Big Boy Series

Posted by Eason Wednesday 01st of October 2008

Eason explains why the Red Sox/Angels series will decide the World Series... Read more

LA Dodgers on a July roll?

Posted by superindy0604 Wednesday 30th of July 2008

After sweeping the Nationals and playing strong with SF and Arizona, the Dodgers have a good chance at taking the division.... Read more

Lance Armstong Announces 2012 Ironman Ambitions

This week, Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced his ambitions to race the Ironman World Championships in October, 2012, and his plan to get there. His will race the Ironman Panama 70.3 event on Sunday, followed by the Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, Ironman 70.3 Florida, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and Ironman France in an attempt to pick up enough qualifying points to race the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

The 40-year-old Texan is no stranger to triathlon, having won the US Sprint Triathlon series over 20 years ago, and placing 5th at the XTERRA Triathlon National Championships last year (and 23rd at Worlds, after crashing and suffering a head injury).  Craig Alexander, the defending 3-time Ironman world champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 champion, welcomed Armstrong to the sport:

"It is exciting to see Lance Armstrong, one of the greatest-ever endurance athletes, coming back to race triathlons in 2012."

 He's going to rip it up!

[Update - Lance made a helluva debut at Ironman Panama, getting 2nd overall in 3:53, just 40+ seconds behind winner Bevan Dougherty. His swim split was right in there, and his 2:10 bike split was second only to Chris Lieto, whom he passed in the run to lead the race for a short period before Bevan caught him with a screaming 1:12 half marathon (vs. Lance's 1:17). Lance later said, "There was a time I was a great runner and I need to get back in touch with that. [Bevan] can run low 30's in the 10k...there's no way my old ass is keeping up with that."]

- SD

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New Half Marathon PR at the Kaiser SF Half Marathon

Last Sunday, I joined 10,000+ runners for the 29th running of the Kaiser San Francisco Half Marathon on a gorgeous sunny day, and somehow managed to shave a few seconds off my half marathon PR. Looks like my training is on track!

The Kaiser SF Half is a mostly downhill course that zigs through Golden Gate Park and ends with an out-and-back along the beach on Hwy 1. It's put on by the fabulous Pamakids Runners Club, is the RRCA Western Region Half Marathon championships, and always attracts a fast crew. It was a perfect place to get a status check on my training for my first "A" race in two weeks, the Austin Marathon.

As I jumped on the bus to the start, I did a quick mental check on how the day might pan out. Training? Going well. Rested and ready? Sort of...a bit jet lagged from flying in from London, but that was offset by the welcome 55 degree day that was far more welcome than the English tundra I had just left. The goal stood as planned - use the hills to beat up my legs for the first eight miles, then tempo run the last five miles at marathon pace minus 10 seconds per mile. Oy, this was going to hurt! But a good kind of hurt, right? ;-)

(No need for fancy sleeves - just cut the toes off some socks and you're good to go!)

(Hanging with Jady Palko at the start)

I met a few new friends, and had a chance to catch up with ultrarunner/Ironman Jady Palko who looks more fit than ever. We did our warm ups, and I squeezed my way into the front line for the half marathon. There were lots of familiar faces there - former Inov-8 teammate Sam Robinson, super-master Verity Breen, Napa Marathon winner Chris Mocko (now famous for gaining 10 lbs in two hours to maximize his prize of "your weight in wine"), Chikara Omine (looking healthy after a tough year of injury), and the ever-present Crosby Freeman who has run as fast as 1:04 here in the past. The gun went off, and we charged down the first hill.


The 5k runners took us out fast, but split off about a half mile in, allowing us to settle into an more conservative tempo. Mile 1 went by in 5:20, and I reminded myself that the downhill is worth about 10 sec/mile. Don't think of it as banked time since we have to turn around!

By mile 3, there were two packs ahead of me containing ~10 runners each and going fast! I hung on with two runners as we crossed the 5k mark in 16:30...super quick. I was tempted to ease up, but that wasn't the goal today...time to dig into that pain cave a bit.


