• Israel Approves 1,600 Homes, Clouding Biden's Visit March 9, 2010
    Israel's Interior Ministry announced the plans for construction in disputed east Jerusalem just as the U.S. vice president was wrapping up a series of warm meetings with Israeli leaders. There was no immediate reaction from Biden. […]
  • Missing Body Of Cyprus' Ex-President Is Found March 9, 2010
    The body of Tassos Papadopoulos, who died of lung cancer in December 2008 at age 74, was found dumped in a Nicosia cemetery Tuesday. Why it was taken isn't clear. The country's justice minister said the motive was ransom, but the family says it never got any demands. […]
  • In Haiti, Quake's Orphans Long For A Home March 9, 2010
    UNICEF estimates that more than 20,000 children lost their parents in the Jan. 12 quake and its aftermath. Relatives or neighbors are caring for many of these children. Others, such as a group of boys in a Port-au-Prince park, are fending for themselves. […]
  • Russian Village Haunted By A Hidden Holocaust Past March 9, 2010
    World War II ended more than six decades ago, but one Russian village on the Baltic Sea is still coming to terms with its role in the Holocaust. In Yantarny, Russia, then part of East Prussia, thousands of Jews were killed in 1945. Even now, some villagers are still unaware of what happened. […]
  • Class-Action Lawsuits Could Cost Toyota Billions March 9, 2010
    Toyota owners claiming that recalls have hurt the value of their vehicles have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the company $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review. Those estimates don't include potential payouts for wrongful death and injury lawsuits. […]
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Archive for January, 2010

Let’s Get Started towards a Better You, Part 1

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Author:  C. Smallat home

Isn’t it time you did something about the way you look and feel?  Want to Eliminate that Tired…Worn Out…Unhealthy Feeling?  Have you ever thought about doing something to boost your energy-level, mental acuity and self-esteem?  Want to look good in clothes that actually fit?  You can do these things and a whole lot more by achieving a healthy lifestyle.  Don’t wait another day!  Learn how to get fit inside and out through good nutrition and exercising the safe way with the right equipment, for lasting results.  Learn how eating right, using the right supplements and exercising can help you manage your weight, whether you’re over or under weight; and how getting and staying in shape will help prevent potentially life threatening diseases.

Are you ready?  Let’s go.  First, check with your doctor to ensure that you can safely exercise without restrictions.  Once you get the green light, you must make the personal decision to begin an exercise plan and commit to making it a priority in your life.  It’s also important to have a support team especially when you’re just starting a workout program.  Your team can help you stay on track by providing guidance and motivation.  Keep in mind however, that you did not get the way you are overnight.  It’s going to take time to develop new habits, so stay positive.  If you “fall off the wagon” get back up and start again right away.

You might also consider several sessions with a qualified personal trainer to learn what to do to reach your fitness goals.  A personal trainer can help you set your fitness goals and design a workout program specifically for you.  Don’t forget that there is no right or wrong way to stay active.  Just make sure that your goal(s) is/are realistic and measurable in a way that you will see your progress.  For example if your starting point for crunches is 1 on Day 1, you may set a goal to increase your reps to 10 by Day 8.

Now let’s get started.  Find something that works for you whether it’s biking to work, walking after a meal, joining a sports league, exercising while watching TV, or training for a marathon.  Life provides many opportunities to be active – we just have to recognize them.

I know that in trying to balance school, jobs, relationships and all of the other demands of your daily life, physical health is often the last item on your agenda.  However, if you make physical fitness and healthy lifestyle a priority, you will find more energy and enthusiasm for the other areas of your life; and, with more energy you might find that you can do a little bit more each day, such as spending more time with your family or that special someone.

REMEMBER you hold the key to a healthier you.  So start today.  Learn the steps, that is the small life style changes that you can make to help prevent heart disease, obesity, diabetes and stroke….and lead to a healthier, better looking you…a “you” that you will be proud of.

Total Gym 1800 Club
P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program – 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner
Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar – Extreme Edition
SPRI ES502R Xertube Resistance Band with Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Blue, Heavy)
Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

Aerobics, Anaerobics, or Vacuuming; It’s all Good

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Author: C. Smallphysical_activity_diabetes_prev01

Are you a couch potato?  Do you prefer sitting on the sidelines watching others have fun?  Well, it’s time to get up and get active.  The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Surgeon General have all issued statements that recommend placing an emphasis on adopting physical activity into one’s lifestyle.  Their purpose is to make us aware of the health benefits associated with increased physical activity, as well as to highlight the amount and intensity of activity necessary to achieve optimal results.

