Envision waking up each day with a vibrant mind, ready to tackle any task that comes your way. Picture yourself in the later years of your life, still lively and mentally sharp, living your best life. This vision isn't a far-off dream—it's an experience that can be accomplished through the transformative power of exercise. At Ardent, we're committed to helping you live the longest, most impactful life possible. Recent scientific findings shed light on how exercise can be the key to unlocking your cognitive potential.
Every hero embarks on a journey filled with challenges and discoveries. In this story, you are the hero, and your journey is not about reaching a destination, but about living your best life possible. The road may seem daunting, but with a better understanding of the tools available, you can navigate it with confidence.
A recent meta-analysis of 54 randomized controlled trials provides valuable insights into how different forms of exercise impact cognitive function across various age groups. This knowledge is your map, and at Ardent, we are your guide, helping you apply these findings to your own life.
To begin your journey, it’s important to understand the tools at your disposal. Exercise is not just about physical strength; it’s a powerful tonic for the mind. The study categorizes exercise into six key variables, collectively known as FITT-VP: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in enhancing cognitive function.
As the study highlights, "exercise intervention had significant positive effects on overall cognitive function in healthy people," showing that regular exercise can profoundly help mental sharpness and clarity.
Every great adventure starts with a call to action. For you, this call is the realization that exercise can profoundly change, not just your physical health, but your mental health. Let’s explore how different types of exercise can become your allies on this journey:
Think of running, cycling, or swimming. These activities are your companions for boosting overall brain function, or global cognition. The study found that "aerobic and resistance exercise had the greatest benefit on global cognitive function and executive function respectively," making these exercises critical for a sharper mind. At Ardent, we use standard mono-structural movements, weights, and odd object movements to achieve the same impact.
Envision weight lifting or bodyweight exercises. These are your tools for strengthening executive function, the part of your brain that helps you plan, solve problems, and stay organized. The research shows that resistance exercise is particularly effective, underscoring its importance in adding strength work into your routine. Many people can get intimidated by weightlifting, but this is why we start everyone through our Launch program. Here you will not only learn how to lift weights properly, but we will also assess and create a plan for movements you may see in your programming.
As with any journey, there are obstacles to overcome. One of these is the impact of age on cognitive function. However, the study reveals that older adults can experience significant cognitive benefits from exercise, particularly in global cognition, executive function, and memory. This means that no matter your age, you can improve your mental faculties and live your best life, even as you age.
The research highlights that "older adults showed the greatest benefits of exercise on global cognition, executive function, and memory compared with controls," underpinning the critical role of exercise in maintaining cognitive health as time progresses.
At Ardent, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness. Our mission is to help you Live Your Best Life by integrating the latest scientific insights into our programs. We understand that your journey is unique, and we tailor our exercise routines to meet your specific needs and goals. The Ardent Way focuses on more than just exercise and nutrition. We aim to improve different areas of your life because small improvements in all areas can drastically enhance your quality of life.
Our group classes and personal training sessions offer more than just a workout. We strive to make it the best possible hour of your day and provide accountability. This means that when you don’t show up, we check in with you. Consistency creates results, and sometimes you need help staying on track. That's what we're here for.
Now that you’re equipped with knowledge and a clear path, it’s time to embrace your journey. At Ardent, we offer a variety of programs designed to help you incorporate the FITT-VP variables into your routine. Everything starts with a No Sweat Intro to ensure we are a good fit for your goals. If you decide to move forward, you enter the Launch Phase of your journey, where we teach you proper posture and position for lifting weights and our most common movements. We will also cover nutrition and goal setting, and you will have an exercise sherpa to guide you through a group class. After Launch, everyone’s journey can look a little different. Some people want to continue with personal training, some prefer group classes, and others opt for a more hybrid form of wellness.
We believe everyone is different, and we build a program around the person, not put the person into a program. This aspect, plus the fact that we are a coaching gym and not an access gym, helps us stand apart from many gyms in the Fox Valley.
As you progress on this journey, you’ll start to notice the rewards. Your mind will become sharper, your memory more dependable, and your overall mental clarity will improve. You’ll find yourself living each day with a sense of purpose and vitality, knowing that you’re not just adding years to your life but life to your years. These are secondary benefits to the direct impact of being stronger, more flexible, and having a higher level of conditioning.
The ultimate goal of the journey is to return changed, ready to make a lasting impact, but we believe this misses the point of the journey. There is no final destination when it comes to wellness; the journey itself is the destination. As you age, your workouts may change, your recovery may change, but you are still on your journey. You do not cease because you hit your desired body fat percentage, look, or level of fitness. You adapt your routine to fit your current lifestyle, with the goal of living your best life. In the end, that is what counts, because everyone has the same final destination. You decide if you’re going to make it to the end strong, self-sufficient, and robust, or feebly.
By prioritizing your cognitive health through exercise, you’re not only improving your own life but also setting an example for others. At Ardent, we’re here to support you every step of the way, helping you live the longest, most impactful, and best life possible. If you can step through our doors, we have you from there.
Your journey to a sharper mind and a more vibrant life starts today. Join us at Ardent and discover the transformative power of exercise. With our expert guidance and supportive community, you'll not only achieve your cognitive health goals but also inspire those around you. Sign up for a free consultation with one of our wellness coaches and begin your personalized fitness plan tailored to your cognitive and physical needs.
Together, let’s create a legacy of wellness that will inspire generations to come. Embrace the Ardent way and unlock your full physical and cognitive potential.
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