We exchanged cheers with other half marathoners as we doubled back on the course and made our way towards the beach. I made the most of the downhills, quite comfortable in my new Spira Stinger XT running shoes that seemed to suck up the pavement with ease. They have these crazy springs in them that seem to take the edge of the downhill pavement, for sure. We hit mile 6 in 34:50, and picked up the pace a bit more. I heard the encouraging cheers from Will Gotthardt, Caitlin Smith, and Sumi Kim from the sidelines and kept on pushing.

(Cruising down Hwy 1)

The beach came into view at mile 8, and the course flattened out along Hwy 1 for a two mile out-and-back. Losing the gravity boost slowed me to just under a 6 min/mile, and I did my best to focus on my fragile form doing it's best to slow me down. Two runners caught me, and one said "join our pack!", and I hung on through mile 10. My watch said 58:22, a new 10-mile PR! Hang in there!!!

My body (and stomach) gave me the 2-minute warning just as I hit the last hill with a half mile to go, so I pulled my visor down and surged to the finish. I looked up to see a finish time of 1:16:23, a mere 17 seconds faster than my PR here two years ago. Phew! It's so nice to know PR's are in reach even as a Master, and Sophie will love the age group win medal and RRCA Masters plaque (they end up on all the Barbies or part of play houses). But I also felt good and held my pace, meaning there's a chance at a sub-2:40 at Austin as well. The Spira shoes had plenty of spring and will make for a PR-worthy marathon shoe - glad to have found those. The proper ingredients seem to be in place.

(18-year-old Guillaume Hansel decimated the 19-and-under with a 1:15:24, much to the delight of papa, Yves)

(Pamakids coach Andy Chan gets 3rd in 40-44 age group with his 1:18:27)

I caught up with winner Chris Chavez (1:07:15), Crosby Freeman (1:08:25), Sam Robinson (4th, 1:09:48), Chikara Omine (11th, 1:13:58), as we cheered on Tyler Stewart (Women's winner, 1:17:09), 48-year-old Lisbeth Sunshine (4th Woman, 1:18:54, best age-graded performance of the day), and the 250+ runners who made the most of the day to go sub-1:30. Amazing performances! (all results) And best of all, a gorgeous day. After a few days in England and Ireland, I am forever thankful to be able to run a February race on the beach in my singlet and shorts. We are truly blessed!

My thanks to Pamakids, RhodyCo, and all of the amazing volunteers on another successful Kaiser SF Half. You make it easy to strive for a PR!

- SD

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Alberto Contador Gets 2-Year Ban for Doping, Loses 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro D'Italia Titles

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) handed Alberto Contador a 2-year ban this morning, applied from the date of investigation, and effectively stripping him of his 2010 Tour de France and 2011 Giro D'Italia wins. He will also miss the Tour for 2012, plus the London Olympics. The CAS suspended the three-time Tour champion after rejecting his claim that his positive test for clenbuterol was caused by eating contaminated meat.

One would think the most excited folks to hear the news would be Andy Schleck, who now gets bumped to 1st after his epic duel with Contador in 2010, or perhaps Michele Scarponi, who gets the win for the 2011 Giro D'Italia, but it appears neither of them are too excited with the news and the 550+ days it took to reach a verdict. In fact, that seems to be the reaction of the sport in general. Even the comics at The Onion are wondering if their mock story was perhaps more true than false.

Andy Schleck summed it up well:

“There is no reason to be happy now. First of all I feel sad for Alberto. I always believed in his innocence. This is just a very sad day for cycling. If now I am declared overall winner of the 2010 Tour de France it will not make me happy. I battled with Contador in that race and I lost. My goal is to win the Tour de France in a sporting way, being the best of all competitors, not in court. If I succeed this year, I will consider it as my first Tour victory.”

