Sport And Recreation

Beginner Runners - How To Breathe Properly

2008-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest problems for beginner runners is not knowing how to breathe properly. If you are just starting out you will know how discouraging it feels to be out of breath after exercising for only short time. So what’s the solution?

First of all it helps to understand why we start breathing hard after exerting ourselves.

Why we get out of breath
In non-scientific terms out bodies simply need more oxygen to perform an exercise than we can supply through our breathing. When you first start out on a run you don’t notice your breathing, but after a while you’ll start to feel out of breath. This point of needing more oxygen is called our anaerobic threshold.

How Training Helps
If you are just beginning an exercise program and are out of shape, your anaerobic threshold level will be quite low, compared to that of a more experienced athlete. You goal is to gradually increase that level through training until you can run long distances comfortably without getting out of breath. People who run marathons are a great example of this – their bodies tire out long before they are ever out of breath.

As a beginner runner you have to focus on increasing your anaerobic threshold without being discouraged before you get there. Don’t go out with more experienced runners, you’ll be really struggling to try and keep up. Don’t try to run every day either – your body needs time to recover.

Here are some more key points for you to follow:

Run – Walk Combination
It’s best to start with a run-walk routine. A good place to start is with a 3-4 minute slow jog, followed by a 3-4 minute walk. Every day or so, gradually increase the running time while deceasing the walking time until you reach say 12 minutes running to 3 minutes walking. At this point you should notice a marked difference in your ability to run without getting out of breath. If you still are a little breathless, chances are you are running too fast. Slow down!

You should soon reach the stage where you can run 20 to 30 minutes without needing a break. Your anaerobic threshold is increasing! Depending on your current fitness level, age, weight etc it could take anywhere from 2 weeks to two months to reach this point. Don’t give up though - it will happen!

Nose or mouth?
Many people ask whether you should breathe through your nose or your mouth when you are running. As you start out you will be trying to get as much oxygen as possible and most people at this level breathe with both their nose and mouth. As you get fitter you’ll find that you will naturally inhale mostly through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

Deep Breathing?
Don’t try to breathe too deeply as you run or you’ll run out of oxygen. There’s a general rule of thumb that says you should be able to carry on a conversation while you are running. Again, as you get in better shape this should happen naturally.

Conclusion
Your fitness level and breathing pattern are closely related. It takes some time before you’ll be able to run consistently without getting out of breath. Simply be patient and monitor your progress to see the improvement. Keeping a running log is a great way to do this. See the link in the author bio’ below.

By: Michael Stapenhurst

How Meany People are Allowed to Play Soccer?

2008-11-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

Would you like to know how many people are allowed to play soccer? If so, I can give you some quick answers to how many people are allowed on the soccer field during a game. First of all, there are 11 players on each team, two teams to a game, so that makes 22 people on the soccer field at once. Soccer is an ancient sport that was supposedly created, and has been played ever since, 1004 BC. The game is played on a rectangular field, and the object of the game is to score points by placing the ball into the goals at the opposite ends of the soccer field. The only players on the soccer field that can use their hands are the goal keepers, who are situated in front of their teams' goals at opposite ends of the field.

Soccer is said to be the most popular sport in the world, and the official name of soccer is called association football. The most widely known world competition for soccer is the World Cup, and the rules or laws of the game have changed significantly since the creation of the game. Today, the European countries are very active in sponsoring professional soccer teams, and soccer, to the Europeans, is every bit as famous as football is to the United States.

How To Enjoy Bike Racing

2008-11-01T02:53:00.000-07:00

You'll be glad you started bicycling because you will have lots of fun and keep fit. You may also find a cycling event to be worthwhile, as you will enjoy the company of other cyclists who share your passion. It may even spur you to greater efforts as you try to keep up with or outdo cyclists who have more experience than you do.
While there might be bike tours in your area, there are tons held all over the country. You might think that you can't afford the expense of taking a trip just to take part in a cycling event. However, if you plan it as part of your vacation you'd be taking anyway, you can have the best of both worlds.
Taking place in a cycling event outside of your hometown or area has several advantages. First of all, if you choose when in a locale that is very different than your own home you can try out different terrains. You can get to see parts of the country you're not used to which can make cycling even more fun.
In addition this can be a group challenge. Registering for a bike race on a road in which you have never been on can be quite intriguing. As well as having information of the road before time knowing where exactly the hills and valleys are, you will still see areas of this route in which you will not be acquainted with. Keeping focused is important in making sure you continue staying on the correct course.
When doing a cycling event, one of the best things to do is to get the whole family involved. Not only will you have a non-competitive way to see the scenery around your whole town, you can get your family excised about fitness and spend more quality time with them as well.
There are even scenic or historical rides you can take while on vacation. Driving through a state park is fun but everything goes by so quickly. Taking place in an organized ride through the redwoods or the desert is a great way to take in the sites at a leisurely pace and take advantage of what nature has to offer at the same time.

