April 30th, 2012 / News

From MINT Owner & CEO, Patrick John

 
If you know us at MINT, you know our primary mission as a company is a relentless commitment to your total wellness.  We’re not happy until you are reaching all of your goals.  One of our official ‘core values’ is SIMPLICITY; a feat not easily achieved with our large variety of services.  That is, until now!  We have just introduce the ONE Plan -  A session that is interchangeable to use towards Personal Training, Pilates, Spa, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, even Private Yoga.  If you’ve utilized our FLEX plan for training or Pilates, it’s exactly the same plan, except now you can use your sessions for any of the aforementioned services.  The sessions are only $79 each and do not expire.   This is a monthly package plan of 8, 12, or 16 sessions.  ‘ONE Goal, any Program’- Simple, really.

Some conditions: Members only.  To train with a ‘Master’ Trainer you must also have a MINT Conditioned-level membership.  A single ONE session = one 50min training, Private Pilates, Spa, or Nutrition session, or THREE Group pilates sessions, or one 30min Physical therapy session.  Monthly plan with just two required payments.  Available for purchase starting this week!  Stay tuned.

March 23rd, 2012 / News, Workouts

From MINT Dupont Fitness Director, Vanessa Hailes

After running two marathons, one half-marathon, four 10-milers, six 10-k’s, and an unknown number of 5k’s, you would think that I would have some sort of grasp on my training details including my pace, my heart-rate, my distance, etc. The only time I have ever had an idea of how fast I’ve run them is looking up my chip time post-race and thinking, ‘Wow, I’m not that bad!’. I’ve always been a ‘go-with-the-flow’ kind of runner – just going where the wind takes me, and not taking anything too seriously – but deep-down, always wanting to get better.

I began running marathons in 2009, and was more motivated to track my distance using websites like WalkJogRun and MapMyRun, then using basic math skills i.e. ‘when did I get off my couch and when did I get back onto it?’, to get a rough estimate of my pace. There were countless times after a run that my running buddies and I would recall a training run and say ‘Yeah, we ran 8 miles – or was it 9?’ just to look it up and find out it was only 5. I became more motivated because my running was somehow improving (based on my race times), so I began to get more curious about knowing exactly how far I was running and how fast. I started researching GPS watches and Nike tracking devices you could insert into your shoes and use with an iphone – but I came across some minor problems which included, 1.) not have the money for a GPS watch (or the desire to wear something as big as an ipad on my wrist), and 2.) not having an iphone due to my loyalty to Sprint.

Then one day, I put my foot down, and I finally upgraded to a Droid. I began exploring the wonderful world of running apps available and came across one that has since changed my world – Endomondo. Why do I love this app? Its tracks my workouts (running, cycling, and MORE), analyzes them, automatically archives each workout, and I can even challenge my friends. Before beginning a workout I choose a customized goal – distance, calories burned, time, pre-set routes, another friend (live!), or go against a previous workout. Along the way, my Endomondo pal chimes in over my music and tells me my mile time, lap time, and expected finish time – and it updates itself after each mile. When stopping (for traffic lights, of course), the time and workout automatically pauses, and when running resumes, so does the workout – it has a voice-over that indicates this each time.

Endomondo has been a great recommendation for all of my running friends, whether they’re seasoned runners, or just beginning. Its all based on real-time GPS, and takes the thinking (and tapping of your watch) out of the running experience. Workouts can automatically upload to Facebook or Twitter accounts so friends can view routes, be impressed by distances and pace times – but if you have an off-day and are embarrassed about your run, you also have the opportunity to remove it, or be like me and just comment under it that, ‘I had a cramp’.

Sometimes on different points of my run, I noticed that I hit a really great stride on a hill during a certain song (it was probably Britney Spears, I’m not embarrassed), and the beauty of Endomondo is that I can go back and look at my route and see exactly on the map where my songs changed! Its simple to use and provides various modes of motivation. You can use it as a weightloss tool to track your caloric output against your daily input, or just out of curiosity of knowing how far you went and how long it took you to get there. The fact that its hooked through my phone allows me to run with more peace of mind, and less bulk of also having to carry an additional ipod. Albeit, a droid or an iphone isn’t the most compact of running devices, but its become my one-stop-shop for music, gps tracking, and 911 emergency-access if I fall into a pothole (yes, it’s happened).

