Thursday, January 31, 2008
Seven Marathons on Seven Continents in Seven Months
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ExerciseTV Top Trainer - Nationwide Search For America's Top Fitness Trainers
Monday, January 28, 2008
Show Your Love for Running
Minorities Encouraged To Go-For Health And Fitness
Friday, January 25, 2008
Marathon Movie: A Must-See!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Can I train for a race on a treadmill?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
How to Dress for Cold Weather Running
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Pain in the Knee
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Exercise Your Body And Mind While At Work
DNA Holds Key To Individual Fitness
Finesse Introduces TruViu RDPD System
Friday, January 18, 2008
Personal Fitness Training Goes Online
Catch the "Spirit of the Marathon"
Fitness Trumps Fatness In Determining Risk Of Cancer Death
LifeSpan Whole Body Vibration Plate Rated Best
Interactive Tools Encourage Healthier Living
A 10 Minute Workout Can Help To Lose Belly Fat
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Cell Phones, Coaching May Jump Start Exercise Routine
Get Into Shape Without Leaving The House
Walking And Moderate Exercise Help Prevent Dementia
Does the "10 Percent Rule" Help Prevent Injuries in Beginner Runners?
Get Fit And Active In 2008
New Year, New Goals
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Luke Wilson Joins the Hollywood Runner's Club
Was Luke Wilson's New Years resolution to start getting healthy? Luke, who we never ever see running, was trying his hand, er feet, at it, and I'm impressed.
Despite there being an ongoing war between runners and joggers, anyone can become either with a little persistence and practice. It looks to me like Luke is starting out with a jog/walk interval workout so I thought I'd make one for you guys in honor of Luke dusting off the old sneakers.
For the workout and to see more pics of adorable Luke jogging in Santa Monica, just
WalkJogRun Your Routes
Running the same routes over and over can become a bit of a drag. It's hard to come up with your own routes if you don't know how far it's going to be or how hard it's going to be (this one is key for those of us that live in hilly areas of the country). A new website has combined a running route planner and a distance/speed calculator all into one.
Not only does WalkJogRun.net calculate how far your favorite routes are, but it also gives you route ideas that other users have created along with their distance and difficulty level. This is great if you've just moved into a new city, if you're traveling a lot, or even if you're just bored with your current routes. Definitely check it out at WalkJogRun.net â€" I've already got my eye on a few interesting routes here in San Francisco.
Sight Jogging in Rome
Are you lucky enough to be taking a trip to Rome any time in the near future? I am jealous. How then, you lucky dog, are you going to combine staying fit with seeing all of the amazing things Rome has to offer?
You may want to check out Sight Jogging, which is a new, entertaining and different way of combining tourism and exercising. Sight Jogging is a unique fitness and cultural opportunity to have highly-experienced trainers, (who speak different languages), guide you through Rome.
The trainers make the programs and running pace according to the clients’ age and fitness level. During the run, the fit/tour guides show you the highlights along the route. The routes can be chosen among a list of selected ones, considering difficulty and main kind of interest (whether artistic, historic or naturalistic). The price is right too, a 4 person tour costs only 140 Euros. For more info, check out SightJogging.com.
Fit's Tip: Don't worry about packing your heart rate monitors, they'll lend you one.
Are You a Runner or a Jogger?
Ever since writing about the Peal Izumi ads that put runners on a pedestal over joggers, I have become curious about the whole running vs. jogging dichotomy.
Technically speaking, if it takes you less than 9 minutes to complete 1 mile, then you are running. If it takes you more than 9 minutes to complete 1 mile, then you are jogging. Either way you are exercising, right?
So which are you?
France's President Has Country Divided on Hot Topic: Le Jogging?
While over here in the USA, we are constantly arguing over our President's decisions on things like withdrawing our troops, environmentalism, etc., the French are arguing over their President's decision on his undignified exercise. His new workout is being criticized as an activity for self-centered individualists (such as the Americans who popularized it). Nope, Sarkozy has not taken up naked yoga. What could it possibly be? Well jogging, of course.