Now before you look at increasing your physical activities, you should consult your physician to ensure a safe and healthy experience.  Next, you must  understand the term. Physical activity cannot be defined in just one or two words; it is a broad term that encompasses all forms of muscle movements.  These movements can range from sports to lifestyle activities (such as house cleaning, gardening, etc).  Also, exercise can be defined as physical activity that is a planned, structured movement of the body designed to enhance physical fitness. Regimented or purposeful exercise consists of a program that includes twenty to sixty minutes of activity at least three to five days a week.

resistance bandsLet’s take a look at the word exercise.  Are there different categories of exercises?  Actually there are.  Exercise may be classified in one of two categories or energy systems, anaerobic and aerobic, depending on where the energy is derived from.  There is a distinct difference between the two, and specific training techniques are used to enhance both.  Anaerobic exercise does not require oxygen for energy.  This is due to the intensity and duration of anaerobic events, which typically are high intensity and last only a few seconds to a minute or two.  Also, in anaerobic exercises the body creates the energy without oxygen.  This basically is due to the fact that the body’s demand for energy is greater so that it will find natural body chemicals such as creatine phosphate to create it.  These activities include weight lifting, machines that offer resistance, dumbbells, and short sprints.

Aerobic exercise on the other hand, does require oxygen for energy.  When performing a set of aerobic exercises you swimming (female)are causing the body to utilize oxygen in order to create energy.  The oxygen is needed to breakdown glucose.  Glucose is the fuel needed to create energy.  This energy system is primarily used during events lasting longer than several minutes, such as cycling/biking, running, swimming, cross-country skiing, playing basketball, jumping rope, roller skating, walking briskly and dancing.  In addition to these fun activities, you can get a great aerobic workout through stationary exercise machines such as cycles, treadmills, stair-steppers and rowing machines.  These can be found at a local gym or health club, where you can not only increase your fitness-level but social contacts as well.  Most of these machines can also be used in the privacy of your home.

(Note:  The potential does exist however, where one can use both the aerobic and anaerobic systems, as in soccer, where a match requires ninety minutes of continual activity with short intense bursts of effort.)

Participation in physical activity can be beneficial for anyone and can be started during any stage of life.  One goal of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the number of people who participate in daily physical activity.*  So whether you decide to do a regimented exercise program, house or yard work, walk a pet, or walk around town to complete errands, get up off the couch and get active!

(*Healthy People 2010 is a categorized listing of national health objectives established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

About the author:  C. Small is the Founder/President/CEO of CVS Unlimited, LLC and a health and fitness enthusiast with more than 31 years of military training.  The Company’s desire is to help people achieve healthy lifestyles by combining good nutrition with the right exercises, and using the right equipment for lasting results.

P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program – 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner
Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

Low-impact Exercises are Fun and Healthy

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Author: Raymond Leepilates

Not everyone is made for high-level exercising. But you can become fit without bouncing around in a leotard, battering your joints. Forget all the huffing, puffing, lugging, lifting, and straining. Movement therapy is a gentle – yet effective – group of sports that include yoga, tai chi, and Pilates. Just don’t be fooled by their mild manner. These activities can whip you into shape without breaking a sweat.

All three have ancient Eastern roots and are merely different interpretations of the same principle: keeping your body and mind in harmony naturally leads to better health.

It wasn’t until recently that modern science confirmed the many physical benefits of yoga, tai chi, and Pilates. With them, you can improve your balance, flexibility, and strength – no matter what your age, weight, or fitness level.

No Pain – but great gain

Yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are gentle enough for anyone to try. If you consider yourself in bad health or disabled in some way, you’re a perfect candidate for these movement therapies. You can ease into the programs slowly and set your own pace. It’s easy to stick with them and you’ll see improvement quickly.

Here are just some of the benefits you will get from these soothing approaches to fitness.

• When you were a child, tripping and falling meant just another minor scrape. But as you get older, taking a tumble can have serious and crippling effects. If your sense of balance is as bad as Humpty Dumpty’s,these are the safest forms of exercise for you.

Just like the trick to growing tomatoes is to keep the main stalk strong, the trick to great balance is to keep your core muscles strong. The bands of muscle in your abdomen, lower back, and buttocks are the center of strength and control for the rest of your body.

All three examples of movement therapy are relatively stationary,but because they strengthen your core muscles, your balance will improve quickly – preventing falls – and you’ll develop greater flexibility and strength. Soon you will be moving with confidence again.