By: Erica Ondale
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Taking part in a cycling event can be lots of fun as well, because you can get a sense of community and closeness with your fellow cyclists. There are bike tours all over the World. Taking place in an event outside of your hometown or area has several advantages. You can get to see parts of the country you're not used to which can make cycling even more fun.

Tennis Rackets

2008-11-01T02:46:00.000-07:00

Footwork, Grip and Strokes

Footwork is weight control. It is correct body position for strokes, and out of it all strokes should grow.

The tennis racket grip is a very essential part of a stroke, because a faulty
grip will ruin the finest serving.

The Western Grip is a natural grip for a top forehand drive. It is inherently weak for the backhand, as the only natural shot is a chop stroke.

The English grip, with the low wrist on all ground strokes, has proved very successful in the past, but the broken line of the arm and hand is weak under stress.

The Eastern American grip, is the English grip without the low wrist and broken line.

To acquire the forehand grip, hold the racket with the edge of the frame towards the ground and the face perpendicular, the handle towards the body,
and "shake hands" with it, just as if you were greeting a friend. The handle settled comfortably and naturally into the hand, the line of the arm, hand, and racket are one.

The swing brings the racket head on a line with the arm, and the whole racket is merely an extension of it.

The backhand grip is a quarter circle turn of hand on the handle, bringing the hand on top of the handle and the knuckles directly up. The shot travels across the wrist.

This is the best basis for a grip. Model your natural grip as closely as possible on these lines without sacrificing your own comfort or individuality.

Having once settled the racket in the hand, the next question is the position of the body and the order of developing strokes.

All tennis strokes, should be made with the body at right angles to the net, with the shoulders lined up parallel to the line of flight of the ball. The weight should always travel forward. It should pass from the back foot to the front foot at the moment of striking the ball.

Never allow the weight to be going away from the stroke. It is weight that determines the "pace" of a stroke, swing that, decides the "speed."

The definitions of "speed" and "pace".

"Speed" is the actual rate with which a ball travels through the air.

"Pace" is the momentum with which it comes off the ground.

Pace is weight. It is the "sting" the ball carries when it comes off the ground, giving the inexperienced or unsuspecting player a shock of force which the stroke in no way showed.

A great many players have both "speed" and "pace." Some shots may
carry both.

The order of learning strokes should be:

The Drive. Forehand and Backhand. This is the foundation of all tennis, for you cannot build up a net attack unless you have the ground stroke to open the way. Nor can you meet a net attack successfully unless you can drive, as that is the only successful passing shot.

The service.

The Volley and Overhead Smash.

The Chop or Half Volley and other incidental and ornamental
strokes.

By: Carolen

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Please visit tennis tips for more tennis information.

Improve Your Golf Swing With The Golf Swing Guru

2008-11-01T02:44:00.000-07:00

There is a reason why "The Simple Golf Swing" is the # 1 rated golf instruction system on the internet...because IT WORKS. The number of golfers in Australia, Great Britain, South Africa and the United States benefiting from "The Simple Golf Swing" has absolutely skyrocketed!

The number of golfers in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway using this golf swing system has doubled in the last 60 days! We are receiving hundreds of letters and emails daily from people who are shooting the best scores in their lives!

Now is the time to fix that golf swing, once and forever. Start hitting the Fairway! We have helped THOUSANDS of golfers worldwide.

We are here to help your game. Your GOLF SWING is what drives your score...not your clubs or the ball you play. That is the truth in simple terms.

Is your golf swing providing you with the results you need to compete? Are you throwing strokes away by topping, slicing or hooking the ball?

How many penalty strokes do you typically have during a round? Only you can answer those questions. The "Simple Golf Swing" is eliminating those problems for thousands of golfers worldwide.

