Search Results for: blog how to weight train for running amp cycling

Avoiding Classic College Weight Gain

If your child just started classes at the University of California-San Diego he or she has a better chance of avoiding the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen.” At least that’s what school administrators maintain. For the first time ever the popular college is pulling out all the stops to help students avoid packing on the pounds while on campus. The school recently unveiled its Weight Loss Solutions program–a new wellness, weight-management and counseling program designed to get freshman moving. The program addresses the problems most students face when entering college and living on their own for the first time in their lives. … Continue reading →

What Can You Do Right Now? (Strength Training)

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Do you have about 30 minutes? Good. I have something you can do right now to help promote better fitness and strength in your everyday life. No, you don’t need any weights or weight training equipment. Instead, put on some comfortable clothes and a pair of comfortable shoes and let’s get started. Let’s start with a calf stretch. It’s important to warm up your muscles before you dive right in. Extend your right leg and press the toes to a wall or sofa. Don’t press forward, but instead squeeze your right leg and just fully extend the knee. You should … Continue reading →

How to Weight Train for Running & Cycling

Last week, we discussed the fact that runners and cyclists need to weight train in order to maximize their performance and to get the most out of their workouts. Running and cycling are both aerobic training sports and while they can help you stay fit and lose weight, you don’t train your muscles up evenly and that can lead to injuries. I got a note from a reader after that blog that wanted more information on how to weight train if you’re already running and cycling, so this is an attempt to answer that request prior to our Dear Heather … Continue reading →

Runners & Cyclists Need Weight Training, Too

Are you a runner or a cyclist? A lot of athletes who run regularly or cycle regularly whether they are in training or not sometimes resist the idea of weight training because they get plenty of exercise when they are riding their bikes or running daily. In fact, I know one runner who regularly participates in marathons and she didn’t like the idea of weight training, until a personal trainer proved to her that weight training actually improved her endurance and running. Weight Training Adds Muscle Tissue Most cardiovascular activities, including running and cycling, are great for building heart and … Continue reading →

Walking Injuries – What You Need to Know & More

We talked a little about some of the walking injuries you may sustain during a walking program and today, I want to talk about a few more that may crop up during your walking routine. When we understand what an injury is about, we can learn how to treat it and potentially to avoid letting it cripple us. Other walking injuries you may sustain: Neuroma Shin Splints Runner’s Knee Stress Fractures Bursitis These don’t sound very comfortable across the board and in many ways they aren’t. So let’s talk a bit more about what these injuries are and what impact … Continue reading →

Headache Sufferers Should Exercise More

The mere thought of running with a splitting headache makes me nauseous. However, according to a new study, I could avoid getting headaches all together, if I ran even more. Okay, maybe a 10-mile run won’t completely eliminate my headaches, but researchers maintain that a well-constructed fitness program can decrease the frequency of headaches and improve quality of life. The new study used a sample of migraine sufferers who were examined before, during and after an extensive aerobic exercise routine featuring continuous indoor cycling. The cardio regime was designed to improve maximal oxygen uptake without worsening the patients’ migraines. According … Continue reading →

I Want to Know How to Build My Own Exercise Program

Last week, I asked and you answered. One of the things you wanted to know about was how to build your own exercise program. An exercise program needs to consist of three basic elements: cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility. These are the three tiers of fitness that you want to address. Cardiovascular Training Cardiovascular training refers to building fitter heart and lungs. Exercises you might do to increase your cardiovascular fitness include: walking, running, bicycling, roller blading, jump roping and more. Essentially, you want to hit your target heart rate and maintain it for at least 15 to 20 … Continue reading →

Do You Want Big Muscles?

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When you think about exercise and fitness, do you think about big muscles? Do you concentrate on a workout that builds muscle and strengthens the body? Do you a chest that would do Atlas proud? If building muscle is your priority, then it’s important for you to understand everything you can about muscle strength, strength building and more. Hypertrophy Bulky muscle is caused by muscle hypertrophy. So what is it, you ask? Hypertrophy is what happens when muscle cells thicken, but don’t get longer. Your muscle cells may divide and create more, this can also create a thick appearance without … Continue reading →

Dear Heather … I’m Stuck in the Mud

Dear Heather, I’m stuck in the mud. Seriously stuck. I’ve been working out for about a year. I started on a regular regimen of cardio just like you suggested (I’ve been reading your blog since last April, I got interested during that challenge you were hosting, but I couldn’t keep up back then). I walk 60 minutes every day of the week. I started out small, just doing it 20 minutes a day, four days a week, but I’ve built it up over time. I walk, rain or shine and the only days I miss my walk is if there … Continue reading →

The Fitness Week in Review for Jan 27-Feb 2

We’ve negotiated a smooth segue from January to February. For most of us, January is a month of transition, we’re recovering from the holidays, we’re going back to school, we’re going back to work, we’re getting started on new work out programs and new goals. February is different though. February means the New Year isn’t just arrived, it’s here, we’re in it, we’re down in the shallow end and we’re starting to really wade out into the year. It’s been an interesting week here for me and as I described in a blog I wrote late yesterday, I’m waiting on … Continue reading →