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Posts Tagged ‘hobbies’

Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning

July 30th, 2010

If you are a mixed-martial artist and you have experienced a fight that’s gone the distance, then maybe you understand the terrible feeling of having nothing left to give with two minutes left in the round. In case you have not gone the distance or haven’t had a pro fight yet, then make use of the 5 tips in this article to ensure you are the only one maintaining pressure and imposing will - not your opponent.

1) Do sprints and intervals as opposed to long, slow runs.

MMA is actually a sport that requires explosive, quick moves and strength at various times through a 5 minute round. You never know if you will be inside a clinch, defending a shot, escaping the mount, or sinking in a triangle. The very first thing you do know is that you Will not jogging around the ring in a slow pace for half an hour. Trained in this fashion can help you get your time down for your local charity run, but won’t do anything to assist you knock the other fighter out.

Instead, stay with sprints and intervals if you are going to do running workouts. One particualr good sprint workout would be to warm-up for five minutes carrying out a dynamic warm-up routine, then doing 5 short 40 yard sprints that you gradually improve your pace from about 60% to 90%. Rest a minute, then perform a 100 metre sprint, walk back to the beginning, and repeat for a total of 10 sprints. This workout will beat distance running hands down for its ability to improve your performance in the cage.

2) Take 2 recovery weeks off for every four weeks of conditioning.

This tip is huge, and has helped skyrocket the conditioning of the athletes I train. Most fighters have a thing about working themselves to death - this mindset is what makes them tough, but additionally what keeps them injured and frequently overtrained, limiting overall performance both in training and competition.

You can avoid these complications by taking two weeks off of your conditioning workouts. You continue to do your Training for mma training and strength/power workouts, but let the conditioning go for 2 weeks. When you are getting back to it, you will end up fresher and ready to take your conditioning up another notch.

3) Do more specific workouts in the four weeks prior to the fight.

Sprints and intervals are good, but they are not specific to mixed-martial arts. The workouts that I have my athletes perform include jumps, sprawls, quick feet drills, core stabilization exercises, explosive push-ups - all movements that are used in a fight, performed as quick and explosively as possible. I call these workouts NRG System Complexes, because they tap into every energy system from the body and therefore are made up of a lot of different exercises.

Each complex lasts about 5 minutes, as well as your goal ought to be to do 4 complexes consecutively with 1 minute of rest where you feel fresh and powerful within the last round. So the closer you will get to the fight, the more specific you want to get with your conditioning routine.

Use the tips in this article and you should improve your conditioning as well as your opponents will wish they didn’t waste so much time training doing slow, hour long runs.

If you plan on mma training be sure to pick up some MMA Fight Shorts. At MMAShortsAndGloves.com we carry the best MMA shorts at great prices.

Connor Smith Fitness , , , , , , ,

Roller Girls Revive A Moribund Sport

July 29th, 2010

Roller Derby was never really a big deal in the US, but has been around forever and was a staple of the early days of television. It was similar in its promotional format to its better known “sports entertainment” cousin, professional wrestling. It was frequently seen in the same bad timeslots on the same low powered UHF TV stations, and it was run by the same loose confederation of promoters and businessmen that characterized the regional territory era of pro wrestling. That’s where the similarity to wrestling ends–it’s storylines made pro wrestling angles look like high drama. While there is a definite history to the sport–great teams like the LA T-Birds and Bay Bombers, and legendary skaters like Ann Calvello it never really stuck in the public consciousness like the pre-Hulk Hogan era of pro wrestling.

New era roller derby reached a national audience through the A&E reality series Roller Girls. It featured a local, all-girl roller derby league in Austin, Texas and followed the lives of the players on and off the track. While the show was oddly engaging, it was the first clue that many had that such a league existed in the first place. A sport that was never taken seriously to begin with and that was really living on borrowed time since the’60’s before fading into the lowest level of obscurity had been rediscovered and embraced by an eclectic group of young women. They had kept the same essential format, thrown in a healthy dose of burlesque camp and Varga pin-up inspired glamour and made it into their own vibrant subculture. They changed some of the nomenclature and competitive format–in lieu of regularly scheduled games they renamed the competitions “bouts” a la MMA or boxing. The result was a compelling mixture of glamour, toughness and athleticism driven by a healthy dose of punk rock “do it yourself” mentality.

