If you have been running for a while and want to take it to the next level, or perhaps you are new to running and looking to get yourself in the zone before you slip your trainers on – this post is for you.
Preparing for a run isn’t simply tying your running shoe laces up and being done. Your body goes through several processes as it is running, and it needs to be in the best condition to do that.
Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare yourself for running.
Gear
If you have been running in whatever is comfortable up until now, then it is time to change the game up. The running gear you use has a significant impact on your performance.
At a minimum, you should be looking to invest in the following:
Running shoes are designed for the ground you run on. If you want to use Vibram shoes for a natural foot shape, keep in mind you will likely need extra support by Achilles tendon taping.
Sunscreen is essential even on overcast days – opt for sweatproof sunscreen.
A sun hat and sunglasses designed for running
Slimline hydration pack or bottle
Reflective accessories and clothing
Choosing running shoes isn’t an easy task; you must get measured in a professional running store. You might have high arches and need extra support, or perhaps you have a wide foot.
No matter what the issue is, you need to have the perfect fit. Poorly fitting trainers will leave you prone to ankle and knee issues.
If you have been running for a while, this section isn’t for you. Starting your running journey might not begin with how you think. Your body needs to be conditioned to run and run well.
Start by combining jogging and walking between 4 and 6 times a week. Jog for a few minutes and walk for a few minutes as the weeks pass, minus some walking minutes and add them to your jogging speed. After a few more weeks, try jogging the whole way one or more times a week.
Experienced runners
After you have been running for a while, it’s time to go a little harder. Instead of a gentle warmup, start pushing your body hard. This is called priming and is often underappreciated to get into the zone and perform your best immediately.
Your body adapts to the demands of running hard, and the longer your run, the more effortless it becomes, so use your warm-up and the first round on the track and go all out.
Something runners have in common is the drive to do something and achieve it. Once you have been running for a while, it’s time to set yourself some big goals—sign up for some marathons and races. The deadline on your fitness will mean you are more focused than you have ever been before, and that can be a beautiful thing.
Are you a weekend warrior? Do you often strap on your running shoes when the Saturday morning sunlight hits you in the face in bed? Well, who is to say that you have to only go running? It’s a great thing to do, and it takes guts to get up in the morning when everyone is asleep, to go pound the pavement. And yes it will improve your cardio and your VO2 MAX. But there are other fun ways to spend your time and get a good workout. There is an explosion of businesses that want you to come and try out a new sport because after the long wait, they need as many newcomers to walk through their doors as possible. So we thought we would look around for the best sports that you can pick up easily and do well in for this weekend’s warrior session.
A round of golf
It’s not cheap taking care of the fairgreen. It takes a lot of maintenance for golf clubs and grounds to tend to their courses and this is one of the reasons why going golfing has never been so cheap. You can also learn about beginner golf techniques anywhere. YouTube has a lot of good channels that show you how to do the very basics; such as how to dress for the course, how to hold the club, which clubs to select, what are the best beginner golf balls, etc. Take a look at these, some of them give you great range due to their design but much less spin. The dimple design is one such example, which carries through a lot of the speed and power from the strike of the club. But it doesn’t spin much, so if you want to curve around treelines, you’ll need something with more spin which is more for the advanced golfer.
The Wales Golf Festival is allowing for anyone to come onto the grounds and try the sport out. This is something that is taking place all around the world, especially in golf-rich countries such as the UK, America and France. So if you are a parent who wants their kid to have an opportunity to strike a few balls, get in-person coaching and walk around the lovely grounds, you should go to a golf festival like this.
Swimming is back on
After the recent performance of big swimming nations like the UK, Australia and America, you can bet that swimming is going to be back in a big way. In recent times, swimming baths have had to shut down because of the pandemic. However, a recent new way of swimming or rather new style of swimming is making the news. ‘Wild swimming’ as it is being called by Scandinavian river or lake swimmers, is helping to convince people of a new way to lose weight. Studies suggest that swimming in cold waters helps the body to seriously shed the pounds. Not only are all of your muscles being used but because of the cold, more energy is required to keep your body at the best temperature for performance.
So if you have a cold river or lake nearby, and you know you will be safe, you could try this out for the weekend. It’s best to invest in good equipment first, such as a swimming watch, a strap heart rate monitor and an emergency beacon which you can fit onto your wrist or around your ankle. Have someone to watch you as well, along with a simple tug rope which you can grab and be pulled to safety if you feel tired in the cold water. All of the healthy and safety stuff aside, this looks like it could be great for those who have stubborn fat.
Tennis still going strong
Tennis has been going strong throughout the past few months because of it’s very nature. You’re far from your opponent and the referee is too. So you could have carried on playing tennis without much worry and that is what some tournaments have been doing. The recent US Open drew lots of crowds in person and watching from home because it signified that the sport was still very popular among spectators and the sporting stars were not waiting around for anything.