UCI President Pat McQuaid said: "This is a sad day for our sport. Some may think of it as a victory, but that is not at all the case. There are no winners when it comes to the issue of doping: every case, irrespective of its characteristics, is always a case too many."

Somewhere on the back pages of all of this, there's a little footnote that says the US federal case against Lance Armstrong has been dropped. Well timed, Armstrong PR team!

Man, talk about a sport in trouble.

...

PocketFuel - My Latest Product Obsession

I get a ton of free samples sent my way, and every once in while a product works its way into regular rotation on training/events. The latest is PocketFuel, a nut butter-based snack in a pouch that I've found perfect for both fueling and recovery. But most of all it just tastes reeeaaally good.

PocketFuel is the brainchild of Mark and Heidi Ribkoff, two athletes based out of Hood River, OR. It started as a search for something better (and less messy) than sugary gels, and quickly led to a selection of natural ingredient blends like "Chia Goji and Honey", comprised of blended almonds, chia seeds, goji berries, and electrolytes. Each blend is a squeezable concoction in a 3-ounce bulletproof pouch worthy of camping or ultrarunning, and can easily be stashed, stored half empty, and refilled from bulk supplies.


Discover PocketFuel Video from PocketFuel on Vimeo.

I tried each of the flavors, then placed a refill order for a case of my favorites, "Chia Goji and Honey" and "Chunky Coconut Cherry". I primarily use them for a quick shot of recovery carbs and protein after a run, since I can easily stash them in my car or backpack. The Chia pouch gives a nice boost of energy thanks to the the chia seeds and goji berries, so it's good for morning post-workout fueling. The Coconut Cherry is satiating with it's rich mix of fats and protein, so I like to have one between the 5pm workout and the seems-like-eternity-to-eat-dinner 8pm meal. Both are have plenty of electrolytes, are vegan, and gluten-free, a welcome alternative to those with dietary constraints.

If you like what you see, place an order or help them raise seed funding for their company by making a donation on Kickstarter.  I think you're gonna like it!

- SD

[Note - For those not familiar with Kickstarter, it's a great way to raise funds from peers for a new idea or venture. Ryan Mills, for example, has just 31 days to complete his fundraising for an 8-day run across Death Valley to raise awareness for healthy lifestyles, and would love your help!]

...

back at it again!

I feel like I just keep getting back to my original weight and have to keep starting over. I’m not sure the psychology of that, but that’s what it feels like. Kinda feels like doing the same things again and again and expecting something different to happen but I honestly don’t know what to do. So I’m at it again and the last 2 weeks have been very successful. I have been living on a very strict budget and it seems to be helping a lot. I am eating a lot less because the stuff that is better for you is more expensive. It amazes me how much I don’t eat because I just don’t have the money to eat it. This is the first time I have done this and the reason for it will be announced at a later date. There are amazing changes coming in my life! I NEED to get healthy! I hope this is the time that it sticks! Just like I hope every time…

Starting Weight (January 29, 2012): 285 lbs.
Starting BMI: 39.7
Last Weigh in: (February 5 , 2012) 281 lbs.
Weight Today (February 12, 2011): 278 lbs.
Current BMI: 38.8

Weight Change This Week: -3 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 7 pounds
Loss Streak: 2 weeks in a row
Longest Streak: 2 weeks in a row
NEXT GOAL: 260 lbs. (18 lbs. to go)

Post from: Fat Bloggers Weight Loss Blog

back at it again!

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Exercise Helps More Than Just Your Waistline

This is a guest post by Katie Brind’Amour.

It is a well-known fact that exercise is good for you. It is essential for weight loss, a trim figure, and being able to fit into a smaller jean size at the department store. And yet somehow, losing weight hasn’t always been enough motivation for me to stick to an exercise program like Insanity or P90x (or jogging, or yoga, or…anything).

I was blessed for a long time with what my family called a “miracle metabolism” – the kind with which I could eat and eat and never gain a pound. For years and years I never exercised, I ate junk food non-stop, and then, voila! The “miracle” bit of my metabolism stopped holding up its end of the bargain. I went from trim to pudgy, which was enough of a change for me to give exercise a try.