For those of you who haven’t tapped into this amazing FREE resource, take the time to add it to your phone and see how it can change your entire perspective on your workouts, how it prompts continuous goal-setting, and the ability to find more motivation for every mile.

February 15th, 2012 / News

Patrick hauls in a Barracuda!

From MINT Owner, Patrick John

“Work hard, play hard” best sums up how I look at life, for as long as I can remember.  Although the past years, with the a softened economy, the Downtown club launching as well as having two kids under the age of two – life has more of the former and less of the latter.  We preach “balance” at MINT , and we know how difficult it can be to keep up.  Last week Melissa and I took off for the first time in a while, one stop was to visit a MINT partner, Captain Daveon his 44′ Sailing Catamaran, Island Girl, in the southeast corner of Puerto Rico, sailing to the “Spanish Virgin Islands.”  This was a quick trip of only two days and nights out sailing, full of swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sun, good food and yes, a few drinks also.  One evening I dove for conch for a great fresh dinner aboard!  We stayed on the island for a few more days to recharge and refresh.  MINT’s goal is to provide a daily retreat in the city, but make sure you get your out-of-town retreats as well (not just business trips!).  I personally love boats, and if you like the water, highly suggest you consider a trip like ours, Captain Dave is running fitness trips, which include whatever mix of relaxation, yoga, swimming, exercise, massage and partying you like.  In this case we’ve broadened the reach of great member perks – as Captain Dave has reduced his rates for any MINT members who are interested in hoping aboard.  The boat can hold up to 6 – 8 people total and is more affordable to most hotel rooms, direct flights are also available (can I come with you?).

December 1st, 2011 / News

The music that plays at MINT has always been an important part of the club’s identity as an physical and mental urban retreat.  Since our opening in 2006 our music has been largely the same genre- Zen World Tranquil music with a slow to medium beat.  Most of our feedback through the years is a fondness for our approach to music.

In efforts to ‘refresh’ the music, we recently made some changes by mixing in some heavier and faster tempos- still in the Zen World genre- and these changes have been well received.  Included with the new schedule, we picked a Wednesday afternoon schedule as a test: Rock music spanning late 80′s, 90′s, and 00′s.  That new Wed schedule was met with mixed reactions, and we’ve nixed it- Wed will now match the rest of the week.  We hope you are enjoying the music and it adds to your MINT experience.  Please feel free to respond via the blog, or reach out to any of us with comments.

In health,

Patrick John

October 13th, 2011 / News, Workouts

The idea of hula hooping may bring a smile to your face, but in reality, it’s likely you consider the hula hoop a relic of your childhood.  NBC4 News recently visited MINT to see why we’re still putting hula hoops to use.  Just what can one of these large, round hoops do for you?  Plenty!

Hula hooping offers a full body workout, including core and cardio.  Regina Armenta, the instructor of MINT’s Joyful Hoops yoga fusion class explains that hula hooping offers the unique benefit of balancing your body – it is an ambidextrous workout.

Enjoy the clip below from the segment that aired on the 5:00 PM news Wednesday, October 12th.  Join us for a Joyful Hoops class at MINT Dupont, Sundays at 12:30 PM.

What’s Your Workout: Hula Hooping at MINT

October 5th, 2011 / Health & Wellness, News

Did you know that by switching up your workout routine you’re also keeping your mind active and preventing diseases such as Alzheimer’s?  The Washingtonian recently featured “Six Ways to Improve Your Brain’s Health.”  Keep you mind and your body healthy when you try a new class.  Rotate a new routine into your regime.