Today, the same sort of league featured on “Rollergirls” had become a full blown cultural phenomenon. There are now literally hundreds of local “roller girl” leagues in the US, many under the auspices of a national organization called the Womens Flat Track Derby Association. Las Vegas has the ‘Sin City Roller Girls’, Portland, Oregon the ‘Rose City Rollers” and Seattle the ‘Rat City Rollers’. There are now groups in not only the larger and traditionally “hipper” cities but also smaller flyover country environs such as Birmingham, Alabama and Omaha, Nebraska and all over Canada, Europe and Australia. Most of the local groups similarly play up the campy retro pin-up/hot rod iconography and everyone involved sure looks like they’re having a good time. Between teams there’s a vibe of good natured competitiveness and camaraderie.

This organic rebirth and growth of roller derby is a result of young women taking what essentially was TV time filler and made it into their own distaff ‘action sport’. The roller derby circa 2009 is a matriarchal success story. No one is in it for the money, as these local groups are typically run as non-profit organization. The women involved have recreated this sport, and run it, promote it and compete in it on their own terms.

The new generation rollergirls also pay homage to their sports’ pioneers. Many of the individual group websites have sections devoted to the history of roller derby, and the late Ann Calvello–regarded as the Queen of the original Roller Derby–is revered as something of a patron saint. The Texas Rollergirl group featured in the A&E series has renamed their championship the Calvello Cup.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

Ross Everett Fitness , , , , , , ,

Heart Rate Monitor Watches

July 9th, 2010

While you are working out, it is noticeable that your heart rate increases and the more intense the workouts are, the higher your heart rate becomes, making your heart beat harder and faster.

It is important that you do regular exercises in order to strengthen your bodies, muscles and vital organs such as the lungs and the heart; for without exercise you would have an inactive life that may lead to obesity which has connecting health risks like heart diseases, diabetes and hypertension.

But though regular exercises have a lot of advantages when it comes to overall health, it is still important that you keep regular tabs on how your heart rate is doing.Monitoring the heart rate is very important when you are doing regular exercises especially if you have a history of heart ailments; a too low heart rate means that you are not doing enough exercise to benefit your body, while a heart rate that is too high means that you are overstretching your limits and you are doing more exercise than your heart and lungs can actually handle, the latter can cause injuries which is why it is very important to only do exercises that our body can tolerate.

And this is why people, especially those who are into extreme exercises, always wear heart rate monitor watches.There are many benefits of using these kinds of watches and the first is that it can monitor a person?s heart rate even during times that they are not doing exercises, which is very important especially for people who have histories of heart attacks in the past as they are given immediate warning that their heart rate is increasing.By being forewarned, the person can relax and immediately take the proper medication and rest for a few minutes before going ahead with whatever it is he or she is doing.

Another advantage of using heart rate monitor watches is that if you would like to find out what your heart rate is when you are working out, you don?t have to stop what you are doing every now and then and count your heart rate because you already got a watch that tells you what it is.This is also a great tool in order for you to control the level and the intensity of your workouts, if you see your heart rate increasing, you can make the appropriate changes to your routine in order to normalize your heart rate.

Interested in checking out different Heart Rate Monitors to aid you in your workout? Check out my Garmin Forerunner 405 Review. You can also check out other heart rate monitor reviews while you are at it!