You want a great golf swing? You can have it. You want to be able to chip the ball close to the pin? You will be putting the ball closer than you ever have in your life, and you'll be doing it within hours of discovering this system.

You want to know what you should be thinking as you are preparing to hit the ball? It's all laid out for you.

In short, it's about using the spine as an axis to promote consistency and to keep you on the correct swing plane. You'll learn the correct hand action so that you can add distance to every shot. You'll learn the correct timing to get straight ball flight, and consistent direction.

You get a step-by-step guide on the full swing, a step-by-step guide on the short game, a mental guide, and personal coaching to make all of this happen quickly and easily.

By: Robert McEwan

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more information on the Golf Swing Guru Guide please visit the weblink below. www.all-about-golf.co.uk/golfswing.htm

Knowing Your Florida Golf School Instructors Job Will Help You, Too

2008-11-01T02:40:00.000-07:00

Teaching at a Florida golf school can be a very rewarding experience. The experience a teacher brings to his students should be just as rewarding. There are things that a Florida golf school instructor can do to make sure that her students have a great time learning golf tips from the professionals that they count on.

One thing that a Florida golf school instructor can do is make the students feel comfortable right off the bat. A smile with a nurturing attitude can go a long way. While the point of instructing at a Florida golf school is to have one on one time with the students, an instructor should never put them on the spot to the point that they feel uncomfortable or overly nervous. Before each lesson, the students should be given time to just hit a few balls for about 10 minutes to warm up. This helps them relax and get in the groove at a Florida golf school.

After the first day or two, instructors at a Florida golf school should have their students pull out a few specific clubs that they would like to have more practice with. Instructors at a Florida golf school should take care to not overload their students with too much information too soon. Keeping information short, sweet, and to the point is the best way to ensure that students are able to follow all of the important points that are made from start to finish. Once they have a good grip on the key points of the lesson, then the instructor should move on to more specific, pinpointed topics.

Students should also always have a pile of balls in front of them, no matter what the practices entail. This is a time saver, and helps the students at the Florida golf school get the full benefit out of the time they have paid for. Time isnt wasted hunting down balls that have gone out. Each lesson should begin with a brief rundown of the days itinerary. This helps provide structure and a routine, which by nature humans feel comfortable with.

A final good tip for instructors who want to be successful at teaching at a Florida golf school is to never get into a situation where they have to let other players play through. This scenario carries with it the possibility of the student feeling rushed, nervous, or as if they are not playing well enough or fast enough. The student may begin to feel inadequate, and like they are not keeping up with the lessons like they should be. Any instructor at a Florida golf school should adhere to these simple rules to make sure that their students are getting the best education in golf possible. The whole point, of course, is to make the student happy. As a student at a Florida golf school, you need to make sure that your instructor is following through with these important points to make sure that you are getting the utmost quality out of the lessons that you are paying for.

By: Kelly Renaul

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To know more about Florida golf school please visit out website.

Great Equipment For California Golf Schools

2008-11-01T02:33:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of different equipment that golfers in California golf schools use during competitions and practices. There are things that are commonly found at California golf schools, like the club and the golf ball, and there are things that are not so common, like adhesive clubface surfaces and rangefinders. This is a rundown of some of the equipment that pertains to golf, and whether or not they can be used at California golf schools, in competitions, and if they are illegal.

There are many small but important accessories to use when golfing at California golf schools that will make your game better and less stressful. A golf tee is a wooden or plastic object that resembles a nail with a small cup on top. These are used to hold the ball up off of the ground to make an easier shot. However, a tee may only be used on the first shot of each hole. Gloves for golf are also a very small but very important necessity. The gloves are worn to prevent blisters on the hand and to improve grip, allowing a harder swing and a farther drive. Usually a left handed player wears a glove on his right hand and a right handed player wears a glove on his left hand.

There are some pieces of equipment that you may or may not be exposed to during your time learning the game at California golf schools that are useful and helpful during practices, but are illegal in competitions. The first are adhesive pads that can be placed on the surfaces of clubs. These adhesive surfaces create an exaggerated backspin and provide more consistent shots. These are illegal in competition. The next illegal (though useful in practice) things are rangefinders. These can measure the exact distance between where a golfer is standing and the hole. At California golf schools, although they are illegal for the PGA, they do allow individual clubs the option of using them on their course.