My half-hearted attempts at weight loss only lasted until I had shed the layer of fat that most concerned me, to be followed swiftly by a return to my usual bad habits. This became a regular cycle – a long-lived yo-yo – until I started realizing a theme in my research for articles I wrote for work. Exercise is good for you, regardless of your shape or size.

That, coupled with regular stories in women’s magazines that threatened heart disease, breast cancer, and premature death if I didn’t get my fat butt off the couch, was enough to make me really embrace the idea of exercising for my health – not just a swimsuit body.

Exercise Decreases Your Risk of Chronic Diseases

It is encouraging to me to learn that people who exercise regularly – even if they carry a few extra pounds around the middle – can actually be healthier than slim people who don’t move a muscle. Much of this is because exercise works your heart muscle, circulates blood to your brain, stimulates your metabolism, aids digestion, regulates blood sugar (exercise helps prevent diabetes), and encourages healthy body maintenance processes without you even thinking about it.

Reminding myself that getting on the treadmill, taking a hike or swim, going through yoga poses at home, or walking the dog is good for my overall health has been a true motivator for me. I don’t want to die from preventable problems, like plaque in my arteries, and I want to be fit enough to enjoy an active life well into retirement. For me, these ideas are what get me off the couch and into the gym – not simply imagining myself as the flat-stomach version of me in my teens.

Exercise Improves Mental Health

As if the probability of living a longer, healthier life weren’t enough, I also get motivation from knowing that exercise will give me a happier life. Research shows that people who exercise can naturally keep depression at bay just by breaking a sweat. That, coupled with the natural boost in feel-good endorphins and hormones released in the brain every time you get out of breath from a workout, makes for a sweet reason to hit the pavement.

The best part about exercise is perhaps the feeling you get afterwards – the feeling that becomes addictive, I think, to those who exercise regularly – that sense of pride, accomplishment, and dare I say it? Energy! As hard as it is to get myself to the gym to get going, I start feeling like I could run forever once I hit my rhythm. Well, I at least feel like I can run for a few more minutes, and then maybe try again the next day. But the important point is that once you get started, it’s easier to keep going because, I believe, the natural high you get from exercise is meant to keep you coming back for more.

So all in all, I have to say that looking good isn’t good enough for me – it’s not enough to make me change my ways, and it certainly has never been enough to make me stick to a demanding exercise routine for more than a few weeks. What is enough, however, is knowing that with a little less laziness and a little more sweat, I can be a healthier and happier person for a long time to come.

Just remember that what motivates you to exercise has to be something that is important to you – not necessarily to everybody else. You have to find what matters in your life and keep that idea forever present in your mind to help drive you to success in fitness and a healthy lifestyle. After all, if you want to see your grandkids graduate from college, you’d better start hopping on the treadmill right now!

Katie Brind’Amour is a health and wellness writer who also blogs about friendship. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is pursuing her PhD in Health Services Management while she struggles to practice what she preaches. For more articles like this, check out Danae’s Corner.

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Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog

Exercise Helps More Than Just Your Waistline

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How to Enjoy Weight Loss (Yes, Really!)

This is a guest post by Stephanie Murray.

When was the last time you got excited about losing weight? Do you usually wake up in the morning just raring to go and exercise 'til your heart's content? How much do you genuinely look forward to lightening up and shifting some pounds?

If you are like most people (and let's face it, most of us are) losing weight can seem like a difficult feat. The words 'weight loss' and 'enjoy' don't usually go together in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence. We have been taught to believe that weight loss should be a struggle, something to be overcome, put up with and suffered through.

However, it does not have to be this way!

In fact, weight loss can actually be fun. I'm serious. You really can go from dreading any semblance of weight loss to genuinely looking forward to becoming lighter, healthier and happier. And this can happen much quicker than you think!

