Jamey Codding is scheduled to run his first marathon in Chicago on October 9th. Jamey was a competitive runner in the past, but mainly ran 5K’s or under. He began running again after a long break and has had to educate himself on in-race hydration and nutrition. If you’re interested in running at all, and want to start off on the right foot, you’ll definitely want to read the first part of his series, Training for Marathon #1: Hydration and Nutrition.
1. Running will give you a heart attack or other heart problems. It is true that exercise temporarily raises the odds of a heart attack while you’re mid-workout, but doing it consistently reduces that risk over the long haul, leading to a net benefit. Some researchers have questioned whether marathon running, especially in people who haven’t trained a lot, might cause heart damage, at least temporarily. But there’s no evidence that it causes long-term harm or actually leads to heart attacks. Even athletes with enlarged hearts—if they’re healthy hearts—aren’t, as once feared, at risk of early death. The bottom line: Simply going for a run most days of the week is doing far more good than bad for your heart.
2. Running will ruin your bones and joints. A study in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found no evidence of accelerated rates of osteoarthritis among long-distance runners when compared with healthy nonrunners. “We used to say that osteoarthritis came from wear and tear. That’s now revised to say that is can result from tear but not wear,” says James Fries, emeritus professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and senior author of the study. Moreover, weight-bearing exercise like running helps stave off osteoporosis by maintaining bone mineral density.
3. Running will kill you before your time. According to a study published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, running and other vigorous exercise in middle age is associated with a longer life. Not only that, it will make your later years more pleasant by reducing disability. After tracking runners and healthy nonrunners for 21 years, starting when they were at least 50 years old, a research team led by Stanford’s Fries found that the ability to perform activities of daily life like getting out of a chair and walking was better among runners than nonrunners. And 19 years into the study, 15 percent of the runners had died, compared with 34 percent of the nonrunners. USNews.com
Any type of exercise is good exercise, but some forms of exercise are better for greater weight loss than others. Group sports, and other types of exercise that work the body from head to toe, burn hundreds of calories per hour and they also challenge all muscle groups. Not only can this help you lose more weight, it can also help you keep it off. Just a few uber effective forms of exercise are swimming, cardio boot camp, running, basketball, and racquetball.
Racquetball is similar to handball. The game is played on a four walled court with a short-handled racket and a larger ball. The game is usually played by two players, but four players is also common. The amount of calories burned during an hour long game varies by weight and whether or not the game is casual or competitive. To give you an idea of just how many calories you can burn, a person that weighs 125 pounds can burn around 400 calories during a casual game or 568 calories during a competitive game. A 170-pound person can burn 541 calories during a casual game or 773 during a competitive game.
Racquetball can help you lose weight if you make smart food choices and commit to playing at least three times a week. Once you lose the weight, if you want to keep it off, stick to a sensible diet and try play on most days of the week.
So where are the Racquetball Courts?
If you’re looking for a place to play racquetball, look no further than your local health club, tennis club, community center or park district. If you’re looking for the cheapest place to play, try a community center or park district where public courts are typically no more than $10 an hour.
What is CrossFit (CF)? In a nut shell it’s performing movements and or exercises under time that are continuously varied from workout to workout. Started in the mid 1990’s, this training system does have value in improving ones fitness level, but the claims made on the CrossFit website are unsubstantiated and untenable.
CF’s upside according to its proponents is being a total-body conditioning workout that is purposefully varied, which inhibits boredom. I think it’s a home run for fitness enthusiasts because the workouts are challenging and competitive. CF’s inherent difficulty, notice I said difficulty not intensity, also benefits the average person because most people do not train hard enough to elicit any measurable result.
Back in 1997, when Yogilates was created by certified Pilates instructor and Vinyasa yoga practitioner Jonathan Urla, no one thought this yoga hybrid would stick. After all, hybrids like disco yoga, ballet yoga, and soul yoga faded away just as quickly as they exploded onto the scene. Well, Yogilates is still standing, nearly 15 years after its inception, with a sizable number of devotees and a dedicated website selling everything from DVDs and exercise gear to eco bottles and books. It’s safe to say that this is one yoga hybrid that’s here to stay.
