NetSweat Fitness Blog

Running Shoes Changed How We Run?

2010-01-27T18:01:00.001-06:00

Running shoes have us hitting with our heels, whereas we may be meant to strike with our forefoot first. Or so says an article in the journal Nature referenced by LiveScience.com.

Daniel Lieberman and his colleagues looked at the gate of five different groups: athletes from the United States who always wear running shoes; athletes from the Rift Valley Province in Kenya who grew up running barefoot, but now don modern running shoes; U.S. runners who used to wear shoes, but now go barefoot; and runners from Kenya who either always wear shoes or have never worn shoes.

Runners who run barefoot, especially those who grew up running barefoot, land with their forefoot first. Those wearing running shoes land heal first. Those who switched from barefoot to shoes changed their gate to land heal first; the opposite was true for those went from shoes to running barefoot.

So, which is better? The researchers concluded that "the collision-free way that barefoot runners typically land is not only comfortable but may also help avoid some impact-related repetitive stress injuries". But, if you are not used to running barefoot, the transition could be tough and lead to injuries. More importantly, there is no definitive proof that running barefoot reduces injuries.

But, and this is a big "but", study researcher Daniel E. Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University, was mentioned by LiveScience as saying that a recently published study showed no studies that demonstrate modern running shoes prevent injuries.

More studies need to be done. If you are considering switching to barefoot running, do so gradually and seek medical attention for any aches, pains or injuries. And quickly clean and care for any scrapes or cuts.

For more information, see:
The Biomechanics of Barefoot Running in Nature (abstract free; fee for full study)
The Biomechanics of Barefoot Running in LiveScience
Study: Running Shoes Could Cause Joint Strain in LiveScience
Barefoot Running (we posted this in Jan 2007)

We previously blogged about barefoot running three years ago.

Water Aerobics Swimwear on NetSweat.com

2010-01-20T21:54:00.003-06:00

You can now find water aerobics swimwear on NetSweat.com. We teamed up with SwimOutlet.com and SwimsuitsforAll.com to offer swimsuits for women of all sizes. (And yes, that means we also offer maternity swimwear.)

We are particularly proud to say the product line includes plus size swimsuits up to size 24. This expands our selection of plus size fitness clothing, which had already included fitness clothing and ski wear. We realize that if you have curves, finding fitness apparel that looks good and fits well is difficult and that is why we have always provided such great selection.

It is also a good idea to protect your feet while doing water aerobics, and we have you covered there as well. Just check out our aqua fitness equipment page for water aerobics shoes.

Done With Sigg; Switching to Klean Kanteen

2010-01-17T21:06:00.003-06:00

This weekend, we threw out all four of our SIGG bottles. In monetary terms, this is about $80 worth of merchandise that is now sitting in our recycling bin.

We're not ones who can easily afford to throw away $80, but SIGG bottles deserved to be trashed. Why?

First, as we blogged about last September, SIGG allowed consumers to be misled that their bottles were BPA free. They weren't. So we swapped out the old SIGG bottles for ones that had a new BPA-free liner.

After about four months of normal use - only water going into the bottles - the liner started peeling off. We don't know what is in the liner, but we do know that we don't want any of it in our water. Besides, what's the point of paying a premium price for something that is obviously of lousy quality? SIGG is clearly making an inferior product.

So, the decision was made to switch to stainless steel bottles. But which ones? As many of you know, there are multiple choices of stainless steel bottles, many of which claim to be BPA free.

Since just about all stainless steel bottles are made in China, we didn't want to take chances. After all, what is the point of saving a few dollars now and paying higher medical bills later because the bottle was made with inferior products? Think we're paranoid? Do a news search on "cadmium". Better yet, how do you know the bottles don't contain lead?

As a result, we wanted to limit our risks, which led to us to Klean Kanteen. This company has been around for years and has continuously received high marks from environmental groups. In other words, we have a legitimate reason to believe these bottles are safe. And unlike SIGG, there is no liner to worry about.

