Get Your BODPOD On

Not only does The Pulse have a 2 for 1 BODPOD Promo going on right now, but we're also the people singing its praises.

Gone are the days of the scale and BMI. As technology continues to thrive, we’re fortunate enough to have access to these progressions. 

“People tend to focus on the number the scale shows when trying to lose weight, but really that won’t give you the full picture” says Personal Training Director, Leslie. The BODPOD gives you a more accurate representation of your body composition compared to the scale and is the gold standard in measuring body composition. It also allows you to compare these changes over time so you can tell whether you’re losing muscle or fat!

What is this ‘BODPOD’?

This spaceship-looking thing is where you sit as the trainer pulls your stats. Using a two-chamber system, the BODPOD measures air displaced when you sit inside it. We use this to estimate your volume and then use densitometry to calculate your percent fat mass as well as fat free mass. All of this takes place in only a couple of minutes!

What does the BODPOD measure?

-Total Body Mass: We measure your total weight beforehand to use this number in the calculations for your body composition.

-% Fat Free Mass (or lean tissue): Comprised of the nonfat components of your body: skeletal muscle, bone, and water. This is the number you want to increase when losing weight. It shows that you are adding muscle to your body.

-%Body Fat: The total amount of fat tissue in your body. Remember, your body does need some fat, but excess fat can also increase risks to your health.

-Estimated Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): This number estimates how much energy (kcals) your body needs to survive at rest. You also get a breakdown of how many calories you need to consume depending on your daily activity level.

Want To Take Advantage of This Sale?

Visit us at the front desk of The Pulse by January 31st. Both BODPOD tests must be completed before April 30^th. Only want one test? Split it with a friend, after all, sharing is caring. The price is $35 for students and $50 for community members.

More Questions about this BODPOD? Tweet us! Or talk to one of our awesome trainers! 

What to expect during your assessment?

When signing up for a BODPOD test, they’ll give you an outline of the dos and don’ts.

For the most accurate results:

-Re-frame from eating or drinking two hours before your appointment.

-No smoking within two hours of your appointment and no drinking alcohol within 6 hours of the appointment.

-Leave your jewellery at home

-Wear snug fitting clothing: males—Speedo-style swimsuit or compression shorts.

                                       females—compression shorts and sports bra (without wire)

Happy BODPODING

Give The Gift Of Health This Season

5 Gifts For The Avid Fitness Lover

Lauren Neal 

With the holidays in full swing, we’re gearing up for a season of giving! If you’re struggling with gift ideas, look no further. These presents will delight the fitness lover in all of us.

1. Cell Phone

To make your time at the gym even more enjoyable, add some tunes. Bell Mobility offers awesome plans and cool phones; they’re literally music to our ears!  The iPhone 5c seems to be all the rage this season! With plenty of cool colours to choose from, you’ll be able to listen to your chosen tunes while completing your favourite exercises. This phone even comes with Apple headphones!  

2.  Deep Tissue Massage or Nutrition Package

For those who are constantly training, there’s nothing like a deep tissue massage to help with recovery! Our David Braley Sports Medicine Centre not only has massage, but will now be offering nutrition packages for those keen on learning more about nutrition. Perfect for those who are interested in jump starting their resolution! Our nutritionist, Dianna, uses a holistic approach when treating her patients so that they can benefit from more energy, a clear mind, and more!   

3. Maroon Shop Wear

Share your Marauder pride with your family through this hoodie! The perfect article of clothing to take anyone from the outdoors to inside the gym! Plus, it's on sale right now! 

4. Pita Pit Gift Card

For something tasty post-workout, why not gift your friend with a free pita! Pita Pit offers gift cards at different nominations, so you can satisfy even your hungriest of friends!  You can check out the menu here! 

5. TRX Suspension Trainer

One of the newest fitness crazes is suspension training or more specifically TRX. If you’ve got a friend that’s never given in a try, now is the perfect time! The package comes with instructional videos and you can set it up in your own home! And if you’re looking to learn more, The Pulse offers 3 TRX training courses a week and they’ll be starting in January! For information on TRX this term, check it out here! 

Get Black Friday Ready With These Moves

Prepare For Black Friday With These 5 Moves

Lauren Neal

With Black Friday beckoning, many people have signed themselves up for a full day of shopping.

Often times this will mean a long day where you’re on your feet for most of it. Rather than going into this shop fest unprepared, these moves will help your body get ready for what it has in store.

1. Start With A Dynamic Warm-Up

When warming up, dynamic moves are best, essentially a stretch with movement. Gone are the days of static stretching cold muscles. While you don’t have to warm up by necessarily jogging around the parking lot, a march or little jog on the spot, (maybe even while in line), could work well. From there, complete a few of the exercises below!

2. Squat Away

Bending down, reaching up, you’ll likely be doing a lot of it. In order to prepare those legs, try a few squats. Squat by first planting your feet about hip-width apart. Move backwards through the hips as you sit back in an imaginary chair. Keep your chest up with your shoulders down and back. Complete about 30 seconds worth of these bad boys to get blood circulating.

3. Focus On Your Hip Flexors

Our hip flexors are often tight due to all the sitting we do during the day. Strong hip flexors have been proven to enhance performance in sprints, something you may be doing on Black Friday. To stretch your hip flexors, kneel on your right knee and bend your left knee, placing it in front of you. Shift more body weight onto your front leg and you should feel a stretch on your right side. To intensify the stretch, take the same arm as your back leg up and over your head. Hold for about 30 seconds and repeat on the other side. Strengthening your hip flexors along with hamstrings and glutes also plays a part in everyday mobility; it’s something we’ll be talking about in weeks to come!

4. Mobilize Your Shoulders

You’ll likely be doing a lot of reaching up, across, around, and therefore your shoulders need to be warmed up. Start with shoulder rolls forward by bringing the shoulder up and around. From there, you can add the arms and make the movements bigger when you’re ready. After about 20-30 seconds, switch directions.

5. Core, Core, Core

A strong core has an endless list of benefits for the body. It will help you move efficiently, turn quickly, stabilize your low back, improve balance, coordination, and more. A seemingly simple exercise yields fantastic results! Sit on your sitting bones with your legs bent in front of you, feet pointing forward. Keep your core engaged by pulling your belly button to your spine as you roll your shoulders down and back. From there, bring your upper body back so that it’s at about 45 degrees. Hold here for about 30 seconds and release. To intensify this, you can pick up the legs, or add arms by bringing them above your head and back down. Complete this move 3 times.  

These moves will get you warmed up and may even get you some extra deals!