There is some equipment that youll find at California golf schools that are pretty common, and everyone has heard of them. The golf ball first appeared as a small ball made of leather with feathers inside, and was called a featherie. Modern golf balls have multiple layers, and have a rubber core. The ball is covered with 300 450 of those little dimples to improve the aerodynamics of the ball. As for clubs, there are three main types: the club, the iron, and the wood. Wedges are irons that are used for short shots. Woods are used for long shots from the fairway or tee, and irons are for the precision from the fairway.

Towels are important things to keep on hand during your time at California golf schools. Many golf bags have a ring or clip to which you can attach a towel to. Towels, of course, are to wipe hands, faces, ball surfaces, and club faces. Then we have shoes. The golf shoe is designed with interchangeable metal or plastic spikes on the bottom to improve a golfers control and traction during a swing.

By: Kelly Renaul

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To know more about California golf schools please visit our website.

Digital Scouting Cameras: One Year of Testing

2008-10-20T03:40:00.000-07:00

by: John Cook

It has been a year since I decided to test and review digital scouting cameras. Through doing these tests I’d hoped to give hunters some good information that would help them as they shopped for a digital scouting camera of their own. I think I have accomplished this and fortunately for me, I’ve had a lot of fun doing the tests.
I’m not sure exactly how many pictures I’ve taken but it is over 10,000. I received the first bobcat picture in the last batch and have yet to get a picture of a coyote, but sooner or later I’ll get one. It’s still exciting to get each group of pictures.
So far I have used eleven digital scouting cameras and am currently trying to decide which one I will try next. There are still plenty to choose from.
What have I learned over the past year?
For the most part you get what you pay for. Although there are some expensive cameras in the $300 plus range that aren’t much better than the cheaper ones there aren’t any in the under $200 range that come close to those in the $400 plus range.
You can’t beat a real digital camera for good picture quality. There are some hunters out there that do not care an ounce about picture quality but there is a difference. The higher mega pixel scouting cameras that have come out are an improvement over their predecessors but their prices are higher and they do not match the picture quality.
If the possibility of your camera being stolen is a factor you have a tough decision to make. The cheaper cameras are lacking in their ability to be locked to a tree whereas the better cameras come with much more secure locking capabilities. This makes for a tough decision. Buy a cheap scouting camera that is easy to steal or buy a more expensive one that is harder to steal. Whatever you do, don’t buy an expensive one that does not have good locking capabilities.
The latest is an infrared model and I’m not completely sold on it although it is still early in my testing. I’m not sure about the pink black and white (can this be) pictures, I’ve been somewhat spoiled by good quality nighttime pictures. I’m not convinced that these cameras are less susceptible to thievery either. An intruder would definitely see the flash but the red IR lights are very noticeable as well and they stay lit for a few seconds. I’m thinking a flash could possibly be mistaken for lightening whereas the red IR lights are a real eye catcher. As far as your digital scouting camera being stolen the IR versus flash may be a wash. The real advantage with the IR may be the distance issue.
For me batteries are a difference maker. The cameras I have that use AA rechargeable batteries and/or get six months plus from a single 9-volt battery are head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd. One of the major advantages of digital scouting cameras is how cheap they are to operate as compared to 35mm models. If you are buying a lot of batteries the advantage of a digital camera is lessened somewhat and more importantly it is a pain in the rear end.
In 2006 I’ll continue to purchase and test digital scouting cameras, have the enjoyment of viewing another 10,000 pictures and hopefully help the hunting community in the process.