Are Klean Kanteen bottles more expensive than what you will find at Wal-Mart or Target? Yes, but how much is your health worth to you? For paying an extra amount equal to the cost of two cups of coffee at Starbucks, you can get a bottle made by a company with a great reputation versus a bottle made by the lowest-cost producer.

To us the choice is clear, which is why we now own several Klean Kanteen bottles. And why our SIGG bottles are in the recycling bin.

Remember This Name: Li Ning

2010-01-05T18:11:00.001-06:00

In the not to distant future, you may start hearing about a new sportswear company – a Chinese sportswear company.

Li Ning is entering the U.S. market with a store in Portland, Oregon. As Marketplace reported last night, the company is looking to compete directly against Nike, Adidas and other big guns.

Can they compete? We have not seen Li Ning’s products and therefore cannot comment on the quality. What we can tell you is that it wasn’t that long ago that few people had heard of Under Armour.

NetSweat and Product Links

2010-01-05T17:46:00.002-06:00

A quick note about product links and our business model.

Throughout our site, there are links to various products on external web sites. Our business model is based on a combination of ads provided by Google and affiliations with various third-party web sites. We may receive monetary compensation if you click on a specific link or buy from an affiliated web site.

Though the primary goal of NetSweat.com is to promote healthy lifestyles, we need certain level of revenues to pay for the cost (including our time) of running this site. Furthermore, we believe there is value to highlighting products that help you get and stay in shape.

Though we are not responsible for any site or product listed on NetSweat.com, we do monitor what goes on NetSweat.com. Furthermore, if we see a product that we find questionable, we say so on this blog.

We do not collect email addresses or other personal user data. Nor do we have plans to do so.

Thanks for visiting NetSweat.com.

The Simpsons - Role Models for Good Health?

2009-10-06T07:57:00.004-05:00

Son of a diddly! The British Government is going to promote The Simpsons as role models of good health. Yes, we're talking about Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.

Evidently some researchers looked at Bart's exercise habits and Lisa's diet (she is a vegetarian) and decided that they actually lead healthy lifestyles. (Obviously, Homer's lust for donuts and beer was not considered....)

And less you think we are making this up, here is an article from the Guardian discussing the campaign.

Weight Loss Can Help You Sleep Better

2009-09-29T07:59:00.002-05:00

A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that losing weight can help you sleep better.

Researchers tracked 264 obese adults with type 2 diabetes. One group was put on a diet and required to exercise regularly. The other group received "3 group sessions related to effective diabetes management", but was not otherwise required to anything.

After 1 year, those required to diet and exercise lost considerably more weight. More importantly, those in the diet and exercise group were 3 times more likely to have "total remission" of their sleep apnea.

The study's authors concluded, "Physicians and their patients can expect that weight loss will result in significant and clinically relevant improvements in OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] among obese patients with type 2 diabetes."

The New Look of NetSweat.com

2009-09-26T17:44:00.007-05:00

NetSweat.com has a new look.

Ahead of our 14th anniversary (we launched NetSweat.com in June 1995), we decided that we didn't want a web site that looked, well, like it was 14 years old. So, we sat down and thought if we were going to launch the site again, from scratch, what we would do?

The answer to us we have a site that was easier to use. And that's what we did. We re-categorized everything into common themes and changed the layout. The result is a site that loads faster and is easier to navigate.

For instance, say you are looking for yoga equipment. You could click on the hyperlink in the last sentence, or you could select "Fitness Equipment" from the menu at the top of every page and select "yoga equipment". One click from anywhere on the site to anywhere else you want to go.

Now, this is not cutting edge technology by any means and quite frankly, we don't need cutting edge technology. We just want to do our small part to help you stay healthy and become more fit. And if making our site a little easier to use plays a role, then we're happy.

Unfortunately, the one page we have not addressed yet is our fitness blog page. The reason is that we are running the page through Google's Blogger service and, well, we're restricted to what we can do on the layout. But nearly every other page on our site has the new look. So you should surf around. And yes, we're looking into to altering the layout of this blog page too.