Yogilates combines moves from Pilates and yoga to create a challenging workout that strengthens and tones the muscles, exercises the heart, and relaxes the mind. According to the official Yogilates website, this hybrid is designed as a unique style of yoga that “integrates the core strengthening and alignment principles of Pilates with the practice of hatha yoga” – a 5,000-year old discipline. As a result, Yogilates gives practitioners “more rapid and balanced development of their bodies than when either discipline is performed separately.”
A typical Yogilates session begins on the floor. Participants prepare for practice through breath and alignment awareness, followed by a warm-up that integrates “the core strengthening and spine lengthening of Pilates matwork with hatha yoga breathwork and essential poses.”
Through a series of smooth transitions from one exercise to the next, participants eventually move from the floor and into Sun Salutations (a series of 12 yoga poses) and a Vinyasa yoga flow. As the session progresses, the poses become more and more challenging before ending with restorative poses and relaxation called Shavasana.
Yogilates has a number benefits including:
Combines the most effective parts of yoga and Pilates for a challenging and invigorating workout
Improves flexibility of the spine, posture, breathing, and alignment
Improves performance in all activities from sports to everyday tasks
Helps to develop coordination and concentration
Helps achieve weight loss goals
Relieves stress
Reduces risk of injury
Helps sharpen the mental and physical skills needed to achieve peak performance
Safe for all ages and exercise backgrounds
An additional benefit of Yogilates is it can be practiced in a studio or at home. It is possible to find Yogilates classes at a health club, but you are more likely to find quality Yogilates classes at a yoga or Pilates studio. To safely and comfortably practice Yogilates at home, you should purchase a yoga mat and comfortable exercise gear made of breathable and non-irritating fabrics. You should also make sure that you are well-hydrated before and after practicing.
Where to Find Yogilates DVDs
You may purchase one of three Yogilates DVDs produced by Jonathan Urla online at www.yogilates.com. You can also view or purchase other Yogilates videos by visiting Amazon.com or Youtube.
Feeling a little tired to go to the gym? Feeling like you had a rough day, and just don’t feel like going for your every other day run? Or, are you just feeling plain lazy, like most, and need some inspiration? Watch the following video.
Let’s face it, running in place on a treadmill or pedaling away on a stationary bike probably isn’t the best way to challenge you mentally and physically. Sure, workout machines can definitely help shed pounds or maintain your weight, but they just don’t kick your butt in the same way that cardio boot camp or spinning do. If you desire a challenge, camaraderie, and aggressively paced music, an aerobics class is the answer.
Once you have made the decision to add aerobics classes to your routine, the next step is to choose the best one for you. There are so many aerobics classes to choose from, it might be tough to pick just one. This is actually a good thing because much like the treadmill, the routine can get a little stale and you might not feel challenged. Mixing things up a bit is your best bet. So, to begin choosing an aerobics class, you should consider your weight, activity level, goals, and any injuries you may have.
Understanding your injuries, whether you have joint issues or a temperamental heel spur, will play an important part in choosing an aerobics class. For example, if you have issues with your heel spur, an aerobics class such as spinning or water workout will take the pressure off sensitive areas. Running, jumping, and kicking will only aggravate the condition, so choose classes that limit these types of movements. If your joints are troublesome, aerobics classes such as ashtanga or bikram yoga, water workout or swim training, or belly dancing will take the focus off susceptible connectors.
Weight, age, and activity level are important factors to consider as well. The level of intensity of aerobics classes such as double step, max force kickboxing, cardio boot camp, and big spin (90 minute ride), might prove too much for beginners, individuals that have been sedentary for years, and individuals that may be more than 20 pounds overweight or obese. Everyone has to start somewhere, so if you fall into any of these categories, simply choose “beginner” level or “intro to” when selecting aerobics classes such as these. Fortunately, most health clubs offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. If you stick with it and remain patient, you will have no problems working your way up to advanced level.
If you currently work out anywhere from 3-5 days per week, you’re halfway there. Because aerobics classes are choreographed and they might require the use of muscles your current workout does not target, you might have to start off in a beginner’s class to learn the basics. If you’re a quick learner and you feel you are in excellent shape, try starting with an intermediate class. If it’s too easy for you, then go ahead and try an advanced class.