Here are four simple ways to inject some excitement into your weight loss journey, so much so that you will actually look forward to taking each step (I promise!).

1. Focus on Your Health.

This may sound crazy, but the way you think about food, eating and your own health will heavily dictate your behavior – particularly your eating habits. And let me be clear: unhealthy eating is simply a habit, not a character trait, and it is one that can be easily changed.

Staying motivated in your healthy lifestyle may seem difficult at first, but it really can be simple. Break down each day into small chunks, and understand that every little decision you encounter can be a source of positive action.

For example, saying no to mid-afternoon biscuits can single-handedly prompt weight loss. How so? One chocolate-chip cookie contains approximately 78 calories. Doesn't sound like much? Cutting these out every day for a week saves you 546 calories, and a 500-calorie deficit is all that is needed for a 1lb weight loss. So, forgoing on a 3pm sugar hit that you don't really need can have a real effect on your weight and your health.

Pretty easy!

When it comes to losing weight, focusing on your reasons for taking action can keep you on the right track. For instance, if you find yourself questioning why you have to sacrifice what you love 'just to be healthy', try to re-frame your question. Why would you settle for prepackaged, essentially life-threatening foods (a little dramatic but ultimately true) when you can instead indulge in healthy, vibrant fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, beans, fish, lean meat and low-fat dairy products instead? Why would you let yourself settle for something mediocre when you can give your body tons of nutrients so that you feel full of energy?

All you have to do is stay focused on what you want and keep your health in the front of your mind. Be clear on your goals and your direction and your behavior will naturally follow suit. Before long, you will be craving fresh, delicious foods that help you to look and feel great!

2. Get Enough Sleep.

When it comes to weight loss, I find that the basic steps are often the most effective – and the easiest. And who doesn't love sleep? Believe it or not, many of us are chronically tired and amass what is known as a 'sleep debt'. Apart from making us drowsy throughout the day, this lack of sleep can affect our appetites – and our waistlines.

The physiological affects of sleep deprivation can unfortunately wreak havoc with your internal system and make it much harder to commit to healthy living. How often do you feel fatigued and under-rested? When you lack sleep, your body produces decreased levels of the hormone leptin and increased levels of the hormone ghrelin. In short, leptin affects your ability to feel satiated after meals, leading you to eat more than you usually would – or actually need. Meanwhile, ghrelin stimulates your appetite, causing you to desire more food. Together, they can form a disastrous combination for your health!

For the statistic-minded individual, approximately 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep loss or sleep disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health. Furthermore, a 2011 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that while sleep-deprived individuals burned off the same amount of calories well-rested subjects, they tended to eat 300 more calories per day. The researchers also concluded that sleep deprivation affects the quality of our decisions, leading us to choose unhealthy foods more easily. The researchers were hesitant to label sleep as a direct cause of weight loss; however, it does appear to play an influential role in weight management.

Instead, make your sleep a priority. Aim for 7-9 hours of shut eye each night, and try to be in bed before midnight for better-quality sleep. Our bodies' circadian rhythms or 'body clocks' naturally synchronize with the rising and setting of the sun, so early nights will leave you feeling far more refreshed and committed to your healthy lifestyle. Losing weight was never so much fun!

3. Enjoy Your Food.

Eating healthily is a crucial part of weight loss and can change your life. But what exactly does this entail, and how much do you have to sacrifice to do it? Contrary to what you may have heard, Healthy eating has received a bad rap over the years and many can find this concept in itself off-putting. Know that this is completely changeable and you can learn to enjoy eating well. It is all about finding what you like and working with these preferences.

So where should you start?

Break down your day into meal breaks. What would you usually have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks? Ask yourself how nutritious these meals are – and be honest with yourself. If you're genuinely not sure, assess how much fresh food (as opposed to processed, canned, packaged and preserved foods) constitutes each meal. If the results aren't so optimistic, do not despair.