There are still various tweaks we need to make here and there, but with a fitness site that is 14 years old, we'll always have something we want to update or change. We're always pushing ourselves to do thing better and when you're working out, we hope you are pushing yourself too - whether its working on your form or pushing the intensity. Most importantly, we hope you are having fun doing it.

Thanks for helping us keep NetSweat.com going for all these years. We are looking forward to many more.

SIGG Misled Me

2009-09-12T11:07:00.001-05:00

I've long advocated using a SIGG bottle instead of plastic bottles. I really thought they were safer. I even convinced many people to switch to SIGG bottles. Sadly I was misled.

The reason for buying SIGG bottles is that they were supposed to be BPA free. For years, the company allowed this reputation to grow, doing nothing to stop it. A few weeks ago, the truth started coming out that SIGG bottles actually contain trace amounts of BPA - a chemical that can leach into the water.

There is a great article on Salon.com that explains the controversy and why you should get rid of your SIGG, especially, if it is more than a year old. Your bottle is not as safe as you think it is.

It pains me to say this, because I have long been a big supporter of SIGG bottles. I personally have SIGG bottles at home and at the office, because I really thought they were safer. The company betrayed my trust and I see no reason why I should believe them now.

And I'm not alone, as Greener Design eloquently explained earlier this month. Patagonia also ended its relationship with SIGG.

Going back to plastic bottles is not an option. Forget the environment, plastic bottles leach chemicals into the water. In other words, you end up consuming more than just water, and that's not good. In fact, it can mess with your immune system.

A better option seems to be Klean Kanteen. This is a stainless steel bottle that, from what we can tell, puts no chemicals in your body. I'll probably buy these for myself in the next day or two.

In the meantime, if you are insistent on keeping your SIGG, you can exchange at most REI and Whole Food stores this month.

-Charles
Publisher, NetSweat.com

Terrell Owens' Exercise Routine

2009-09-01T06:56:00.004-05:00

The Wall Street Journal interviewed Terrell Owens about his strength training routine. Regardless of what you think about the wide receiver, he remains in amazing shape. Plus, his reliance on using resistance bands is something you can replicate at home.

Check out the video and get details about TO's workout on the Wall Street Journal's web site.

If you want to try Owens' fitness routine, Amazon.com sells a wide of variety of exercise bands at good prices.

iTunes Can Help You Get Fit

2009-08-30T11:13:00.002-05:00

iTunes is commonly known for its wide assortment of music, but did you know it can also help you get fit? There are a wide variety of podcasts in iTunes U that discuss exercise and diet. Best of all, these podcasts are free.

Here are a few of them:

Health and Nutrition - Eating better to prevent disease, from Cornell University. Highlighted in this month's issue of Self Magazine
Mind-Body Practices - Focus on yoga, Tai Chi and other practices. Produced by M.D. Anderson
Fitness Fanatic - Caters to getting kids up and moving

Better Clothing For Exercise

2009-08-17T12:42:00.000-05:00

We recently received an email from Adidas about their new CLIMA365 men's clothing line. The technology is designed to regulate your body temperature while wicking away sweat.

If you're still wearing cotton T-shirts to work out in, you really should consider upgrading. Don't get us wrong, we love cotton. However, the performance fabrics, such as CLIMACOOL really make a huge a difference in comfort. In the summer months, it's much easier to stay cool. And in the colder temperatures, the performance materials make it easier to stay warm.

The added bonus is that these fabrics are lighter, so you can layer easily or simply have less bulk. Most importantly, the clothes last longer.

Most of the major brands have their own type of performance fabrics. We've had great experience with Adidas, but you can do well with other brands too.

Trust us, once you switch, you'll realize that your cotton tee is great for lounging around, but not so great for working out.

