It Takes to Break the 100-Mile Treadmill World Record

What It Takes to Break the 100-Mile Treadmill World Record

An Interview with Taggart VanEtten: The 100-Mile Treadmill World Record Holder &...

Discover More
Johnson Health Tech: A Family Story

Johnson Health Tech: A Family Story

Take a peek into the 45 year history of Johnson Health Tech, starting with Mr. Peter Lo in Taichung, Taiwan in 1975.

Discover More
Get the Most from Matrix with Console Software Updates!

Get the Most from Matrix with Console Software Updates!

Introducing Software Update v1.4.0.19 for XER-02, XIR-02, and XUR consoles! Technology is...

Discover More
Travel the World with Matrix

Travel the World with Matrix

Missing your regular travel plans? Take a journey with Matrix and Virtual...

Discover More
Why Matrix?

Why Matrix?

In a world full of home fitness options, why choose Matrix?

Discover More
Check fitness off your list this holiday season with Matrix!

Check fitness off your list this holiday season with Matrix!

Keep an eye out for special deals on Matrix this holiday season!

Discover More
Forbes Names Johnson Health Tech on World's Best Employers List for Second Year Running

Forbes Names Johnson Health Tech on World's Best Employers List for Second Year Running

Johnson Health Tech has been named on Forbes Magazine's World's Best Employers...

Discover More
Matrix Holiday Shopping Guide

Matrix Holiday Shopping Guide

Learn about the best equipment to fit your needs, just in time for the holidays!

Discover More
Over 20 Years of Club Heritage Brings Value to Matrix for the Home

Over 20 Years of Club Heritage Brings Value to Matrix for the Home

Matrix Fitness, the premier brand of Johnson Health Tech (JHT) celebrated our...

Discover More
Back to the top