Fitness - Fitness clubs, Fitness consultation

At Danubius we operate our own brand of fitness clubs under the name of Danubius Premier (See: www.premierfitness.hu). These clubs offer fully equipped fitness centers with membership for outside guests. Each club has a wide range of strength and cardio equipment, pools and saunas and the latest trend in exercise classes (See: Exercise Classes). Friendly, multi-lingual staff are on hand to give advice and assist in devising fitness programs (See: Personal Fitness Consultation). In some of our spa locations, we offer a smaller version of a Danubius Premier Fitness Club, these have been branded under the name ‘Danubius Premier Fitness Studios’. In each studio you will find a variety of professional cardio and strength equipment, enough to offer a full-body complete fitness workout.

In our Danubius Premier fitness locations we offer the possibility of a fitness consultation. During the consultation the instructor will conduct a screening to determine your fitness level and if you have any risk factors. This will include a blood pressure and heart rate reading and an assessment of your weight, body mass index and waist/hip ratio. Following the consultation they will also discuss your goals and help you design a program to help you achieve them. The fitness consultation normally includes demonstrations and coaching on how to use the equipment. A follow up consultation is advised two months later.

Regular exercise of the cardiovascular system has been proven to reduce, heart disease, lower blood pressure, help weight loss and reduce the risk of many diseases. In addition it helps speed up the body’s metabolism. To exercise the cardiovascular system it is necessary to use large muscle groups. Aerobics uses dance movements and rhythmical stepping, directly targeting the large muscle groups of the body, which in turn work the heart and respiratory system. All fitness classes begin with warm up and stretching before beginning the more intensive exercises. Classes likewise end with a cool down and developmental stretching.

Aqua fitness is different to water rehabilitation (See Physiotherapy: Water Rehabilitation) in that its focus is not just mobilization, flexibility and rehabilitation. Here, a number of exercises are incorporated into the class using large muscle groups that increase heart rate thereby giving the body a cardio work out. Regular exercise of the cardiovascular system has been proven to reduce heart disease, lower blood pressure, help weight loss and reduce the risk of many diseases. Aqua fitness uses the resistance of water to exercise the body as well as resulting in minimum stress being placed upon the joints. In addition to improving the cardiovascular fitness of the body, using certain water-based equipments, muscle-toning exercises are often incorporated into the class. All fitness classes begin with warm up and stretching, before beginning the more intensive exercises. Classes likewise end with a cool down and developmental stretching.

Nordic walking is derived from cross-country skiing and its principle is based on using two specially designed poles whilst walking. This means that during the workout the upper body is utilized, resulting in a more intensive cardio workout compared to normal walking. However because of the support from the walking sticks, you do not feel you are working out at such a high intensity, meaning a lower ‘perceived rate of exertion’. In addition, the exercise works the arms, shoulders, upper chest and back muscles through a full range of movement, lengthening muscles that are often tight. The poles are also good support and they provide stability if you have balance, knee or leg problems.

Joseph Pilates developed his concept in England whilst interred during the First World War, basing his principles on yoga and Tai Chi (See: Yoga, Tai Chi). Whilst working in a hospital he began devising equipment to rehabilitate his patients, taking springs from beds and rigging them to create resistance. Pilates is mainly taught on a mat, sometimes using specialist equipment that has changed little from the original hospital bedsprings. Practiced faithfully Pilates yields numerous benefits, including increased lung capacity, strength, flexibility, posture and balance. The balance and control taught in Pilates helps in all areas of ones life. His methods are so successful that all types of people now use them from ballet dancers to rugby players.

Regular exercise of the cardiovascular system has been proven to reduce heart disease, lower blood pressure, help weight loss and reduce the risk of many diseases. In addition it helps speed up the body’s metabolism. To exercise the cardiovascular system it is necessary to use large muscle groups such as the legs. Based on this principle step aerobic combines traditional aerobic movements (See: Aerobic) with small steps up onto a purpose built step. With an increased fitness level these steps can be heightened. Step aerobics are an extremely comprehensive aerobic and cardiovascular workout and are therefore only advised for persons with a good level of basic fitness. All fitness classes begin with warm up and stretching, before beginning the more intensive exercises. Classes likewise end with a cool down and developmental stretching.

Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the West today, is a combination of a moving form of yoga and meditation. In Tai Chi there are a number of so-called ‘forms’, (also called ‘sets’) which consist of a number of movements. Many of these movements were originally derived from martial arts and from the natural movements of animals and birds. Thesemovements are performed slowly and gracefully, with smooth, even, transitions between them. In Chinese philosophy and medicine there exists the concept of ‘chi’, a vital force that animates the body. The aim of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this ‘chi’ within the body to enhance health and vitality. Another aim is to develop a calm and tranquil mind focused through the precise execution Tai Chi exercises.

The word yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where it originated – the union of mind, body and spirit. Many people think that yoga is stretching, but whilst stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating a balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through a series of poses, each of which has specific physical benefits. These poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement, or slowly to increase stamina and improve the alignment. In addition to these poses, yoga classes may include instruction on breathing or meditation.