Water Aerobic Shoe Recommendations

2009-08-07T13:59:00.001-05:00

Water aerobics is a great way to exercise, but having the right shoes for it makes it even better.

Though water creates buoyancy, jumping on and off a pool floor still creates stress on the joints. Furthermore, because of the water, you are not always landing in a natural position or in a manner that evenly distributes stress.

Water socks, those flimsy shoes that many people wear in the water, aren't good choices. While they protect the soles of the feet from abrasion, they don't do much else.

A better choice are shoes specifically designed for water aerobics. These will provide the support and shock absorption you need, while still drying out quickly.

Here are 4 suggestions for good water aerobic shoes:

Bipartisan Health Care Reform That's Not Being Discussed

2009-07-27T12:58:00.003-05:00

For all of the talk about health care reform, there is one bill you're not hearing about - the Healthy Americans Act. The bill is bipartisan, provides universal coverage, gives consumers choices and reduces costs.

So why aren't you hearing about it? As NPR discussed on Friday, the bill's sponsors don't chair the primary committees discussing reform and the bill represents too radical of change for many. The biggest sticking point is that this legislation would completely sever the link between the employer and health benefits.

We're advocates of the U.S. adopting more Swiss-style health care system, where profitable insurance and drug companies continue to exist. Though there will downside to any reform proposal, we think this bill may be the most workable and realistic legislation coming out of Washington.

We urge you to contact your senators and your representative about the Healthy Americans Act and get them to seriously consider it.

Wii Sports Resort Could Get You Off The Couch

2009-07-22T08:57:00.003-05:00

Wii Sports Resort will be released later this month - and we're excited to see it.

The game adds entirely new activities to get you off of the couch, including Frisbee®, basketball, cycling, table tennis and wakeboarding. We're particularly excited about swordplay, which is something we've long thought was well suited for the Wii.

Though the game's predecessor, Wii Sports, was no substitute for going to gym, it did provide a workout. We think Wii Sports Resort could have the potential to burn even more calories. The best thing is that you probably won't even realize you're exercising.

Oh, as an added bonus, Wii Sports Resort comes packaged with the Wii MotionPlus, a new add-on that allows the remote to more accurately track your movements.

You can preorder the game from Amazon.com, which may be a good move considering that we're hearing rumors about the game being sold out soon after its July 26 release date.

Earning A Living From Running

2009-07-20T17:09:00.002-05:00

Making a living from sports is something many of us would like to do, but few us have the talent to make a reality.

But, if you've ever wondered what's involved in becoming and staying a professional athlete, then check out Marketplace's recent Working In America segment. The business radio show recently interviewed Kenyan marathoner Salina Kosgei about what it takes to be and stay a professional athlete.

How To Keep The Weight Off

2009-07-14T17:35:00.000-05:00

I've kept the 30 pounds that I lost off for a year. My secret for doing so is simple: I eat better, I exercise daily and I get on the scale every morning.

No magic diet plan and no pills. Just the tried and true methods for weight loss.

I'm more aware than ever of what I eat, even though my diet could still be improved further. I place a bigger emphasis on eating unprocessed foods, which means more fruit, vegetables and nuts. I look at sugar content on labels and limit my consumption of soda. (I've have yet to completely kick Coke out of my diet.)

I also eat smaller portions and make an attempt to eat slower.

My experience has been that I was eating too much before. What I've since found is that I don't need chips with a sandwich and I don't need to eat everything that is served to me. I also put the fork down between bites. This might sound simple, but it goes a long way towards slowing the pace at which I eat.

As far as exercise, I do yoga every morning. Even if I'm tired and have hit the snooze button, I still try to get at least a few minutes in. (Most mornings, I do 20-25 minutes before getting ready for work.) I also do cardio a few times a week as well as an attend yoga classes.

Finally, I get on the scale just about every morning. This reminds me of what I've done and what I need to keep doing. I've found by doing this, I've kept my weight pretty steady, which is important to long-term health.

