Cardiovascular Fitness – The Endless Engine of Endurance and Longevity It often is the dreaded element of overall fitness for a lot of people, we know that, but Cardiovascular fitness – that’s how well your heart and lungs deliver oxygen during activity – is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and lifespan. VO2 max, a key metric of…
Grip Strength – A Simple Test with Serious Longevity Insight Another element to strength and longevity that really is in your hands, is Grip Strength. Grip strength isn’t just about having firm handshakes – it’s a powerful marker of overall health and longevity. Research consistently shows that weaker grip strength is strongly associated with higher mortality risk, even when accounting…
Leg Size and Power – The Foundation of a Long, Mobile Life Something we are passionate about at Astral Fitness, if you haven’t guessed from reading all our blogs, or visiting us, is strength. So, this month we are focusing on how strength in various aspects of fitness play into one thing we are all striving for: longevity. Strong, powerful…
Pain is complicated. It’s not always about damage — it’s about signals, context, history, and even emotion. At Astral Fitness, Jen and I are passionate about helping people reframe their pain. Instead of fearing it or ignoring it, we help you understand what your body is trying to say — and then we work with it. Here’s how we do…
The human body is weird, wonderful, and full of surprises. Every week at Astral Fitness, we’re reminded how connected and clever your body really is. Here are 3 body facts that recently made us go “wait, really?” — and how they might help you feel better: 1. Your feet affect your jaw Yep — tension in the soles of your…
Here’s something a lot of therapists won’t say: we can’t fix you. Because you’re not broken. At Astral Fitness, we don’t see you as a collection of problems. We see a whole person who might be: Stuck in an unsupportive routine Holding onto stress they didn’t even notice Moving in ways that cause tension — not because they’re doing something…
Summer means longer days, more walking, more adventures — and for many people, a lot more strain on their bodies. At Astral Fitness, we often see a pattern: as soon as the weather improves, people dive into more activity than they’ve done in months — and their bodies aren’t ready. The result? Stiff hips, angry backs, tight calves, and that…
If you’re someone who loves to move — whether that’s training, hiking, dog walking, lifting weights, kickboxing, or just staying active day-to-day — sports massage isn’t just something you need after an injury. It’s a tool that can support your performance, prevent issues before they start, and help you enjoy your movement even more. At Astral Fitness, we work with…
There’s a stubborn myth out there: “If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not working.” We hear this all the time — people come in bracing themselves, expecting pain, and assuming deep tissue means bruising pressure. But good sports massage shouldn’t hurt — it should help. Jen and I work with your nervous system, not against it. That means we use techniques…
At Astral Fitness, sports massage isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience — and that’s exactly the point. Jen and I both have different strengths and styles, which means you’re getting a team with range. Whether you’re dealing with recurring tension, recovering from training, or just trying to feel like yourself again, we’ve got you covered. Jen Jen has a naturally intuitive touch…