Tips to Staying Hydrated This Summer

Posted on June 2, 2013 by admin

Summer is quickly approaching and if there is one pesky little thing that can really slow you down and interfere with your workout, it’s dehydration.  Staying hydrated is an essential part to everyone’s health.  Suboptimal hydration affects the way your body is supposed to work and if your body isn’t working properly then your workout will suffer.

Dehydration can affect your skin health, weight management, energy level, blood pressure, and digestion (just to name a few).  Besides skin health, which is important to everyone, the rest can really interfere with a good workout.  If you are not properly hydrated, your body will slow down the activity of the enzymes that are responsible for producing energy.  This will lead to slower metabolism and fatigue.

It’s recommended that an adult should drink 10 cups (80 ounces) of water a day for their body to work it’s best.  That’s a lot of water and chances are, most of us don’t drink that much.  Drinking that much water a day can become very boring and ultimately pushes people in the direction of fruit juices and soda for some flavor and excitement.  However, fruit juices and soda are not good for you and certainly not a substitute for water.  There are a few tips you can do to make your water a little more fun and appealing, which will hopefully help you drink more of it.

Adding a little natural flavor to your water will make it more appealing.  You can do this by adding some slices of any fruit you choose, however, citrus fruit will add the biggest punch of flavor to your water.  Slicing a lemon, lime, or orange into little circles not only makes your water look more appetizing, but it will add some taste as well.  Here’s another idea: put your water in a clean clear container.  Seeing your sparkling clean clear water with your fresh fruit slices will make you want to drink it.  Another tip is to make your water easily accessible.  Make a big pitcher of your 80 ounces of fruit infused water and keep it in the refrigerator at work or home.  This will make it easy for you to access, and help you keep track of how much more you need to drink.

Stay on top of your hydration.  If you are feeling thirsty, fatigued, or have a general sense of not feeling well, then it’s probably already too late.  Stay ahead of the game this summer and you will feel better and have more energy, which will lead to better workouts.  Better workouts lead to a better state of physical and mental health, so drink plenty of water to look and feel your best!

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Importance of Performance Wicking Gear

Posted on April 28, 2013 by admin

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time for outdoor training.  Not too hot, not too cold, but just right.  Mornings and evenings are cool and brisk, and afternoons are perfectly warm and sunny.   As summer approaches, it’s important to train in the appropriate gear that will wick your sweat away from your body and allow you to have a more comfortable workout.

Performance wicking gear works by absorbing moisture from your body and distributing it throughout the fabric to increase the drying time.  This type of gear is available in shirts, shorts, underwear, socks, pants, and jackets.  Sweat It Out offers performance wicking gear using CoolMax fabric.  This type of gear is easy to wash and dry, as the drying time is very short.  In fact, you can save on energy by line drying your CoolMax gear because it will dry in no time at all!  Wicking gear is not only great for the warmer months, but it’s beneficial in the cooler months as well.  If you use it as the first layer, it will wick away the moisture from your body allowing you to feel warmer and prevent any chilling.  CoolMax performance wicking gear also keeps you more hydrated as it allows your skin to have better breathability during exercising, which allows you to sweat less, be more comfortable, and workout longer.  The benefits of wearing performance gear made from a wicking fabric such as CoolMax go beyond the obvious comfort it provides.  Wearing the proper workout gear will allow you to workout longer and harder, which will provide you with more confidence both in and out of the gym.

Be sure to check out Sweat It Out’s full line of performance wicking gear using CoolMax fabric.  It will make your upcoming spring and summer workouts more comfortable, which will allow you to get more out of your workouts.

 

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Exercise is Vital to Your Health, Physically and Mentally

Posted on March 31, 2013 by admin

Everyone knows that incorporating exercise into a regular routine is essential in maintaining adequate physical health. In fact, the Center for Disease Control urges all adults to engage in at least seventy-five minutes of vigorous aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening per week. The physical benefits of exercise are seemingly endless. Those who exercise regularly are at a decreased risk for a long list of health problems including: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and even cancer. However, many people seem to overlook the additional benefits of regular exercise. That is, the effects that exercise can have on an individual’s mental health.