None of this occurred overnight. New habits take time. But, I did develop them by staying focus on my goal and being conscious about both my exercise and eating habits. If you want to permanently lose weight, it will require a change in lifestyle as well as commitment. But, you can do it.

If need help getting started, visit our Weight Loss Book page.

Overweight? It May Be Your Diet

2009-06-29T17:13:00.002-05:00

If you’re finding that you can’t shed those pounds, take a good, long look at your diet.

There is a good chance that it’s worst than you think. In fact, you might be eating far more calories (and far fewer vitamins and nutrients) then you realize.

For instance, as I write this, a gentlemen sitting near me on the train, is eating flavored popcorn. (I think it's caramel.) I’m sure it tastes great, but it’s a daily snack for him. And a high caloric snack at that.

Just the same, I constantly see people getting breakfast sandwiches, when a pot of oatmeal is sitting right behind them. I know this, because I eat oatmeal most mornings. Though not the lowest calorie meal, it is both filling and very healthy.

Or there is Subway, where people ask for cheese, oil and dressing. All of this adds up.

You don’t have to have a perfect diet to lose weight, just one that is better than you are eating now. Make a conscious effort to include more vegetables. Eat smaller portions. Go for whole grains. And look for healthier snacks.

I don’t have a perfect diet and you don’t have to either. Just one that is better than it is now. Small changes add up to big benefits over time.

If you feel like you would benefit from a diet plan, visit our diet books page at:
http://www.netsweat.com/weight_loss/weight_loss_book.html

Supplements - Do You Really Know What's In Them?

2009-06-10T17:25:00.001-05:00

Does your supplement or vitamin really contain the ingredients you think it does?

There is a real chance that it doesn't. An Associated Press article says that one-quarter of supplements tested over the last decade have some type of problem. At best, the claims made on the bottle are erroneous. At worst, the mislabeling, or down right fraud, could harm you.

The problem is that FDA cannot pull a supplement from the shelves unless there is a body of evidence to prove that agency should act. As a result, supplement manufacturers are essentially free to sell you whatever they want to.

So what do you do?

First, be careful about what you put into your body. Just because a commercial or a salesman tells you that a supplement is good, doesn't mean it is. Be skeptical.

Second, check out the supplement. ConsumerLab.com tests vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and generic drugs. The $29.95 you'll pay to access the site is a small price to pay to make sure that supplement is what it says it is.

Finally, remember there is no magic pill for losing weight. If you want to be slimmer and feel younger, eat more vegetables and exercise every day.

Get Ripped Abs with a Yoga Block

2009-06-01T08:52:00.002-05:00

If you want ripped abs, get a yoga block.

I use one nearly every day. And I’ll match it up against any piece of ab equipment for effectiveness. On cost-benefit basis, it will win hands down. On a six-pack ab basis, it will also win.

Why?

Simple, many exercises are done incorrectly because people are not engaging their core.

Think about when you do a push up - how much thought do you put ino what your legs are doing? If you’re like most people, you’re thinking about your arms and your chest. But, the correct form for a push-up (or plank for you yoga folks) is a straight line from your head to your heels.

Holding a yoga block between your legs forces you hold your legs straight. This, in turn, engages your core and strengthens your abs. If you’ve never done a push-up correctly, trust me, it’s different and more powerful experience.

It’s not just push-ups, however. A yoga block can make many exercises more powerful: sun salutations (a.k.a touching your toes), sit-ups, etc. Many exercises that require you to keep your legs steady and engage your core can be made more effective by just holding a yoga block between your legs.

Plus, once you have a yoga block, you’ll find that is extremely versatile. It can help you stretch and improve your balance. And it works great for meditating.

Please note, that like any piece of fitness equipment, a yoga block can cause injury. For example, I don’t do twists while holding a yoga block between my legs. I’d also be careful about lifting weights, mostly because you don’t want to lose your balance. Use common sense and ask a personal trainer or a fitness instructor to help you with your form.

