Every city has a story to tell. From Los Angeles to Key Largo, FL, Western Maine, and the other large and small cities. There are plenty of things to learn about a city. But, this message is not solely referring to a city's establishment age or what the settlers did hundreds of years ago.
"How well do you know the city in which you live?"
Basically, have you ever traversed your city on foot, on a bike, or on something else other than public transportation or in a motor vehicle? If you can answer, "yes", then you know that seeing your city or any other city in this manner is better than taking a motorized tour. Wait, I forgot the Segway. The Segway counts as a legitimate guide. So, what do you get when you expend physical energy around your city?
1. You learn about resources that you never knew existed. Resources include buildings, playgrounds, fields, schools, courts, stadiums, water ways, parks, parking lots...someone stop me before I keep on going. All of these resources present ways to receive exercise.
2. You see the true sites, sounds, and behaviors of the city. Bike down a neighborhood street and hear the sound of kids or adults playing basketball. Warning: I cannot guarantee that all language will be rated G. Hear the sound of a stroller as the parent runs behind it. See how dogs interact with one another. Watch someone perform T'ai Chi. These activities are some of the sites, sounds, and behaviors that you will notice. It's...catchy.
3. You learn about the hot hub areas. You know that one park in your area that you thought was very quiet? Yea, right it's quiet. It is a bustling place in the morning, after work, and on the weekend. The warmer weather sure does bring everyone out of the wood-works.
4. You learn about fun, free, and discounted stuff. I remember testing out my current bike a couple of years ago, and riding through an adjacent city that has more hills. I love hills. However, on my way toward the hills, I came across a festival that I had never heard of in the past. At this particular festival were restaurants that showcased their foods, fluffer-nutter (that is, peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich). The entertainment on the street included music and roller derby athletes. Very interesting. There might be something around your neighborhood of which you have no idea about its existence. Get on it!
5. You realize that restaurants to which you would travel are closer than the one restaurant to which you currently travel because you did not know about the cool strip of restaurants within walking distance. By the way, walking distance in this case is roughly 2 miles one way, depending on the person. Take note that restaurants change locations or names faster than gyms and churches.
With everything mentioned here, take advantage of the nice weather. Do not get cramped indoors. Love you some vitamin D and get to know your city a little better.
Doesn't every city have those hubway bicycle racks everywhere now?...Except Los Angeles?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The Cookout - Feast Artist
In this first weekend of the 2013 Cookout Season (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend), we can point out whose potato salad is good, who grills the best, and who makes the most interesting dishes among other categories. Well, let's get a 10-list going. Below are 10 summer foods to try, 10 unsung summer sports to try, and 10 activities to try (no specific order as these lists are not rankings):
Foods
10. Potato salad made with different ingredients than normal (different = as healthy as possible)
9. Bison burgers
8. Cole Slaw (same directions as potato salad)
7. Stuffed __________
6. Lamb
5. Baked Beans with a little different sauce
4. Deviled Eggs (Angel eggs as they are also called) with hummus
3. A veggie/green mix other than romaine or iceberg lettuce
2. Fish
1. Crabs (That's the Marylander in me coming out. We love crabs and Old Bay seasoning!)
Sports
10. Soccer
9. Mountain Biking
8. Orienteering
7. Cricket
6. Golf
5. Tennis
4. Ultimate Frisbee
3. Sand/Backyard Volleyball
2. Softball/Baseball
1. Basketball - even if it is simply for the sake of just standing and shooting
Bonus: Family dodgeball
Activities
10. Camping
9. Hiking
8. Sailing
7. Four Square
6. Canoeing/Kayaking/Rowing
5. Rollerblading
4. Square Dancing
3. Rock Climbing
2. Trampoline Jumping (at your own risk)
1. Hop-Scotch
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Foods
10. Potato salad made with different ingredients than normal (different = as healthy as possible)
9. Bison burgers
8. Cole Slaw (same directions as potato salad)
7. Stuffed __________
6. Lamb
5. Baked Beans with a little different sauce
4. Deviled Eggs (Angel eggs as they are also called) with hummus
3. A veggie/green mix other than romaine or iceberg lettuce
2. Fish
1. Crabs (That's the Marylander in me coming out. We love crabs and Old Bay seasoning!)
Sports
10. Soccer
9. Mountain Biking
8. Orienteering
7. Cricket
6. Golf
5. Tennis
4. Ultimate Frisbee
3. Sand/Backyard Volleyball
2. Softball/Baseball
1. Basketball - even if it is simply for the sake of just standing and shooting
Bonus: Family dodgeball
Activities
10. Camping
9. Hiking
8. Sailing
7. Four Square
6. Canoeing/Kayaking/Rowing
5. Rollerblading
4. Square Dancing
3. Rock Climbing
2. Trampoline Jumping (at your own risk)
1. Hop-Scotch
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Friday, May 24, 2013
Physical Rehabilitaion Activity
A few words come to mind when thinking about physical rehabilitation: minor setback, modification, training, and consistency to name a few.
