Sports & Fitness: Performance Training, Rules & Recovery

Elite athletic performance and general fitness are sustained through structured hypertrophy strategies, sport-specific conditioning, and rigorous adherence to injury prevention protocols.

Fasted or Fed: Which Is Better for My Workouts?

A “fasted” state means a person has not consumed any food before an exercise session, while a “fed” state means a person has had some form of fuel like carbohydrates, protein or fat ingested before hammering out a workout.

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low angle view of a young woman on a treadmill holding her calf

Could My Running Insoles Make My Calves Burn?

Experiencing burning in your calf muscles may be caused by a number of conditions. The calf muscle is situated on the back of the lower leg. The two muscles that make up the calf are the soleus and gastrocnemius. Injury, strain or burning can occur when your calf muscles are overused.

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Olympic Weights Vs. Standard Weights

Olympic plates vs. standard plates, which is right for your weightlifting? In truth, Olympic weights win by almost every comparison. Olympic plates are less disruptive while lifting, more adaptable and they are the weight of choice for competition. However, standard plates are often priced lower and are fine for lifters who aren't looking to go too heavy. Compare the two and decide which is right for you.

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The Best Walking Shoes for Ankle Support

Walking offers many health benefits, such as helping you to burn calories and improve your cardiovascular stamina, reports the California Podiatric Medical Association.

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Should I Be Able to Feel Fat Around My Stomach When Sitting?

Sitting folds up your body so the skin and fat on your lower stomach is less spread out than when standing. Even if your weight is healthy, it’s normal to feel some amount of skin around your stomach when you sit. The important considerations are if your weight is healthy and if you are happy with your appearance.

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Woman aiming bow and arrow

Archery -- How to Install an Arrow Rest

Do not let the phrase "traditional archery" fool you. Modern longbows and recurves are precision-engineered pieces of equipment, and in the hands of a skilled archer, they provide the precision and accuracy needed for competition or hunting.

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Rear view of People using exercise equipment in front of a window

How Do the Pulse Sensors Work on Exercise Machines?

When exercising, knowing several statistics about your workout can help you determine whether you've reached your fitness goals for the day. You might be interested in how many calories you've burned, for example, or how far you ran on the treadmill.

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elevated view of a woman wearing karate clothing

What Is the Hardest Black Belt to Gain?

There are literally hundreds of martial arts, and for each the black belt is a standard of excellence. It typically signifies the student is now an instructor and performs at an expert level. Four martial arts stand out for their black belt demands, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may be the most demanding.

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Fit people in a spin class with woman smiling at camera

What Are the Average Miles You Ride in a 60 Minute Spin Class?

You can sweat it out on a Spin class stationary bike that literally goes nowhere. You can simulate riding over hills and flat roads, or riding through winds, all with the turn of a knob that changes the resistance of your ride. You'll also pile on some cycling miles, just like you would on the open road.

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Pensive man in office

What Is Causing My Shirt's Elbows to Tear?

Men's shirts undergo a lot of stress, whether you're a blue-collar worker or white-collar executive. One of the areas that is most prone to wear on a long-sleeve shirt is the elbow. Thin fabric, repetitive arm motion, resting your elbow on rough surfaces or ill-fitted shirts can cause torn elbows on your shirt.

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Woman running in street

The Average Miles a Person Can Walk Per Day

Walking a mile burns as many calories as running a mile, with less impact on the joints. This makes walking an excellent physical activity to get in shape. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t walk enough, and walk far less than adults around the world.

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Woman Wearing a Pink Vest Jogging Through a Park

Beginning Running Plan for Twice a Week

Running has many benefits -- improving your cardiovascular fitness, losing weight, reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke -- but it’s hard work. If you’re new to running, commit to two weekly training sessions and start slowly. Running is great for exercisers on a limited time budget.

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young african american female tennis player in blue tank top white skirt ready to return a serve

Examples of Non-Contact Sports

Sports can be a great way to get and stay fit, let off steam or provide an outlet for your competitive spirit. Whatever your height, weight or build, there is probably a sport for you. Some sports, such as football and rugby, involve physical contact.

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Stock Photo:  Racket for tennis and a ball

How to Keep a Ping-Pong Paddle Tacky

Winning a game of table tennis requires more than quick reflexes -- you also have to control the ping-pong ball, and that takes good tack. Tack refers to the stickiness of the rubber covering both flat faces of the paddle.

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Man adjusting snowboard at base of mountain, smiling, portrait

Acrylic Snowboarding Socks vs Wool Socks

Sports and outdoor activities can be tough on your body, especially your feet. Add harsh environmental elements such as slush and snow, and your feet will definitely need the appropriate coverage to stay dry. For snowboarders, choosing the right kind of sock is essential to keeping your feet warm and blister-free.

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