FitSugar

Get Down and Dirty in a Muddy Buddy Race

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:00:52 PDT

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: having a race date in your near future is a great way to motivate yourself to work out. If the typical 10k road race sounds too boring to you, then you might be ready for a Muddy Buddy race. Held in cities across the US, ranging from tropical environs of south Florida to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the Muddy Buddy races are adventures unto themselves.

As the name implies, participants race in pairs and get really dirty. The off-road courses are six to seven miles and contain five obstacles. One team member starts on a bike and the other on foot. After riding to the first obstacle, the rider drops the bike and tackles the obstacle, then runs to the next obstacle. The runner, after completing the first obstacle, finds the bike and rides to the second obstacle. The team races through the course in this leapfrogging fashion until the final mud pit, which racers crawl through together and must cross the finish line holding hands. Needless to say, costumes are encouraged. The only downside is that the race fee is a bit steep at $150, but at least you get to split the fee with your buddy!

You have to see it to believe it, so watch video clips of an actual race when you

read more. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think this looks like loads fun. There are upcoming races in May in Richmond, VA; Orlando, FL; Austin, TX; and Nashville, TN. Check the Muddy Buddy website for additional cities and dates. Are you going to race?

Have You Heard of Cyclo-cross?

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:30:00 PDT

At the recent bike industry convention in Las Vegas, Lance Armstrong made a not so stunning return to bike racing.

Granted he was a little out of his element. He was racing in a cyclo-cross event. The seven time winner of the Tour de France came in 22nd place, but this isn't a yellow jersey, multi-stage event; cyclo-cross races consist of multiple laps on a short but crazy course and generally last between 30 minutes and an hour.

Cyclo-cross race courses contain many elements and riding surfaces. Cyclists ride over pavement, through wooded trails, on grass, up steep hills and must also maneuver around obstacles that often require riders to hop off their bikes and carry them to the next challenge. Although, I have just learned about this kind of race, they have been popular in Europe since the 1940s. As cycling becomes more popular in the US, the variety of races held in the States grow as well.

After battling through tough press conference with a barrage of questions posed by three time Tour winner Greg LeMond on the subject of doping, I think Lance found cyclo-cross a little daunting. Armstrong did say it felt good to ride, race and compete, but chances of becoming an elite cyclo-cross competitor next season are small. I, however, would love to ride in one of these races as well as hear a little more about LeMond's allegation about Armstrong's doping. What about you?

Source

You Asked: Alternative Races

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:00 PDT

You're asking and I'm answering.

Hi Fit,
The Olympics inspired me to get out and race, but I am looking for something more fun than just running. I would like to do some kind of obstacle race or fitness challenge. I guess I am looking for the thrill of adventure with a fitness element. Can you help me find a race?
Thanks,
- East Coast Adventure Gal

Wow! Sounds like you are looking for something that is a cross between parkour and an open water swim. The craziest race I could find was the Nettle Warrior Tough Guy race in the UK with obstacles like burning bales of hay, electric fences, and icy streams. Nettle Warrior also has the Guy Gorilla race on Feb. 1, 2009, but sounds like you want some stateside options, so

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

5 Reasons You're Late - and How to Avoid Them

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:16:09 PST

Punctuality is a crucial part of professionalism and making positive first impressions. While we've heard some ridiculous excuses for being late, tardiness is usually caused by something more mundane. If you regularly find yourself racing the clock, take a step back and assess what's causing you to run behind.

Alarm problems. Either it didn't go off, you set it for the wrong time, or you slept right through it - whatever the case, turn around your alarm troubles by spending some extra time planning your sleep schedule. Make sure you're getting seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night and guarantee a smooth morning by setting two or three alarms. Struggle to get out of bed in the morning? Place your alarm on the other side of the room so that you're forced to get up to turn it off.
Getting ready gets chaotic. Where's your purse? Your keys? Did you leave that shirt at the dry cleaner? These stressful moments are easily avoidable. Prep for your morning the night before and make a list of everything you need to grab before heading out the door. And be honest with yourself - if it takes you 15 minutes to do your hair, don't allot five.

Keep reading for more tips on timeliness.

Are You Addicted to Diet Soda?

Shape — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:28:49 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Cracking open a can of diet soda instead of regular pop may seem like a good idea at first, but research continues to show a disturbing link between diet soda consumption and weight gain. And though the sweet, effervescent drinks may taste good, they're certainly not good for your body. "Diet soda may not have the sugar or calories of regular soda, but it's chock-full of other health-draining chemicals, including caffeine, artificial sweeteners, sodium, and phosphoric acid," says Marcelle Pick, member of the American Nurses Association and co-founder of Women To Women. It is possible to ditch your diet soda dependency, however. Read on to find out how after the break

How to Buy the Right Running Shoe

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:43:06 PST

Buying the right running shoe takes time. Finding a shoe that works with your running style and foot usually means an in-store visit to a running specialty store for expert advice.

