Category:

Weighted Vest Benefits for Fitness

3/28/2011

7 Comments

Weight Vest Benefits
by Lauren Miller, Demand Media

All types of athletes use weight vests to enhance their workouts. Vests include weights that athletes can increase or decrease to help them build strength and endurance. They are also used by walkers to help burn calories. Sporting goods stores and specialty retailers sell many types of weight vests with high-tech materials and a wide range of sizes and features.
Calorie Burning-Vests help to concentrate your weight in the upper body and chest during training. They work your abdominals and help you burn calories. Regarding endurance activities, a study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology showed that vests increased the metabolism of cross-country skiers and distance runners. Another study by the University of Iowa found that vests helped increase the calories burned by walkers using the apparel.

Playground Fitness 101

3/28/2011

0 Comments

By Dena Stern

Exercise.com
The jungle gym at the playground is a fantastic way to introduce kids to fitness; and it also doubles as a great way for adults to exercise without using costly equipment.

Why should your kids reap all the benefits of this fantastic outdoor fun? Next time you take your kids to play why not try one or all of these fantastic moves to help you tone, strengthen and stretch your muscles.

Each of these easy to do exercises uses equipment and materials found at most playgrounds. Get creative with your workout routines.

The Move: Hanging L HoldWhat It Works: Arms, Back, Shoulders & Core
Playground Equipment You'll Need: Monkey Bars

READ MORE:

0 Comments

Calories Burned Activity List

2/27/2011

0 Comments

A few hundred calories per hour can be burned off by taking part in a wide range of physical activities. The calories-per-hour listed here are based on a person who weighs 155 pounds. Someone who weighs 200 pounds should tack on 25 percent to the number of calories burned.

Aerobic Movement

Aerobics, high impact 511
Aerobics, low impact 365
Aerobics, water 292
Bicycling (10 mph) 292
Tennis 584
Dancing 354
Ice skating 511
Jogging (5 mph) 584
Rollerblading 913
Rope jumping 730
Rowing, stationary 511
Running (8 mph) 986
Stair treadmill 657

Sports & Leisure
Paintball 420
Bowling 219
Backpacking 511
Canoeing 256
Skiing, cross-country 511
Skiing, downhill 365
Baseball or softball 365
Basketball 584
Swimming laps 511
Soccer 413
Football 531
Golfing, carrying clubs 329
Tai chi 292
Weightlifting, free weight, Nautilus or universal type 219
Stretching 180
Calisthenics 266
Hiking 438
Ballroom dancing 219
Horseback riding 236

Household Chores & Activities
Scrubbing floors by hand 325
Heavy house cleaning 266
Light cleaning 148
General carpentry 207
Mowing the lawn 325
Raking the lawn 236
Carrying heavy loads (concrete blocks, etc.) 472
Dressing and/or feeding a child 177
General gardening tasks 295
Car repair 177
Preparing food 148
Painting, scraping, plastering 266
Sweeping the garage 236

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/30424-one-hour-activity-list-calories/#ixzz1FER3r2Ex

0 Comments

Fitness Journal 2-27-11 Alternative Fitness

2/27/2011

0 Comments

As you can tell by the picture; my daily activity did not include the gym. I spent 5 hours outside in 3-4 inches of snow paintballing at Camp Dakota in Scotts Mills, Oregon ( www.campdakota.com ).

I must say today was intense and I didn't know how many calories you burn in paintball, so I Googled it. What I found is you burn 7 calories per min and 420 calories a hour. Paintball is a high-intensity sports with tremendous physical activity, especially when played outdoors. Today’s event can now allow me to say I have actually played paintball in the snow. First for me and I’m glad I could of shared it with friends and loved ones.

I stayed hydrated and ate healthy nearly every two hours. There were lots of hills, getting down on the ground, getting up off the ground and sprinting from one position to the next. It was exhausting at times but so much fun.

I must stop and realize that I haven’t gone paintballing since last June and today seemed a bit easier and less intrusive on my cardio output. I guess that’s a sign that I’m showing some good improvements in performance and that all my hard work in the gym is actually paying off. Great News!

My journey to good health has to be fun and worth doing day in and day out. So as most athlete’s or fitness buffs do, they find alternative fitness ideas that allow them to change things up from the daily grind in the gym. Today, I chose paintball. Paintballing with my sons and friends is great in so many ways. It allows me the opportunity to spend quality time with my boys and at the same time reap the rewards of being in nature. I just really enjoy outdoor activities like paintball that allow me to push myself beyond my normal limits and enjoy a needed change in my exercise routine.

I want to increase my participation in competitive events that challenge me physically, mentally and yes even emotionally. Today was a really good day, and thank you to Shannon for providing us such a wonderful dinner upon our arrival. Shannon it was a delicious dinner and it hit the spot. Mmmmm