Carlo Marquezo Fitness , , , , , ,

YogaFit’s Group Service Mandate

July 7th, 2010

The mission of YogaFit is to bring Yoga for the public. America is suffering from obesity and lack of exercise. The health of our nation’s population is declining rapidly. While mainly 10 percent of the US populace belongs to a health club, our need to get folks moving is necessary. Yoga is a gift of the body and also the mind. In our flagship YogaFit Studio in Hermosa Beach, CA we began giving Yoga lessons for donation only. The city responded gratefully.

We all think that if most people within the world gave 1 hour each week of neighborhood service work, the planet would be a greater place. That’s the reason we require every YogaFit Level 1 Trainee to execute eight hours of training teaching within a Community Service environment just before obtaining a Certificate of Completion. Our Trainees have brought the practice and benefits of Yoga to senior citizens in long term care homes, stressed-out company professionals, cancer sufferers and survivors, disabled persons, imprisoned individuals, terminally ill individuals, children, psychologically challenged people and military servants, only to name a few.

The Community Service Program gives our Trainees the chance to apply their new teaching abilities in a less stressful environment with an appreciative audience.

With the hundreds of correspondence we receive in our corporate office, state, volunteering time and energy has proved to be the most fulfilling experience for many of our Trainees. YogaFit is dedicated to this function because it promotes the essence of giving and sharing freely.

YogaFit encourages and supports the philosophy of “Conscious Business.” In this Millennium we think the companies which are socially responsible will prosper from good will and great karma. Jointly we are transforming the paradigm of what it means to do good business… really good business.

Yogafit has quite a lot of very interesting information in all areas of yoga exercise poses, schooling, and the rest. She also has various yoga conference meetups many times a year and is often known as the yoga expert and mogul world wide.

Beth Shaw Fitness , , , , , , , , , ,

Yoga - Flex And Flow

July 7th, 2010

“Flow” describes a smooth and fluid number of postures that work to resist the extensive muscle tissue tensing., simultaneously supplying the body by means of challenge as well as release. ”

Benefits of Flex plus Flow :

- Develop muscle strength

- Create a strong core center

- Discover how to flow and flex yoga postures

- Time efficient and practical exercise routine

- A great general physique toner

Here’s the actual format - Enjoy!

1. Mountain Flow ( take a position in mountain , bring hands to heart center, lift

arms upward, return to heart center - replicate 15 times)

2. Moon Flow - Moon Flowers 10 to 12 times

3. Sun Flow Sunflowers 10 x

4. Seat Flow 10 times

5 . Swan dive Flow ten x

6. Cat/Cow 10 x

7. Spinal Stability ten times

8. Side lank Flow ten times

9. Lower Dog Lift five times

10. Plank Pushes 10 x

11. SUN -SALUTATIONS ( ADDED - NOT WITH DVD )

12. Balance Warrior

13. Sun Pose

14. Chair

15. Rotating Chair

16. Lateral Flexion

17. Warrior Two Flow

18. Side Position Flow

19. Back Flex

20. Chest Extension

21. Triangle Flow Sequence

22. ( BALANCING POSTURES - NOT WITH DVD )

23. Plank Flow

24. ABs Sitting down

25. Boat/Broad Boat

26. Butterfly

27. Turkish Twist

28. Deceased Bug

29. Bridge Flow

30. Abdominal Work

31. Glutes Bridge Lifting

32. Upside Pigeon

33. Butterfly / Inv.

34. Spinal Twist

35. Fish

36. Knees to chest

37. Rest

Developed by Beth Shaw, YogaFit Founder, Flex and Flow is a unique fusion of resistance training and total-body stretches. The “Flex” describes isometric holds in traditional yoga postures targeted at strengthening and toning the main muscle groups in the body. Understand how to work the body as well as mind in a unique way. Discover the power and cardiovascular rewards coming from this particular exercise. As being a strengthening system, YogaFit Flex and Flow supplies a comprehensive, time economical and functional way to reinforce all of the muscle groups in our entire body, making use of our own weight as resistance.