An Introduction to the Game of Bowling

2008-10-20T03:24:00.000-07:00

by: Ray Gaunt

Bowling is a game of scoring points by knocking down pins with balls. Fundamentally, a player rolls a heavy bowling ball into a flat surface to knock down arranged pins of nine or ten, depending on the game you play. There are several forms of bowling; some are played indoors which usually uses a lane or a long flat polished wood surface with gutters along the length of the lane. Primary examples of these indoor types are the feather bowling, duckpin bowling, candlepin bowling, ninepin skittles, five pin bowling and the most popular form of bowling which is the Ten-pin. Ten-pin bowling is very similar to the other forms, except the game obviously uses ten pins which the player should attempt to knock down as many pins possible to score points. The game has ten frames with each frame consisting two rolls for each competing player. Another popular bowling variant is the Five-pin bowling which is often played in Canada. It is a recent modification of Ten-pin bowling but instead of two attempts, Five-pin has three attempts, and each attempt can be thrown in quick succession. The game employs smaller balls without fingerholes, making it difficult to attain a perfect score since splits are more frequent. The outdoor type usually utilizes a lawn, or a patch of gravel. The examples of which are Lawn Bowling, Bocce, and Petanque. Petanque is widely played in especially in France. Tracing up bowling's history, it is widely believed that the German culture was the cradle of this sport. Though there have been substantial evidences of bowling-like games in ancient Egypt, history clearly points that bowling really did occur in Germany since its dark ages. In those days, heathens and heretics abound the land and the usual practice for the German clergy was a simple test of knocking down clubs called Kegel by rolling a stone or a wooden ball. If the individual succeeds in knocking the club down, he is considered free of sin. This practice eventually made its way from the secular world to the common people and along the way got more refined until ultimately became an interesting sport that survived till this day.

"Las Vegas" - Gambling, Golf And Good Times

2008-10-20T03:08:00.000-07:00

by: Mike D'Auria

In my previous writings I spoke about my Myrtle Beach and Disneyworld golf vacations, which are two excellent choices for golf and vacation destinations, no two ways about it. I had been alternating between both places for about ten years and had some great times but we were ready for a change, for something different. Where would we go next ? I had always wanted to return to Las Vegas since my first visit there in 1976, but just never had the opportunity. I had stopped in Las Vegas for three days on my return trip home from my Honeymoon in Hawaii, my favorite place on the planet, met some friends there and had a blast. In 2002, my 50th birthday was quickly approaching and my significant other surprised me with a gift that I did not expect, a four day golf trip to Las Vegas. Can it get any better ? I guess maybe a five or six day trip would be better but she wanted to make sure we did not go broke while we were there so four days was a good compromise. We were staying at the MGM on Las Vegas Blvd., more commonly known as "The Strip", where most of the more famous hotels in the city were aligned.
From Mandalay Bay, The Luxor, Excalibur and New York, New York on the one end to Circus, Circus, The Riviera, The Sahara, and The Stratosphere on the other, and The Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris and Bally's in between how could you go wrong ? Then there was the golf. Upon review of the available golf courses we chose three venues that we thoroughly enjoyed. We played Bears Best, a Jack Nicklaus design and who is my favorite player of all time, as some of you may remember from a previous writing, Angel Park, an Arnold Palmer design and another magnificent golf venue, which includes three courses, The Mountain being my favorite, and last but certainly not least is Bali Hai, adjacent Mandalay Bay, right on the Strip. Jacks' Bears Best course was designed by utilizing the signature hole layouts of some of his other outstanding golf course acomplishments to date and reproducing them in the Las Vegas landscape. The green fairways contrasting with the desert mountains and sand dunes in the background was a breathtaking site, especially if you have never been in the desert before. Angel Park was also very enjoyable and there was a great view of the golf course and a real green miniature golf course, (the only one I had ever seen) right off the dining veranda and the club house. It was a great setting for lunch as we took in the gorgeous panoramic view. Bali Hai was as exotic as the name exudes. With well over two thousand Palm Trees imported by the course designers, and many thousands of other varied forms of exotic plant life, complimented by the beautiful white sand bunkers, it added a tropical touch of the South Pacific to the desert, a unique and fun innovation to say the least. After 36 holes of golf at Bali Hai, my birthday celebration meal was a real treat. Dinner at the elegant Wolfgang Puck, "Cili" restaurant located right on premises, in the club house, at the Bali Hai golf course. The design and the ambiance of the restaurant and clubhouse was a continuation of the tropical theme so blatantly displayed on the golf course. Great food, fine wine, dessert and espresso with a touch of Sambuca to top off the meal, which included some live piano music playing in the background was the icing on my birthday cake so to speak. After our dining experience at Cili's we headed to the casinos. New York City is known as "The City That Never Sleeps", but Las Vegas is the literal personification of that expression. We walked from one end of the Strip to the other stopping at almost every well known Casino in town and all the joints were hopping no matter what time we went in. New York, New York, MGM, The Bellagio, Caesars, Bally's and Paris were our favorite stops. I actually won a few grand at The Bellagio but gave it right back at the Paris, but you only live once ( or do you ? - a topic for another time)so having fun should be the priority. It's only money. Once you become enamored with the casino atmosphere and lack of daylight and get into a hot run on the Blackjack or Craps tables, it is very easy to transpose night and day. The hours pass quickly and I see many people having dinner at 5:00 or 6:00am and breakfast at 10:00pm or midnight for that matter. Since we were playing golf , we usually went to sleep around midnight and were out and about by 5:00am or so the next morning, which is when we noted the varied dining habits of the habitual gamblers and night time crowd. As we strolled down the Vegas Strip I could almost feel the presence of some of the larger than life personalities who frequented Las Vegas in the 50's, 60's and 70's - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy and the rest of the Rat Pack to name a few. I was especially reminded of Frank because Frank Jrs.' face was plastered on the big sceeen video monitor and he was singing all of his dads hits and doing a pretty good job of it at that. Wayne Newton has been a lifer in Vegas and is still as popular as ever. Las Vegas has perhaps the biggest line up of top notch entertainment in the world. Wayne Newton, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett and The Blue Man Group plus the first class Magic acts and much more all entertain in Las Vegas. The list of famous Las Vegas personalities from the Golden Age would not be complete without including mention of perhaps the most well known and idolized entertainer of all time, Mr. Las Vegas himself, the veritable "King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley". His name is synonymous with the hierarchy of Las Vegas Royalty, they don't refer to him as the King for nothing. The list goes on and on, but just check on line if you are planning a visit and you will note a dozen or more top rated shows at any particular time you may choose to plan a trip there. On our next night we walked the entire Strip again (aka Las Vegas Boulevard) starting at Mandalay Bay and finishing at the Sratosphere. We stopped in a least a half dozen Casinos, including MGM, New York, New York, Paris, Ballys' and The Bellagio. The lights were incredible and the water light show in front of The Bellagio was most enjoyable and entertaining. It also kept me out of the casinos for a while longer and saved me some dough which made the time spent there that much more rewarding. We revisited Las Vegas about four months later and we got some great deals on golf and hotel rooms. I guess they figured they should lower the rates for anyone crazy enough to play golf in 114 degree temperatures. It was tough I must say, but we played and still had a good time, wet face cloths and all. It was another wonderful vacation under our belt and they just keep getting better. If you're considering Las Vegas for your next trip, I can guarantee you won't be bored. It truly is the "City That Never Sleeps". You can get some terrific packages, both for golf or just to stay and play at the resorts. Las Vegas is truly the ultimate playground for the over 21 crowd. Happy Vacationing and Golfing To All!

