Barry’s Bootcamp has serious competition from a Yoga Studio

Tamara Turkisher contributed this blog. She is an insurance agent, dog lover, foodie and exercise enthusiast.

From Yoga to Bootcamp

I workout religiously and I like routine. My “normal” 6 days a week sweat extravaganza includes a Hot Vinyasa Flow Class, and/or a Yoga Sculpt Class (heated Yoga combined with Weight Training and Cardio), and/or Barry’s Bootcamp, which is a combination of Cardio/Treadmill intervals with weight training etc. It works for me.

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Speed Golf - An Oxymoron?

I enjoy playing golf, but like so many others it's difficult for me to justify the 5 to 6 hour time-suck a traditional 18 holes requires.  I make the time when out-of-town relatives visit San Diego or we travel on holiday to destinations with a golf course.  But, on a normal week to week basis, dedicating 5 hours to chipping and putting is about as appealing to me as rehab is to Charlie Sheen.

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MBT, Reebok EasyTone, Skechers Shape Ups, Fit Flops. A Waste of Money?

Is it really any surprise that, according to recent research, the bevy of "toning shoes" don't deliver? No you won't suddenly achieve a muscular backside, burn extra calories, or "get into shape without setting foot in a gym." 

And if you thought you would...well that is positive thinking.  I should know!  I'm on my fourth pair of MBTs!  Yep, I'm a devotee of the "toning" shoe.

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Good news for personal trainers and yoga studios like CorePower

Core Defined

Today's Wall Street Journal article about the importance of core strength training hit home for me. I have been urging my husband to do more stretching and core strength training to help his posture, and this article offers support for my efforts.

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What do Michelle Obama and the Chicago Bulls have in common?

What do Michelle Obama and the Chicago Bulls have in common? Chicago? Well there is that...

But what really stands out is the recent effort by our first lady and the fab bball team to help kids get healthy.

The Bulls take no bull when it comes to fitness!
Just this week the Chicago Bulls proudly unveiled the FIRST of 25 fitness centers that will open in select Chicago Public Schools.

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Good Time to Try Snowshoeing

With all the white stuff piling up in the eastern third of the country, this weekend is a prime time to try snowshoeing. Rentals are easy to find and are inexpensive. Best of all, the snowshoe learning curve is basically non-existant--clumsy folks need not worry. No wonder the activity tops the "Fastest Growing Sports" lists.

According to Snowsports Industries America, snowshoeing burns an average of more than 600 calories per hour. Even more impressive for those looking to maximize their workout, snowshoeing burns 45% more calories than walking or running at the same speed.

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Are you a healthy parent? Do you encourage healthy living for your child? INTRO

There is no easy answer to this question; but there are two ways to try:
1. Be a positive role model for your children.
2. Educate your child about healthy living.

So what is healthy living? While I'd really like to rattle off a nice, succinct definition, I can't come up with one. It's too complicated! In my mind there are four general ways to think about healthy living:

Food
Exercise
Sleep
Way of Life

We will explore each of these in four parts over the next week.

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Do you bike to work? You are eligible for a tax benefit. But obtaining it takes some work.

Beginning this past January (2009), bicycle commuters "can" get a tax benefit of a stipulated amount per month for their pedaling. I use the quotes because securing the benefit takes some work. Even though the bill passed over eight months ago, there is still confusion and frustration about how to best implement the program.

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Do Swimmers Live Longer than Runners?

Results from a recent University of South Carolina study lead by Professor Steven N. Blair may create waves in the running community.

After thoroughly examining medical and physical activity data on 40,000 men (ages 20 to 90), Dr. Blair and his crew have concluded that in addition to having 53% lower mortality rates than their sedentary peers (no big surprise there), swimmers ALSO have a 49% lower mortality rate than runners!

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Pump Up The Jams (And Your Workout!)

Looking for another way to boost your current exercise regime? Bust out your favorite music player (And if you don't have one, get one!) and watch your sessions improve dramatically. 

2013 Update & Editor's Note: This post was written by Assistant editor Dan Gaz who serves in a clinical research role at the esteemed Mayo Clinic. He has both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University.

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