November 18 2009 by admin.

As soon as you begin taking control of your health, you will begin investing in your future.

A recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who gain weight early in life may be at a greater risk for mobility problems later in life, compared to people with lower weights in their younger years.

The heavier a person is, the more stress their body undergoes to move that mass. A web of soft connective tissue called fascia provides support and protection all over your body. Lots of fascia is used to stabilize bodies with lots of mass, and this extra support can hinder joint mobility.

In addition to the obvious joints, like the shoulders, knees and hips, extra fascia can lessen the mobility of the vertebral joints (think low back and neck), as well as the feet and ankles.

At IM=X Pilates Blue Bell, we understand pilates doesn’t connect with everyone. However, encourage your friends and loved ones to do something, anything that gets them moving. We are happy to teach our fundamentals and stabilizing techniques to take back to gym, the street, the court, the course or anywhere else you get your daily activity.

This study was reported in the July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal.

Posted in It's Good For You, Fitness, Article | Print | 1 Comment »

October 22 2009 by admin.

IM=X Blue Bell member Surbhi Puri has met her fundraising goal of $2000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk this Saturday.

Surbhi’s family has been personally affected by leukemia, so this accomplishment has special meaning. Thanks to all IM=X Pilates Blue Bell members who supported her by donating to her carefully-decorated tissue box at the studio, and congratulations Surbhi! We hope you have a great walk.

Posted in Giving Back, Article | Print | No Comments »

August 19 2009 by admin.

Cycling is a great fitness option- fresh air, moving scenery and no impact. However, research is finding that cyclists may be at a greater risk for osteoporosis in their lumbar spines, or low back. The study compared competitive male road cyclists with other, moderately active men. It found that despite the cyclists’ higher calcium intake, they had “significantly lower” bone density, and it was not associated with testosterone. IDEA Fitness Journal replies, “…the answer is strength training and cross training…for greater bone density in the spine.”

The IMX Pilates program specifically addresses spine health and strength by training the supporting muscles for endurance and flexibility. Osteoporosis is a serious concern that IMX Pilates Blue Bell can help cyclists prevent.

This study was reported in the July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal.

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July 20 2009 by admin.

Lots and lots of people suffer low back pain, or LBP. There are almost as many remedies out there for LBP: pills, tablets and gel caps, shoes and shoe inserts, physical therapy, heating pads, cooling gels- the list goes on and on.

The best pain relief methods turn out to be the ones least used. A study was conducted to determine what approaches are being used to manage LBP. It found that many patients turned down research-proven methods like exercise and physical therapy in favor of medication.

Bodies are full of imbalances and restrictions from our lifestyles. Correcting these and allowing strong muscles to stabilize the body by establishing safe movement patterns can actually remove stress from the spine and eliminate the pain, not just mask it. In addition, mobility problems in joints like the ankle, hip or even shoulder can contribute to LBP, so continuing to compensate for that immobility will continue to cause pain.

The upshot: exercise permanently helps low back pain. Train with a credible, certified fitness instructor or physical therapist, and make sure they’re using the latest medical research to influence your workout program. The IMX Pilates system uses this research in its 5 Fundamentals, which color every moment of your pilates workout. The IMX Pilates Blue Bell studio has these research briefs bound and displayed in the studio lounge for your browsing pleasure.

This study was reported in the July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal.

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July 10 2009 by admin.

Think it’s harder to exercise at night? You may be right, just because you think so! Researcher have found that people stopped exercising about 15% earlier when they were mentally fatigued, because they felt more fatigued at the beginning of the session. This resulted in less time exercising, a lower heart rate and lower blood lactate levels, which indicates that the fatigued individuals didn’t work as hard, probably because they didn’t work out as long. Instead of getting winded or being physically fatigued, mental fatigue limits exercise tolerance by making you feel you are more tired.

How does IMX Pilates Blue Bell combat this phenomena? We have 2 ways:

1. Our class schedule includes early morning options for people to exercise before work.
2. Our evening classes are taught at a high-energy pace to compensate for your tired brains. Any of the IMX Pilates Blue Bell clients that have experienced Jim in the evening can vouch for this!

