Are You Ready for Some......HEALTHY GAME FOOD?!

You've been working hard for the last three weeks, getting onto a good footing after the holidays. Don't undo that this Sunday with a Super-Bowl-Sized game-day eat-a-thon!

If you're hosting or bringing a contribution to a pot-luck gathering, consider some of these alternatives:

• Health.com's "11 Healthy Super Bowl Snacks"
• Eating Well's "Healthy Super Bowl Recipes and Menus"
• Cooking Light's "Five Super Bowl Food Makeovers"
• Food.com's "Healthy Super Bowl Recipes"
• A board of Healthy Super Bowl Eats on Pinterest

Go Red for Women on February 6

We'll be Going Red on Friday, February 6
to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases in women.

Would you join us? Go Red and show your support.
What does that actually mean? 

Glad you asked! In addition to wearing red, it also means:

• Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.
• Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, be physically active and eat healthy.
• Raise Your Voice: Advocate for more women-related research and education.
• Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you & your family. Teach your kids the importance
• of staying active.
• Donate: Show your support with a donation of time or money.

FACTS ABOUT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

FACT 1 : Cardiovascular diseases cause one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
      An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases.
      90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke.
      80% of heart disease and stroke events could be prevented.

FACT 2: Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease & stroke.
      Fewer women than men survive their first heart attack
      The symptoms of heart attack can be different in women vs. men, and are
        often misunderstood – even by some physicians.
      Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men.
      Each year, about 55,000 more women than men have a stroke.

FACT 3: Heart disease and stroke affect women of all ethnicities.
      Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for African-American women,
        killing nearly 50,000 annually.
      Only 43% of African American women and 44% of Hispanic women know that heart
        disease is their greatest health risk, compared with 60% of Caucasian women.
      Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 48.9% have cardiovascular disease.
        Yet, only 20% believe they are at risk.
      Only 50% of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart         attack.
      Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian
        women.
      Only 3 in 10 Hispanic women say they have been informed that they are at a higher
        risk.
      Only 1 in 4 Hispanic women is aware of treatment options.

FACT 4: Women who are involved with the Go Red For Women movement live healthier lives.
      Nearly 90% have made at least one healthy behavior change.
      More than one-third has lost weight.
      More than 50% have increased their exercise.
      6 out of 10 have changed their diets.
      More than 40% have checked their cholesterol levels.
      One third has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.

FACT 5: When you get involved in supporting Go Red For Women by advocating, fundraising and sharing your story, more lives are saved.
      Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day
      Death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.

Join TEAM RAZOR SHARP at the Be Mine 5K Run/Walk Feb. 14th

5kcupid has you in his sites for St. Valentine's Day!

Not sure how to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend? 

We have the perfect solution. 

Join us on Saturday February 14, 2015 at 10 a.m. for the 2^nd Annual Be Mine 5K (formerly Cupid’s 5K). 

This fun run/walk is open to everyone: singles, couples, males, females and even Valentine’s Day haters. Every participant will receive a custom finisher’s medal, a relationship-status hoodie, and a drink coupon for a post-race social hour at The Chancery, just down the street from our Downtown Racine location.

Just what is a relationship status hoodie? 

The color of your hoodie you receive in your goody bag signifies your relationship status (including an MYOB option!). 

This is a fun winter run/walk; however, for those interested in timing, the course will be timed.

Registration costs are $35 through February 8, 2015 then $40 through the day of the event. Register here.

Volunteers are also needed for the day of the event and of course, event sponsors. For more information on becoming a volunteer or becoming a sponsor, e-mail for more information, call (877) 651-2440 or visit the event website.

Be Mine 5K is hosted by 5kevents.org, a Racine-based organization, and is a kick-off event for the 2015 Southeast Wisconsin Regional Endurance Challenge. 

Getting Started with STEP

Ever wondered about giving STEP a try?
Wonder no longer. And, more important, don't let the apparent experience of the class "regulars" keep you from getting in (and up, and down, and up, and down) there yourself.

