Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
After discussing my whole running situation with a fellow fitness professional, he recommended that I check out these shoes by Newton Running. If you want to do the whole barefoot shoe thing without actually being barefoot or getting those finger toe shoes, here's a viable option.
These shoes are different from your current kicks because of their cushioning on your forefoot. They also offer shoes specific to the shape of your foot. If you pronate, there's a shoe for that. If you supinate, there's a shoe for that. Newtons come in bright colors and are a little more expensive than your average shoe. I cannot personally recommend these shoes but I do plan on making these my next pair. I'll let you know.
In health,
Lauren
Showing posts with label apparel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apparel. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
159/365 Energy Armor
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
My sister Kathleen gave me an Energy Armor band for Christmas. I had heard about these before and saw one on this woman who has run 70 marathons, many biathalons, and even more 5ks. She said she got it because it was supposed to help with energy and balance but wasn't sure if it was working.
Energy Armor is a silicone band that has negative ions inserted into the holograms that are on the bracelet. Negative ions have been found to "have a positive effect on good health and even aging." Energy Armor says that the bracelet won't instantly make you better at everything. Rather they claim that it will maximize the strengths you already have. They state that negative ions provide positive results such as these:
- higher level of focus
- improved flexibility and balance
- increased feeling of serenity
and more which you can read on their site.
I haven't found many other articles about the Energy Armor bands. I can tell you though that I have been wearing it for a few days now and I feel good. Nothing bad has happened which is good, there's no negative effect from wearing it. I haven't worked out enough times wearing it to really know if it helps with recovery time. I do think my sleep has been quite restful and I have felt calm and relaxed since I got it a couple days before Christmas.
The jury is still out on this Energy Armor. I think it is cool, I like it, and I'd like to think that it is working. Just remember of course that Energy Armor does not claim that their product will help for everyone and there isn't much research on it. Still, I am grateful for the gift and will continue to explore what these negative ions are doing for me.
In health,
Lauren
My sister Kathleen gave me an Energy Armor band for Christmas. I had heard about these before and saw one on this woman who has run 70 marathons, many biathalons, and even more 5ks. She said she got it because it was supposed to help with energy and balance but wasn't sure if it was working.
Energy Armor is a silicone band that has negative ions inserted into the holograms that are on the bracelet. Negative ions have been found to "have a positive effect on good health and even aging." Energy Armor says that the bracelet won't instantly make you better at everything. Rather they claim that it will maximize the strengths you already have. They state that negative ions provide positive results such as these:
- higher level of focus
- improved flexibility and balance
- increased feeling of serenity
and more which you can read on their site.
I haven't found many other articles about the Energy Armor bands. I can tell you though that I have been wearing it for a few days now and I feel good. Nothing bad has happened which is good, there's no negative effect from wearing it. I haven't worked out enough times wearing it to really know if it helps with recovery time. I do think my sleep has been quite restful and I have felt calm and relaxed since I got it a couple days before Christmas.
The jury is still out on this Energy Armor. I think it is cool, I like it, and I'd like to think that it is working. Just remember of course that Energy Armor does not claim that their product will help for everyone and there isn't much research on it. Still, I am grateful for the gift and will continue to explore what these negative ions are doing for me.
In health,
Lauren
Friday, December 17, 2010
150/365 Christmas List: Heart Rate Monitor
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
Heart rate monitors are a great way of tracking your fitness level and setting goals during your work out.
Your heart rate is stated as beats per minute (BPM). This is the number of times your heart pumps in one minute. Every beat sends newly oxygenated blood all over your body. We want this number to be between 60-100 BPM at rest. The best way to check this is by counting your heart rate as soon as you wake up but after you get over the shock of waking up. Your resting heart rate is indicative of how efficient and strong your heart is. If you are an active and healthy adult, your heart rate could be below 60: kudos! You are quite healthy. The more exercise you do, the lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure should drop until it plateaus. These are great indicators of whether you will develop a cardiovascular disease. If you are an inactive adult, a heart rate below 60 is called bradycardia and could cause fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.
