"What happened to me? I am in great cardiovascular condition! I exercise 4-5 times each week with a well balanced mixture of cardiovascular (aerobic) and weight lifting (anaerobic) activities. I eat well, sleep well and am young and active. That particular day I had slept 9 hours, eaten 2 hours prior to spin class and felt great! In fact, I felt so good that I was in perfect rhythm with the spin instructor; keeping pace, and even out-riding her at times. So why did I end up on the floor with my entire spin group looking over me asking, 'Are you alright?' What happened to me?"

Those of you, who are cardio workout maniacs, take note. This could happen to you! It is called "Exertional Hypotension" and is all about exceeding your Maximum Heart Rate (do you remember what your number is?). You see, as you exercise harder, your heart rate increases in order to send more blood, and thus more oxygen, to your muscles to support their workout. However, when you reach your Maximum Heart Rate, your heart is expanding to the maximum limit possible (to let as much blood in as it can) and beating at the fastest rate possible (approximately 180-200 beats per minute). Once you pass these limits, like the person above, your heart is beating so fast that it does not have time to fully expand before it has to contract again! Therefore, less blood and oxygen can get into the heart, so less blood and oxygen is pushed out to your muscles, including your heart muscle.

This month's "What were they thinking?" features a guest article. I think you will enjoy this one.
- Mike Motta, President

Professional Coaching Can Help You Change Your Behavior - For Good

Have you ever read a self-help book, or a really great article on exercise and thought, "that makes sense, I can do that!" You may even implement the ideas for a while, but inevitably resort back to your former habits. Many of us are eternal optimists. We believe, deep inside, that life can be better, that we can be better, and yet all too often we find ourselves repeating the same behaviors, whether in our exercise routine, leadership approach, or even in the way we conduct our relationships. This is where professional coaching comes in. The coaching industry has been around since the 1980's, and has long been in the domain of high-level business executives looking to improve their overall performance. In the past several years, however, coaching has become more well-known and accessible to all levels of an organization.

How does coaching work? Coaching is typically conducted during weekly or bi-weekly telephone conversations. A professional coach is trained to help you identify for yourself what is most important for you, and where you want to be in your life. A coach is not a counselor or therapist; a coach focuses on your future, and is trained to help you create the life that is perfect for you. Like personal training, coaching is a collaborative relationship. Your coach is there to guide your progress by listening, questioning, and challenging; however you do the work to reach your goals.

Plus One is proud to announce the addition of two new management contracts. The Union Club in New York City recently awarded Plus One with the management contract for its facility.

Plus One is back at the Trump World Tower at United Nations Plaza in New York. This premiere residential facility will once again be managed by Plus One starting July 1.

Club Industry East, the Conference and Exposition for Health and Fitness Facility Management was held in New York city in June. Mike Motta, President of Plus One, participated in a Leadership Summit discussing how the bigger clubs in New York make their operations successful.

My cousin is doing Yoga for her Diabetes and swears it helps regulate her blood sugar. Is that in her head, or can yoga really do that?

We all know Yoga is good for you, but did you know it has been medically proven to actually help minimize the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, ease Arthritis pain, help Cancer patients sleep better, reduce cardiovascular risks, regulate blood sugar in Diabetics, and benefit Asthmatics? It has also been said to improve the symptoms of such conditions such as depression, constipation, chronic headaches, indigestion, prostate troubles, skin disease, sore throat, sexual problems, and the list goes on and on.

Yoga is the ancient system of body movements and postures designed to promote well-being and health for the body, mind, and spirit. Deep breathing oxygenates every cell of the body. Holding a posture, or Asana, gently massages the lymphatic system, the internal organs, and the glands that regulate many of the bodies systems. Yoga can help lower blood pressure and build muscle and tendon strength. Because there is weight bearing, Yoga enhances bone density. The practice also helps the body release toxins that accumulate as a by-product of cell metabolism, much like wringing out the organs like a washcloth.

That medical research has officially endorsed Yoga's healing properties for our serious health issues, as well as the chronic aches and pains that plague us every day, is important news.