January 13th, 2012 — Biking, Clothes and Gear, Nutrition and Health
With summer just a short time a way, many people are dusting off their bikes and preparing to get back out on the bike trails as well as prepare for the various bike races that will be all over the country. Though some more hardcore bikers never put their bike away for the winter, there’s more to the sport than just jumping on your bike and taking off. There are many training tips that people could use that, if they’re interested in getting into this recreation, would greatly improve their performance out on the road.
There’s a common misconception that endurance is the name of the game. This is totally wrong. Given that, if you’re enrolling in bike tournaments or races, you need to take a lot of breaks. This is to eat and stretch. Even if it’s just for the day or during a multi-day cycle tour, you need to consume calories and energy. Also, if you don’t stretch, you body will give out later on. Think of this as stretching out parts of your body that are super tense from all of the exercise it’s getting and fueling your body with the necessary nutrients is essential. Eat really nutrient dense foods like fruits, hard-boiled eggs, and nuts. It’s a great way to keep your electrolyte levels high so you don’t burn out on your trek.
Make sure you’re using the proper equipment. This is half the battle. By using cycling shoes and a good bike seat, you can greatly reduce the strain on your body overall. Also, getting your bicycle tuned-up regularly does a world of good. You might not notice the difference but an un-tuned bike runs roughly and ends up working against the rider and can end up greatly subtracting from their overall performance. You want to put as little strain on your body as possible to get the best performance out of your body that you can. That’s why it’s a good idea to take yoga classes and use chairs for lower back pain. Use these tips to reduce the stress on your body and increase your endurance.
Get your bike “fit” for performance. This isn’t just getting a tune up. It’s kind of like retooling your bike to maximize its performance and make it fine-tuned to your body’s shape and contours. This is a big deal in the cycling community and many people who just think of a bike is something to jump on and go often regret not having this done sooner. You can get this done at your local bike shop.
So in order to maximize you’re riding efficiency, use some of these steps and training techniques to ensure that you’re able to perform at your peak. Even if you’re not a serious rider, you can still do some of these things to lower the stress that’s placed on your body just as a recreational biker. You might not feel it now but down the road you could end up with arthritis or joint issues that were exacerbated by your biking excursions.
Photo Credits: M.V. Jantzen
Originally posted 2011-05-16 12:14:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 7th, 2011 — Swim Bike Run, Swimming
There is a misconception with many swimmers that the stronger their body is the more powerful their swim stroke will be. While this is an important factor in your performance, it is not the most important factor. The most important factor is the manner in which you are performing your stroke. This includes paying attention to the way your hand enters the water, the way your hand moves through the water, how your legs move and the breaths you take. All of these factors are highly important to having the best performance possible.
How the Hand Enters the Water
A sloppy swim stroke is easy to see because there will be a big splash and a loud noise every time a hand enters the water. The idea is not to just get the hand in the water so you can pull. The idea is to get your hand in the water in the most effective manner possible so you can get the most out of the stroke. To start, your fingers should all be together and your hand should be stiff. Point your hand so it enters the water fingers first and thumb pointed down. This will put your hand in the perfect position to start your stroke.
The Powerful S-Stroke
Now that your hand is in the water, it is time to create the power which will propel you through the water. This is done by making sure your hand is always meeting resistance in the water. Do not simply drag your hand through the water as you will lose resistance after the first foot or two. Instead, start by pushing your hand out and down until it is just outside your shoulder. Next, draw your hand in towards your stomach and groin. Last, push your hand back out towards your hip and beyond. Your hand should come out of the water pinky first.
The Most Effective Kick
Backing the power of the right swim stroke is possible when you have the right kick. This means making sure you pay proper attention to where your legs are at all times. Your thighs should always remain as close together as possible. When your legs split apart too far, you end up creating drag. Using a floater will help you train yourself to keep your legs together. The majority of the movement will come from the knees and the ankles. The toes should always be together to create the closest you will ever come to a flipper.
Breathing Correctly
Breathing is something you normally do not have to think about. For a good swim stroke however, the right breathing technique makes all the difference. Do not take a breath every chance you get. This will cause quite a bit of drag. Instead, breathe every other stroke if possible. The longer you can go without breathing, the less drag you will create. You are better off taking a full breath when you get a chance rather than taking gulps of air.
Photo Credits: kenoncjones
Originally posted 2010-04-01 10:20:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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