Okay, so that was the basics. Why should you ask for a heart rate monitor? Well, your heart rate in short tells you how hard you are working when you exercise. Depending on your intensity, your body will utilize different methods for providing you energy. When you work at a high intensity (and heart rate), you burn more carbohydrates. When you work at a lower intensity (and heart rate), you burn more fat. Heart rate corresponds with intensity.
To find what intensity you should be working at, complete this equation (yay math):
220 - age = estimated Max Heart Rate
MHR (55%-65%) = Target Heart Rate to burn fat; fitness level
MHR (65%-90%) = Target Heart Rate to burn carbohydrates; performance level
Certainly, if your heart rate goes above the target for burning fat, that's okay. You'll just be burning more of a mix of fuels. To get a more accurate max heart rate to go by, you'll have to find a gym so you can perform a sub-max or max test.
A heart rate monitor can be a relatively inexpensive way to measure your fitness level and track your progress in your fitness endeavors. It is also a way to train your body to utilize carbohydrates, fat, or both.
In health,
Lauren
Heart rate monitors are a great way of tracking your fitness level and setting goals during your work out.
Your heart rate is stated as beats per minute (BPM). This is the number of times your heart pumps in one minute. Every beat sends newly oxygenated blood all over your body. We want this number to be between 60-100 BPM at rest. The best way to check this is by counting your heart rate as soon as you wake up but after you get over the shock of waking up. Your resting heart rate is indicative of how efficient and strong your heart is. If you are an active and healthy adult, your heart rate could be below 60: kudos! You are quite healthy. The more exercise you do, the lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure should drop until it plateaus. These are great indicators of whether you will develop a cardiovascular disease. If you are an inactive adult, a heart rate below 60 is called bradycardia and could cause fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.
Okay, so that was the basics. Why should you ask for a heart rate monitor? Well, your heart rate in short tells you how hard you are working when you exercise. Depending on your intensity, your body will utilize different methods for providing you energy. When you work at a high intensity (and heart rate), you burn more carbohydrates. When you work at a lower intensity (and heart rate), you burn more fat. Heart rate corresponds with intensity.
To find what intensity you should be working at, complete this equation (yay math):
220 - age = estimated Max Heart Rate
MHR (55%-65%) = Target Heart Rate to burn fat; fitness level
MHR (65%-90%) = Target Heart Rate to burn carbohydrates; performance level
Certainly, if your heart rate goes above the target for burning fat, that's okay. You'll just be burning more of a mix of fuels. To get a more accurate max heart rate to go by, you'll have to find a gym so you can perform a sub-max or max test.
A heart rate monitor can be a relatively inexpensive way to measure your fitness level and track your progress in your fitness endeavors. It is also a way to train your body to utilize carbohydrates, fat, or both.
In health,
Lauren
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
147/365 More on Cold Weather Running
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
This morning my cousin Jasper and I went running outside and boy was it frigid. The temperature is only going to drop more as we get deeper into winter. Here are more things to keep in mind when you run outside.
Temperature: It's best not to go running when it is below 0F or wind chill is below -20F. Wind chill can also play a role in the insulation of your clothing.
Your Lungs: Cold air can cause bronchitis. To prevent this while running, wear a balaclava or neck gaiter over your mouth so that you can create warm, humid air to breathe. Also be aware that if you don't take these precautions, cold air can trigger asthma attacks or chest pain.
Other Gear: Wear a hat! We all know that lots of our body heat leaves through our heads. It will also help keep you from getting a chill when you sweat. Gloves are also important for running outside. You want to keep in as much body heat as possible. If your hands are unprotected then your blood coming back from your extremities will be colder and require more energy on your part to stay warm. Also consider wearing wicking socks and then a thicker layer to absorb the sweat.