Weight loss and weight management are two of the top reasons Americans hit the gym. Just about any 45-60 minute exercise session on most days of the week will help maintain your current weight. In some cases, weight-loss may result as well. To lose a significant amount of weight, however, you will have to engage in aerobic exercise for at least an hour on most days of the week, as well as strength training, and stretching. If weight loss is your goal, the following aerobics classes are efficient at assisting with weight reduction:
As a general rule of thumb, any activity that encourages all over body conditioning will be efficient at encouraging weight loss and helping maintain a healthy heart. If the aerobics classes listed above are not listed on your health club’s group exercise program, simply scan the summaries for each class, keeping an eye out for classes that target the entire body from head to toe.
Yoga, which means “spiritual discipline,” originated in the east as early as 3000 B.C. Uncontested archaeological evidence depicts men in yoga meditation poses. Today, this ancient practice is more popular and profitable than ever with females dominating the practice at 72.2 percent. Between 1998 and 2008, the number of people practicing yoga increased from 12 million to 15.8 million and Americans spend more than $5.7 billion dollars a year on yoga classes, paraphernalia, videos, guides, and retreats. This figure represents a staggering 87 percent increase in spending over 2004.
With millions of people practicing yoga across the U.S, along with 9.4 million non-practitioners that plan to try yoga, it should come as no surprise that yoga attracts people from all walks of life. People of all ages can practice yoga thanks to varying levels of difficulty to suit specific goals. For example, Yoga is recommended by physicians as a supplement to treat medial conditions from back pain to high blood pressure to respiratory conditions. Yoga is also believed to help treat anxiety, depression, and stress.
For many, however, yoga is not used as a treatment for any given mental or physical condition. Some may use yoga as a tool to lose weight while others may practice in hopes of toning the muscles, stretching the body, and improving cardiovascular health. For these reasons, when choosing a yoga class, the first step is to determine what you would like to accomplish in these 60-90 minute sessions. The following questions will help you focus on exactly what you wish to accomplish. Once you have determined your goals, there many different types of traditional yogas that will help you reach them.
· Are you trying to lose weight?
· Do you have a medical condition?
· Are you pregnant?
· Do you want to feel more centered?
· Are you grieving?
· Do you feel tired and want more energy?
· Are your muscles stiff and you want to improve flexibility?
· Do you want a “yoga body?”
· Are you curious about yoga and you just want to give it a try?
· Are you trying to improve your posture?
· Would you like to boost your confidence?
· Do you have an addiction?
Bhakti, karma, jnana, raja, mantra, laya, tantra, hatha, kundalini, and kriya are among the main traditional yogas practiced around the world. In America, you may have heard of ashtanga and bikram (hot yoga). These popular forms of yoga are not thousands of years old, but they are considered effective.
Ashtanga incorporates power poses, which help to strengthen the muscles, increase the heart rate for a challenging cardiovascular workout, and stretch the muscles. Beginners should always choose a level I ashtanga (beginner). You will know when you’re ready to advance to intermediate level (level II). This typically occurs after mastering the movements and poses, and after you have developed ample coordination and flexibility. Intermediate students usually practice for a year or more before feeling comfortable at level III (advanced).
Bikram is one of the most controversial forms of yoga. Because bikram is one of the most physically demanding forms of yoga (it is practiced in a room heated to 105-degrees or more), most physicians recommend having a physical exam and approval by a doctor before engaging in this activity. Bikram fans claim that the practice tones the arms, legs, buttocks, belly, and thighs. They also believe the practice reduces weight, raises energy levels, alleviates stress, improves circulation, relieves pain, strengthens the spine, and reduces the risk of sports injury.
Traditional Main Yoga Types and Benefits
If ashtanga and bikram sound intriguing, but you still want to explore other options, one of the traditional main yoga types might be worth a try.
Bhatki yoga is suited for individuals seeking well being and emotional fulfillment. Continuous flow of “love and life force” brings about a superconscious state of awareness or mood.
Hatha yoga is practiced for health and vitality. It incorporates aerobic movement, and stretching to strengthen and tone the body. Hatha burns calories, clears the mind, and restores energy to the body.
Tantra yoga — “pure” tantra yoga, is not sexual. The practice encourages renewal by directing the life force to rise up the spine, from the tailbone, and into the forehead. This form of yoga is believed to help control or eliminate negative habits such as overeating, drinking, and smoking.
Jnana yoga incorporates neti-neti meditation to help alleviate worry, fear, and doubt.