Saturdays in February, instructor Tara Tompkins will offer a 15–20-minute walk-through/slow-speed instruction starting at 9 a.m., ahead of the regular 9:30 class.

With the 3-4 basic combinations broken down for you, you'll be stepping with the rest of the class in no time!

STEP is currently offered at the Washington Avenue club Mon. and Wed. evenings at 5:30 and Sat. mornings at 9:30.

Benefits of Massage -- Not Just For Relaxation Any More

Don't get us wrong...we're all for relaxation!

But there are other very real physiological health benefits from regular massage therapy.

Just a few:

• Reduces the stress hormone cortisol (by up to 50%) and boosts the "feel good" hormones serotonin and dopamine, slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and blocking pain receptors.
• Lowers levels of cortisol provide a boost to the immune system. A 2010 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found massage therapy increased white cell count.
• Improves pain, stiffness, range of motion and overall function, according to a clinical trial of Swedish massage in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. (WebMD)
• Reduces pain, increases headache-free days and levels of serotonin in adults with migraines, as reported in a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.
• Counteracts the imbalances that produce shoulder and neck tension in those who work for long periods at a desk/in a seated position.
• Reduces the need for painkillers to treat low back pain by 36%. (WebMD)
• Provides relief from symptoms of severe PMS, including pain, water retention and mood swings, as found in a small study by the Touch Research Institute of University of Miami School of Medicine.
• Produced shorter labor and hospital stays in pregnant women who had massage from their coaches during labor. (Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology).
• Improves anxiety and depression, as demonstrated through numerous published studies, independent of the source of these symptoms.

Regular massage isn't just an indulgence -- it can be a meaningful part of an overall healthy lifestyle. 

The Razor Sharp Fitness Spa is open to the public, but offers discounted rates for Razor Sharp Members. Stop by the front desk or call (262) 321-0200 to schedule an appointment.


---------------------------------
Sources include:
CNN.com from Health magazine, "Massage: It's real medicine."
WebMD health & Balance Center
Touch Research Institute

Masters Swimming Runs Through End of March

Masters Swim is:

• A challenging workout incorporating all swimming strokes
• Open to all swim levels
• Focused on improving swim technique
• An encouraging and fun environment

How do I participate?

Purchase either 12 or 24 swim sessions -- you can use them during designated hours (Mon. & Fri. mornings, 5:30-7 a.m., and Tues. evenings 5:30-7 p.m.) through March 28.

Register at the front desk, or if you have questions, contact Fitness Director Kate Rogan by e-mail or at (262) 321-0200 x205

Do participants have to be Razor Sharp members?

Nope! Members get preferential pricing, of course. But anyone can take advantage of our beautiful salt-water pool and comfortable facilities.

And, the prices?

Package             Members       Non-Members/Guests

12-session            $120                       $180             

24-session              200                         250

January Member(s) of the Month, Scott Jiroch and Curt Haarsma

Scott Jiroch

Curt (left) and Scott (right) spend time on the
weight machines and the basketball floor

Four days in the hospital gave me plenty of time to figure out that I needed to get back in shape....

In 2012, I was 222 pounds with a 38” waist – along with four broken ribs and 10 stitches in my head from a bicycle accident.

Those four days helped me decide to join Razor Sharp to start the process. I was under the direction of several trainers, and learned from them the importance of not just working out, but working out the right way. Now, two years later at 59 years old, I’m down to 180 pounds and my waist is 36”.

I especially enjoy the front desk staff and the atmosphere. But most of all, I have a renewed motivation and dedication to work out daily with all of the new friends I’ve made at Razor Sharp who share the same goals.

Curt Haarsma

I wanted to be around to see my son grow up....

Eight years ago, after my divorce, I decided it was time for a life change. I began to eat healthier and started a workout routine. Part of my motivation has been my son, who is now 16 years old. I realized that I wanted to be around to see him grow up, get married, and someday to take my grandkids to Door County and be able to enjoy the outdoors together with them.