In health,
Lauren
This morning my cousin Jasper and I went running outside and boy was it frigid. The temperature is only going to drop more as we get deeper into winter. Here are more things to keep in mind when you run outside.
Temperature: It's best not to go running when it is below 0F or wind chill is below -20F. Wind chill can also play a role in the insulation of your clothing.
Your Lungs: Cold air can cause bronchitis. To prevent this while running, wear a balaclava or neck gaiter over your mouth so that you can create warm, humid air to breathe. Also be aware that if you don't take these precautions, cold air can trigger asthma attacks or chest pain.
Other Gear: Wear a hat! We all know that lots of our body heat leaves through our heads. It will also help keep you from getting a chill when you sweat. Gloves are also important for running outside. You want to keep in as much body heat as possible. If your hands are unprotected then your blood coming back from your extremities will be colder and require more energy on your part to stay warm. Also consider wearing wicking socks and then a thicker layer to absorb the sweat.
In health,
Lauren
Thursday, December 9, 2010
142/365 Running around Naked
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
You've heard about them. You've seen them in ads and on your friends. What am I talking about? Barefoot shoes of course! They are those funny looking shoes that are like gloves for your feet. Popular brands include Vibram, MBT, Nike, Sanuk, and Terra Plana.
Prompted by my dear friend Adam, what is the big idea behind these shoes and running (naked) barefoot in general? Well, as I have discussed in previous posts, most of us were never taught how to run properly. We are supposed to run on the balls of our feet and keep our knees and toes pointed straight. Running barefoot and in these kinds of shoes encourages that proper gait because...well here, take off your socks and shoes and run heel-toe. How does that feel? Do you feel like there's a lot of force on your heel? Are you running slower than usual?
According to an article in the Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, experienced barefoot runners using the Vibram FiveFingers experienced nearly the same kinematics, short stride length, and stride frequency as they did running barefoot. They ran faster without as much contact force as when they were under "shod" conditions. "Shod" conditions are running in the modern shoe we know today.
Training barefoot or in barefoot shoes is also associated with a less chance of injury during sports (Nigg). When you stand on a wobble board or run barefoot, there is less stability than if you were wearing a shoe. Practicing either of these will strengthen the small muscles that cross over your ankle. Though the large muscles like the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior are important for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, the smaller muscles like the peroneus tertius are important for ev- or inverting your feet. This is important for when you're running and lose your footing; having strong everters and inverters will make you less prone to injury because they will counteract motions that could result in strains.
In conclusion, there are many benefits to running barefoot; barefoot shoes help you achieve this. If you don't want to shell out the extra dollars to get these shoes, go back and read how to run with a proper running gait. It will take more mental effort but you can get the same results. Just a tip, if you are going to buy barefoot shoes, ease into it; your calves will be sore.
In health,
Lauren
Nigg, Benno. "Biomechanical considerations on barefoot movement and barefoot shoe concepts." Footwear Science 1.2 (2009): 73-79. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
Squadrone, R, and C Gallozzi. "Biomechanical and physiological comparison of barefoot and two shod conditions in experienced barefoot runners." Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness 49.1 (2009): 6-13. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
You've heard about them. You've seen them in ads and on your friends. What am I talking about? Barefoot shoes of course! They are those funny looking shoes that are like gloves for your feet. Popular brands include Vibram, MBT, Nike, Sanuk, and Terra Plana.
Prompted by my dear friend Adam, what is the big idea behind these shoes and running (naked) barefoot in general? Well, as I have discussed in previous posts, most of us were never taught how to run properly. We are supposed to run on the balls of our feet and keep our knees and toes pointed straight. Running barefoot and in these kinds of shoes encourages that proper gait because...well here, take off your socks and shoes and run heel-toe. How does that feel? Do you feel like there's a lot of force on your heel? Are you running slower than usual?