4 Fatal Muscle-Building Myths Revealed

2008-10-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

by: sean Nalewanyj

If you’re serious about making a solid commitment to a muscle-building program, you need to be very careful of who you take advice from. Bodybuilding and fitness is literally a multi-billion dollar industry with new websites popping up every single day. Many of the so-called “experts” out there really don’t have a clue of what they’re talking about and are only motivated by pushing expensive pills, powders and “miracle programs” on you

that you don’t really need. If you don’t watch your step you may end up falling for some fatal muscle-building pitfalls that will literally destroy your gains. In this article I’m going to expose 4 very common muscle-building myths in order to keep you on the proper path to the mind-blowing muscle and strength gains you deserve. Myth #1: In order to build muscle, you must achieve a "pump" during your workout. The greater the pump you achieve, the more muscle you will build. For those of you who are just starting out, a “pump” is the feeling that you get as blood becomes trapped inside the muscle tissue when you train with weights. The muscles will swell up and leave your body feeling bigger, tighter, stronger and more powerful. While a pump does feel fantastic, it has very little, if anything to do with properly stimulating your muscles to grow. A pump is simply the result of increased bloodflow to the muscle tissue and is certainly not indicative of a successful workout. A successful workout should only be gauged by the concept of progression. If you were able to lift more weight or perform more reps than you did in the previous week, then you did your job. Myth #2: Building muscle will cause you to become slower and less flexible. Contrary to what you may think, building a significant amount of lean muscle mass will actually speed you up rather than slow you down. Muscles are responsible for every movement that your body makes, from running to jumping to throwing. The bottom line is that the stronger a muscle is, the more force it can apply. Having stronger, more muscular legs means increased foot speed, just as having stronger and more muscular shoulders means the ability to throw farther. Myth #3: You must always use perfect, textbook form on all exercises. While using good form in the gym is always important, obsessing over perfect form is an entirely different matter. If you are always attempting to perform every exercise using flawless, textbook form, you will actually increase your chances of injury and simultaneously decrease the total amount of muscle stimulation you can achieve. It’s very important that you always move naturally when you exercise. This could mean adding a very slight sway in your back when you perform bicep curls, or using a tiny bit of body momentum when executing barbell rows. Myth #4: If you want your muscles to grow you must “feel the burn!” This is another huge misconception in the gym. The “burning” sensation that results from intense weight training is simply the result of lactic acid (a metabolic waste product) that is secreted inside the muscle tissue as you exercise. Increased levels of lactic acid have nothing to do with muscle growth and may actually slow down your gains rather than speed them up. You can limit lactic acid production by training in a lower rep range of 5-7, rather than the traditional range of 10 and above. If you want to clear up your confusion and learn the truth behind many other popular muscle-building myths, visit my website by clicking the link below. I'll reveal why 95% of people in the gym fail miserably and will teach you how to get on the proper path toward muscle-building success.

