We rely on good balance a lot in our day-to-day lives. It helps us walk with ease, climb stairs without stumbling, sit down and stand up, and even dance to our favourite tunes. It isn’t until we start to lose this faculty that we realize how much we need it. So we asked Sam Casmey, Manager of Adult Health & Fitness Programs here at the YMCA of Greater Toronto, to share her advice for building balance while you’re at home right now.

Regular exercise that gets your blood pumping is important for people of all ages, but older adults in particular have a lot to gain. Cardio can strengthen your heart and lungs, boost your energy, and even reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. To help you tap into these benefits, we asked Sam Casmey, Manager of Adult Health & Fitness Programs here at the YMCA of Greater Toronto, for some tips to safely get your heart rate up at home.

One of the reasons I became a personal trainer was to help others. I know from personal experience that leading a healthy lifestyle is a never-ending journey that requires commitment, self-discipline and a burning desire that keeps you from quitting.

Did you know that more than 40% of participants drop a fitness class shortly after it begins if they attend on their own? But if they work out with a friend, the dropout rate decreases to 6%. This suggests that social support encourages physical activity. Beyond the benefits of social interaction, working out with a friend is one of the best ways to keep you accountable, work harder, and stay focused on your goals. In fact, having the right workout buddy can often be the difference between failure and success. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider working out with a friend:

We ask our doctors about health care, seek guidance from financial advisors when making investments, we ask for support and guidance for raising our kids, maintaining our cars and sometimes even selecting the latest fashion. So why not ask the experts when it comes to reaching our fitness goals? Working with a personal trainer is informative, motivating and proven to lead to success. The YMCA is staffed with certified personal trainers ready to get you on track towards your fitness goals today. Still not sure? Take a look at what the Y’s highly sought after personal trainer, Shelley Everitt, has to say about hiring a personal trainer.

For a guy who works in YMCA Health, Fitness and Aquatics centres, you’d think the moment I decided it was time to take my health more seriously, all I had to do was step up to the starting line. But no. As a father of two busy, active children, I’d come to a place where I knew I didn’t want, as the years pass, to have to say to my kids, “No, I’m tired. Maybe later.” I want the energy to keep up with them (okay, within reason). I want to maintain, even optimize, my health.