Minor setback – Depending on the severity of the injury, the setback may last for 24 hours, one month, one year, or other. The good news says that every injury can be managed.
Modification – During post-rehabilitation of an injury, you may have to adjust how you perform. For example, instead of performing squats through its full range of motion, which may aggravate your injured knee, performing squats with a yoga block on top of a chair aids in range of motion, strength, and proprioception. Also, instead of doing crunches to come back from an abdominal injury sustained while running you may have to perform isometric abs exercises while standing to re-emphasize the muscular patterns around the abdominal region in a functional manner.
Training – But never stop training. Training is not simply physical. It is mental as well. Imagine yourself returning from your injury stronger than before. More flexible than before. Of course, all of this shall come gradually and in due time. If you cannot take direct impact to your joints as in a lower body injury, then certain cardiovascular exercises are important. The bicycle, heavy ropes, and swimming are helpful.
Consistency – Skipping out on rehabilitation work puts you further back in your comeback. Many rehabilitation protocols can be carried out at home. Of course, it helps to get out to a gym with a rehab program in hand. But, with the correct amount of space, knowledge, and exercise “toys”, some sound physical rehabilitation can be accomplished on a consistent basis.
As the summer approaches, hopefully everyone can free themselves of injuries. If you are nursing one now. Stay with the program. Then, build upon it.
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Fat Swagger - Blood Diamond
Did you know that there is a fat swagger meter. Well, it is nothing that you will find on Google. It is actually an internal meter. The fat swagger meter is how you carry around your adipose tissue. Do you name it? Does it get in the way? Seriously, at one point in my life, I named my stomach fat, “Jeffrey”. Yes…yes, I did. I figured that if the extra little fat wanted to exist, then it had to be named in order to be, well, burned. In the past, I have mentioned to other individuals on a humorous level to name certain fat areas. From this experience, I learned that laughter is definitely medicine and common names like “Jeffrey” are, well, common. In its essence, fat gives you some swag. Swag is a type of positive attitude (see: Athletic Swag entry). A positive attitude toward something like fat eventually helps you to decrease the amount of worry and to appropriately work off the fat . It is especially good to have it around the holidays.
That is, a positive attitude.
Our anatomy possess its own fat swagger. It likes to sit in certain places. It can, however, be mobilized with exercise. Yet, when it is not mobilized blood circulation tends to decrease. Your heart feels the results as it asks you, “hey, where is the blood?” Stomach fat, in this case, is the most detrimental. We cannot see it, but your stomach and pelvis areas make up important vessel bifurcations in addition to hosting important organs and muscles. So, if these organs and muscles are getting all of the love, then what is the heart getting? (see: Summer Tempo and Lower Abdominal Fat ). If the heart is not receiving its share of a positive attitude, then the rest of the body will suffer, including the organs that encompass the abdomen. They must work extremely hard in this circumstance.
Special Note: It is cookout season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), which means that all sorts of fun will happen for many individuals. Now, you do not have to discourage yourself. However, do encourage yourself to enjoy what you eat. Just eat to move. Personally, I know that I will eat anything from hamburgers to cake during this season. I also know that there is a limit. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to explore but set boundaries. Please, set some boundaries – you will enjoy the food even more. Lastly, here is a challenge: how many healthy and good cookout foods can you make?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Cycle for Your Glutes
Get it. The weather is warming up, which means paths and trails will be congested, especially on the weekends. But, there is an activity that is easy to do one you have learned and fun to learn how to do. It is easier on your joints, faster than Usain Bolt for a longer period of time. The activity requires something in itself that can be deemed low maintenance or high maintenance. Lastly, it has many names. Ready?
Cycling, bicycling, biking.
No, not spinning. Spinning is an indoor or outdoor activity that only requires stationary miles.
Break out the Specialized, Jamis, and Bianchi two-wheelers!
Honestly, in the summertime people like to look good in shorts, Capri's, swimsuits, etc. So, why not work on your glutes in a fashion that also sculpts your legs? There have been numerous studies involving bicycling. Very, very positive studies. Most of them may point out that our glutes/butt increase strength, increase power, or even lose fat. Because the thigh is included in this activity, the skirt department at Bloomingdale's shall be most popular among Schwinn and Cannondale owners.
Bike rides with hills in them are more appropriate for a very solid burn. However, if you have not biked in years, then get ready for a burn on a shorter ride. No worries because all of the burning that occurs is dedicated to building more energy. It means your energy systems are working. Below is a brief list for bikers (non-commuting). The parameters are only relative. For example, you may be a beginner and love a long ride:
Beginners: 10 miles, flat terrain
Intermediate: Short to trek it. Look out for the hills. You may still be counting them in your head - 20 to 30 miles with moderate intensity.
Advanced: Trek it. Go for the long miles with hills - 30+ miles with moderate to high intensity.
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Cycling, bicycling, biking.
No, not spinning. Spinning is an indoor or outdoor activity that only requires stationary miles.