Will Bad Weather Ruin Your Day On the Water?

2008-10-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

by: Ken Leatherman

The Weather Friend or Foe....

A calm lake or seas, brought on by beautiful weather, can make a day extremely enjoyable on the water while fishing, water-skiing or just simply taking a cruise on the boat. To really take pleasure in sailing, the fresh breeze, which blows across the water, is needed and preferred. The weather can really be something wonderful or it can suddenly become your worst enemy Suddenly the weather changes, from out of nowhere, huge dark clouds begin to appear. The wind shifts and begins to cause the water to become choppy. This sudden squall of a torrential downpour, with blasts of thunder and lightening popping around, can quickly turn an enjoyable boating experience into a complete disaster. By observing a few safety tips, the disaster can be avoided or minimized, with few if any injuries or property damage. Recommended Safety Equipment.... · NOAA Weather Radio · GPS/Compass · Marine Map · Emergency Equipment As Required By State and Federal Law Plan Ahead For Fishing and Boating Fun..... Begin monitoring the National Weather Service extended 5 day forecast on your NOAA Weather Radio, National Weather Service online, AM/FM radio and TV. The weather forecast will provide general information which will enable a logical decision to be made if the trip should go forward. Just Before Starting Out.... Double check the weather and conditions on the TV weathercast. Pay special attention to the marine weather forecasts. These advisories will provide details about small craft warnings, wave height, storm and gale warnings that may be occurring now or over the next 24 hour forecast. While Traveling to Destination.... Leave the NOAA Weather Radio turned on. Why? The weather can change dramatically in a matter of minutes. Many times those changes can occur miles away, but can still be headed for the launch site. The really great thing, about NOAA Weather Radio is that new weather advisories are broadcast immediately. This will give the time to decide if the trip should be continued. Stay Alert On Water.... Once launched it is imperative to remain alert to the weather conditions in the immediate vicinity and on the horizon. Be especially vigilant for any sudden increase in the winds velocity, from the opposite directions of the current, this may cause increased wave height that could swamp the boat. By continuing to remain alert to the weather signs, personal safety and protection of the boating equipment will be ensured. · Listen to your NOAA Weather Radio for updates · Visually check the horizon for changing weather condition · Flashes of lightning · Sounds of distant thunder · Check for dark rolling clouds · Increase in wind velocity · Increased static on AM radio (may signal approaching thunderstorms) Bad Weather Catches…. When thunderstorms and bad weather crop up suddenly while on the water, immediately take the following steps to ensure personal safety and to protect the equipment. · Run for shore if it is practicable · Once on shore seek shelter away from the water (Do not stand under trees) · Put on personal flotation equipment · Get to the lowest point in boat (or below deck) · Do not touch any metal objects unless grounded to the boats protection system Take Action…. The fact of the matter is that all the weather forecast, weather advisories and safety tips don't mean a thing unless they are heeded. The personal safety of an individual and protection of the equipment comes down to the individual accepting personal responsibility and taking action.