Since you can’t always exercise in a perfect world where you are mentally rested, rest assured IMX Pilates Blue Bell will do its best to work with your schedule’s quirks.

This study was reported in the July-August 2009 IDEA Fitness Journal.

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July 8 2009 by admin.

Introducing It’s Good For You, a semi-regular series featuring exercise-related tidbits. Share them with your friends, or use them to motivate yourself. Exercise is for everyone, because good health is for everyone.

Posted in It's Good For You, Article | Print | No Comments »

June 13 2009 by admin.

June 13 and 14 2009, IM=X Blue Bell’s own instructor Courtney will be performing in the Spirit In Motion Ballet Theater Production of “The Spirit of America II” at the Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA. She’s fabulous, so go see the show! Click here to visit SpiritInMotionBallet.org. To get all the details, click on Ticket Sales

Posted in News, Events, Article | Print | No Comments »

March 3 2009 by admin.

There have been many requests for the German Pancake, discussed by IM=X Pilates Blue Bell client Valerie. Here it is-

large cast iron or ovenproof pan
3 large eggs
1/2 c whole milk
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c jam- preferably raspberry, optional
2 tbsp powdered sugar

Set your oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk eggs, add flour and whisk until smooth.
Add milk, salt, vanilla.
Put butter in pan and heat in the oven until melted.
Pour batter in hot pan, bake 15 minutes until golden and puffy.
Drizzle with lemon juice, spread with jam, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Alternatives:
Chocolate Pancake- add about 2 tsp sugar and 2-3 tsp cocoa powder, or until desired light brown color is reached.
Savory Pancake- omit vanilla. Add savory ingredients, such as sauteed bacon, sausage or ham, sauteed vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, etc. Season to taste, with salt, pepper, garlic, etc.

Has anyone tried these? Paula loves them for dinner, evidenced by her cell phone picture taken at 8pm!

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February 9 2009 by admin.

You’ve read up on the IM=X Pilates Blue Bell Free Intro session, and the membership options. Or maybe you already are an IM=X Pilates Blue Bell client. Either way, now you want to share the pilates experience with someone.

Give a gift certificate!

You’ve got 2 choices:

1.) Simply go for the 1-Month Unlimited Trial Membership. It’s the most popular first choice by new clients. They have the chance to see how many classes a week they really can do, before deciding between Unlimited Memberships or Class Packages.

2.) Choose your own amount. This option allows you to simply enter a dollar amount, so you can visit the IM=X Pilates Blue Bell Fees page and create your own package. Give some Private Sessions and a 1-Month Trial Membership. Or maybe a few Privates and a few Semi-Private sessions, so the recipient can experience both. You can also give a lump sum, so the “gifted” can apply it to whatever option they choose.

Next, write a nice message to the recipient. You may want to include your package intentions if you chose your own amount.

The gift certificate can now be emailed to the recipient. You will also be able to print out the certificate after purchase, if you would like to present it yourself.

If online purchases are something you avoid, you are welcome to purchase a gift certificate in person at the IM=X Pilates Blue Bell studio. Call 484-231-8565 to let us know when you’re free to stop by!

Posted in Trying Pilates, Pilates, Article, Studio | Print | No Comments »

February 5 2009 by admin.

Friday, February 6 2009 is National Wear Red Day! Wear red, make a donation, and support the American Heart Association’s ongoing research and education about women and heart disease. You’ll see your teachers in red, so join in!

Facts: (from the AHA)
*  Heart disease is the #1 killer of women
*  Women are more likely than men to experience the other common symptoms of a heart attack
*  A heart attack can feel like chest discomfort, OR in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
*  A heart attack may cause shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
*  A heart attack may also cause cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness
*  If you’re ever unsure, call 9-1-1 right away

Healthy Goals for Women:
Total Cholesterol= less than 200 mg/dL
Bad (LDL) cholesterol goals vary by risk category
Good (HDL) cholesterol= 50 mg/dL or more
Triglycerides= less than 150 mg/dL
Blood Pressure= less than 120/80 mmHg
Body Mass Index= less than 25Kg/m(2)
Waist Circumference= less than 35 inches
Exercise= at least 30 min/day most or all days

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