Doping Raid At Belgium Bodybuilding Championship

2009-05-18T12:19:00.004-05:00

The AP is reporting that the Belgium bodybuilding championship was canceled after doping officials showed up. (Editors note: there is a more complete article on Yahoo.)

The sport, unfortunately, continues to be rampant with steroid abuse. Though there are natural bodybuilding contests that ban illegal use of drugs, there still continues to a be large contingent of competitors who rely on steroids and other pharmaceuticals to bulk up.

We'd like to see ALL sports and competitions do more to stop the illegal use of drugs. While there will always be some athletes seeking an artificial advantage, enforcing tough rules at the stop of sports will help to deter those at lower levels - especially teenagers - from using drugs.

Hydroxycut Has Serious Side Effects - Stop Using It

2009-05-01T18:44:00.007-05:00

The FDA is warning you to stop using Hydroxycut, now. The weight loss drug is associated with serious side effects.

In a press release issued today, the FDA stated that it "has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure."

The entire press release can be read on the FDA's web site.

Most supplements are not tested by the FDA, leaving consumers to trust that the manufacturers are creating safe products. There is often no way to know if the supplement is safe, or if there is any interference with other medicines or supplements.

In other words, every time you take a supplement, you are voluntarily making yourself a guinea pig. Tell your doctor and your pharmacist what supplements you are taking and what drugs you also take.

Or better yet, don't take supplements.

Need to lose weight? Eat more vegetables, keep a food journal and exercise. Not only are these effective, they are also much safer than taking an unknown supplement.

We Ski and Snowboard Is Good, Not Great

2009-04-28T09:31:00.002-05:00

We Ski and Snowboard is a sequel to Namco's We Ski. We Ski, released last year, was one of the first non-Nintendo games to take advantage of the Wii Fit Balance Board.

We Ski & Snowboard adds snowboarding to the mix, some new mountains and new characters. The snowboarding element basically allows you turn the balance board perpendicular to the TV and that's about it. You still cannot control your speed.

If you've played We Ski and like it, you'll probably like We Ski & Snowboard, though it's more of an extension than an upgrade. If you've never played either, you might as well go for the newer game.

The nice thing about skiing games for the Wii is that they help improve your balance. Down correctly, balance games force you to move your hips and shift your weight - exercises that are not often done. You won't get buff playing these games, but you will move - and that's a positive. Plus, as it gets hot outside, who wouldn't want to think about snow and a cool breeze?

This game won't get you buff, but it will get you off the couch and can add to your fitness regime. If you do a lot of walking, running or cycling, a balance game such as this will help to use muscles in a different way then you currently are - and that's a positive.

Yoga DVDs

2009-04-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

We just updated our Yoga DVD page with popular titles for all levels - including beginner's yoga and power yoga.

You can view the page at: http://www.netsweat.com/Pilates_Yoga/yoga_DVD.html

Swine Flu and the Gym

2009-04-27T11:50:00.002-05:00

In light of the news about swine flu, we're going to republish advice we have about protecting yourself against cold viruses at the gym. The same advice also helps reduce your risk of catching the flu, or any other bug that is making it's rounds.

The old rule of washing your hands and avoiding wiping your face with unclean hands or towels is your best defense. When using equipment, wipe it down both BEFORE and after your workout. Most gyms have wipes or spray bottles and towels. Use them. A small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket also can help.

If you need to wipe sweat off, use your sleeve or a towel that you brought in. Make sure the towel is sitting on a piece of wiped down equipment.

If you generally take water or sports drink with you, pour it into a bottle with a nozzle or straw. Open the bottle with your teeth or clean hands. Wet surfaces spread disease much faster than dry surfaces, hence the need for caution.

Finally, if you're sick or feeling a bit under the weather, stay at home. You'll recover faster. Plus, it's simple courtesy to everyone else at the gym.

None of this will guarantee that you won't get sick, but it will help. A healthy diet and plenty of rest is also good.

And call your doctor if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.