From the Washingtonian:

“Mix up your workouts
Changing things up when it comes to exercise is already known to be good for your body, but it’s also good for your brain. If you’re a kickboxer on Mondays and a yogi by Wednesday, you’re in luck. “Physical activity is most effective for the brain when you do a variety of exercises,” says Dr. Constantine Lyketsos, director of the Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.”

September 29th, 2011 / News, Skin Care

Written by, Malaika Thompson, Licensed Esthetician

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are roaming free inside and outside of our bodies.  Antioxidants capture, prevent and repair free radical damage inflicted on on our cells.  Some antioxidants are produced by the body but others must be supplied by diet and skin products.

Studies have demonstrated that the skin is the last organ to receive antioxidants from food and dietry supplements, so it is of the utmost importance that in addition to maintaining healthy diets, we care for our skin by following a consistent skin care regimen and seeking regular treatments from skin care professionals in order to preserve a youthful complexion and problem free skin as we grow older.

Some of the most powerful and common antioxidants found in skin care products include vitamins A, C, and E.

• Vitamin A is known to fight lines, wrinkles, and acne. it can greatly improve the condition of our skin. one of the best known versions of vitamin A is found in the prescription formula “Retin A”.

• Vitamin C is richest in citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers and greens. This important vitamin attacks free radicals, including those from overexposure to sunlight. it helps the skin by supporting the production of collagen.

• Vitamin E’s richest natural sources are vegetable oils, nuts and grains. It helps your skin to retain moisture, prevent scarring and treats discoloration.

September 16th, 2011 / News

My team and I have been running at over 100% for over a year with the launch of the Downtown club, managing facility improvements at Dupont, staff changes, and growth in general.  We love what we do and we hope it shows.

As summer is coming to a close, thinking about our weekends away and our local outings with friends ought to inspire us to find greater balance in our every day lives.  Celebrate the end of a great summer with us.  Join Melissa, other club managers and me for a casual member cookout this Saturday from 12:00 – 3:00 at MINT Dupont.  Bring a friend, bring your dog- have some grub and a beer.  See you there!

August 10th, 2011 / Health & Wellness, News

The Washington Post highlighted an intuitive finding in last week’s paper – lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain.  Despite the common sense-factor, little has been deeply understood about why this is the case.  New research leads us to believe that it boils down to the interplay between sleep and hormones.

Individuals who sleep a minimum of 7.5 hours a night recharge their body with the recommended amount of REM cycles.  Unfortunately, many people don’t have the luxury of sleeping for that duration each night.  Without experiencing five REM cycles per night hormones that produce the sensations of hunger and fullness falter.  Rather than remaining in balance and functioning as they should,  sleep deprived individuals are robbed of their ability to discern when enough is enough because of a hormone imbalance.

“Sleep deprivation causes your body to release more ghrelin, the hormone that signals hunger, and less leptin, the hormone that tells your body it’s full. When those hormones are out of whack, your body wants more food and lacks the sensitivity to know when to stop eating.”

Additionally, according the article “sleep-deprived subjects consumed about 300 more calories per day (2,800 vs. 2,500) than the well-rested subjects.”  While there are many causes of sleep deprivation, take this bit of news as your prescription to enjoy the last weeks that remain of summer – where a slower pace and lighter work schedule may be the recipe for rest!

August 3rd, 2011 / Health & Wellness, News

Fitness enthusiasts are passionate about their health and well being, regardless of their age.  The Washington Post featured an article on Monday, “Older athletes are reluctant to take it easy even though their bodies have aged,” which observes that age does not determine one’s level of fitness.  It’s highly likely that you’ve encountered many individuals at age 40 who are in worse shape than many physically active 60 and 70 year olds you may know.  Individuals can be athletes at any age.

While cautionary in it’s recommendations, the article asserts that consistently varied workouts for older audiences can result in tangible long-term benefits.  According to orthopedic surgeon Vonda Wright, and author of Fitness After 40, ”vigorous conditioning can mitigate declines in strength and aerobic capacity”  Wright also asserts that “senior athletes can also lessen the chances of injury through such steps as cross-training and taking sufficient rest time between intense workouts.”