Tag Archives: arthritis

Inspired by Koko Nation in 2011!

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As we wrap up the year here at Koko FitClub, we have so much to be thankful for. In 2011 we grew to 60 clubs in 26 states, and we were recently ranked for the first time in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.  But, it isn’t about growth for growth’s sake. We are thankful for this year’s growth because it represents one thing: more lives changed.

In the spirit of celebrating growth and lives changed, I’d like to share a handful of member stories from among the many that helped inspire the Koko team this year. In other words, I’d like to celebrate YOU!

“I am an athlete. I ran track for years, skied, golfed and ran road races. In Nov 2008 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and in 2009 went through 6 months of chemo and radiation which left my body totally depleted and without muscle tone. In comes Koko FitClub. I joined in Dec. 2009, the first member of the newly opened Needham franchise. Adam, Paul and Sara could not have been nicer or more supportive. Paul day after day patiently showed me how to use the machine and I started at the lowest weights. It’s now a year and a half later…. I have improved 100%, have muscle tone, run, ski and golf again. I couldn’t be happier with the program and love the atmosphere and people. Thank you Koko FitClub!” -Sharon G

“In September 2010 I got a virus. Adult Still’s disease! I was in bed and not moving for 3 months… weight went on and [I was] feeling bad. I knew I had to do something quick. At 54 years old I was starting to feel like 80… Then, I was in back of Corrine Murphy’s car and saw the Koko sign. I followed her car [to Koko FitClub]…Oh! It felt perfect, quiet and very Zen like…love it. I have been at Koko almost every day since joining. My joints don’t hurt when I exercise. In fact, I feel great….I hope this explains how important Koko is to me and my husband. We look better and feel better. Thank you”- Suzanne U

“Love Koko! … I’m the strongest 61 year old I know and I’ve kept osteoporosis from creeping in….I just had a bone density test and I have REVERSED my osteoporosis! I’ve been coming to Koko for 4 years and that did it. I am even off Fosomax! I’m one happy customer!”– Nancy C

“3 months with Koko and it has been the perfect complement to my Weight Watchers eating regimen! I have lost that pesky 14.8 lbs., my triglycerides have dropped from 194 to 57 and I am even sleeping better. I have been exercising all my life and was frankly bored with the whole process. Koko takes the guess work out, keeps me on track and lets me look back on my progress. I don’t have to think about anything, I just have to do it! I love the learning portion I get from Michael Wood and can hear his voice in my ear repeating his tips throughout my daily life. I love the different paths you can choose from and know of no other trainers that have that variety. The future of personal training is here and it is Koko. I feel honored to be a part of its ongoing development. I am definitely a Koko Nut!” – Michele S

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg, but a great example of the amazing, inspiring people we have the privilege of hearing from on a daily basis.

YOU are amazing and inspiring! Thank you.

Keep up the great work and keep your stories coming. And, here’s to an even happier, healthier 2012!

Mary Obana
President and Co-Founder
Koko FitClub
Koko FitClub Franchising

National Men’s Health Week Spotlight on Koko HealthTracks

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It’s National Men’s Health Week and Father’s Day is imminent. It is a great time to spotlight the Koko FitClub HealthTrack I created just for the men of Koko Nation. Men’s Health is a year-long Smartraining program I designed to help men rebound from gender-specific health issues such as prostate cancer. It improves muscle size, strength and performance while slowing the functional decline often associated with men’s health challenges.

The Men’s HealthTrack is one of a full suite of Koko HealthTracks, prescriptive Smartraining programs targeting specific health challenges. Other programs include Breast Cancer Recovery, Arthritis, Diabetes, and Back Relief. Talk to your local Koko team for more information about getting set up on any of the HealthTracks I’ve mentioned here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Strength training can be very powerful in reducing the signs and symptoms of numerous diseases and chronic conditions…” I built HealthTracks with just this purpose in mind. Each safe, progressive Smartraining program is individualized to the patient’s specific needs, goals and limitations, thus removing the confusion and anxiety that accompanies taking this important step to reclaiming one’s well-being.

Empowering people to feel better every day is the goal that motivates us in everything we do here at Koko FitClub. Koko HealthTracks, and Men’s Health,  fit that goal perfectly. And wouldn’t that also be a great gift to give to dear old dad this weekend?

To Your Good Health,

Michael Wood, CSCS
Chief Fitness Officer
Koko FitClub

Arthritis Awareness Month May 2011: “Take Action!”

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Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the US. Number one. It painfully effects the lives of 50 million adults and 300,000 children nationwide. If you know someone suffering with with arthritis, I hope you will share this post.

The Arthritis Foundation proclaims May National Arthritis Awareness Month and this year the theme is “Take Action!” The goal is to raise public awareness of underused self-management interventions that can improve arthritis symptoms. Top of the list- you guessed it-  physical activity.

According to Patience White, M.D., chief public health officer for the Arthritis Foundation, “Physical activity…is crucial to managing joint pain, improving mobility and reducing fatigue often associated with arthritis.”

The CDC says that “physical activity for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, reduces joint pain and stiffness in 4 to 6 weeks.” Also, physical activity has added benefit for “persons who are overweight or obese.”  They “can reduce symptoms and slow arthritis progression by losing weight.”