• Tai chi and yoga are especially recommended for people with arthritis.Gentle yoga can improve arthritis in your hands, for example, and tai chi’s precise, flowing movements help keep your joints limber, relieve your pain, and keep you active.

• The dance-like stretches, poses, and maneuvers within each of these movement therapies will gently strengthen and tone your body. Pilates is especially good as a strength-training workout.

• Add yoga or Pilates to your exercise regimen if you need to improve your heart health.

• In today’s hectic world, it may be hard to squeeze an extra 30 minutes of exercise into your schedule – at least without feeling even more stress. The beautiful thing about movement therapy is that it combines stress relief with exercise, so you kill two birds with one stone.

All the activities – tai chi, yoga, and Pilates – are done slowly, with intense focus on proper breathing and posture. They all relax your body and calm your mind.

As you can see, you can boost your overall health with these joyful, health-giving movements.

Things to know before you give it a go

Just to be safe, make sure that you take these precautions before starting any new exercise program.

• Get your doctor’s approval on your fitness plan, especially if you’ve badly injured your back, neck, knees,or shoulders in the past.

• The stretches, poses, and movements of these therapies should not hurt. If you feel pain, stop and check your technique before continuing.

• Pilates is the most intense of the three exercise forms. You may want to try one of the less strenuous programs first if you are out of shape.

• Be forewarned, you might get addicted to these calming sports.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/lowimpact-exercises-are-fun-and-healthy-206348.html

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program
P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program – 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner

A 3day Workout Routine for the Beginner

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Author: Jeff Andersonworkout-routine_1000189

Most people put off making their first visit to the gym thinking that a  workout routine  is a commitment that would be too difficult to squeeze into their already busy—or lazy—schedule. One thing that many of those people don’t realize is that an exercise routine need not eat up one’s schedule. In fact, a 3day workout routine is all that is needed for one to maintain a healthy lifestyle. And if that still sounds too much, let me ease your troubled mind by saying that ” 3day workout routine ” means only an hour and a half at most per day.

There are as many variations to a 3day workout routine as there are fitness goals and body types and medical histories. You can use the following or tweak it depending on your fitness goal:

Work out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and then take the weekends off. If you’re the type of person who hates being around sweaty people—even when you’re sweating yourself—or would not rather not stand around waiting for available equipment, go for an outdoor activity like swimming, running, or biking. For best results, do a different activity per day, making sure that each targets a different muscle group. This way, you get full-body toning out of your  3day workout routine . I would advise this to people who have trouble sticking to a routine because of boredom or loss of interest.

At the gym, you can work out all muscle groups on each session. Beginners can start with one set of 15 reps for each exercise, then gradually move it up to three sets towards the end of the first month. Start each session with 10 minutes of low-intensity cardio to warm up, followed by your upper, middle, lower body workout routine. For best results, finish off with another 20 to 30 minutes of your favorite cardio. As you already know, all this rounds up to an hour and a half at most.

One other thing that most people don’t realize is that their schedule is not really as busy as they might think–at least not too busy that it’s impossible to squeeze in an hour and a half of exercise three days a week. With the myriad variations of workout routines schedules out there, and with the proper guidance, you should be able to find one that’s right for you. In fact, even daily workout schedules can fit into a busy lifestyle given the proper time management. For an impossibly hectic schedule, one can even find ways to workout at home and save on travel time to the gym. So you see, there is really no excuse for putting off having an exercise routine. After all, a fit and healthy lifestyle means more energy and a longer life with which to do and enjoy all the things you want.

Getting Back in Shape: 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness

Beware of the Late Night Snack Attack

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Author: Steven Strattonalg_man_fridge_night

I am not sure why, but for some reason many people including myself struggle with a sweet tooth at night, it is almost like a comfort snack before bed. Unfortunately, nighttime snacks can quickly sabotage your diet. Though you can eat late at night, under a controlled manner, nighttime snacking often brings unwanted, additional calories into your body. The danger from nighttime snacks comes from overeating and most the time we are overeating junk food. We then bring all that junk food into our body’s resting state when we sleep. Since you are sleeping or resting you are not burning those additional calories and they are quickly stored as fat. Eating balanced, sensible meals throughout the day, and at regular intervals will help prevent nighttime snacking. A mistake, commonly made with dieters, is to skip meals such as breakfast and lunch, which actually slows down your metabolism. The result is often binging on late night snacks. Often more calories are consumed during these binging sessions than would otherwise be consumed throughout the day.