Golf - Learn To Play

2008-10-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

by: Mike D'Auria

There are many options available to learn to play golf. You can self teach, have a relative or friend teach you, go to your resident pro at the driving range, take lessons from the golf professional at your country club or pro shop, go to golf-tec at the Golfsmith locations or if your high school or college offers a golf program join the program. The method you choose can greatly affect how quickly you learn and how adept you become at the game. At the time I started playing I opted to teach myself. I read "The Golfers Bible " and "The Five Fundamentals of Golf" by Ben Hogan. The books were both very informative and contained valuable information to help one get started to play. In my opinion, and any one who knows about the history of golf would agree, Ben Hogan was one of the most natural and skilled golfers who ever played the game. I was confident that any book that he authored on golf could only be informative and benefit someone who wanted to learn to play. I can attest first hand that it helped me tremendously. In retrospect, depending on one's budget and how quickly someone wants to develop their skills, I would recommend lessons from a teaching professional. Unless you are born with a natural talent for the sport, which from my experience those so gifted are few and far between, lessons are the way to go. As I stated earlier I am self taught and have been playing for about 30 years. The learning curve is different for everyone, but I noted that most golfers who are good at other sports, especially baseball and hockey have a tendency to learn to play well. Having been self taught I had to experiment with different techniques over the years to improve my game. Until today I am still reading up on the latest and greatest on Instruction and Equipment and continuing to experiment to try to play better. With the increased popularity of golf, thanks in most part to the arrival of Tiger Woods on the scene, the teaching techniques and availability of teaching professionals has increased tremendously. I would strongly recommend that lessons are the way to go. Golf is a sport which requires muscle memory for a repetitive swing. Once your swing techniques and mechanics are ingrained in the subconscious, it will be harder to correct if you do not learn properly at the onset. Having the proper basics is crucial for learning to play the right way. Golf will be so much more enjoyable if you play well and learn the proper techniques for the swing. There are a number of steps to master the correct golf swing and a teaching professional will be able to show each of them to you. You will learn much quicker than reading about them and experimenting for years like I did. Some of the steps are as follows: The Grip - How you set the club in your hands, The Set-Up - (How you address the ball) the positioning of your body and alignment in relation to the ball, The Waggle - This is a trigger or initial movement to allow the swing to start properly, Tempo - The speed and timing from the start of the backswing through the hitting area and the follow thru, Backswing - the move immediately following the waggle -the cocking of the wrist and the turning or coiling of the body together with the arms and shoulders away from the target to prepare for the Downswing, The Downswing - immediately follows the backswing and is the part of the swing where impact with the ball takes place including the pronation of the hands thru the hit, The Follow Thru - the completion of the golf swing which concludes the transfer of your weight from your right side to your left (for right handed golfers - opposite would be true for lefties) and body positioning to face the target. If any of the aforementioned steps is not executed properly it can greatly affect the result of the shot. With the advent of Video Instruction, the instructor can play back the video and explain and show you exactly what you were doing right or wrong during the course of your swing. You've heard the expression that "One picture is worth a thousand words", well it would most definitely apply in this case. Although you can read a book on golf or watch golf teaching videos ( some are very good), it is still not the same as being taught first hand by a professional.

Why Do We Like To Watch Sport Competitions?

2008-10-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

by: Marcia Henin

Why do we like to watch sport competitions? Even people who never engage in physical activity often find themselves in front of the TV, watching football and tennis, basketball and rugby. Sports fans around the world watch with excitement their favorite team play, and never miss a single competition. This Sports articles presents several reasons, trying to solve the mystery involved in this known phenomena of love for sports. One of the main reasons people like to watch competitions is because they tend to identify themselves with the winners. When they watch the precise moves of Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova, see the winning game of Champions League, they feel as if they themselves perform the brilliant move, and brought a victory to their team. Winners get attention from the media and the public, they are interviewed, they appear on TV – the public enjoys watching the known faces and see the winning formula. A fan, who may have never played football in his life, likes to see UEFA Cup, because he can identify himself with the top professionals. Another reason is the unpredictability of sports games. You can never know how the game will end, which forces you to sit tightly and wait for the crucial moment, which designate all the twists and turns of the game. The course of sports game is always unpredictable: although you can make bets and try to guess the today’s winner, but it is never certain, which makes the game interesting to watch. Different, but also important reason for watching sports has to do with our national identity. When British watch Liverpool and Chelsea groups, they tend to identify themselves with the players and see all the failures and winnings as if they were their own. Sports games are nowadays considered to be one of the most important factors which help to raise the persons’ national identity.