 

Regular exercise can be extremely beneficial for your brain. One benefit, alertness and judgment, has been observed in individuals exercising at least three days per week. Additionally, exercise has been shown to increase confidence by helping individuals to accomplish goals. Not to mention that personal appearance tends to benefit from an exercise regimen, which in turn can often lead to additional self confidence. Exercise also tends to be an activity that takes place in a group setting. The additional interaction with others tends to make people feel more engaged and can be beneficial to mental health.

 

Perhaps most important, is the potential for exercise to decrease the incidence of depression. Exercise, although intense, often provides for a time of relaxation. Furthermore, physical activity is correlated with the release and inhibition of certain chemicals which affect the brain. For example, dopamine and serotonin have major implications on individual’s mental health and are directly influenced by levels of exercise. Next time you go for a run or head to the gym, be proud about taking the steps to better your physical and mental health.

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8 Signs of Exercise Overload

Posted on February 11, 2013 by admin

Many believe that regular workout routines are supposed to increase our muscle mass and decrease our body fat, but in fact overdoing your workouts can essentially lead to reduced strength and increased body fat. This is your body’s way of pleading for a break and some time to recuperate from the stress overload. To recover from tough workouts make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep for your body to repair tiny muscle tears, and build new muscle. Obtaining daily nutritional needs is also very important for your health and bodily functions. Consider consuming lean protein such as fish, skinless chicken breast, and tofu. Also have whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

Other ways your body will let you know if you are experiencing exercise burnout include:

-A decrease in performance levels during endurance activities such as running, swimming and cycling.

-A decline in motivation or pleasure of the activity.

-When overstressed physically, you may begin to feel depressed, angry, confused, anxiety, and irritability.

-If you are experiencing persistent muscle soreness that lasts for hours or days after your workout.

-If you notice an increase in your normal resting heart rate. For example, from 50 beats per minute to 65 beats per minute.

-You may also experience disrupted sleep patterns such as insomnia, making you restless and not able to fall asleep.

-You may also experience a decrease in appetite in the middle to later stages of overtraining, in addition, to feeling fatigued and a lack of motivation. This happens as your body slows down bodily processes such as metabolism, while the body tries to force a reduction in its workload.

-Prolonged over training can take you weeks or months to recover from. It can also weaken your immune system, leading to inflammation, and injury.

 

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Building The Motivation To Exercise

Posted on January 22, 2013 by admin

With our busy schedules it is hard to find the time to exercise as often as we like. We know it is good for us, helps to relieve stress, and makes us feel strong. But sometimes we have those days with no desire to get our exercise pants on and gear ready for the intensity of working out. This is when a little extra push will get us motivated to get up and exercise again.

Here are few encouraging ways to get ready to exercise.

-Rather than constantly workout indoors, go running, jogging, or walking outdoors and enjoy mother nature.

-Try a new sport to change the pace of your exercise routine. Consider paddle boarding, mountain biking, or kickboxing.

-Play video games that will get you playing and moving on the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect. The key is movement.

-If you are short on time and are unable to spend hours working out, do some high intensity interval training (HIIT).

-Seek a buddy that you can go to with your progress and who will keep you motivated throughout your weight loss goals. You can also seek an online community to report to.

-One of the best motivators around is keeping track of your progress in a workout journal. It can either be written on physical paper or an electronic notepad anywhere you can easily record your progress.

-To make sure you are staying on track write down a list of your health and fitness goals and revisit them often.

-Instead of thinking of working out as a temporary answer to losing weight, view it as a long-term goal to help you live a longer, healthier life. When you do this, working out becomes a privilege, not a chore.

-Do not let your excuses stop you from living a healthy and fit life. Begin getting motivated to work out to gain from the benefits of leading a healthy life.