Controlling food cravings is not only important to your diet, but it will help your overall, long term health. By preventing food cravings, you are keeping your blood sugar in balance. For those who have been diagnosed with Diabetes preventing these spikes in blood sugar are essential and necessary. Eating more complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables will keep blood sugar levels balanced and help prevent food cravings. Simple carbohydrates, which are found in white breads, doughnuts, and pasta all, are bad for packing on weight. Complex carbs are healthier for your body and are more unlikely to hold onto fat.

It can be very difficult to control nighttime snacking, and for those who are struggling with their weight, getting control in this area is vital. If you are going to snack at night, look for low calorie alternatives that will fill you up, without packing on extra pounds. Preparing for nighttime snacks is the best preventive strategy you can take to avoid any problems. In the first few weeks of a new exercise and fitness program you might find that going to bed earlier, or engaging in activities that keep your hands busy are good strategies that will help you avoid snacking.

Mindless late night snacking while watching television is a sure fire way to ruin your sensible eating plan and put on extra pounds. If you enjoy watching television at night, get some low calorie alternatives that you can eat without feeling guilty, like nuts, sunflower seeds, or air popped popcorn. Since there is a wide variety of eating plans, make sure to choose a low cal snack that adheres to the guidelines of your diet. Some healthy snacks could include whole wheat crackers, cheese cubes, fruit, vegetables, popcorn with a low calorie topping, rice cakes, a glass of milk, a cup of herbal decaffeinated tea, low fat yogurt, and cottage cheese. Make certain that you determine the amount of calories that you need and allot some for healthy nighttime snacks.

Getting Back in Shape: 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness

Determining Your Fitness Level

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Author: Steven Stratton1492fitness

You made your resolution to get in shape, you have even found an exercise program that you like, but where exactly do you start? One of the first things that you should do is to find out what your current fitness level is. This is important, because you want to make sure that you increase at a healthy rate to prevent injury. There are several ways to test your fitness level.

Upper Body Strength
A great way to test upper body strength is by using the push-up. Men should use the traditional military style push-up, while women can use the bent-knee position. To perform the test, do as many push-ups as you can, and count them as you are going. The average number of push-ups is listed below:
WomenMen
Age 20-29: 17-33Age 20-29: 35-44
Age 30-39: 12-24Age 30-39: 24-34
Age 40-49: 8-19Age 40-49: 20-29
Age 50-59: 6-14Age 50-59: 15-24
Age 60+:   3-4    Age 60+:   10-19

Aerobic Activity
A great way to test your aerobic fitness level is the 12 minute test. To perform this test, warm up properly then cover as much distance as you can in 12 minutes. You may walk, run, or jog. When your 12 minutes are up, record your distance. Below are the average results for the number of miles covered:
WomenMen
Age 20-29: 1.33Age 20-29: 1.54
Age 30-39: 1.27Age 30-39: 1.49
Age 40-49: 1.21Age 40-49: 1.42
Age 50-59: 1.13Age 50-59: 1.33
Age 60+:   1.07Age 60+:   1.24

There are several other tests to check your fitness level, some of which can be performed by a trainer or physician. If your numbers are below the averages above, set your goal to the average and work towards that. When you have reached that goal, move to a higher one. Goal setting is so important when making that decision to get into shape, you do not want to make unrealistic goals, but you also want to make sure that the goals you are setting are will challenge you. Once you achieve the goal that you set, you feel incredible. Then comes the choice to set another goal or try to maintain the current level of fitness that you just achieved. Another way to help you determine your fitness goals is to find out what your body fat percentage is. You can do this a couple ways, you can go to the gym or a physician and get your body fat measured by a personal trainer or a doctor, or you can buy a body fat measure with a fat measurement guide. Body Fat measurers are simple to use and pretty accurate, and you can check your progress anytime you want. Seeing progress is so important, because it helps to motivate you to conquer your goals. Another reason why body fat measurers are great is because not everyone is trying to lose weight. If you are trying to pack on more muscle, you might not see a difference on a scale, in fact you might actually gain weight, but having a body fat monitor will you help you see that you are decreasing your body fat.

Getting Back in Shape: 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness

The Insanity Workout With Shaun T

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Author: Steven Strattonextreme workout

Shaun T’s new workout has been highly anticipated for quite some time now, and it has finally arrived! Insanity with Shaun T will definitely be the workout that will change people’s lives. The Insanity workout will help you conquer the battle in your mind, so you can maximize your results and push your body to reach fitness levels you never thought possible for yourself.

