23

Nov

Zombies for Weight Loss

The “Zombies, Run!” app drives you to run in their immersive storyline.

 

Technology really has a way with your workout routine. I know that I’ve been trying to find something that will motivate me to run more. I heavily rely on my iphone to give me something that I can use to make the long, arduous run more enjoyable. At first I used the Nike+ app, which was pretty cool if you’re into seeing your running progress. However, I was recently introduced to an app called “Zombies, Run!” for my phone. At first, I was a bit hesitant because it’s an 8$ app (7.99$ USD to be precise), but after some convincing I bought it. This app is literally a game that makes you run from zombies, almost literally. You essentially are a runner who must scavenge and take supplies to survivors in a zombie apocalypse so that they can fortify their base. However, the twist to this is that zombies will be chasing you. The “run” is you, the person, actually running. The game works with your running type and integrates that with the game, making this an interesting mix of a gaming app with a fitness app. The game does utilize the phone’s accelerometer and GPS, which can kill off your batteries very quickly, so it’s best that you have a fully charged phone before you hit the road. The game itself has an immersive plot and the story’s development is dependent on the consistency of your run. It has a bit of a decision making concept that the “Walking Dead” game has, but to a less extreme extent. There’s even an interval-training mode called “Zombie Chases”, which pretty much involves you running like hell if you hear zombies closing in on you through your headphones. Though there are concerns with needing to “buy” more missions for your run despite already needing to pay a relatively steep price for this app, I will say that this app has everything an imaginative runner needs to build up a sweat.

178 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Gear Geek/Reviews

17

Nov

The “Magic” of Compression Gear

Do these magic pants actually work?

 

You may have seen UFC fighters, football players, and even runners wear those spandex-like shorts. Also known as compression equipment, these flexible pieces of clothing have claims of improved physical performance and muscle enhancement through their tight fitting material. However, do they really deliver these near exaggerated claims? The truth is that it does not. In fact, there have been studies that scientists in Australia and India have made that show that there is little to no physical enhancement that is added when these compression clothes are worn. These studies tested the physical capabilities of subjects who wore these compression clothes and without it the results show that there was almost no difference in physical performance. The only benefit to these compression clothes is that it improves blood circulation slightly. This improvement is not exponential to the point that it will assist athletes in extreme sports, however. Unfortunately, for a 55$ piece of tights, you’re not really getting your money’s worth in physical enhancement.  The claims that companies like Under Armour regarding their compression gear aren’t wholly true; these products hardly make much a different in your workout regiment. Though the performance enhancement claims are not necessarily true, there are positive effects to wearing these compression clothes. Research in New Zealand showed that cyclists who biked at extended distances with the compressions shorts on noted that their recovery rate was significantly better than without them. It seems that these compression clothes do assist in the muscle recovery rate. However, whether this is worth the 55$ for your workout regiment is based on opinion rather than fact. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with these compression clothes despite the recovery improvement. You have better health alternatives that can yield the same effect for half the price.

184 days ago Short URL Comments

Gear Geek/Reviews

09

Oct

Running with Flat Feet: What You Can Do to Make it Doable

A Low Arch Can Cause a Lot of Problems When Running

Though running is a great workout and a good challenge for those who wish to test their speed or endurance, not everyone is a natural at it. Unfortunately, some people are born with a natural disadvantage to running, specifically flat-footed people. Having flat feet is detrimental to running because, unlike naturally formed feet, there is no arch to absorb any impact your feet receive from hitting the floor. Not only that, but because your feet can’t absorb the force induced during running, stress fractures may occur.

That doesn’t mean that a flat-footed person can’t run at all. I’ve heard tons of stories about runners with flat feet who have gone as far as running marathons with little to no problem. All that matters is that you work out your legs and feet more to compensate for the lack of the arch. It also helps to have special running shoes to assist in your running as well. There are several little routines you can do to strengthen your flat feet. Walking in sand helps as it forces your feet to adapt to the sands shiftiness as you step on it. Make sure to take it easy; you don’t want your feet killing you. Another tip is to try standing on your toes in reps for a few minutes. It helps build that endurance for the lack of an arch.

Running isn’t impossible with flat-footed people, but depending on the severity, certain things have to be considered. For example, if you truly wish to run while having extremely straight feet, it is suggested to run strictly on flat surfaces- no hills or multi-terrain areas. The most essential thing to have is custom running shoes that have an artificial arch on it. That will significantly compensate your feet’s lack of an arch. With enough training and investment for your custom running shoes, you’ll be running marathons in no time…given you train hard for it.

223 days ago Short URL Comments

Gear Geek/Training

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08

Oct

The Basics of Resistance Training

Getting Some Dumbbells is a Good Start for Resistance Training

 

Resistance training can be one brutal workout, especially for those who are just jumping into it. The benefits of resistance training, however, can improve the quality of your life exponentially. This form of training helps your muscles grow and get toned, which is a great thing living in a society where your muscles aren’t getting used daily with all the technology now doing the work for us. For those of you that don’t know, resistance training is any kind of workout that causes some kind of external resistance to the particular muscle your working out. It is from this, that your muscles start getting bigger and more toned out.  The way this works is that when you lift weights or do anything that causes this external resistance to your muscles, they tear microscopically and are repaired by your body (which is why tons of people say to take in the proper nutrients when you workout).

When your body repairs these tears, they make the muscle stronger and bigger allowing it to regenerate quickly when fatigued (Not to mention give you some awesome looking muscles).  How do you get started with resistance training? It’s pretty simple, actually. All you need to do is find an outlet store that sells used dumbbells to save yourself some cash. From there, you can different lifting techniques with them to work specific muscle groups out. This helps you increase your life expectancy as well as help you lose weight. Research has shown that if you commit to resistance training at regular intervals, your metabolism will speed up, allowing you to shed the weight you want to lose when combined with regular cardio. Not just that, but resistance training has also shown to help grow bones, meaning that it can help prevent serious bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Also, it has been shown that as you age, your muscles deteriorate at a fixed rate; so periodic training can help you keep your body strong, even as you age into your golden years.

224 days ago Short URL Comments

Gear Geek/Training

23

Sep

Kinesio Tape: Not Just the Athlete’s Fashion Statement

Remember Seeing this Around in the Olympics this Year?

 

So a while ago during the 2012 Olympic events in London, I realized that some of the athletes had some crazy looking tape around their body. Initially I thought it was just some aesthetic tape to look cool, but after doing some research I found out that the tape has a name and it might actually be useful for athletes. The stuff is called Kinesio tape and it supposedly works by sticking to your skin adhesively to help regulate your lymphatic flow, consequently helping reduce inflammation. This essentially assists in reducing pain and swelling in the affected area. Dr. Kenzo Kase, creator of the Kinesio tape, says that this is a good alternative to traditional tapes and straps, which he says reduces the flow of the inflammatory fluids and prevents proper healing. However, does this stuff actually work? Dr. Kase isn’t the first person to implement such an idea; this stuff has been around since the 70’s. However, his specific variant and society, known as the International Kinesio Taping Association has only been around for a few years, so there’s only been a few studies to prove the effects of this tape. So does the tape actually work? The functionality of the Kinesio tape has been varied with those who use it claiming it does and others who are skeptical. Some believe that it could all just be another “Placebo Effect” treatment.  Regardless of its growing popularity, we can’t really know for sure if it works or not until there are enough studies. I don’t think it will be a big loss to try it as the tape is on sale for a 5.99$ on the official website.

239 days ago Short URL Comments

Gear Geek/Reviews/Training

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