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Shop our secure, on-line store for a great selection of fitness equipment, running and cycling gear and sports apparel.
 
Metabolic Testing
Merlino Fitness Studio
May 2008
Call Us @ 713-523-2577 To Book Your Test
Whether you are looking to loose weight or increase peformance, metabolic testing can help you reach your goals. Our resting metabolic rate tests rates your metabolism and gives you a gauge of how many calories per day that you need to maintain or lose weight. Our VO2 - anaerobic threshold tests let you know your true heart rate zones to get the most out of your fat burning ability while you do your cardio workouts. Runners and cyclists can also take their sport and racing to the next level by getting heart rate zones to help with realistic heart rate training goals. Check out the links below for more info about both tests and call us at 713-523-2577 if you have questions about testing and how it can benefit your fitness goals.

More Info

DeFeet Clearance Sale
Save 50% Off
Save 50% on the entire line of DeFeet sportwear while supplies last.

Inflatable Fitness Balls
Inflatable fitness balls and weighted balls from Harbinger and Theraband. Great for abdominal and core body strengthening.

Weighted Fitness Balls
A great alternative to traditional weights, these water-filled rubber balls are great for training core body.
Clif Shot Bloks
A great alternative to power bars and carb gels for runners, cyclists and endurance athletes. Available in variouos flavors. Some flavors include caffeine or added sodium. Purchase our Clif Blok sampler and try 4 of our most popular flavors.
Sugar-Free Protein
Sport Cookies
A quick high-protein snack with no sugar. Available in 5 delicious flavors: chocolate chip, trail mix, banana nut, peanut butter and lemon.

Harbinger Big Grip
Workout Gloves
Heavy duty gloves for the serious lifter. Available in wrist wrap and non wrist wrap styles.
Ultima Sports Drink
Sugar-free, low calorie sports drink with More elecrolytes than Gatorade. Hydrate well without all of the sugar. Great for long distance athletes, everyday exercisers, diabetics and children. Available in 4 great flavors: raspbery, orange, kiwi strawberry and banana berry.
Weight Training
Wrist Straps
Increase wrist support with our wide selection of weight lifting straps from Harbinger and Grizzly.
Nip Guards
Abrasion Prevention
For Runners
Protect from painful nipple abrasion. A must have product for male runners. Don't run your next long run or race without them.

Run Fast by
Hal Higdon
Whether you are a beginner road racer or shooting for a new personal best, this book does a great job of breaking down training schedules and drills to run smarter and prepare for race day.
More book reviews

 
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General Fitness

Kundalini Yoga : Incredible Benefits for Average Citizens
by Merric Bartosch, RMT, Yoga Instructor

The word yoga comes from the ancient Indian language called Sanskrit, and it means union. It can be thought of as a yoke, of sorts, binding together the body, mind and spirit. Ultimately, yoga is the union of the individual's unit consciousness with the infinite consciousness. Although it can be practiced religiously each day, yoga is not a religion. A more accurate description of yoga would be to say that it is an ancient science. Classical yoga includes the well-known Hatha Yoga, which generally has emphases on Asana, or postures. The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to raise the consciousness.

Toward this end, Kundalini Yoga and Hatha Yoga are the same, as all rivers ultimately flow to the sea. The difference is how long it takes to get there, and what is experienced along the way. Originally, Classical Yoga was intended for monks, yogis, and those who withdrew from the world for spiritual practice. Kundalini Yoga, on the other hand, was designed for the householder, those who live in the world, who have families and jobs, and who want to balance the inner and outer world. It is the yoga that fits the busy lives most of us lead. Kundalini yoga which includes many asanas found in Hatha Yoga, is effective, efficient, and easy.

Those who practice it say they can feel changes in the body and psyche within a few minutes, and deeper changes through regular practice. I would rather have each person take a class and experience the yoga for themselves than continue to explain how amazing this ancient technology is. I tell my students, "Kundalini yoga is like taking a humane wash cloth and ringing him out so much that the humane has no more anxiety and his nervous system is so strong he can handle anything life presents him.

Merric Bartosch is a Registered Masage Therapist and Kundalini Yoga Instructor in Houston Texas. For a massage appointment or one on one and group yoga instruction, Merric can be reached at 713.523.4118 or e-mail her at satnamrasayan@yahoo.com.

View Merric's Bio



Weight Training
Lat Pulldowns
Pulldowns are a great exercise for the back muscles but avoid pulling the bar behind the head. Pull the bar down in front of the body toward the collar bone and with the bar just below your chin. Pulling the bar behind the head puts undue stress on the shoulders and rotator cuff.
Running
Avoiding Shin Splints
Do you have lower leg pain or shin splints from running? Running on hard surfaces, worn out running shoes and weak calf muscles could be the culprit. Try running on soft trails, buying a new pair of running shoes or adding calf exercises to your weight training routine.
Walking
The Talk Test
A great way to make sure you are staying in your aerobic fat-burning range is the talk test. If you cannot comfortably carry on a conversation with your walking partner you probably need to bring down the intensity to assure yourself that you are burning fat.
Fat Burning
Your Anaerobic Threshold
A great way to make sure you are burning fat during cardio sessions is knowing your anaerobic threshold or where your heart rate zone needs to be to burn fat stores. Find a gym or fitness center that offers anaerobic/VO2 testing. Merlino Fitness offers anaerobic threshold testing every month. Check out the link below for more details.
Merlino Fitness Metabolic Testing
Nutrition
Keys to Weight Loss
If you are trying to drop weight make sure you incorporate the following to get you on your way. Drink lots of water, don't skip meals (especially breakfast), do not eat late night meals or snacks after 7 or 8 pm and build as much activity into your everyday life as you can. Michael also recommends joining weight watchers to anyone trying to lose weight and keep it off long term.
Nutritional Supplements
Stay Away From Ephedra!
The weight loss/energy supplement is in the news again. Supplement companies that market this controversial supplement claim it is safe although many have died from this dangerous supplement. Make sure you check the labels of your nutritional supplements as many are laced with ephedra, also known as ephedrine or ma huang (the actual herbal).
Quick Tip Archives
Our archived collection of fitness and nutrition tips to help you stay focused and fit.
Tip Archives

Soy Dream
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Take the edge off those sweet cravings with this healthy soy alternative to an ice cream sandwich without the unwanted calories and guilt.
Product Website
Eggology Egg Whites
Take the edge off those sweet cravings with this healthy soy alternative to an ice cream sandwich without the unwanted calories and guilt.
Product Website
Grocery Store Archives
Our latest collection of on-line articles to help you stay focuses and fit.
Grocery Archives
 
Fitness
Pamela from Chihuahua, MexicoI work out 5 days a week and can't loose weight. I do spinning, tae bo and many types of cardio. Where am I going wrong?
Answer
Nutrition
Ross from Sidney, AustraliaI am currently trying to eat six small meals per day. Apart from breakfast and dinner, I always seem to forget or skip my meals during the day. I also need some simple, easy meals (snacks) that do not require refrigeration or preparation, apart from the obvious fruits.
Answer
Running
Amanda from Manitoba, CanadaWhat should I eat the morning of my track meet?
Answer
 

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Merlino Fitness • PMB 267 • 1302 Waugh Drive • Houston TX 77019 • 713.523.2577