Month: January 2020

2020-01-01T23:01:00

(BPT) – Winter may be frigid for many, but it’s an ideal time to plan for warmer days ahead that could be enjoyed on a boat with friends and family. Beginning in January, boat shows take place across the country offering some of the hottest deals around with special pricing and incentives on new boat models and marine accessories — a major draw for the 142 million Americans who take to the water each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

For those ready to plan their summer adventures on the water, boat shows are the perfect place to start. Whether it’s fishing, sailing, cruising, riding personal watercraft, wakesurfing or tubing — attendees have the unique opportunity to browse and board the latest boats and marine accessories. Take advantage of educational opportunities and discover various ways to get on the water — from buying, trying, sharing or renting.

Discover Boating, a national program to help people get on the water and experience the fun of boating, offers four tips to get the most out of your visit to a boat show near you this year:

Escape cabin fever for the year’s best deals.

Unlike auto shows, boat shows are the place to buy with hundreds of new models available for purchase right on the show floor. Boat shows make it easy for you to shop all the region’s dealers in one location. Plus, it’s the perfect time to order a new boat to ensure it arrives ready to launch in the spring. Find out what a boat show is all about.

Test the waters.

You can learn the ropes of boating and take advantage of onsite training, which is usually offered at little to no cost. Beginners can learn about boating, and more experienced captains are able to hone their skills. Plus, boat shows offer fun and interactive activities for the whole family from knot-tying and boating 101 seminars to remote-control docking ponds and virtual reality boating simulators and more.

Find your virtual dreamboat.

Before visiting a boat show, you’ll want to know which boats to shop. Start your search online with DiscoverBoating.com’s Boat Finder tool to identify which boat types fit your lifestyle, interests and budget. Plug in your preferences for on-water activities, number of passengers, propulsion, etc. to narrow down boat options before heading to your local boat show.

Look for the seal of approval.

When shopping for a boat at a show, online or at a dealership, always check to make sure it is NMMA Certified. NMMA Certified boat and trailer manufacturers have been independently inspected to ensure they meet strict industry standards for safety and construction, as well as all federal regulations. Look for the NMMA Certified sticker near the helm of a boat.

Find out what a boat show is all about by visiting DiscoverBoating.com, where you’ll find a list of certified boat manufacturers, a boat loan calculator to estimate monthly payments, plus more interactive tools and resources for getting started in boating.

2019-12-31T12:43:00

(BPT) – Weight-loss tips, fad diets and more — these days, they’re everywhere you look. And most of it is false information. In fact, the average American wrongly assumes a daily workout must be 95 minutes or more to be impactful, according to a new study conducted by Planet Fitness.

Americans express growing frustration with fad fitness, social media “fitspiration” and the many myths believed to be true about health and wellness. Here are some commonly-held misconceptions about fitness and the real truth behind them:

1) Myth: You have to put in a lot of time to get results

On average, Americans believe they need to work out for 95 minutes for it to even be beneficial. And those who don’t currently belong to a gym think a single, solid workout requires two full hours of exercise to be effective. However, recent guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services note that just 10 minutes of exercise will help raise your heart rate and maintain fitness levels.

2) Myth: Working out is like a five-day work week

Nearly half of Americans believe you need to work out more than five times a week in order for it to be effective — and that’s just not true. Every single episode of physical activity can provide temporary improvements in cognitive function and levels of anxiety. “You don’t have to work out seven days a week, two hours a day, to get healthy,” says Chris Rondeau, chief executive officer of Planet Fitness. “The truth is that fitness can be fun, affordable, non-intimidating and not all consuming. The key is to just get started and know that every minute truly matters, and over time, can have a significant positive impact.”

3) Myth: Fitness needs to be a competition

Studies show that head-to-head challenges are demotivating to the majority of Americans who don’t currently belong to a gym. In fact, 68 percent find leaderboards specifically demotivating. When it comes to individual health, all activity counts, not just your position on a scoreboard. Find physical activity that is motivating and fun for you.

4) Myth: Social media helps spread the message of health and wellness

Quite the opposite. Common “fitspo” phrases such as, “no pain, no gain” or “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” are ineffective, according to most Americans. On the flip side, 65 percent say that inspirational messaging like “investing in yourself” and “a year from now, you’ll be glad you started today,” is motivating.

“People can work out on their own terms and live healthy, happy lives, versus perpetuating certain myths that you should be ‘living to work out’,” says Rondeau. “It’s this mentality that has kept the majority of Americans from believing that they, too, can take that first step toward better health.”