Instead, have fun with nutrition! Make a list of all the vegetables you enjoy (and I'm sure there are at least one or two… or many more!) and make the effort to always have these stocked in your fridge. Do the same with fruits, lean protein, low-fat dairy and wholegrains. View nutritious foods as an investment in your health. Discover fun ways to enjoy them, such as in natural muesli with natural yoghurt, fresh berries and a dash of honey, a simple garden salad with a lemon dressing or grilled salmon with a dukkah crust. With the expansion of cooking shows and blogs, there is no shortage of quick, easy and healthy recipes to try out. Start with something basic requiring few ingredients and a shorter cooking time and work your way up to more ambitious (and time-consuming) feats!

4. Have Faith in Yourself.

A wise man once told me: 'The only thing stopping you is yourself'. This is so true for many of us, and it can be the key to your weight loss success. As I mentioned earlier, your mindset will clearly dictate your results in healthy living, and this can be for better or worse. Apart from understanding that your eating habits and behaviors can be easily changed, you need to be 100% sure that you are able to reach your goals. Without faith in yourself, you will not be able to reach your true potential.

Now, this may be what you have always struggled with in your quest for weight loss, and it can seem hard initially. We are all human and we find it much easier to sacrifice long-term gain (or loss in this case!) for short-term rewards. This means that we are programmed to binge on the chocolate in front of us instead of holding off for fruit and healthy living instead. It is human nature! However, there are ways to use your brain and desires to your advantage.

There is no way you can fully commit to something unless you can really see the potential rewards. No one can force you to take responsibility of your health and wellbeing if you don't genuinely care about it yourself. Similarly, if you think that losing weight is going to be difficult or impossible, then you will act in accordance with this belief. No one can help you if you don't believe in yourself.

Understand that you hold the key to your weight loss success. There is no 'secret' or 'magic bullet' that will be able to help you if you are not completely on board. At the same time, nothing can stop you from succeeding if you truly believe you can. By sticking to your guns and knowing that every step is getting you closer to your goal, you can't help but to succeed. Your own weight loss is achievable and within your grasp. All you have to do is believe and your goals will find their way to you!

Stephanie Murray is the creator of the Mini-Me Diet Revolution, a natural weight loss and lifestyle program for women. She has also written a free eBook called 7 Steps to Slim, designed to show women that losing weight and feeling great does not have to be hard; instead, it can be fun, simple and tasty. Click here to get your free copy and achieve the body you deserve today!

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Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog

How to Enjoy Weight Loss (Yes, Really!)

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Which Bike Trainer To Choose To Stay Fit?

This is a guest post by Dr. Ron Fritzke.

He's been a while in getting here, but it looks like Old Man Winter has finally arrived for most of the country. The folks in the Pacific Northwest have been hammered with rain and snow for the last few months, but for the rest of us the weather's been warm and dry up until now.

Warm enough to keep our outdoor fitness programs going far past when we'd normally retreat to our indoor treadmills and ellipticals…or maybe even riding our bikes in the living room??

In case you haven't been aware of it, there are some great options for turning your everyday bicycle into an indoor cardio machine. These machines are relatively small bike stands to which you attach the rear wheel of your bicycle. There are various ways in which they resist your pedaling, which is the subject of the rest of this article.

Bike Trainers Can Be Broken Down Into Three Styles

Without getting too technical, indoor cycling trainers align themselves into three basic groups. The membership into each one is determined by the way in which the trainer creates the workload that will have your legs burning and your lungs puffing.

As is the case with just about any product, the three styles have their strengths and their weaknesses…

1 – Wind Trainers: Simple, Loud…And Cheap Too!

Let's get it started at the bottom of the bike trainer food chain; the wind trainers. Not too long ago, wind trainers resembled glorified squirrel cages that were spun around by the rear wheel of your bike. These contraptions were relatively fragile (the squirrel cages easily got bent when bumped during transport), and in the spirit of all wind trainers…exceedingly loud.