According to an article in the Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, experienced barefoot runners using the Vibram FiveFingers experienced nearly the same kinematics, short stride length, and stride frequency as they did running barefoot. They ran faster without as much contact force as when they were under "shod" conditions. "Shod" conditions are running in the modern shoe we know today.
Training barefoot or in barefoot shoes is also associated with a less chance of injury during sports (Nigg). When you stand on a wobble board or run barefoot, there is less stability than if you were wearing a shoe. Practicing either of these will strengthen the small muscles that cross over your ankle. Though the large muscles like the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior are important for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, the smaller muscles like the peroneus tertius are important for ev- or inverting your feet. This is important for when you're running and lose your footing; having strong everters and inverters will make you less prone to injury because they will counteract motions that could result in strains.
In conclusion, there are many benefits to running barefoot; barefoot shoes help you achieve this. If you don't want to shell out the extra dollars to get these shoes, go back and read how to run with a proper running gait. It will take more mental effort but you can get the same results. Just a tip, if you are going to buy barefoot shoes, ease into it; your calves will be sore.
In health,
Lauren
Nigg, Benno. "Biomechanical considerations on barefoot movement and barefoot shoe concepts." Footwear Science 1.2 (2009): 73-79. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
Squadrone, R, and C Gallozzi. "Biomechanical and physiological comparison of barefoot and two shod conditions in experienced barefoot runners." Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness 49.1 (2009): 6-13. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
Monday, September 20, 2010
62/365 Workout Gear: a Worthwhile Investment
Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,
Mostly, I am not a proponent for consumerism but, I do think that proper workout attire is something worth purchasing.
Most items on the market are made of some dry-fit or wicking material. This property allows your clothes to breathe, keeping you warm and dry while you exercise. For running outside in the cold, you want to wear a wicking layer and then a thicker layer that is absorbent and windproof or wind resistant.
The cut of your workout attire is also important. The reason for all those mirrors is not so that everyone can see you. It is so that you can see your whole self while you exercise. Proper form is crucial for exercise. The mirrors allow you to ensure that you are doing everything well. Wearing a baggy t-shirt makes this slightly difficult. Therefore, those racer-backs for the ladies and sleeveless tops for the gents actually serve a purpose. Seeing your muscles work will intensify your work out. It's also nice to see the progress you are making via those gorgeous lines of definition popping up on your shoulders, back, arms, etc.
Lastly, wearing workout attire is meant to flatter your toned or almost toned body. Seeing yourself look so good will positively reinforce yourself to continue working hard and stay disciplined.You could make workout attire shopping a reward once you reach a milestone of yours.
Looking good is only a result of being healthy. Wearing clothes that expose your muscles can help you get there. Please remember though that healthiness is the overall goal.
In health,
Lauren
Mostly, I am not a proponent for consumerism but, I do think that proper workout attire is something worth purchasing.
Most items on the market are made of some dry-fit or wicking material. This property allows your clothes to breathe, keeping you warm and dry while you exercise. For running outside in the cold, you want to wear a wicking layer and then a thicker layer that is absorbent and windproof or wind resistant.
The cut of your workout attire is also important. The reason for all those mirrors is not so that everyone can see you. It is so that you can see your whole self while you exercise. Proper form is crucial for exercise. The mirrors allow you to ensure that you are doing everything well. Wearing a baggy t-shirt makes this slightly difficult. Therefore, those racer-backs for the ladies and sleeveless tops for the gents actually serve a purpose. Seeing your muscles work will intensify your work out. It's also nice to see the progress you are making via those gorgeous lines of definition popping up on your shoulders, back, arms, etc.
Lastly, wearing workout attire is meant to flatter your toned or almost toned body. Seeing yourself look so good will positively reinforce yourself to continue working hard and stay disciplined.You could make workout attire shopping a reward once you reach a milestone of yours.
Looking good is only a result of being healthy. Wearing clothes that expose your muscles can help you get there. Please remember though that healthiness is the overall goal.
In health,
Lauren
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