Features

New Faith & Fitness Magazine columnist Paul Batz gets straight to the point – He’s not a fitness guy. But, he does have a new fitness hero and he’s getting some much-needed motivation. Start reading and you too can get a good dose of inspiration to break a sweat every day and blend together fitness, friends and fun.

What happens when you intentionally limit your range of motion both physically and spiritually? Gary Thomas shares the story of one young mother of three, Karen. She felt trapped because she was ignoring everything below her head. To gain confidence Karen stretched and found renewed passion. This spiritual training article for both men and women is rich in Bible applications. It will encourage you to use physical fitness to stretch spiritually. Read to learn how you can have a chance to receive a FREE copy of Every Body Matters.

Fresh from being picked to star in a Hollywood film, England’s Christian businessman turned movie actor Allan Sealy explains how faith and fitness training are helping him prepare for his upcoming action role.

We’re all familiar with those 12-step recovery programs for alcohol or drug abuse, gambling or sexual addictions or some other life-controlling problem. But how do YOU pursue a deeper level of recovery and give God the ultimate control in your life?

Brad Minns trained hard to win the World Tennis Games for the Deaf. Down two sets and behind in the third of five sets, he was discouraged. Brad prayed and then pressed forward one point at a time. Today he coaches tennis and motivates people to seek God in their challenges and never give up. Includes video of Brad Minns' personal story.

Constantly changing-up your exercise routine and keeping it fresh is key to muscle growth and a good workout. The same holds true for your i-pod. Time to get a power-boost to your existing workout playlist. Check out the music and message of Soulbyte and get listening now.

Only one gym in the world has more winners than all the fitness centers combined. Metroflex, in the greater Dallas, Texas area isn’t just where the big boys and girls train. It is a hot environment (figuratively AND literally) to build discipline. In a culture where bodybuilders are elevated as gods, Metroflex provides an environment where members put themselves to the test and instead have the opportunity to rely on God. If you think Jesus is nothing more than a pretty religious icon seen hanging on a lofty church wall on Sunday morning --- think again. What will you overcome today? This article includes a video interview with Brian Dobson.

For a week-long vacation or simply a weekend get-away, FitFish may be the ultimate fitness retreat. From incredible destinations with quality exercise programming to healthy meals and spiritual refreshment you can take your fitness to new levels and renew your mind.

Churches often have programs for everything imaginable: food pantries, singles groups, men's breakfasts and more. Church leaders are discovering the value of offering really excellent fitness programs for their community. Laura Monica introduces a variety of fitness programs that will appeal to people of different fitness levels and interests. Discover how easy it can be to bring a fitness program to your church.

If you lost an arm from a shark attack how would it affect your outlook on life? Would you have the confidence to get back in the ocean? The movie Soul Surfer presents a vivid look at the life of Bethany Hamilton and her family. Faith & Fitness Magazine brings you a closer look into Bethany’s faith journey and fitness lifestyle in her own words. Use the discussion questions at the end of this article for a group conversation after you see the movie Soul Surfer.

This is the year to put on some muscle and make big gains in your spiritual life. Don’t be a religious weakling. Drawing on renowned Barna Report research, Faith & Fitness Magazine delivers a yearlong focus to help you grow in faith. Discover how bulking-up spiritually will get you in the best shape of your life.

What would you do if you could be the CEO of one of America’s most successful fitness clubs? When you have patiently worked toward the pinnacle of your career, how do you go further? For Todd Bright the answers were to have faith in God’s plan for his life and achieve financial fitness. In this exclusive interview, Bright reveals the details of his family’s journey into ministry and outlines keys that can lead you to your ultimate purpose in life.

I love to do triathlons but I have to be in great physical shape to enjoy them. In the same way having a great marriage and experiencing deep intimacy requires emotional and spiritual fitness. In a world awash in porn, intimacy is frequently destroyed in the false pursuit of intensity. Find out how to perform intimately to your ultimate potential.

The journey from childhood to fitness model for Emily Lind includes a loving mother, self-abuse, sports, healthy eating and plenty of exercise. Most importantly it is built on an ever-growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Emily’s faith helps her to stay the course and help others to achieve their goals. Listen to the song, More Than Moved, from the New Michael Boggs album.

Ben Booker’s journey through life has had challenges. An auto accident and alcoholism were two of his greatest setbacks. Today however, through consistent hard work and sacrifice he is achieving a flurry of success in the bodybuilding world. But the future is unwritten and demands that both Ben and his family must now pursue God like never before. Can they do it? Can you? Discussion questions at the end of this interview will help you consider the real sacrifice in finding the real prize. Listen to streaming audio of the new song Destiny by the band Press Play while you read.

At age 52 most women would find lifting a 202 pound barbell for exercise to be... well pretty dangerous. For country musician Susie McEntire the words pretty and dangerous mean pursuing beautiful relationships and taking her role as a woman who loves God further. Play streaming audio of her hit tune Sky Full Of Angels while you read.

Bodybuilding.com is a website that boasts being “the future of bodybuilding”. More than 450,000 people have created their own personal BodySpace profile. If you look beyond all the egos and self-promotion you’ll find one of those profiles belongs to John Rozmus. The University of Cincinnati student uses his BodySpace to model more than muscles. John’s online presentation represents a growing number of people who are motivated to seek God and find multiple ways to actively live out their faith in Jesus and make a difference.

National Police Week is May 9-15. Faith & Fitness Magazine celebrates the physical and spiritual leadership of those who serve by recognizing Sergeant Rebecca Arguelles of Chicago. Her life shows how all of us can take the gifts of compassion and personal wellness to positively impact the lives of others.

In:ciite Media's artist Charmaine releases her first album, Love Reality. Her songs encourage others to trust God. In her interview here with Faith & Fitness Magazine she shares her perspectives on how faith must be the key force to deal with struggles and be whole. Find out how she stays fit with tough training and healthy eating. Listen to her new tune, Fighting Furies, while you read.

How is your progress going in our Fit To Serve challenge? If it is new for you, it is not too late to start. This installment of our year-long challenge examines common struggles and sets the stage for a closer look at the specific improvements the members of our team are making. Read their online journals. There you can interact with them and be encouraged in your own Fit To Serve challenge.

Your physical body is like a canvas painted by your spirit. On it you show strength, beauty, hope and other reflections of a healthy life. But, how do you cope with tension? For some people they do self-inflicted cutting, burning or other types of injury. This must-read article by Vicki Duffy offers clear insight into the dark corners where expectations and pain derail God’s plan for living. Learn practical ways to create a lasting change for you or someone else.

Start your 2010 Fit To Serve Challenge here. We’re pleased to introduce Clay, Joy, Sharon, Mark and Kim our five challenge participants. They’ve begun a yearlong training program with Coach Powers. But this isn’t just for them. It is for you too. Plan to interact daily in our FORUM with the coach, our team and other readers and become fit to serve.

You may not be in a wheelchair like John Quinn but to say he is “confined” would be far from the truth. In fact from where he sits he sees possibilities that help him go further than he ever could have before. He is standing in faith to someday stand. Quinn reveals that walking isn’t the only thing we take for granted. Your personal challenge, if you give it to God can be your greatest victory.

Ready for an exciting new workout? The ChurchFitness.com 2010 New Equipment Showcase is sure to deliver. Our equipment expert, Rob Killen previews some of the best machines that could be debuting in a club near you soon. Learn everything you need to know about the latest and greatest for 2010.