Curt and Scott with, left to right, Personal Trainer Krystal DeBaker, Front Desk/Daycare
Director Marianne Lawson and Membership Director Laurie Swanson.

Now, at age 45, I have lost 40 pounds and 4” from my waist, and gained 3” on my arms and chest. I also just feel better and have more energy. This was a really important change for my life and health.

None of this would be possible without the wonderful trainers and staff at Razor Sharp. They really make the gym a family atmosphere. Special thanks go to my work-out buddy, Scott Jiroch. I would never have been able to accomplish this without him.

Happy Holidays, and a Very Razor Sharp New Year to All!

From Toys for Tots Zumba to the Better Together Group Exercise New Year's Party, Razor Sharp made the most of the holiday season...

The Red & Green Zumba class at the Erie Street Club --
Way to rock some antlers and holiday elf stockings!

You can experience the 2014 Ugly Christmas Sweater contest by checking out the album here. Mark your calendars for December 23, '15 as Front Desk/Daycare Director Marianne Lawson attempts to defend her championship.

We were ecstatic to have a great turn-out for the Toys for Tots Zumba event at

Washington Avenue, where a jolly pile of new toys was donated for children who might not otherwise receive any this year. Thanks to Zumba instructors Norma and Gigi, Membership Director Laurie Swanson and Fitness Director Kate Rogan, all of whom helped make this successful, generous and energetic morning a success!

Aqua Blast offers up some holiday spirit

Razor Sharp officially rang 2015 with our January 10th Group Exercise extravaganza. 

An album of pictures from all three clubs' celebration of the new year, and of being fit by working out together, is posted at our Facebook page (you don't need to have a Facebook account to view these!) As part of that day's festivities, we ran a drawing for attendees who posted their pictures with staff to their Facebook or Twitter feeds -- congratulations to Olivia Alcorta, who won a $20 Razor Sharp gift card! Thanks to Olivia and everyone who turned out to make such a great party of the day.

We're looking forward to the coming year, and to getting fit and staying fit together!

Cheers ~

A Brief Tutorial on Facebook Image Tagging

Ahhhh, the Interwebz, that astonishing universe of bytes and pixels and memes and cat videos...

It's weird. And fun. Did we mention, "weird?" We're trying to be one of the least weird things out there, but sometimes, the platforms in question don't cooperate so well.

Case in point: we want to run some fun games that involve people tagging us in their Facebook photos of themselves (under specific legit circumstances, of course). But what seems intuitive isn't always! In order to enter people into drawings for prizes, we have to be able to see the entries. And when tagged in certain ways that appear to be logical, we can't (say, in the Location field).  #FacebookFail

So, here's what DOES work:

This will then appear where we can be sure to count it on our page.

Thanks for playing along!

1-2 Spots Still Open for Ragnar Relay Chicago

Who's With Us -- for the Ragnar Relay Chicago?

Razor Sharp Trainer Jenny Willis wants YOU!!

Jenny is putting together a team for the Chicago Ragnar Relay, and there may still be a couple of spots left! 

Now is the time to begin ramping up the training program for the June 12-13 event.

If you're not familiar with the series, it's a 12-person relay team running three stages per member, from Madison to Chicago. Each stage is 3-8 miles, of varying difficulty.  For more details, check the website.

THEN, when you've decided that this is JUST the goal you need to move your running program to the next level, e-mail Jenny and let her know that you'd love a piece of this action!

If you change nothing...Nothing. Will. Change.

If you change nothing...Nothing. Will. Change.

You may have seen our inspiration for 2015, urging the whole community to make healthy choices for themselves:

We started rolling this idea out a few weeks ago. But we feel so strongly about this idea, we put it on a wristband. 

And, we're launching it today as part of our Better Together Group Exercise New Year's party. We'll be making other opportunities to give them away in the coming weeks, and providing incentive to wear them.

"What sort of incentive?" you ask?

