Getting To The Core Of Your Golf Swing
September 20, 2007
At some point, almost all of us struggle with efforts to improve our golf game. Many will try videos, books, hours with a teaching pro, the newest club, and swing after swing to no avail. While there’s some improvement, it’s just not what you’d anticipated. What could be the problem?
The golf swing involves many components that must be executed with precision timing and skill. Properly fitted clubs are an important part of this total solution. It’s easy to understand the movements you need to be making with the help of a professional golf instructor, videos, and even books. Then why can’t you implement what you know?
One aspect that is beginning to receive lots of attention is the body itself. Professionals and amateurs alike are spending more of their time with flexibility and strength training to improve their game. Your body’s level of fitness can have major a impact on the quality of your golf swing, and thus your scores. By having your body in optimal physical condition, your golf game will improve and the chance of injury or strain is greatly reduced.
Elliptical Trainer Ratings - Of Rants and Ratings
September 20, 2007
A large selection of elliptical trainer ratings can be found in every website upon pressing the keywords on a search engine. But what exactly is a credible elliptical trainer rating?
Elliptical trainer ratings, when viewed properly and heeded accordingly, claim to bring good value to your money. Before you purchase your own elliptical trainer, it’s ideal to check the current elliptical trainer ratings for the particular model you wish to buy so that you could see how well it fares in comparison to other elliptical trainers available online. No equipment brand without a competent stand in relation to other available brands may be considered of good quality. This is one good thing about elliptical trainers: your options are infinite. One could not afford to get lost in it, though.
These elliptical trainer ratings summarize the pros and cons of every product that is evaluated by the reviewers in detail. This summary educates consumers and prevents them from not just buying anything that they first see on their screen (if they’re purchasing online, which is usually the case). The deception from a well-photographed elliptical trainer may be avoided, as well as other common mistakes equipment buyers make. Most of these elliptical trainer ratings come with a picture of every elliptical trainer being described, along with the specifications of each brand, usually in chart form. Dimensions are also provided, so relative shapes and sizes may also be reckoned.
Creating A Golf Fitness Program
September 19, 2007
For the average golfer embarking on a total golf fitness program may sound a little overwhelming. Fitting the program into your schedule on a regular basis may seem like something for which you simply don’t have the time. However, it’s not as hard to accomplish as you may be thinking. The benefits will apply not only to better golf, but to increased fitness and stamina in other areas of your life as well. The time spent can be a great investment in yourself both on and off the course.
The major components of a well designed golf conditioning program include: strength training, flexibility training, cardiovascular conditioning, posture and balance training, nutrition and diet, and injury prevention techniques for golf. The benefits of a golf specific program are well documented. It’s a fact that a stronger, more flexible body plays better golf. Golfers have significantly improved driving distance, lowered handicaps, and reduced injuries.
The first step to beginning a well planned golf program is to adequately assess your current situation. This evaluation should include:
? Strength and flexibility evaluation: This will help to determines which of your muscle groups are flexible, which are inflexible, and which muscle groups are strong and which are weak.
Child Yoga ? What is All the Fun About?
September 19, 2007
Many adults have taken up yoga, but yoga has not gained as the same popularity with children. Child yoga can offer many of the same benefits to kids as it does to adults.
What can yoga offer your child?
A healthier body ? Childhood obesity is on the rise and one of the main reasons for it is that kids today do not move enough. Yoga is a powerful technique for children to begin moving their bodies in ways that feel good and help them look good. Even if your child is of normal weight, yoga can help her become stronger, gain endurance and flexibility. If your child is involved in another sport, a regular yoga practice is a great cross training activity and it may help him reduce the risk of injuries.
The ability to control stress ? Today’s children are under enormous stress. They are often over scheduled, they face tough competition in school, they have to deal with peer pressure, and they are trying to find their way in the world. This combination can cause children to become stressed out. Yoga can help your child learn how to relax. When your child learns how to control her breathing and relax during her practice, she can then apply this to her world when she encounters challenging situations.
10 Things You Can Do To Lose Fat Without Even Trying
September 18, 2007
1. Eat smaller more frequent meals - not only is your metabolism boosted every time you eat something, your body can more efficiently process smaller meals. Instead of having 3 large meals in a day, try to break them up into 5 or 6 smaller meals.
2. Drink more water - regular water intake helps to flush away waste products in the body. Get at least six to eight 8 oz. glasses per day. An easy way to do this is to keep a water bottle handy and drink from it frequently.
3. Be inefficient - do you need to go to the kitchen to get a couple of things? Break it up into to two trips even if you can do it in one. Being inefficient like this can easily double your activity level, burning calories without even trying.
4. Eat more protein - sources of protein include foods such as chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, lean red meats, etc. Your body burns more calories processing protein than either carbohydrates or fats. Protein also helps to support your muscle tissue, which burns calories all day long!
See How Trampolines Can Be Part Of Any Exercise Program
September 18, 2007
When the trampoline was invented by a young boy intrigued by the ability of aerialists to bounce in a net and perform artistic maneuvers while they did so, it literally became the “springboard” for a whole new sport.