A good running shoe store will look at your foot type, normal running distance, past or current injuries, pronation, foot length, and instep height, along with other parameters, says Lori Shannon, owner of women's running shoe store See Jane Run. And while there are several things you can ignore when shopping for a running shoe, there are still many things that matter for keeping your runs safe and injury-free. Nothing beats a personal consultation for finding the perfect fit, but we asked Lori for guidance anyone can use when looking for a running shoe. Here are more of her tips to consider.

Pay attention to fit: Every shoe (and foot) is different, but there are a few specifics that you should look for before the cashier rings up your pair. "The overall feel and fit is often overlooked but is extremely important. Some companies will insist that you are in a certain category - [like] stability, motion control, or cushioning - but those shoes may not feel good to you," Lori says. "This is an art, not a science. If you don’t like how they feel, then they are wrong for you."

One way to help ensure a good fit? Pick the right time to visit a shoe store. "If you run in the morning, get fitted in the morning," Lori says. And try to go to the store after your normal daily run. "Your feet change size during the day and how long your run, [so] if you do long runs, you should try on shoes after a long run. This will give you a better fit and help you keep your toenails."

Read on for more tips on buying the right running shoe.

Battle Ropes For Beginners

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:06:58 PDT

While working out at your gym, you might have passed by thick, heavy white ropes coiled up around a beam, but haven't given them much thought. While it may be intimidating to take up a 20-foot space in the gym, working with battle ropes is not only one of the quickest way to work out all of your muscle groups, slamming 25-pound ropes on the ground is actually quite gratifying.

Crunch trainer Livia Jenvey recommends her clients use battle ropes because they are a fun, quick, and alternative way to work out your arms, back, legs, and especially target the core. Even spending a few minutes working with the ropes will send your heart racing and your muscles aching in a good way. Livia recommends this quick workout for newbies to battle ropes.

Tips For the Lactose Intolerant

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:27:31 PDT

How can a hot slice of ooey-gooey cheese pizza taste so good but make you feel so bad? If you're lactose intolerant, even one bite could have you racing to the bathroom. Here are some tips to help you deal with your dairy-filled world.

If your body can't tolerate any dairy products whatsoever, keep Lactaid pills with you at all times. Lactose intolerance is caused by a lactase deficiency, the enzyme needed to break down the lactose (milk sugar) in your food. If the lactose doesn't get broken down, it causes major bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Just pop a pill with your first bite of food containing dairy, and you're all set. If one pill doesn't offer the magic, take another.
A package of 60 Lactaid brand caplets costs around $15, so if you're going through three or more pills a day, this can be a big expense. Buy them in bulk and save some dough - Kirkland brand costs $16.50 for 180.
If you're not into popping Lactaid pills, avoiding dairy is your best bet, which means being a keen label reader. Look for words such as milk, milk powder, butter, buttermilk, cream, cheese, whey, curds, or milk solids. Hidden lactose can be found in baked goods, dressings, chips, instant soups, candies, pancake mixes, margarine, and even certain medications. If you think a food might have dairy in it, but you're not sure, don't take the chance.

Keep reading for more lactose intolerance tips.

3 Injury-Prone Workouts and Tips on Avoiding Harm

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:47:05 PDT

You might avoid certain workouts because you are fearful of injury. Or if you are like me, you might migrate toward certain classes or equipment because you are trying to maintain some fitness level while recovering from an injury. I'm currently working through back and leg injuries, so when it comes to protecting my body from further damage, I've learned that proper alignment is absolutely key for prevention. If you're also dealing with an injury (or worried about getting one), keep reading to see which workouts you should be aware of and follow these simple tips to avoid injuries while doing them.

Spin: Cycling can easily lead to hip, back, wrist, and knee injuries if your bike is not properly aligned. In addition, since biking consists of a lot of repetitive motion, taking several spin classes a week can lead to a muscular imbalance. You can overexert certain muscles, especially the tops of your thighs, while deconditioning other areas like the inner and outer thighs. To avoid these problems, always ask the instructor to help you properly set up your bike and cross train with other types of workout classes that target your core and thigh muscles.
High-intensity cardio: Fast-moving, intense classes like boot camp can lead to a variety of injuries, including sprained ankles, muscle pulls, low-back pain, dehydration, and overheating. If you are new to the class or technique, it's important to trust your body and modify moves or weights depending on your level of expertise. If you don't know a particular move, try it out at a slower pace to get the feel of it. Focus on proper alignment and your strength level rather than keeping up with the pace of the class. Remember, slow and steady win the race, and with gradual training your muscles and endurance will become stronger.
Weight lifting: Lifting heavy weights can cause a plethora of injuries, including stress fractures, sprains, strains, overexertion, and muscle pulls in wrists, shoulders, knees, and backs. However, proper weight lifting does have several benefits like helping weight management and improving strength. Sign up for a personal trainer to walk you through the weight room or see if your gym offers a group training session. By using correct alignment, you will target and strengthen the right muscles as well as save your tendons, muscles, and bones from some serious, unpleasant damage.

Still worried about injury? See three alternative low-impact workouts after the break!