The kind where we put your name in a drawing for some cool Razor Sharp prizes every time you:

1. Post a picture of yourself visibly wearing your wristband while “out and about” to your Facebook timeline — tag us (@ Razor Sharp Fitness ) and be sure the picture’s security is set to ‘public’ so we can see it OR Tweet it using our Twitter handle (@RazorSharp_Fit)! **Be creative about the places you take your wristband. We could start awarding bonuses for the most miles they rack up!
2. When a Razor Sharp staff member “catches” you wearing your wristband off of club property, snap a photo of the two of you together, and it’s worth bonus entries when you post it (two for one, same procedure as above).
   
   --> For a short tutorial on successfully tagging your images to us on Facebook, go here!

It’s all about deciding to make positive change happen, both for ourselves and as an inspiration to others!

New Class Schedules, effective January 12th

We have some updated schedules for classes and spaces at each of the three Razor Sharp clubs.


Check them out:

Washington Avenue Club

• Main Studio Group Exercise Schedule
• Gallery Studio Group Exercise Schedule
• Ride Studio Schedule
  
• Lap Pool Schedule
  
• Therapy Pool Schedule

Erie Street Club ~ Group Exercise Schedule

Downtown Racine Club ~ Group Exercise Schedule

The Razor Sharp Fitness better Together Group Exercise New Year's Bash

We promised you some fun to ring in 2015, fitness party style, and now we're ready to deliver!

You saved the date for January 10^th -- now get ready for a GREAT time!!

When/Where: All three clubs, full schedule of classes below

Who: You and anyone you want to bring with you (who can produce a valid ID). The more guests the merrier!

Note -- for Saturday's GroupRIDE, GroupPOWER and R30 classes only, we are asking for reservations to ensure that there is enough equipment to accommodate everyone. You can reserve at the front desk of the Washington Avenue and Downtown clubs, or call to put your name in (262.321.0200 or 262.456.2678, respectively).

What: Big fun and a party atmosphere! A way to launch our members towards their 2015 health and fitness goals! 

* The release of the new first quarter '15 programs for 

and    

and the Razor Sharp PREMIERE of 

* An excuse to have a 3-instructor Zumba throw-down at Erie Street, and a 90-minute, 5-instructor Zumba-splosion at Washington Avenue!
* Plus extra fun for Yoga, Step, Aquasize and Rip Tide

How: Bring your New Year's Eve hats and horns
         Dress up in your party-themed workout clothes

• Black tie and tailcoat (or a t-shirt cut to look like one?) Sure!
• Superhero cape and tights? Why not?! 
• Tutu and fairy wings? Bring 'em!
• Homage to your favorite athlete/celebrity? Of course!

          Get into the "We Can Do This!" spirit

Why: Because working out with others is just way more fun.
AND, we'll be giving free smoothies (or other beverages), water bottles and other treats to each person who attends a class!

Everyone in the club on Saturday has the chance to earn an entry into a prize drawing: just snap a picture of yourself with a member of the staff (instructor, front desk, whomever!!), post it to your Facebook page and tag us ( @RazorSharpFit), and we'll draw some winners of some awesome prices from all of Saturday's entries! Remember to set the security on the picture to "public," though, or we can't see it!

So, without further ado <drumroll>

The Schedule!!!

At Washington Avenue
7:30 a.m.     R30 premiere -- Ride Studio
8:05             GroupPOWER -- Gallery Studio, GroupRIDE -- Ride Studio
8:30             Yoga -- Main Studio
9:05             GroupPOWER -- Gallery Studio, R30 -- Ride Studio, Aquasize -- Therapy Pool
9:30             Step -- Main Studio
10:05           Rip Tide -- Therapy Pool
10:30           Zumba -- Main Studio (90 minutes)

At Erie Street
8:00 a.m.     Yoga 
9:00             Zumba

Downtown
7:30 a.m.     R30 premiere
8:00             GroupRIDE
9:05             GroupPOWER 
10:05           Yoga (45 minutes)