George Nissen, who was a tumbler and gymnast himself, took the sports to a whole new height by putting them on canvas strung in a metal frame. Over the years, the canvas has been replaced by nylon weave, and the frames are made lighter and more stable. And the sport has evolved to incorporate elements of gymnastics, ballet, and even diving.
Trampolines first became available to the public through entertainment venues where you paid for a ticket to bounce around for a specified time. Eventually, they found their way into schools, then gyms, then into organized associations as a real, and challenging competitive sport.
While the world championships allow for a variety of competitions, including team events, and synchronized trampoline routines where two people perform on separate equipment, the Olympics at this time, recognizes only the individual skills event.
A set of ten skills must be performed in two voluntary qualifying routines, and in the final routine for the eight qualifying competitors. These skills may include such maneuvers as front and back somersaults, with or without a twist.
Aikido Philosophy: An Oriental Concept of Energy, Self, and Mind
September 17, 2007
Preface
There are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and perceive, utilize, and benefit from energy. What I offer here is one of many ways. Indeed when I do other kinds of activities I perceive of and work with energy in quite a different manner. What follows is my experience of energy while performing Aikido over the course of more than twenty years. Certainly there are likely to be many other Aikido practitioners that would explain their experiences and beliefs in a manner that is somewhat different than mine. I offer you here, one experience, my experience, and thus all that I say is part of my belief system, and not at all necessarily THE truth.
Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art, and it does not have an attack form. We do not kick, punch, or in any other manner, attempt to hurt our opponent.
The meaning of Aikido:
“Ai” To gather or harmonize.
“Ki” Universal life force/energy.
This is the energy that we share with nature and all living beings.
“Do” An artful path of discovery.
“Aikido” An artful path of discovering how to gather and harmonize the energy of the universe.
Women?s Golf And Exercise
September 17, 2007
While golf is long overdue to benefit from the application of fitness, thanks to women like Annika Sorenstam, women are now realizing strength training and flexibility conditioning aren’t just for men. The benefits on the golf course are well worth the effort of sticking to a regular golf fitness regime.
Today’s women golfers are more determined than ever to stake their claim to the golf course and a higher standard of performance. One of the primary factors allowing women to compete more competently on the course is fitness. From the baby boomers to the juniors, golfers are beginning to realize the advantages of increasing strength and flexibility. The women are no exception.
Here are some things women should keep in mind as they begin regular golf fitness training:
Women tend to be more flexible than their male counterparts. While there are exceptions to every rule, women can typically use stretching more for maintenance of flexibility as opposed to achieving or re-establishing full range of motion.
While flexibility for female golfers is important, strength is essential. Most women would be well served to place emphasis on building muscle strength to be more competitive. You should place emphasis on strength of the posterior chain muscles (lower back, glutes, and hamstrings), the abdominal muscles, and the shoulder girdle.
Ironman Treadmills
September 16, 2007
Ironman Treadmills - For The Guy Who Does The Ironing
Ironman Treadmills are produced by Keys Fitness Products, which also produces Keys, Alliance, Discovery, Healthtrainer, and Encore treadmills. Ironman treadmill models are in two series, the newer Ironman T Series and the substantial Ironman M Series.
The Ironman Triad, a very recent model made exclusively for Costco, the discount retailer, combines features of both machines.
The two Ironman Series include models more suited for general fitness and health conditioning, like the t150, t220, t320 and the m2, m3, and m4, but they also include heavy weight machines like the m5, which, like the other models listed, folds away, and the m6, which has a conventional frame for greater stability in training.
Ironman prices its treadmills from under $1000 to around $2000.
A Full Range Of Choices
The Ironman Triad treadmill has the modern design of the T Series but shares features with the M5, judged a Best Buy in at least one online review.
Its weight capacity is that of the M5, 375 lbs, but its motor–3.0CHP, maximum speed (10MPH), Touch Button controls, remote controls, heart rate monitoring and control, and number of preset, customized, and heart rate programs, fifteen, are all like the M6.
Teenagers Top The Leader Board At The Womens US Open
September 16, 2007
Determination, poise, focus and talent were abundant, as teens topped the leader board at the 2005 Women’s US Open. Younger players at the 2005 US Women’s Open gained much more than experience. They definitely made their impact as the future leaders in womens golf Michelle Wie (15), Morgan Pressel (17), Paula Creamer (18) and Brittany Lang (19) were among some of the teens competing on the course at Cherry Hills Village, CO for the coveted title of Women’s US Open champion. All three finished in the top 25 Pressel tied for the #2 spot with Brittany Lang, Creamer 19th, and Wie finished tied for the 23rd spot.
The final round on Sunday began with the winner Birdie Kim trailing third-round leaders Morgan Pressel, Karen Stupples and Michelle Wie by one shot. Approaching the 18th hole, Pressel and Kim were tied for the lead. In an instant Kim holed out of a bunker to make golf history, and shatter the hopes of 17-year-old amateur Morgan Pressel.
The teens playing in this year’s Women’s Open all displayed persistence and commitment to golf that can be envied by most players young or old. These young women are making history in more than one way. They are bringing more attention than ever before to women’s golf. They are set to break records as well as meet the challenge of competing with their male counterparts.