Pardonez-Moi? Seems that a Presidential jog down the Avenue des Champs d'Elysées may even inspire a Frenchie or two to put out that Galois full bodied cigarette and exercise. Apparently I am way off as the WashingtonPost.com is reporting British and French reactions to his running such as:
"No decent conservative would dream of jogging. It's a vulgar, untraditional form of self-advertisement..."
"The Sarkozy jog, say his critics, is a sad imitation of the habits of American presidents, and a capitulation to 'le défi Américain' (a phrase that was the title of a book published here as 'The American Challenge') as bad as the influx of Hollywood movies."
Did anyone take a minute to think he may just be trying to get healthy? Besides, if jogging is considered an American thing to do, then as far as I am concerned we're all doing a little something right, fitness wise, over here.
Meditate While You Exercise
For a lot of people, exercise is a way to take a break from life and do something good for yourself. You can use this time to meditate, so while you're working your body, you can also clear your mind.
The repetitive motion of running, jogging, walking, or biking (be careful with this one though, since you have speed going you also need to keep your wits about you) works best. Since your muscles and bones are doing the same thing over and over, you can concentrate your thoughts on something else. This moving meditation is a great way to start meditating if you've never tried it, since sitting still for a long time for most people can be really difficult (many of us sit enough at work).
The aim of meditation is to bring inner peace within yourself, so you can reflect that peace onto the world. When you are feeling good and positive, it's contagious, and those around you will feel it too.
Try not to think about anything, and just concentrate on your breath. If a thought floats in your mind like "What should I make for dinner?" just let it float back out. Clear your mind of distractions and just concentrate on what's happening in the present moment.
There are different ways to meditate. To find out what they are,
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Running vs. Jogging
Maybe this seems obvious - running means you're moving at a faster pace than jogging. The question really is - how much faster?
Technically, if it takes you less than 9 minutes to complete 1 mile, you are running. If it takes you more than 9 minutes to complete 1 mile, you are jogging.
They are both considered great cardio and aerobic exercise that work your muscles and are good for your heart, lungs, and bones.
Jogging is harder than walking because it requires more muscle to go faster, bounce up-and-down, breathe deeper, and balance. Running requires more effort than jogging, and is more intense. It requires stamina to go faster, and endurance to go for longer periods of time.
So which is better? Well that depends on your fitness goals. Jogging is a great form of exercise and will help you lose weight, decrease blood pressure, build bones - both are great forms of exercise. If you are training for a marathon and speed is your thing - aim for a 9 minute mile.
Fit's Tips: If you are new to running, start off slow. Begin by walking fast, then work up to jogging, and then you can move on to running. You've got to train your body to be a runner, which could take anywhere from a month to a year, depending on your body and the consistency or your workout schedule. Set reasonable goals for yourself, gradually build on them, and celebrate when you reach them.
New Sport Alert - Joggling
Yes that extra "L" is in there on purpose. Joggling combines the rigorous cardiovascular demands of jogging and the hand-eye coordination of juggling. This is no joke. People are actually juggling while jogging.
Jogglers say that the rhythm of juggling with 3 objects corresponds perfectly with the action and pace of running. As you swing your arms naturally with each step, you just turn your hands slightly to catch the bean bag. Not only does juggling while jogging keep you at an even pace, you'll never get bored on a run ever again! As if that's not all, a study conducted at the University of Regensburg in Germany, reported that juggling can actually make your brain get bigger. Talk about a total mind-body workout!
Well I tell you, if this doesn't motivate you to get up off the couch, I don't know what will. I mean, if a joggler can run 3 miles and keep 3 beans bags moving at the same time, I think I can at least do the 3 miles.
Here's a great video demonstrating joggling on a treadmill. After watching it, you'll get more of a sense of how the 2 movements really complement one another.
If you thought that was amazing, check out these joggling marathoners juggling in the Salt Lake City Marathon. Want to see? Then
Get Your Butt in Gear: Victoria's Secret Workout Pants
We all know Victoria's Secret makes some sexy lingerie, but they are now also making great yoga pants. I first learned about Victoria's Secret yoga line from team member CGW when she bookmarked a pair as a Fit Find. They have a ton of different styles and colors to choose from, and they're not at all over-priced.