 

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Tips For Running In The Cold Winter Months

Posted on December 31, 2012 by admin

The winter season has quickly arrived along with the chilly breeze. It is also the weather that those who are runners enjoy for the challenge. However, if you recently started running and have never ran outside in the cold weather before don’t feel discouraged.  Running in the cold weather is actually good for you.

 Huffing and puffing regularly by running gets your heart pumping which transfers oxygen to your blood and increases your body’s natural virus-killing cells. Also getting fresh air not only gives you a break from the cold-causing germs found indoors, but it also strengthens your immune system.

The cold weather is ideal for running, since there is less heat stress on the body, making it significantly easier to run. While using the treadmill at the gym can get boring, running outdoors is free, convenient, and never dull. Aside from not costing you a dime, you’ll also avoid germs found at the gym and in the locker room.

In addition, running helps release powerful hormones that help minimize depression, while increasing positive mood states during the cold weather months. It also helps your metabolism remain strong.

Furthermore, keeping up with your regular fitness routine during the winter months will help prevent the holiday weight gain that comes along with the holiday party hopping, family get-togethers, and the sweet treats of the season.

Although the cold winter chills can deter any runner, layering up will make your outdoor runs more comfortable. Remember to wear your favorite long-sleeve shirt for those 40-degree days. Wear them over a sports bra and short-sleeve shirt, slip on a pair of pants, merino wool socks, a hat, and mittens, and another long-sleeve layer or fleece vest if it’s super cold, and you are ready for your run.

 

 

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Our Latest Customer Testimonial By Judy Ball On SWEAT IT OUT’s 1900 Compression Pants And The 1998 Sports Bra

Posted on December 3, 2012 by admin

Dear Efraim,

I’ve been a Sweatitout customer for over ten years and love your products.  I was new to exercising back in 2000 and looking for comfortable exercise clothes that fit well.  I found Sweatitout on the web, ordered the 1900 compression pants and the 1998 sports bra and have been re-ordering them ever since.  They hold up beautifully through many washings, they fit well, don’t ride up (pants or bras) and provide both comfort and support.
A few months ago, disgusted with how I felt on blood pressure meds and too much weight, I did something about it and now, almost 6 months later and almost 50 pounds lighter, I feel much better.  I confess it’s not the Sweatitout clothes but a new attention to exercise and what I eat — an improved lifestyle to put it simply.  I went to the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami where I learned that high blood pressure is as much the result of too much salt in one’s diet (even though I NEVER added salt to cooking or at the table) as too much weight.  In fact, with Pritikin’s medical supervision (their excellent physicians) I was off both blood pressure meds within a week because without salt in the food they provide, my blood pressure dropped significantly.  I lost over 10 pounds during my three weeks there and have lost an additional 35-40 pounds since.
The Pritikin mantra is virtually no salt (less than 1200 mgs a day), no sugar and very little fat (10-15% in any food item should be comprised of fat) and cardio exercise at least 5 times a week.
The average American diet of course has lots of salt, fat and sugar, even the “plain” canned or frozen fruits and veggies.  I now read labels carefully.  I can eat all I want (and I mean all I want) of fresh veggies and fruit and limit animal protein to 3-4 4 oz servings a week.  It’s really not hard at all.
There’s nothing worse than a convert, but here I am.  The good news is that I feel much better and now need smaller sized Sweatitout gear.  Hooray!
So thanks for listening to my story and for your great gear.
-Judy B
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Fitness Gift Ideas

Posted on November 30, 2012 by admin

As we know fitness gifts are not meant for everyone. However, if you are in need of a gift for a fitness fan, below are some thoughts on what exercisers look for to make their workouts more efficient and fun.

- A heart rate monitor is a great tool for any exerciser who wants to get the most out of his or her workout.  There are many options to choose from, but you’ll want to obtain one that has a heart rate strap so the exerciser can see a continuous heart rate at a glance. You can also get a fancier model that tracks pace, location, speed etc.