You can play tennis almost anywhere these days. Most public parks have at least one tennis court and if you can’t find any near you, you can always head to your local sport center where there will be at least a few. Tennis is also relatively cheaper compared to other sports. The rackets don’t cost much, nor do the balls. You just need to have a little bit of cash kept aside for lessons which are reasonably priced but you need a lot of sessions before you can whip the ball around with each. It’s all about how you hold the racket, where to strike the ball, learning different shots and trying to fool your opponent. Not to mention, learning how to serve and get an ace takes a lot of hours to get right.
Street hockey
Perhaps this is a national sport because only the US and Canada play this in local neighborhoods. But it’s still super fun. Street hockey is just like it sounds, it’s hockey that you play on the street instead of the ice. There are a few changes. The puck is now a small ball, something like a lacrosse ball will be fine. And instead of ice skates, you use wheel skates. Aside from that, the rules are pretty much the same. You need to have markings on the road however, something you can do with a piece of chalk and a tape measure.
Kids and adults can play, you just have to be aware of who you are going up against. Adults can be a little rough with each other but don’t try a big hit on the kids of course. The game is much like that you see on television, except, you can’t really smash the ball as hard as you want because someone has to go and get it back. So it calls for a little more finesse which is why you should focus on less power and more precision in your shots. Where to play? A lot of local sports clubs host street hockey in local parks where they book out a tennis court, take down the net and use the box markings. You may also be able to find a local street hockey club that plays near you.
Why be a weekend warrior?
Many people would like to stay in shape but they don’t have time to get up early and workout, or go for a run after work. Which is why, being a weekend warrior is their only option. So the question is, can you stay fit by just working out twice a week? Yes! As long as you diet a little, and you break a sweat on the weekends, you should be able to keep the pounds off. But stay motivated to go, which is why joining a sports club might be the best idea.
If you would like to know more about weekend sports and different ideas to stay fit, you should consider joining a fitness forum, local social media fitness group and search for sports near you. The more you be proactive in finding new and exciting sports to do, the fitter you will stay and being a weekend warrior instead of a weekday warrior, can continue to be enough.
As a fitness professional, it is essential to keep up with the latest trends in the industry. However, it can be difficult at first because there are so many different things going on. There’s new equipment coming out every day, new training techniques every week, and a ton of research published each month. The good news is that you don’t have to do all the work yourself. Here are four things that any fitness professional should know to help them stay relevant in their field.
Getting the Latest Gym Equipment Can Attract Customers
The gym is one of the biggest businesses in this world. Fitness facilities are everywhere, and there’s an incredible number of people who pay to go work out at them every day. If you’re a professional fitness professional working at any facility, you must keep up with your career and stay on top of all the latest gym equipment to attract customers.
Offering Specialized Programs Can Attract Clients
Offering specialized programs can attract clients because it makes you stand out from the crowd. The more you know about what is happening in your industry, the better prepared you are to speak with people who need help reaching their fitness goals. You don’t have to be an expert on every single topic, but it’s crucial that you at least stay up to date on the basics.
Investing in Training Courses Can Boost Your Skills
Investing in certified training courses from ASFA can boost your skill and help you keep up with technology and your career. Working out of a regular job can make it hard to stay on top of the latest trends, but investing in training courses from experts like Fitness Freaks Club can get you ahead by giving you access to best practices that will boost your skills.
Whether taking an online course or attending one-on-one sessions with specialized trainers at a local studio, there are options available for any fitness professional looking to improve their craft. By spending some time every week learning new ideas, techniques, and strategies related to health and wellness professionals, they’ll be able to give themselves a competitive advantage over other gym workers who fail to invest in continuing education opportunities.
In addition, working out of a regular job may affect their health. Fitness Freaks Club is a platform that offers an array of certification courses, online training videos, and personal coaching options to help professionals keep up with their careers through continuing education.
Working With Social Media Influencers Is a Great Marketing Tool
According to a survey, it is also an effective way of building trust among customers. Whenever a customer follows influencers on their preferred social media platforms, they have greater confidence in the products they promote than those endorsed by celebrities or other traditional marketing methods such as TV ads or print promotions.
Therefore, if fitness professionals want more people to follow them online, working with social media influencers would benefit their business growth strategy!
Fitness professionals shouldn’t discount the individual things that they can do to help their standing online either. Influencers are just one part of the social media game. It would also be a good idea to look at how they can build their following organically by Choosing the best Instagram follower service so they can reach their audience in another way which could prove to be fruitful.
Conclusion
The fitness industry is constantly changing. Fitness professionals need to keep up with the changes in this ever-changing industry by continuing their education, finding mentors, and developing relationships with others in the field. With these steps, fitness professionals will accomplish their career goals and help others achieve better health through exercise.
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
