February is American Heart Month, making it a great time to remind people about this critical issue. According to the National Institutes for Health, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country. The good news is that there are things that people can do to help reduce their chances of having heart disease and to become more heart-healthy at any age.  

“We champion the idea of heart health because we know how important it is and that people can turn things around," explains Jennifer Scherer, a registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “We've helped many people to become heart-healthy because we take an all-encompassing approach that works."

Most people want to get healthier but may lack the tools, support, or inspiration to get started and keep working at it long-term. That’s where the FFS 541 Method from Fredericksburg Fitness Studio comes in and why it’s so powerful. It has been designed to be a thorough program that provides people with what they need to succeed.

The FFS 541 Method has a blueprint that other fitness professionals are taking notice of. The comprehensive, holistic approach combines science, support, and solutions. It has been designed to help people stay inspired, be empowered, and live pain-free. There are five pillars (physical fitness, nutrition, recovery, social support, and education) and four core services (Pilates, personal training, recovery, and registered dietitian nutritionist). Combined, these tools transform one person at a time.

Rather than having a gym where people come and go as they want, Fredericksburg Fitness Studio has created a by-appointment-only routine. People make an appointment to participate in the plan, which keeps them on track and seeing results. Those who attend have experienced weight loss, improved heart and metabolic health, improved strength and balance, and an overall quality of life. Their program helps people seeking improvements in heart health and a wide variety of other health and wellness-related areas. 

Here are five additional things people can do to improve their heart health, according to the NIH:

Get regular physical activity. Being active each day provides a host of benefits, including reducing heart disease risks. It also helps improve physical fitness and reduce stress.

Manage stress. Many people cope with stress in unhealthy ways, such as using substances, overeating, or expressing a lot of anger. This can lead to higher blood pressure and other issues that are not heart-healthy. It is important to find ways to help manage stress, such as by practicing meditation, being physically active, talking to a counselor, or engaging in relaxation techniques.

Eat heart-healthy foods. What we eat has a significant impact on our heart health. Aim to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables and decrease your consumption of added sugar, saturated fats, and salt. 

Get enough sleep. Far too often, we forgo sleep for many other things, including television and our phones. Getting enough sleep is related to healthy brain function and physical health. Adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

Know your numbers. It is a good idea to have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked. These two are major risk factors for heart disease, so it's important to keep both in check. 

“Around this time of the year, people start giving up their health resolutions," added Scherer. "Instead of doing that, ramp it up, stick with it, and see it through. We can help you do that!"

Fredericksburg Fitness Studio doesn't offer memberships like other gyms. Instead, it offers private, customized fitness programs that are available by appointment. Many people who go to the studio are referrals from physical therapists and doctors. The wellness professionals at the studio communicate with the medical teams to keep them up to date on patient progress. To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com.

Fredericksburg Fitness Studio offers a reformer Pilates fitness training program, a fun and unique exercise method with many benefits. The reformer can be done sitting, standing, or lying down, which gives a great workout. The program helps with strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, core control, and more. To get more information about the reformer Pilates program, visit the site: https://www.fburgfitness.com/pilates-reformer