-The TRX Suspension System offers new and challenging workouts.  The network of straps connects to a door or ceiling with an anchor and allows the exerciser to leverage his or her own body weight for a variety of strength, endurance and power exercises.  What’s great about using the TRX is that you can work your whole body with very little equipment and you can take it anywhere.

-The hydryx workout towel is a great gift because it instantly cools once taken out of the tube to help keep workouts more comfortable. It’s great for the gym, which gets steamy with all that body heat or for summertime workouts as well.

-The thorlos experia socks are great for any activity.  They have padding at the heels, and the ball of the foot, while the rest of the sock is thinner, and supportive.  They also breathe well, and stay in place.

-Kettlebells come in a variety of options. They are also the latest trend in fitness and a good choice for any exerciser who loves a challenge.

-Buying personal training sessions to someone that has expressed interest in training, but is reluctant to spend the money or intimidated to try it is a great gift idea. In fact, many people purchase personal training sessions for birthdays and holidays.

 

 

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Our Latest Customer Testimonial By Mike Shay On SWEAT IT OUT’s Long Sleeve Shirt

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin

Hi Efraim,

Just wanted to tell you about the incredible results I have wearing the SWEAT IT OUT long sleeve shirt. It is like having an additional layer of fascial tissue holding everything in place and allowing stretching of muscle and fascia as well. I played for about 5 hours straight in a table tennis tournament. It improves my playing ability in so many ways. Lack of fatigue is so evident, if a muscle is injured or sore, then proprioceptor mechanisms like the muscle spindle and golgi tendon organ both seem to work more effectively. They prevent injury and actually promote healing an injury even when active by making the above mechanisms much more effective to restore balance and improve sensory nerve feedback to the brain. Also wearing a long sleeve t-shirt over the SWEAT IT OUT shirt really keeps my muscles warm so they do not tighten up or get stiff between matches. It also works great for weight training.

The tights you sent are also great, together they keep my body warm with the long sleeve shirt, I do wear SWEAT IT OUT SHORTS over the tights for extra support. For most people the tights would be fine by themselves. My friend Lance Yedersberger, just ordered a shirt and I ordered another shirt also, a really fantastic high quality product that allows athletes to continue to work out and maintain a quality of life as they age.

-Mike Shay

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Ways to Save on Workout Clothes

Posted on October 26, 2012 by admin

Specialty workout clothes might not be a necessity to your exercise program. However, the sweat wicking fabrics and body-hugging designs can help. Clothes designed for exercise are made for bodies in motion, to fit right, and stay put when you’re on the go. Both high-tech synthetic fabrics, and natural ones such as wool, can help pull sweat away from your body so you stay dry. Regulating body temperature also keeps you safe.

Here are some tips on how to save money on workout clothes.

Shop end-of-season sales. Summer and winter, workout clothing goes on major clearance as the weather changes.

Visit discount stores. Discount chains like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Filene’s Basement, and Ross typically carry exercise clothes for a fraction of the cost. You’re likely to find athletic socks and shoes at these stores, too.

Compare prices online. You may be able to find the best deals on workout clothing in stores during clearance time, but you can often find phenomenal deals online.

Visit the outlets. Outlets have a great selection and a variety of sizes to choose from. They also often hold sales and clearance events on top of their already low prices.

Buy items that multitask. A tank with a built-in sports bra may cost more than a simple top, but may save you money since you don’t have to buy the two items separately. In addition, any workout staple that you can fit into your regular wardrobe gives you more bang for your buck.

Only buy what you need. It’s easy to get carried away with buying clothes in cool colors that make you look great, but you’ll save a lot of dough by only buying what you need. Look at your workout schedule, the weather and buy just the number of staples you need.

Choose generic brands. Large sporting goods stores and discount stores may carry off brand workout clothes that are just as good as the name brands. Check the materials and try them on for size. You will be surprised to find that these less expensive brands are just as good as their higher priced competitors.

Take good care of your workout clothes. You won’t have to buy new workout clothes as often if you take proper care of them. Keep in mind that hot water and a hot dryer can make elastic in your clothing wear out more quickly.

 

 

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