Who is Shaun T?

So why should you care about Shaun T’s Insanity Workout? The answer to that is, because Shaun T knows what he is doing. He started off getting his BS in Sports Science and a minor in Theater/Dance at Rowan University. Since then he has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood, being on several television shows and movies. He has worked with Mariah Carey, Aaron and Nick Carter, and Elephant Man. He has worked for companies like Nike, Boost athletic shoes, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaun T has been widely known for his choreographing and dance moves. It was his dancing that helped him make his first workout programs, Hip Hop Abs and Rockin Body, which focused on dancing for a cardiovascular workout. Hip Hop Abs quickly became one of the most successful in-home workout programs out there.

What is up with the Insanity Workout?

Even though Hip Hop Abs and Rockin Body were incredible workouts, the Insanity workout is focused on a life changing experience. Insanity is more structured and is a 60-day workout plan. Shaun T’s Insanity has been built for achieving strength, stamina and cardio success. If you really want to find out how much you can push yourself, the Insanity workout will help you dig deeper than you ever have before.

The great part about this Insanity workout is that it works! The whole philosophy behind Insanity with Shaun T is called, MAX Interval Training. Olympians and professional athletes around all sports, use Max Interval training to help get their bodies into shape. After 60 days, the results you will experience will be mind blowing, and you will be in the best shape of your life. Max Interval training will make you do long burst of cardio training and short spans of rest, instead of traditional interval training, which has you perform short burst of energy and longer periods of rest.

What Comes With The Insanity Workout?

The Insanity workout makes sure that you are taken care of. It comes with 13 DVD’s that are systematically planned out for you to achieve maximum results. Insanity also comes with a fitness guide and diary so you can track your progress, a nutrition guide so you can plan your meals and make sure you have the energy you need to perform the workouts, and a workout calendar, so can easily track where you are in the program. It is important to read through everything before you begin, so you can make a game plan. Insanity with Shaun T is not for everyone; it is an “EXTREME” workout program, which will kick you butt. So make sure you consult your doctor before deciding to do this workout.

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

Optimum Health Foods

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Author: Patrick Carpenhealthy-foods

It is a widely accepted idea that some foods do more good to your body than others. In other words, some foods are healthier to eat than others. In this article, I set out to examine some of the natural nutrition sources that experts consider to be exceptionally “healthy” for your body. Remember, you are what you eat!

The Apricot is number one on my list. Apricots contain beta-carotene which helps to prevent free radical damage and gives protection to the eyes. An average sized apricot gives you 17 calories, 0 fats, and 1 gram of fiber. They may be eaten dried or soft.

Next, I’ll strongly recommend the mango fruit. Accounting for approximately 50 percent of all tropical fruits produced worldwide, mango is one of the most extensively exploited fruits—for good reasons. A medium sized mango packs 57 mg of vitamin C—almost your entire daily dose. Considered a model “superfruit”, it boosts your immune system and helps prevent arthritis.

The average sized cantaloupe contains 177 mg of vitamin C—almost twice your recommended daily dose. Half a melon contains approximately 853 mg of potassium, 97 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 2 grams of fiber. The potassium in the cantaloupe helps to lower blood pressure.

Tomatoes, according to a review published in the “Journal of the National Cancer Institute” has been linked (although by limited evidence) to the prevention of certain types of cancer. One medium sized tomato contains 26 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber.

In the vegetables category, I’ll choose to start with onions. A cup of onions provide 61 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Onions are known to prevent cancer, according to studies. They have been used in Chinese medicine to treat coughs, angina, bacterial infections and breathing problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports the use of onions for the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent atherosclerosis. Onion extracts are also recognized by the World Health Organization for providing relief in the treatment of coughs and colds, asthma and bronchitis.

Next in my vegetables list is broccoli. One cup of chopped broccoli contains 25 calories, 0 fats and 3 grams of fiber. Broccoli is rich in a wide array of nutrients with a substantial amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Half of the fiber in broccoli is soluble, and half insoluble, helping to meet your needs for both types of fiber. Broccoli belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables– which are known for reducing the risk of many types of cancer.

Spinach is recommended for its high calcium and iron content. In addition, spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6. It is a very good source of dietary fiber, copper, protein, phosphorous, zinc, and vitamin E. This vegetable also contains omega-3 fatty acids in a fairly good proportion. The carotenoids in spinach helps fend of macular degeneration, which is a major cause of blindness in elderly people. One cup of spinach provides 7 calories, 0 fats and 1 gram of fiber.