Raja yoga is another form of meditation and movement that is believed to free the mind and body of negative thoughts and feelings. The process readies the participant to experience his true nature as pure awareness, pure consciousness, and pure spirit.
Mantra yoga incorporates chanting, music, and meditation.
Kriya yoga is more than 5,000 years old. It combines raja, jnana, and bhatki. This practice is believed to help transform the body and mind by directing the life force up and down the spine through meditation and movement. Millions of people around the world practice this purest form of yoga.
Laya yoga focuses on the “five centers” which correspond to the main areas of the spine including the tailbone, the sacrum, the spinal cord, the heart center, and the spine at the base of the neck.
Karma yoga is suited for individuals interested in yoga that focuses primarily on meditation.
Kundalini yoga combines raja, hatha, tantra, laya, and mantra yogas to stimulate the spiritual life force at the base of the spine.
Tip: When choosing a yoga class, consider practicing at an established yoga center or quality yoga studio. The instructors in these environments typically have an average of 10 years of experience teaching yoga. This is especially important if you are considering a prenatal yoga class.
For more information about yoga study in America, visit the official Yoga Journal website at www.yogajournal.com.
At your local gym, you may have been offered a chance to try out a tool called the TRX Suspension Training, which is an innovation by former elite Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick.
As a Navy SEAL, Hetrick often found himself in remote safe houses with limited means to keep he and his soldiers in shape. Using only salvaged parachute materials, Hetrick created what would eventually be named the ?Best Total Body Tool? by Men?s Health magazine.
The TRX Suspension Trainer was born.
One of the many trainers that have incorporated TRX not only in his athletes? workouts, but also into his own workouts is Todd Durkin. Of the many athletes Todd works with during the offseason, perhaps his most recognized is New Orleans Saints? quarterback Drew Brees.
During the offseason, Brees flies all the way from Louisiana to train with Durkin and the TRX, which obviously speaks to Todd?s credibility as a trainer. And considering Brees is coming off a Super Bowl win this past February, clearly Todd?s methods work.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Todd about a variety of topics, including his work with Drew, TRX and the ?Get with the Movement? campaign, which is defined as a rally cry that dares American fitness enthusiasts to free themselves of their everyday routine. It encourages people to get off their exercise machines and take a more dynamic, moment-focused approach to building their overall health and achieving personal goals.
We also asked Todd to share his favorite Drew Brees story, what specific workouts he uses to train a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and how the TRX can help everybody from the ?weekend warrior? to yes, even grandma.
We all know that exercise is good for our health. Exercise helps to improve our cardiovascular system, and respiratory system; resistance exercise helps to improve muscle function and will prevent age associated muscle atrophy. But did you know exercise, especially high intensity exercise by flooding it with free radicals. Free radicals are chemical marauders that can affect every cell in your body causing DNA mutations, premature aging, cell death, muscle weakness, fatigue and chronic oxidative stress.
So how can you get the best benefits of regular exercise?without placing your body at risk in the process? Proper antioxidant support is one effective way: Extensive research shows that safe, natural substances including vitamins A, C and E, N-acetyl cysteine, lutein, rosemary leaf extract, turmeric, green tea, bilberry and grape seed extract are all potent free radical quenchers?and you can find all of them in a single daily formula from Vitamin Research Products called Extension Antioxidant.6-15
Supplementing with nutrients that will help your body to replenish its essential ATP levels is another key strategy?one that will improve muscle function plus increase your heart?s stamina and help it to keep up with the demands for more ATP during exercise.16
D-ribose is a pentose sugar that can help to maintain ATP regeneration in your body, especially following exercise. Studies document that D-ribose can supply extra amounts of ATP to your heart muscle in particular.17-18 Meanwhile, the popular antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) also plays a vital role in ATP synthesis, and can improve energy production when your body is under physical stress.19 It?s no surprise, then, that research shows that regular CoQ10 supplementation can boost exercise tolerance, lessen fatigue and improve physical performance in active subjects.20-23
Whether you?re a casual exerciser or an amateur athlete, look for the highly bioavailable form of CoQ10, preferably the second generation CoQ10-H2?, to combine with Extension Antioxidant and D-ribose?which are all available from VRP?for a supplement-based strategy that can reduce your recover time plus maximize your strength, energy and endurance throughout each and every workout.
