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Shop from our Merlino Fitness equipment and apparel store, our Ebay fitness close out Store or our Advocare nutritional supplement store.
 
Houston
Metabolic Testing
RMR, VO2 Max &
Anaerobic Threshold
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
Purchase Testing Online

Harbinger
Workout Gloves Clearance Sale
Save up to 50% on select Harbinger men's and women's weight training and workout gloves.

Inflatable Fitness Balls
Inflatable fitness balls from Harbinger, Theraband and TKO. 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.
Foam Rollers
Rehab Equipment
Foam rollers are hot and a great way to apply your own myofacial massage. They can also be used for balance, stability and core body training. Check our our full line of foam roller and rehab equipment.
Workout Belts
Stabilize low back and trunk while performing those heavier lifts. We offer a wide selection from Harbinger Fitness.

Harbinger Big Grip
Workout Gloves
Heavy duty gloves for the serious lifter. Available in wrist wrap and non wrist wrap styles.
Outdoor Strength
Classes
Boot camps are hot but Michael has been busy designing his own version of outdoor exercise. No army fatigues and screaming in your face while wallowing in the mud here. Just challenging and safe workouts for all fitness levels that will make you fall in love with playing outside again. Each workout involves resistance training and cardio conditioning to get you in shape quick and wondering why you haven't done this stuff since you were 8 years old.

More Info & Registration
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

 
TRX Suspension Training: Deck the home gym.
Banana Latte Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 Cup Soy Milk
¾ Cup strong brewed regular or Decaf coffee at room temperature
2 Fresh bananas frozen & sliced
6-8 Ice cubes
1 tsp Unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp Ground cinnamon

Directions:
Combine the soy milk and coffee in the blender. Add the bananas, blend until smooth. With blender running, add ice cubes until it reaches desired consistency. Pour into tall glass and garnish with cocoa powder and cinnamon.

Recommended by Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD
Source: Smoothies. 50 recipes for high-energy refreshment


Turkey Pitas
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1-1/2 tablespoons non/lowfat margarine
1-1/2 teaspoon olive oil
2 red peppers, cut into strips
3 zucchini, cut into strips
1-1/4 pounds smoked turkey, cubed
3 tablespoons water
6 pita bread loaves

Directions:
Boil lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add margine and stir until melted. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, zucchini and turkey and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add water and sauté another 3-4 minutes. Drizzle with lemon margarine. Cut pitas in half and stuff with turkey and vegetables.

Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 pita sandwich
Calories: 370
Fat: 5 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg
Protein: 30 g
Carbohydrates: 55 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sodium: 850 mg

Recommended by Michael J. Merlino, ACE, BSMI (CPFT, RES), Cooper Institute
Source: Global Fitness Newsletter


Greek Tuna Pitas

Directions:
Mix drained tuna with chopped cucumber, tomato, plain low-fat yogurt and dill weed. Spoon into whole wheat pitas and serve with fresh fruit! (experiment with amounts) Serve it with fresh fruit and you have a great-tasting, healthy meal!

Recommended by Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD

Parmesan Chicken

Ingredients:
4 Skinless, boneless chicken breasts
fresh squeezed lemon juice
cayenne pepper
1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon reduced calorie or nonfat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup (1 ounce) fresh grated Parmesan cheese


Directions:
Place chicken breasts in baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; drizzle with lemon juice; sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Let stand. In glass measuring cup or small bowl mix yogurt, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and green onion Spread mixture over top of chicken. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour uncovered (until fork tender).

Yield: 4 servings

Recommended by Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD
Source: Randalls Cookbook by Lori Valencic, MED, RD, LD



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