Strength training is an especially effective type of exercise for combating painful arthritis symptoms. Research by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University showed that for older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee, strength training:

  • Decreased arthritis pain by 43%
  • Increased muscle strength
  • Improved physical function by 44%
  • Improved physical performance, quality of life and self-efficacy

Similar results have been seen in studies of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Why does strength training work so well against arthritis? Think of your muscles as shock absorbers for your joints. The stronger they are, the better they will cushion and support. Also, building muscle tissue fibers up the body’s metabolism so it burns more calories- making it easier to drop any excess weight. Losing just 10 pounds removes 30 to 50 pounds of stress from your joints!

Sometimes, the first steps in starting a new strength training routine are the hardest, and that’s truer still if you battle joint pain every day. We want to help.

 

This year-long HealthTrack takes full advantage of Koko Smartraining technology. There is no guess work, just a customized, progressive strength training program designed to improve your physical function and reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis. The program is safe, effective and optimized, in real-time, based on your body.

Once you are armed with the confidence that every Arthritis HealthTrack workout is the best it can be for your body, every time, with no guesswork required by you, you’ll find that starting a new strength routine to battle your arthritis isn’t hard at all.

Fight on!

Michael Wood, CSCS
Chief Fitness Officer
Koko FitClub

 

Weighty Issues: Extra Pounds and Osteoarthritis

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Ouch KokoManIt may sound like common sense when I tell you that being overweight raises your risk for developing osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips and ankles, but sometimes stating the obvious is what it takes to get the message across. Do you realize that simply walking across level ground puts up to one-and-a-half times your body weight on your knees? That means a 200-pound man will deliver 300 pounds of pressure to his knees with each step. If you are running, up that to four to six times your body weight. The pressure on your joints increases exponentially with each and every excess pound you carry on your frame.

The obvious way to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in your weight bearing joints is to lose the extra weight. One study found that the risk of developing osteoarthritis dropped 50% with each 11-pound weight loss among younger, obese women. Strengthening the muscles around those joints also changes the risk equation in your favor.

Thankfully, you are Koko Smartraining. The prescriptive strength and cardio programs that make up Koko Smartraining, done consistently, will result in both. 

Let’s talk strengthening, with the knee as an example. Strengthening your quadriceps, (the muscles on the fronts of the thighs,) with a common Koko Smartraining exercise like the squat, keeps your knee in better alignment through it’s range of motion. This stabilizing effect protects the knee from injury and the long term wear and tear that eventually manifests itself as osteoarthritis. This effect holds true for all your weight bearing joints. And that lean muscle your building? It’s burning more calories that the fat it replaces. Maintaining lean muscle tissue through strength training is one of the best ways to stay at a healthy weight for life. 
 
Cardio is the other piece of the puzzle. Alternate Koko Cardio with your strength workouts on the Smartrainer and you will fire up your weight loss. The trick is to take it easy on those weight bearing joints while you are still trying to lose weight. Koko Cardio programs on the elliptical trainer are non-weight bearing workouts and easy on your joints. The treadmill workouts are designed to take advantage of incline and power walking, so you never “run.” (Remember: four to SIX times your body weight! I don’t recommend running for anyone who is overweight.) 
  
For those of you already suffering from osteoarthritis, weight loss and strength training is even more critical. We introduced our Arthritis HealthTrack last spring specifically for you. It is designed to improve your physical function and reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis. And like all Smartraining programs, it is safe, effective and optimized, in real-time, based on your body.
 
Michael Wood, CSCS
Chief Fitness Officer

Koko Celebrates our Super Seniors!

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kokosuperseniorWednesday, May 26th is National Senior Health and Fitness Day. If you aren’t a senior, why should you sit up and take notice? Because if you’re lucky, one day you will be and your best ticket to aging well is regular exercise. Use it or lose it! At Koko FitClub, our senior members are doing just that.
 
Since Koko customizes workouts based on your fitness level and guides you every step of the way, it’s a great fitness solution for anyone. At our corporate club in Pembroke, Massachusetts, our membership ranges from teens to 75 year-olds. About 10% actually fall into the “senior” category, but we don’t think of them as average seniors. To Koko, they’re Super Seniors. They’re working strength programs like Forever Strong, Performance Golf and Sports Conditioning and seeing serious strength gains.
 
According to the National Institute of Health, when seniors lose independence and mobility, it’s usually because they haven’t been active. “Taking it easy” is not what you want to do as you age! By exercising on a regular basis, Koko’s Super Seniors aren’t just improving their golf games, they’re improving their strength, endurance, flexibility and balance making everyday activities easier. They are also fighting back against age related diseases like arthritis (ask your front desk about the new Koko HealthTrack for Arthritis,) osteoporosis, dementia, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
 
One of the most important Koko qualities, thanks to the custom programs, guidance and time efficiency, is the ease with which it can become a regular habit. It’s designed that way! And we wish for all of our members to reap the benefits of lifelong fitness by simply taking your Koko habits with you into your golden years…just like our Super Seniors! 
  
Mary Obana
President & Co-Founder