Monthly Archives: May 2017

29th May 2017. One of the joys of riding a bicycle is its simplicity: if you have a bike, all you need to do is climb on and ride off into the distance. There's not much else required to start besides a helmet for safety, of course. However, for those who do lots of riding, especially for exercise, dressing appropriately becomes much more important. Not only will it help you feel more comfortable during the ride, but it will help you stay focused on your fitness goals. When you have many miles to cover in an endurance ride, chafing and discomfort should be the furthest things from your mind. There's no end to the different types of cycling clothing on the market, though. With dozens of brands competing for your attention and your money, it's important to understand what you're looking for before beginning. You want to stay within a reasonable budget while maximising your comfort level and protecting yourself from unnecessary exposure. So, what kinds of clothes will fit the bill?

25th May 2017.Today, darts is far more than just a game played between friends over a few pints down at the local pub. From its origins in the 19th century to now, the game has seen constant growth into a highly competitive game with professional leagues. Though the game is easy to learn, it features a "hard to master" quality due to the extremely consistent accuracy required. Pros seldom play just one game, or "leg," against each other, either ? matches often consist of potentially dozens of legs. In other words, winning isn't just a fluke; it's the result of focus, a steady hand, and a refined throwing motion. One of the most popular ways for fans of the game to watch today's best players compete is through Premier League Darts. Separate from the World Championship hosted by the Professional Darts Corporation, or PDC, Premier League Darts nonetheless draws its players from the PDC leagues. If you're curious about watching darts, what should you know about the Premier League? How

22nd May 2017. Diving into the water for a swim is both an easy option for developing physical fitness and an excellent way to have fun. A significant advantage to swimming over some other forms of exercise is the low entry cost: you don't need any special equipment to start immediately. Some accessories, like goggles, do become essential as you go deeper into your efforts. However, at its most basic level, all you need to begin is a good swimsuit. For women, though, a trip to shop for swimwear can turn into an afternoon of frustration too often. With so many choices out there, how can you tell which is the right one for you? There are a few important steps to consider taking when you look for new swimwear. Whether you're seeking a modestly cut swimsuit for use at your local public pool or something stylish for a vacation, there's plenty of information to think about before you make a purchase. Let's look at some of the specifics and walk you through developing a plan to find the

18th May 2017.When Nintendo released its revolutionary motion-controlled video gaming console, the Wii, it bundled the device with a game called Wii Sports. Intended to introduce individuals to the way the motion controls work, it also opened the door to something new altogether: video games as a way to exercise. Several years later, following the success of Wii Sports and the prevalence of discussions about physical activity, Nintendo released a dedicated fitness game for the platform. Called Wii Fit, it took the world by storm. However, it's worth asking: are Wii Fit and other, similar exercise "games" actually helpful for improving your fitness? A major advertised benefit of these games, especially Wii Fit, is their ability to track your progress and present you with goals. You work towards these goals by regularly playing the games (or using an app on your smartphone), which involve many kinds of exercises. This tracking feature is growing in popularity, too. Overall, the reality

13th May 2017.For those who want to improve their running ability, the solution often needs to be more complicated than simply "run more often." Instead, it helps to have a defined strategy and some particular goals in mind. If you've done some research on the subject, you've probably noticed that many of these strategies focus around one of two things: running a set distance in a faster time, or running a longer distance overall. It's a question of "miles" over "minutes" when we think about whether to train for distance or pace. When you're training, where should you put your focus for the best results? Could it be both? It's possible. Both approaches have their merits, and each will pose some slightly different challenges to your body. However, as you might expect, the training methodology involved is rather different for both. Can you (or should you) try to balance your approach, or is it better to just stick to one or the other? To get to the bottom of this issue, let's first

11th May 2017.At its core, finding ways to exercise should be simple enough: go for a run, dive into the pool, or climb on your bike. For one reason or another, though, it can be tough to use these basic methods and maintain interest long enough to develop better fitness. For others, it might be a case of simply not having a safe space in which to exercise. For those who like to ride bikes, this can be a particular problem. You might live in a big city or in a place where riding a bike outdoors isn't easy. If you don't like spin machines, either, then what options do you have left? "Turbo trainers" are growing in popularity, and you might be curious about whether they're worth a try. If you aren't familiar, a turbo trainer is a piece of home equipment to which you secure your bike frame. They feature a built-in unit for generating resistance on your bicycle's wheels, simulating the feel of the road outdoors. Riders no longer must stare at their TV while they ride, either ? in fact,

8th May 2017.As good as exercise is for our bodies, there's one inescapable fact: it's sometimes just plain boring! No matter how much of a fitness nut you are (or want to be), there will always be times when you want to do anything but your exercises. Let's face it: even with a varied routine, you'll be doing many of the same things repeatedly. For swimmers, this is particularly the case; swimming back and forth between the two ends of a pool is the definition of monotony. For those who love to run, at least, the scenery and the weather can change. When you're grinding out lengths in the pool, though, you only have the wall ahead and your thoughts to stay occupied. If boredom becomes too much of an issue, it can have an adverse impact on your performance and your desire to continue exercise. Why not try to fight back against those feelings of ennui instead? Developing your fitness should be fun or interesting as often as possible. Luckily, there are many ways you can mix things

4th May 2017. When was the last time you made it to the gym for a two-hour-long full body workout? It sounds like a good idea in theory ? especially if you imagine making trips to the gym a regular occurrence. In reality, though, that often just isn't possible. Work, family, and other obligations can all combine to make it hard to fit exercise into your schedule. However, it's important to include physical activity in every day. The science is clear on this: daily exercise lengthens life and reduces the risk of disease over the long term. So how can you work out when you don't have the time? Why not bring the gym home instead of going to the gym? By stocking up on the right types of equipment, you can build your own powerful home workout. Whether you have an afternoon off to devote to exercise or just 30 minutes in front of the television, you can still develop your fitness. With that in mind, what kinds of equipment should populate this home gym? You'll want to stick only to

2nd May 2017.The squeak of sneakers and the rapid thudding of the ball are the hallmark sounds of any professional basketball game ? as is the roar of a crowd full of NBA fans. There's no better showcase of basketball talent than in the American NBA, and the 2016-2017 season is no exception. The 2015-2016 season closed out with thrilling Finals that went the distance, going all the way to Game 7. Last season saw the Cleveland Cavaliers come out on top after a gruelling battle with the Golden State Warriors. This year, both teams remain in the playoff hunt after a long season. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to catch every game when you don't live in the USA. Whether you're a new fan or someone with a long-lived love for basketball, you might want to know what happened during this year's season. With the playoffs right around the corner, which teams look like they might make a run for the championship? Were there any stand-out performances or incredible games in this year's regular

1st May 2017. Almost everyone learns how to swim as a child. It's both fun and an essential skill for staying safe, should one ever end up in the water unexpectedly. However, it's also a sport unto itself. Many of us experience captivating excitement at the Summer Olympics every four years when the world's best swimmers gather to compete on the same global stage. While you don't have to compete on their level, you can still rely on swimming as an excellent way to develop your own fitness. Whether you love the backstroke or you'd like to hone your butterfly, getting in the pool is a fun way to exercise. However, the most successful approach to fitness is always the one that follows a defined plan. Deciding to swim for fitness is good, but you must follow up that decision with action. Swimming just once or twice a week on an irregular schedule won't net you the gains you want. How should you approach