Monthly Archives: September 2017

30th September 2017.When you think about basketball, what type of athlete most readily comes to mind? For most people, the answer will be a very tall man. It's hard not to think that way, either ? after all, many of the most prominent basketball stars around the world are men, especially considering that the American NBA produces much of the world-class talent. The sport was even conceived as part of a male fitness programme to encourage indoor exercise during the cold summer months. Yet none of this means that it is solely a sport for men, and there are huge numbers of women around the world who find the game just as thrilling. So, what is the women's basketball scene like today? If you're a lady who has an interest in taking the ball down the court, how do you get started? From the training, you'll want to engage with the role models in the sport. There?s no shortage of interesting information available about women's basketball. Ready to learn how you can immerse yourself in the

28th September 2017.Which type of athlete, at the top of their sport, is the most fit? Is it the swimmer who slices through the water quickly and effortlessly? What about the marathon runner who puts in extreme distances at respectable times? Perhaps it is the cyclist, pumping the pedals through stage after stage of a gruelling race. A disagreement over the answer to this question would lead to the formation of the very first Ironman Triathlon: an excruciating test of willpower and physical prowess across all three sports in just one day. Today, it is one of the most popular and most difficult sports competitions in the world. What else contributed to its origins, and what does this triathlon entail? It is an event with a unique history and an even more unique challenge to provide to athletes. For those who decide to make completing an Ironman race a personal goal, what do you need to do to ensure you train properly for finishing the race? A lot of careful preparation must go into

25th September 2017.Few sports offer so many challenges to the professional athlete as swimming. From the rapid pace of 100-metre races to the gruelling distances commonly found in relays, the competition is fierce, and the bar is set high. You must endure seriously intense training regimens coupled with regular competition. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who love swimming, the idea of turning professional is an appealing one. Could you do it if you desired? What does it take to become a professional swimmer these days? Unfortunately, there is a cruel reality involved: age is a major factor in swimming success. For most people, the opportunity to become a "pro" swimmer is long past like many other sports, the field favours the young, and by your mid-to-late twenties, you're already well past your prime swimming age. There is a reason that nearly all the World Record holders and Olympic athletes are quite young. At just 32, Michael Phelps' pro swimming career is practically

23rd September 2017.When you go running, what's the only thing you need to make sure you bring along? Hydration is important, sure, but you can often stop along the way to find a sip to drink. Sunglasses? You don't need those every day. It's something far more basic: your shoes! Without proper running shoes, not only will your feet hurt after a run of any length, but you could also put yourself at an increased risk of a sports injury. Running without shoes isn?t a good option, either ? footpaths and roadways are often too hot for bare feet. That's not to mention all the hazards on the ground. So how do you choose the right running shoes? What do you need to look for while you're shopping? If finding regular shoes is a challenge for you, finding a reliable pair of running sneakers can be an even more trying task. With the right ideas in mind before you go to the shops, though, you can cut down on the time and frustration and skip straight to selecting the ideal shoes. From form and

21st September 2017.The end of the summer is a welcome event for many cyclists. Finally, you can put the hottest and most unpleasant riding season of the year behind you. The arrival of autumn signals cooler weather, but can often mean storm clouds and rainy days. While it won't always be as nice as your springtime rides, the fall still presents plenty of opportunities for excellent cycling. It isn't without its challenges, though, and you will still need to make adequate preparations to continue succeeding on your biking journey. The wet weather and leafy debris can create extra wear on your bike, while the wind can leave you feeling chilly and ready for an early end to the ride. What gear should you pull out of the closet for the autumn? How often should you perform maintenance, and what problems might you encounter on the road? With the answers to these questions and more, you can prepare well before the first leaves begin to turn and drop from the trees. Now is the time to enjoy

18th September 2017.Have you ever considered the possibility that you might get a job working in a field related to fitness or health? Whether you love playing sports or you're just a fitness nut who hits the gym on a regular basis, it's possible that you could turn that love into a passion ? and ultimately, a career. There are many opportunities that you can pursue in this sector, and there are very diverse career options for those willing to put in the work. Some jobs require intensive preparation, while others focus on your physical ability to do the job without so many qualifications on paper. How can you decide which way to go with your interests? You can start by thinking about what motivates you and what type of fitness activities you enjoy the most. Swimmers, for example, will naturally gravitate more towards fields that keep them in or around the water. Others zero in on clients to improve their health or guide them to better physical fitness. There are tonnes of options

14th September 2017. Humans might be land animals, but the reality is many of us spend an awful lot of time in and around the water. From those who make it their job to those who make it their hobby, water activities are popular worldwide. Swimming is an activity many of us take part in at various points in life, especially during our school years. Later, it can become a way to stay fit and to have fun. All of that requires skills that start somewhere, though. When should you begin developing confidence in the water with your children? It might surprise you to learn that you should start as early as is safe! Water confidence for your baby might seem like a silly idea at first; they may not have even taken their first steps yet. Even so, spending time in the water can have many benefits. As your child grows older, you can also look at more formalised swimming classes to ensure they learn the skills necessary to swim safely. Being in the pool could even become a regular family activity.

11th September 2017. Novice runners often begin their efforts without giving much thought to the more technical aspects of running ? and that includes the gear you need to use. It's easy to think that the only important thing to do is to drink plenty of water before and after your run. That's true, but there's much more to it than that. Anyone who has ever gone on a long run in a cotton T-shirt can tell you it is a miserable experience. Not only does cotton soak up your sweat and stick to your skin, but it also prevents your perspiration from evaporating to cool off your body. Long distance runners know that the wrong type of fabric can chafe against your skin heavily as well. How can you avoid these rookie mistakes and enjoy your running in greater comfort? Knowing how to choose the right running top is the best place to start. Besides using the right shoes and the ideal type of running shorts, your top is one of the last major things you need to acquire. Before you can fill out

9th September 2017.All one need do to know that the popularity of darts is on a meteoric rise is to spend a few moments watching a professional match take place on TV. The huge crowds that fall silent during a critical throw but roar to life when someone nails a 180, the increasing pots of prize money, and the free-flowing sponsorships ? they're all a sign that darts is on the rise. You may also notice that many competitors are men. While there is a women's side to the World Darts Championship, it continues to draw smaller numbers. While men dominate the sport, that doesn't mean the ladies are entirely left out; in fact, there are plenty of pro women making a splash on the darts circuit. It's not just for the pros, though: just like an average man can pick up a game and start refining his aim, so can you. Why, though? Besides the fact that it is a fun sport, there are plenty of other reasons, too. From social benefits to keeping your mind sharp, sending a steel-tipped dart sailing

7th September 2017. When was the last time you paid attention to your bicycle's brakes when you weren't doing maintenance on them? If you're like many riders, you probably don't pay them a second thought; however, there is a very vocal debate ongoing in the cycling community about which type of brakes are best for road bikes. Perhaps you've heard about some of the controversies, or even met someone who has ditched the regular rim braking methods commonly found on today's road bikes. So, what's the big deal? The latest craze is all about disc brakes, a method which involves entirely different hardware. Bicycle brakes have remained relatively similar for decades, so the appearance of a competing choice naturally