In the “grains, beans and nuts” section, I’ll choose to start with “peanuts”. Peanuts, and other nuts, can lower your risk of heart disease by 20 percent. One ounce contains 166 calories, 14 grams of fats, and over 2 grams of fiber.

The pinto bean is another highly recommended potassium rich health food. Half cup of pinto beans provides more than 25 percent of your daily folate requirement, which protects you against heart disease. Half a cup gives 103 calories, 1 gram of fats, and 6 grams of fiber.

Skim milk is a great source of vitamin B2, which is important for good vision and, along with vitamin A, could protect against allergies. It also gives calcium and vitamin D. One cup contains 86 calories, 0 fats, and 0 fiber.

In the “seafood” category, the salmon is strongly recommended. Like all cold water fish, salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to help reduce the risk of cardiac diseases. A 3 ounce portion of salmon contains 127 calories, 4 grams of fats, and 0 fiber. Two other great sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the “seafood” category are mackerel and tuna.

Eat This Not That! Restaurant Survival Guide: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution

Why Riding A Bike Shouldn’T Be Painful

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Author: John Philipjake-gyllenhaal-austin-nicholas-biking

Often times middle-age people avoid riding a bicycle because they claim that it hurts to ride. While this may be the case for some people because of health issues, for healthy individuals, riding a bike should not be painful. If you find cycling painful, it’s quite likely that you are riding a bicycle that is the wrong size for you.

The most common types of pain that are often associated with cycling include back pain and knee pain. For those suffering from back pain, improving posture is one of the best things that you can do to alleviate the pain. Your back should be properly arched in order to make pedaling easier and allow for some flexibility when going over bumps. Some people feel that modifying their bike in order to make the handlebars higher is the solution, but this does not actually work well. It may allow you to sit upright, but bumps in the road will cause the vertebrae to hit one another, causing back pain. High handlebars also make it hard to ride any faster than a fast walking speed. Study proper posture and consult a professional if it becomes a problem for you and you should be able to ride without back pain.

Often rider complains about knee pain as well, but there are things that can be done to alleviate knee pain. One of the best ways to stop knee pain is by using the correct gear for the terrain and slope or the road. Also, the saddle height can make a large impact on a rider’s comfort level and will help to eliminate knee pain. If the saddle is too low, the knees are bent most of the time, causing pain. Often riders feel that they need to put the seat quite low, simply because they do not know how to properly mount the bike.

How Cycling Can Improve Fitness

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Author: John Philipcycling x 2

With so many different machines out there in the gyms across the country, many people tend to forget about the easiest, cheapest, and the best way to get into shape. A cycle exercise, such as riding your bike, is a great fitness routine to get into. Health should be the number one priority for people because there is nothing more important. The healthier you are the more you will get out of life in the end.

One of the most obvious benefits to cycle exercising is that of getting out into the world and enjoying the scenery while getting all of that fresh air. Breathing that clean air is another thing that is excellent for your health. Instead of staring at the same four walls at the gym and smelling all of that stale sweat, you could be watching the blue skies and getting all of the fresh air you could ever want.

Another reason why this type of exercising is so beneficial is because it is low impact. Those who have a little trouble with their joints will enjoy this exercise, as the motion of the exercise of cycling does not stress the joints too much. You will be able to exercise for a much longer period of time this way. Those trying to get their joints back to tip top health after joint surgery find cycle exercises to be a great rehabilitation path.

There are also many cardiovascular benefits that come with cycle exercising. By increasing your fitness level, you will lower your risk of arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. Also, this sort of fitness routine will help you drop those unwanted pounds you have wanted to shed for some time now. And since those who are in need of dropping a few pounds may not be used to working out, cycle exercise is wonderful because it provides a slow warm up. You can easily start slow and then gradually increase your speed and resistance as time moves on.

Variety is the spice of exercise. It is very easy to end up bored and tired of the same old exercise routine day after day. No matter how important fitness is to your health, you can easily lose interest in the entire thing should you become bored. With cycle exercising you can switch your scenery whenever you like which means you never have to be bored with your exercise routine again. The more interesting you can make your workout the more you will enjoy the overall experience and the more you will stick with it.

So if you have not already gave cycle exercising a try for yourself then there is no better time than now. When it comes to your health, it is important to take action and stick with it. Even though it may be hard to get into a routine in the beginning, just hang in there. It will eventually become second nature and you will actually feel out of sorts if you miss a day of cycle exercise.