Why I Love The Sweat Life

Building muscle at The Sweat Lab in North Vancouver

Exercise is man's (our) best medicine - Hippocrates in 400 BC

1- IMPROVED INSULIN SENSITIVITY
Regular exercise improves blood sugar levels and enhances insulin sensitivity, often up to 72 hours. Studies have found positive effects on HbA1c levels in adults that exercise. I also recommend trying a HIIT (high intensity interval training) for blood sugars, hormones and adrenal glands (organs that release stress hormones). When our blood sugars are balanced, this means we have more energy throughout the day and can be more productive.

2- OUTLET FOR STRESS, HELLO ENDORPHINS
Working out is a healthy outlet for stress! Escape your mind and what’s currently going on in your life and focus on the tasks at hand. Be present in the moment and give it your all. Heck, take it out on that workout bike. I find a good sweat session very cathartic and reduces my stress levels significantly. That’s why it’s part of my lifestyle versus turning to a glass of wine or foods that don’t serve me.

3- SUPPORTS DETOXIFICATION
I love supporting the lymphatic system when working with clients 1:1. The lymphatic system is one of the elimination organs and impacts our immune system. The lymph fluid has white blood cells that help collect waste and remove them from the body. Our blood has our heart beating to circulate it, but the lymphatic system has no pump, we are the pump! So, that means we must move. Exercising also helps as toxins get stored in fatty tissues. If we get rid of the toxins, then the fat cells shrink. This is so many of my clients on my Planting Seeds For Energy Program unintentionally lose some weight.

4- BRAIN HEALTH
Working out  leads to an increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It’s associated to cognitive improvements, supporting mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. This helps new brain cell grow and new brain cell connections occur. I think this is fascinating as it allows us to acquire new skills and aids in recovering from brain injury.

“Professor Perry Bartlett and Dr Daniel Blackmore have found in mice that exercise is able to increase production of new brain cells and improve learning and memory in the ageing brain. They are now heading up a clinical trial monitoring 300 people aged 65 and older to identify the right amount, intensity and type of exercise that leads to cognitive improvement.”

5- PROMOTES HEALTH AND LONGEVITY
Exercise is considered a primary form of prevention against 35 chronic diseases. Movement is so much more than increasing muscle mass, it has the power to keep people healthy. Incidences of chronic disease have been on the rise, perhaps due to processed foods, stress and a sedentary lifestyle. Most people sit at work for 8 hours a day with little movement. We need to be proactive and make movement part of our lifestyle versus being reactive and waiting until we are will. This is a work in progress for me as my job is quite sedentary. Being mindful and aware of how sedentary your life is will be the first step. Some of my clients love the fit bit and apple watch as they track their steps and remind them to stand.

6- SUPPORTS HEALTHY AGING
There is research to suggest that exercise, which I often refer to as movement, can actually keep the immune system young. “The results showed that those who have exercised regularly have defied the aging process, having the immunity, muscle mass, and cholesterol levels of a young person. “ Have you heard of telomeres? I have to share this too as it’s so interesting and I think there will be more research in this area.

“The study, published in the medical journal Preventive Medicine, finds that people who have consistently high levels of physical activity have significantly longer telomeres than those who have sedentary lifestyles, as well as those who are moderately active. Telomeres are the protein end caps of our chromosomes. They're like our biological clock and they're extremely correlated with age; each time a cell replicates, we lose a tiny bit of the end caps. Therefore, the older we get, the shorter our telomeres. Exercise science professor Larry Tucker found adults with high physical activity levels have telomeres with a biological aging advantage of nine years over those who are sedentary, and a seven-year advantage compared to those who are moderately active. To be highly active, women had to engage in 30 minutes of jogging per day (40 minutes for men), five days a week.”

If you aren’t sure which workout style is best to you and you want to improve your athletic performance, I recommend DNA fitness testing. Read more by clicking here or buying here. It’s truly fascinating and I firmly believe this is the future.

WHERE I GET MY SWEAT ON:

THE SWEAT LAB IN NORTH VANCOUVER

 Why I love TSL:

• I love the variety of classes. They have spin, barre, yoga, circuit (weights) as well as split classes such as spin/core. This ensures I’m working on strength, cardio, stretching and all the small tiny muscles. Variety also ensures I never get bored

• After a sweaty workout, you’re rewarded with a cold face cloth infused with lavender oil, it’s heavenly

• The studio is gorgeous, the nicest I’ve been to

• THE PEOPLE, not only is the team friendly, I’ve also become friends with other attendees. Community is everything. I recently, signed up for a class with Dan, then last minute changed my mind and switch to a different style of class with Eliza. Dan noticed and asked if we were fighting, as a joke obviously. I’m not signed up for both so wish me luck

• You don’t need to bring your yoga mat, they’ll hook you up!

• Giant lockers. I put my runners, jacket, wallet, keys and phone in it. I’ve had clothing items stolen at other studios so this puts my mind at ease. They’re also hassle free lockers with keys, no need to remember any codes

• You never need to clean your bike or mat, they got you. After yin class, I’m super grounded and chill and the last thing I’d want to do is a task. Driving home is hard enough

• Each type of class is so different based on who is teaching it. I really like this because you can go to class based on the teaching style that works best for you. I’ve been to spin with each teachers and each class is unique

• I’ve been to many yin classes around the lower mainland and for me personally, I need a dimly lit room, basically almost dark. If you aren’t familiar with yin, it is a type of yoga that involves holding only a few poses for several minutes. I consider it a stretch class with bolsters and other props, meditation and breath work. Kent’s Sunday night classes are so dim, it’s perfect for my sensitive eyes. He has candles and a warm studio, a must for yin in my mind. I also really enjoy when there is quiet time in yin to allow me to get into that really deep state of relaxation and at other studios I find there is a lot of talking

• If you’re going to workout a lot, the monthly pass is worth it. If not, TSL us on class pass! Click here for a free first month

• I believe that if you enjoy your workouts, you’ll exercise more. That is easy at TSL as I’m usually smiling or grooving to the beat. The instructors keep it light and fun which means every class is approachable and everyone is welcome, no matter your experience. This is not an intimidating environment and each workout is truly your own. I modify a lot since taking over a month off after being rear ended and everyone is great about it.

  IF YOU’RE WORKING OUT AT TSL, SAY HI IF YOU SEE ME. I LOVE MAKING NEW COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE ALSO LIVING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES.

  I WANT TO KNOW WHY MOVEMENT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?  WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A STUDIO?

  
  TIP: if trying out spin for the first time, really try to sit back to avoid putting tons of weight on your wrists and burning out the quads. The seat is basically between your legs while standing up. Also, when you have to go up and back, really think of putting your bootie back versus bring the chest to the handle bars.

Follow along on Instagram to see how I incorporate movement and healthy eating into my day, @brucesroots

after the circuit class

with Eliza at TSL

Disclosure: I’m an TSL affiliate for 4 months. I truly love this studio and want to sign up when my contract expires. I was not obligated or asked to write this blog post for them.

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