YogaFit is the number 1 resource for everything that involves yoga. YogaFit also has great advice relating to all features of yoga exercise poses, training, and fitness programs. YogaFit also has a variety of yoga exercises meet ups many times per year led by world renown yoga guru Bethy Shaw.

Beth Shaw Fitness , , , , , , , , , ,

Horse Supplements And Horse Vitamins For Your Horses

June 23rd, 2010

A horse supplement business’s vision must be to deliver a cost-effective, basic, smart formula for the total well being and diet of the whole horse. Clients should be expecting peak efficiency and maximum delight from their horses as well as fulfillment, secure feeling from the goods they are making use of and the assistance supplied will be unparalleled, uncompromising professionalism, sincere and have integrity they are doing the most they can for the owner and their horses.

Diet program, exercise, breeding and care are the components that support the horse athlete. The highest possible levels of performance in working or show horses can only be realized when essential feed and supplement needs are attained for the horse. A horse supplement should produce a full and balanced package of nutritional vitamins, nutrients, probiotics and digestive aids in a single container that is certainly needed by horses in all kinds and phases of performance.

There are a large number of nutritional supplements available on the market nowadays. Yet, few are produced, well balanced and buffered to fulfill the necessities of all types of horses, and several are expensive and tough to use everyday and the horse owner just determines the horse doesn’t have to have this supplement when in actuality they do as most of the feed stuff is processed, outdated, rotten and missing much of its vitamins and minerals.

A nutritional supplements objectives must be to work at the cellular level bathing the cells in best possible nutrition, and the cells will reply with resilience, wellness, and long life and the formula ought to have withstood the test of time and produced champions.

This solution yields stronger health and consequently the whole equine exhibits strength, stamina, and a practically unbelievable prevention to parasites and disorder. Whenever the cellular material are healthy, the entire equine is healthy.

Horse vitamins experts have manyideas and professional opinions on ways to take care of the horses by implementingtop quality horse supplements to their daily food plan.

Ryan Ready Fitness , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What You Need To Know Before Buying Running Shoes

May 9th, 2010

There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for new running shoes. This process can be a tough task, if you don’t know what to look for. Do you know what shape of foot you have? Well, if you’re a runner who has low arches in your feet, then you should be shopping for motion control shoes where as runners with normal arches should shop for stability running shoes. Runners with high arches in their feet should seek neutral cushioning shoes, which will help with the impact these runners deal with. In this article, I’ll help you understand a few things you need to know before shopping for a new pair of running sneakers.

Running shoes can last anywhere between 300 - 500 miles, depending on your size, foot strike and surface in which you run. Many runners choose to buy two pairs of running shoes and rotate depending on the run. Runners who spend time on concrete or asphalt will wear the shoes down quicker than runners who train on grass or on trails.

As I mentioned, each runner’s foot is different and has different needs. Everyone also has different taste in brand and styles too. However, these do not matter when choosing a running shoe (brand counts a small amount). Base your decision on how the shoes feel on your feet. Your buddy may love how one shoe feels on their feet, but that’s irrelevant to your feet as your foot type and gait maybe different.

For the best selection and advice, shop at a runners shop. Typically their salesmen are more educated on running shoes and they will obviously have a large selection of running sneakers for all types of feet. When you try on the shoes, make sure they’re comfortable right away. Running shoes do not need time to break in. If you run with orthotics or special socks, be sure to bring those with you too to make sure the shoe is still comfortable with them in place.

By bringing your old running shoes to the store with you, the salesman can determine the way you run. There will be patterns on these old shoes that will help them find the right shoe for your style and gait.

Each day your feet will expand after walking around, so it’s always best to shop for running shoes later on in the day. This way you’ll try the shoes on when your feet are swollen and you’ll know the running shoes are still comfortable when your feet are at their largest point.

Use your running shoes only when you go running. By using them in other situations, you’ll just wear them down. Once the cushions are worn out, your chances of injury increase. Always keep track of when you bought your shoes to track how much use you get from them as well. Once the cushion is worn out, it’s time to head back to the store.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when shopping for running shoes. Hopefully this guide has helped you understand some of the key features to look for, so you can find the right shoe for your feet!

