Category: General fitness (Page 8 of 15)

      Golf: Improve your game and prevent injuries

      April 17, 2010 /

      In an article I wrote 10 years ago, I addressed the importance of strength training for golfers. In this article, “Golf: Reducing your risk of injury and improving your game.” I wanted to focus on preventing injuries and targeting the specific muscles used while playing golf.

      The mechanics of a golf swing can cause a variety of injuries or aggravate previous injuries. The most common area golfers experience injuries is the lower back. Other areas golfers complain about are the shoulder, or more specifically the rotator cuff, the left elbow, and the left wrist (for right handers). Unfortunately, there is little data available about the seriousness of injuries as a result of playing golf or how to reduce them. However, if we apply what we know from other sports through research and empirical data, I have seen many golfers not only decrease their risk of injury but improve their game.

      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Exercise, General fitness, Sports Health and Fitness, Workout programs, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      A golfers edge, strength training

      April 15, 2010 /

      You would think as fanatical as golfers are, seemingly willing to do just about anything to improve their game, they would be more than interested in strength training. The fact is however, the vast majority of golfers are still not taking advantage of this inexpensive tool that would not only improve their game, but improve their health.

      Golfing is not an inexpensive sport. And golfers spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on equipment alone in an effort to gain an edge on the course. The fact of the matter is, given the choice between expensive equipment and hard work coupled with strength training, I’ll take hard work coupled with strength training every time.

      I you’re going to spend the money on equipment and lessons, why not make sure your physically at your best so you not only can truly take advantage of your expense, but help ensure a long career. The following is an article, “Strength training: Is it the newest edge for golf“I wrote over a decade ago and is as pertinent today.

      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Exercise, General fitness, General training, Sports Health and Fitness, Weight training, Workout programs, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      The first UNstationary bike

      December 17, 2009 /

      Are you interested in getting in shape and losing some weight but you’re bored and find it hard to get motivated. Do you need something new, something exciting? The RealRyder just might be what the doctor ordered.

      The RealRyder was released earlier this year and is revolutionizing indoor cycling. The RealRyder ABF8 vision began 15 years ago when competitive cyclist and RealRyder International co-founder, Colin Irving, saw a need to improve the performance of the stationary bike to simulate the real bike experience. Colin shared his dream and joined industry expert Sean Harrington, whose fitness contributions include the Heart Mate Stationary Bike, and pioneering of Nautilus as a successful fitness club chain operation, to bring this product to market. Rich Hanson, who helped bring the Stairmaster to market, is also largely involved in RealRyder and its current success.

      Unlike fixed stationary bikes, the RealRyder Indoor Bike has a patented articulating frame which allows the user to ride fluidly in three dimensions. The RealRyder leans 45 degrees to the left and right which simulates turning and banking on the road so you can get the benefits of riding outdoors, inside. Riding indoors is no longer just a leg workout, it’s a total body experience.

      Endurance, Exercise, General fitness, Product review, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      Squat and dead lift vs stability ball exercises for core activation

      December 11, 2009 /

      Unstable Surface Training (UST) has moved from being used almost exclusively in rehabilitation to becoming common place among personal trainers and strength coaches. One can’t go to a gym and not see somebody training on a Bosu ball, stability ball, wobble board or foam pad. It’s so popular entire books have been written on this type of training. But do not be fooled by its popularity.

      UST is not popular because it works, but because of a tremendous media campaign. The fitness industry is always looking for something new. They know here’s huge money in marketing a piece of equipment and/or workout program.

      Performing exercises on unstable equipment can be challenging no doubt, but research has not shown that the type of balance, and core stability developed through UST will transfer to any sports skill. Performing exercises on unstable equipment will make an individual proficient at performing resistance exercises on unstable surfaces but will not improve sports performance. Is UST training even necessary?

      Researchers from Appalachian State University compared trunk muscle activity during stability ball and free weight exercises. The stability ball exercises utilized were the quadruped, pelvic thrust and ball back extensions. The free weight exercises were the squat (SQ) and deadlift (DL). During all exercises muscle activity was collected using electromyography (EMG).

      During the study trunk muscle activity during SQ and DL’s was equal to or greater than which was produced during stability ball exercises. This was true even when 50% of the 1 rep max was used during SQ and DL. The role of UST is again shown to be in question.
      (Journal of Strength Conditioning Research 22:95-101,2008)

      Abs, Back, Bodybuilding, General fitness, General training, Power lifting, Specific workouts, Sports Health and Fitness, Weight training, Xternal Fitness, Xternal Furci

      2009 Top 25 Fitness Gift Guide

      November 18, 2009 /

      Are you looking for some exciting, useful gifts for this Christmas Season? Well, look no further than ObsessionFitness.com’s Holiday Fitness Gift Guide.

      Obsession Fitness has whittled their list down to the top 25 exercise programs, equipment, and accessories. For your convenience they’ve categorized these gifts into four price ranges; gifts under $50.00, gifts under $100.00, gifts under $500.00, and gifts over $500.00.

      Here’s a few samples:
      Under $50.00
      The SurfShelf ? Treadmill Laptop Holder and Shelf

      Under $100.00
      Joist Mount Chin Up Bar

      Equipment and Gear, Exercise, General fitness, Workout programs

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