Although they're labeled "yoga pants," they'd be great for any kind of exercise from walking, to jogging, to Pilates, to kick-boxing, to casual bike riding. Wear them to the gym, on a lazy Sunday, or to relax in at home - they'll add flexibility to your wardrobe. (ha - get it?)
I like the splash of color at the waistband of this Foldover Yoga Pant. They come in tons of color combinations like black/strawberry, fern green/spearmint, and midnight/seaside blue. Nowadays, everyone wears black pants, so it's nice to have something that's a little different and a little more colorful for spring.
Another great thing about these cotton/lycra pants is that not only do they come in sizes XS-XL, but you can also choose whether you want a 30", 32", or 34" inseam. You can get these adorable ultra-low rise pants For $29.
Interested in seeing some other styles? Then,
Soccer Beats Jogging in Weight Loss and Fun
As if we needed another reason to love Becks, but here's one more. A new study found playing soccer to be more beneficial than jogging (and soccer players had more fun)!
In a comparative study, involving untrained men, the soccer team created more new muscle and lost more weight than the joggers. The study ran for three months with participants in both groups working out 2 to 3 times a week for an hour. However, both groups showed significant improvements in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and balance. Meaning...wait for it...exercise in general is a good thing.
Researchers believe the shifts between walking, running and sprinting caused the soccer players to experience health improvements. These changes in speed and intensity are very similar to interval training, which has been shown to increase the benefits of cardio workouts. Plus theses sudden changes in speed use both the quick and slow twitch muscle fibers, where jogging just works the slow fibers.
The major difference between the two groups was their opposing attitudes to their workouts -- Unlike the joggers who found their runs difficult, the soccer players enjoyed their practice.
Moral of the story: Playing on a team has multiple benefits. Focusing on your teammates (and winning) masks the physical effort. So what are you waiting for? Becks to be your coach? A girl can dream, but find a team near you and have fun on the field.
Deep Abs and Running: Gotta Get to Your Core
We all want to be efficient, right? Especially when we exercise. Well, according to Michael Fredericson, Ph.D., a running bio-mechanics expert at Stanford University, 90 percent of runners waste energy with stride errors and faulty gait. That basically just means running "funny" - length of steps being too short or long and/or pelvis swinging too much from side to side. Fredericson concluded that these stride issues were caused by weak abs. Runners were not using their deeps abs - the transversus abdominis (TVA) as well as the internal obliques.
The deep abs stabilize the pelvis by keeping it in a neutral position, not tilted too far forward, so that the back of the legs can push your entire body forward. If the pelvis tilts too far forward some of the power is simply wasted stretching the low, deep abs. Here's an analogy that might help you:
Imagine you're trying to push a heavy trunk forward on a tile floor. The trouble is that you're standing on a small rug that starts to slide backward every time you try to push the trunk forward. Removing the rug allows your feet to get a more stable grip on the floor, so that more of your muscle energy is transferred to the trunk....the slipping rug is like deep abs that are not properly activated. Removing the rug is like tightening your deep abs so that your pelvis is stable, allowing more of your muscle work to translate into forward movement.
Many folks have weak deep abs because we sit all day and inevitably slouch, which deactivates those muscles and they become weak. So try to find your TVA right now.
- Sit up straight (since I just said we all slouch too much you had to know that one was coming). Put your hands on your low ribs and inhale, feeling them expand (flare out to the sides). Don't raise your shoulders though (it might take a few times for you to get the hang of this).
- Try to keep your low ribs wide as you exhale by pulling your navel to your spine (don't move your spine though). Think of pushing the air out of your lungs with the action of pulling the deeps abs toward the spine. Repeat for a while until it starts to feel "normal."
- Keep practicing this action and not only will you start to strengthen your deep abs, you will increase your ability to breathe deeply by opening up the space between your side and back ribs.
Now every time you do any abdominal exercise you want to focus on the deep abs being active. So warm up your abs before you run, jog, walk, or use the Stair Stepper or Elliptical. Exercise mindfully and focus on your pelvic stability and keep checking in with your form. Bonus: Stabilizing the pelvis during running and running like activities will help you stay injury free.