Enjoy more of this writer’s advice on things including the kayano 15 and men’s new balance running shoes.

George Mannes Fitness , , , , , , ,

All You Need To Know About The Weider X-Factor Training And Exercise System

March 29th, 2010

The Weider X-Factor training and exercise system is a home workout machine that attaches to any standard door. It arrives fully assembled and its purpose is to help you build powerful, bigger muscles in a short amount of time.

Along with the actual machine, you will receive 2 adjustable ankle straps, two workout handles, four connection clips that will help keep the straps and handles in place, an exercise chart and a nutritional guide to download. The exercise chart has instructions for over fifty exercises and shows 2 pictures illustrating how to do each one. If you are also watching your weight, the nutritional guide will help you stay on track with its weekly grocery lists and over 48 recipes.

There are also 3 DVDs that come along with the system. The first one is a total-body workout. It will help you tone and strengthen your arms, abs and lower body. You can do the exercises in order or rearrange them to fit your exercise plan.

The second DVD is the Explosion Workout DVD. It is designed to activate all the muscles in your body from your core outward. These exercises can also be done in any order that you prefer.

If you want a workout to help tighten and strengthen your abs, you will love the 3rd DVD. It is the Ab-Shred Workout and is an intense, fat burning, muscle building workout. Just like the other two workout dvds, you can customize the exercises or do them in the order they appear. This system has a lifetime warranty and is made of TPR tubing and steel brackets lined with foam padding to protect your door. The system is designed so that your weight on the system will not damage your door.

Since this system does not use weights, there is no need for a spotter as there would be if you were using some muscle building machines at a workout facility. This system gives you the opportunity to exercise at home. If you are wanting to expand your home gym, the same company that makes this system also has other home gym pieces for sale.

Final Thoughts

The X-Factor training and exercise system is affordable at the normal price of around $200, but some online retailers have listed the system on sale for between $95 and $97. Once your system arrives, just attach it to your standard door and start exercising. Beginners as well as more experienced exercisers will find that they can benefit from this affordable system.

Learn more on Xfactor and Weider X-Factor.

Chris Channing Fitness , , , , , , , , ,

MMA Flashback: Sobral Beats Southworth For Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title

December 23rd, 2009

Renato Babalu Sobral defeated Bobby Southworth by TKO to become Strikeforce light heavyweight champion in the co-main event of the promotions ‘Destruction’ card. Despite leaving with the belt around his waist, it wont be the centerpiece of Babalu’s highlight reel with the way it transpired.

A -350 wagering favorite despite his challenger status, Sobral was expected to use his world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills and vast experience against superior competition to dominate the tough but limited Southworth. It didnt happen that way, as Southworth easily got the better of things in the first round. Southworths style isnt exactly one that provides Wanderlei Silva type excitement–he looks to use his strength and conditioning to control his opponent en route to a decision victory. While the result makes him something of a MMA equivalent to boxing’s John Ruiz, it does afford him the best chance of victory.

The first round displayed Southworth’s style in microcosm, with much of the frame spent pushing Babalu up against the cage or on the ground inside his guard not really doing much. Sobral had one effective strike the entire round–during a clinch against the cage wall the challenger rocked Southworth with a hard elbow strike that not only busted his nose but opened a huge cut over his right eye.

Upon seeing the gusher of blood Referee John McCarthy brought the ringside physician over to take a look. As Southworth’s corner futilely worked on the gaping wound during the break the doctor once again took a look and better realizing the severity and placement of the cut recommended to McCarthy that the fight be stopped. The veteran official complied, awarding Sobral the TKO victory and the championship belt.