But lately a few of the top notch bike trainer companies have taken on the wind trainer world and now make products that feature cast iron fan impellers which move a lot of air… and can withstand just about any assault, short of a powerful locomotive or a speeding bullet.

A few advantages of wind trainers…
Simple machines that have few breakable parts.
The least expensive of the three types of trainers.
Lightest category of indoor bike trainer, for more comfortable transport from closet to living room and back.

A few disadvantages of wind trainers…
These are the loudest trainers, with pedaling at speeds exceeding about 17 mph setting off near hurricane level roars.
For hardcore cyclists, wind trainers may not supply enough resistance necessary for extremely intense interval sessions.

2 – Magnetic Trainers Are Coming Up In The World

In much the same way that companies concerned about quality have transformed the wind trainer world, magnetic trainers (mag trainers) have benefited from a focus on reliability by companies like Cycle Ops. The Cycle Ops Magneto trainer is an excellent example.

When I was riding the Magneto side by side with the top-level fluid trainers, the Magneto was as quiet as any of them, and was able to generate more resistance than I'd ever be able to use.

A few advantages of mag trainers…
Never have the possibility of leaking, like some fluid trainers might.
High-level mag trainers are engineered to provide a progressively more difficult ride as you pedal faster.

A few disadvantages of mag trainers…
Early model mag trainers and current cheaply-made mag trainers aren't constructed well enough to hold up to years of use.
Lower-level mag trainers don't increase their resistance level exponentially, as would normally happen out on the road while riding your bike. Because of this, high-intensity interval workouts aren't performed well on many mag trainers.

3 – Fluid Trainers Rule The World…Sorta

It used to be that there were fluid trainers at the top of the bike trainer heap, and then there were all of the other trainers trailing a bit behind. Not so anymore…the high-level mag trainers are stealing some of the thunder.

Fluid trainers generate their workload by spinning an impeller through a fluid-filled chamber. As you can imagine, that takes quite a bit of work (think motorboat speeding around a lake…pushed by a V-8 engine). Because there is a nearly limitless amount of resistance generated by fluid trainers, even cyclists with legs of steel won't be able to overpower them.

Historically, fluid trainers had an Achilles heel…after a while they would develop leaks. But not too long ago, the Kurt Kinetic company patented a design that turned the fluid trainer world on it's head.

Without getting too technical, the Kinetic by Kurt Road Machine features a completely sealed fluid-filled chamber enclosing the impeller. The impeller spins because it contains powerful magnets that are paired with the magnets in a flywheel (spun by your rear tire) outside of the chamber. The 'innards' spin in tandem with the outer flywheel without the need for seals or O-rings.

Ingenious! And with that, the Road Machine catapulted to the top of the bike trainer pile.

A few advantages of fluid trainers…
These are typically the quietest of the bike trainers.
Fluid trainers provide nearly limitless resistance to satisfy any cyclist.

A few disadvantages of fluid trainers…
These are the most expensive of the trainers.
Fluid trainers weigh more than the other types, making lugging them around the house a bit of a chore.
Cheaply-made made fluid trainers still can develop leaks in their seals and O-rings.
Stay In Shape Now To Get A Head Start On Spring

Wouldn't it be nice to come out of the winter with a head start? So much of the time we find ourselves having to get back in shape every year when April or May rolls around. But with a well-thought-out winter fitness program, you'll eliminate the need to go through the sore muscles and breathlessness of having gotten 'soft' over the winter.

You may not have been aware of how your everyday bicycle can be transformed into an indoor exercise tool. Now you know a bit about the different types of bike trainers…give them a 'look-see' and emerge from winter triumphant!

Dr. Ron Fritzke turned to riding his bike for fitness after his Achilles tendon could no longer take the stress of running. A chiropractor in Northern California, he maintains his private practice, helps out on the sports medicine team at the College of the Siskiyous, and writes about cycling products on his website, Cycling-Review.com.

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Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog

Which Bike Trainer To Choose To Stay Fit?

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