The other half of the co-main event was decided in much more decisive fashion as Scott Smith knocked out well traveled veteran Terry Martin in a mere :24 seconds. Unfortunately, Martin didn’t adequately close the distance against a fighter dubbed ‘Hands of Steel’ and was caught with a perfectly placed punch that knocked him out cold.

In the semifinal event, Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig defeated Yves Edwards by unanimous decision in a very closely contested bout. Edwards was originally slated to face lightweight champion Josh Thomson until a toe injury necessitated his withdrawal. Ludwig took the fight on two weeks notice, and after a takedown clinic by Edwards in the first began to control the fight with his superior standup skills. Edwards’ superiority on the ground in the first two frames wasnt enough to sway the judges who obviously favored Ludwig’s more effective striking. All three judges scored the contest 29-28 Ludwig, and he may have earned himself a championship match as a result.

Earlier in the evening, Kim Couture made short work of overmatched Lina Kvokov as she TKOd her foe in 1:44 of the first round. Couture, the wife of UFC legend Randy Couture, gained even more notoriety for the courage she displayed in her professional debut last June. After having her jaw broken early in the first round, she refused to throw in the towel and went the distance despite a horrific injury. She had a much easier time here”despite the fact that both fighters entered with 0-1 records Couture was significantly more polished as she put Kvokov on the defensive from the outset with her sharp punching combinations. Kvokov kept displaying the rookie mistake of trying to turn away from Couture’s blows. The reprieve was only temporary, however, as Couture launched another barrage of punches prompting the referee to step in and wave off the non-competitive affair.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer who has written on sports betting and how to successfully bet on NFL football. He has appeared as a guest on TV and radio talking about boxing, cricket and NFL pointspreads. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a wombat.

Ross Everett Fitness , , , , ,

About Nike Golf Shoes

October 20th, 2009

Nike golf shoes are one of the things you can use to raise the quality of your game. If you have only played golf in casual footwear before, or if you’re just looking for a way to improve your general game, buying a good pair of golf shoes can make a large difference. Just like in other sports, the shoes you wear can seriously affect your performance.

As you have to develop a smooth swing and be able to follow through on that swing in golf, all without losing any control of the strength in your swing, your golf shoes can assist or spoil your game for you. Nike golf shoes are designed to help you balance, gripping the turf as much as needed yet allowing you to put full power and control behind every swing.

Since these golf shoes have special compartments in the heels, every step is easier and lighter to make. They offer the level of support your feet, legs and knees need in order to play golf very comfortably for longer periods of time.

Because golf usually involves a lot of walking, Nike golf shoes have been constructed as a blend of walking shoe and golf shoe. Each step you take cushions your legs and knees against impact, allowing you to concentrate your strength and effort on your game of golf, rather than how to make your way to the next hole or to wherever your ball has landed.

When you go to buy Nike golf shoes, there are several things that you should bear in mind. The first thing you should consider is your level of skill. Golf, like many other sports, has gear that can be used by beginners or advanced professionals alike, but it is better to differentiate between the skill levels.

In most cases, beginners pick the Nike golf shoes suited for professionals, but never end up finding the full potential of the shoe, since they do not know how to get the most out of the shoes.

While professionals definitely do get fantastic advantage out of these Nike golf shoes, it is often better for beginners to purchase entry level Nike golf shoes which would better suit their needs. The increase in power afforded to your stroke would often be lost on those who are beginners, as they do not yet have the requisite skill to control the stroke as they need to.

Therefore, it is best to purchase Nike golf shoes that fit your level of skill, as these shoes will have the comfort and features you require. You can purchase Nike golf shoes from a variety of sources. For those who want cheaper shoes yet still require the quality of the professional shoes, you can buy last season’s shoes from Nike outlet centers.

If you only want to wear top of the line Nike golf shoes, you can buy from online Nike stockists or through a variety of online retail outlets (see below).

If you are interested in learning more about Nike golf shoes, visit our website on Golfing Tips for Novices for loads of free recommendations.

Rhys Jones Fitness , , , , , , , , , , , , ,