Break out the Specialized, Jamis, and Bianchi two-wheelers!
Honestly, in the summertime people like to look good in shorts, Capri's, swimsuits, etc. So, why not work on your glutes in a fashion that also sculpts your legs? There have been numerous studies involving bicycling. Very, very positive studies. Most of them may point out that our glutes/butt increase strength, increase power, or even lose fat. Because the thigh is included in this activity, the skirt department at Bloomingdale's shall be most popular among Schwinn and Cannondale owners.
Bike rides with hills in them are more appropriate for a very solid burn. However, if you have not biked in years, then get ready for a burn on a shorter ride. No worries because all of the burning that occurs is dedicated to building more energy. It means your energy systems are working. Below is a brief list for bikers (non-commuting). The parameters are only relative. For example, you may be a beginner and love a long ride:
Beginners: 10 miles, flat terrain
Intermediate: Short to trek it. Look out for the hills. You may still be counting them in your head - 20 to 30 miles with moderate intensity.
Advanced: Trek it. Go for the long miles with hills - 30+ miles with moderate to high intensity.
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Graduation Huddle
Since we are now in the large swing of events with graduations across the country, what in the world happens next?
Referring to the academic world, does the prodigal college student come back home, study abroad, go straight to summer session for graduate school, work, or hang out for a little bit before working? Does the adventurous high school student go to college earlier than expected, work, hang out, or do a complete reversal and take a year off? By any means, we do not have to worry about these two graduates. Another important concern is acting upon your next weight or mile.
Draw up your "X's" and "O's". Do you have a weak lower body? Is your upper body tight? Do you need more stability? Do you need more agility? That was not a purposeful rhyme, but agility is highly neglected. January is typically reserved for large gym membership swings. The summer months...hmmm....not so much. But, it is for a good reason. Below are some outdoor exercises that you can do for beginners (b) to advanced (a). It is not the whole gamut:
Weak lower body: Walk up hills with good inclines (b) to run up hills and/or jump over low obstacles.
Tight upper body: Arm hang from monkey bars that are low or high (b and a).
Needing more stability: Walk on a curb (b) to hop rock to rock (a).
Needing more agility: Walk the opposite way of pedestrian traffic (b) to run the opposite way of pedestrian traffic (a).
Do you see the rehabilitation potential? Some of them are good for post-injuries.
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Referring to the academic world, does the prodigal college student come back home, study abroad, go straight to summer session for graduate school, work, or hang out for a little bit before working? Does the adventurous high school student go to college earlier than expected, work, hang out, or do a complete reversal and take a year off? By any means, we do not have to worry about these two graduates. Another important concern is acting upon your next weight or mile.
Draw up your "X's" and "O's". Do you have a weak lower body? Is your upper body tight? Do you need more stability? Do you need more agility? That was not a purposeful rhyme, but agility is highly neglected. January is typically reserved for large gym membership swings. The summer months...hmmm....not so much. But, it is for a good reason. Below are some outdoor exercises that you can do for beginners (b) to advanced (a). It is not the whole gamut:
Weak lower body: Walk up hills with good inclines (b) to run up hills and/or jump over low obstacles.
Tight upper body: Arm hang from monkey bars that are low or high (b and a).
Needing more stability: Walk on a curb (b) to hop rock to rock (a).
Needing more agility: Walk the opposite way of pedestrian traffic (b) to run the opposite way of pedestrian traffic (a).
Do you see the rehabilitation potential? Some of them are good for post-injuries.
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Exercise of the Week: Bridges with Rhythm
What it targets: Glutes, hamstrings, back
Parameters: 3 sets, 12 reps for double leg/ 10 reps each for single leg. Rest 20 seconds between sets.
Procedure: You can do this exercise with two legs or with one. In either position, start on your back. Bend your knees, so your feet are flat on the ground. Your arms should be out to your side at about a 45 degree angle (let's focus our palms towards the ceiling or sky to decrease any potential for grabbing the ground upon pressing up. This position is one step to ensuring that no extra help is needed.)
From your starting position, lift your hips to the ceiling or sky. Your feet are flat, but your lower back is off the ground. As soon as you reach optimal height, then return your butt to the floor. Once your butt touches the floor, then return to the ceiling or sky.
For single leg bridges, simply push off one leg. You can hold the other leg straight out, which gives you an isometric thigh workout. Or, you can bend the uninvolved knee, which mimics a running motion.
For inclusion of rhythm: if you push off both feet, when you reach the top of the bridge extend your right leg. Come back. Then, extend your left leg. Come back. It is somewhat like the kick out in the "Cupid Shuffle". If you are on one leg, then proceed with a tap to the floor, to two taps toward the ceiling.
Derek Arledge, CSCS
Parameters: 3 sets, 12 reps for double leg/ 10 reps each for single leg. Rest 20 seconds between sets.
Procedure: You can do this exercise with two legs or with one. In either position, start on your back. Bend your knees, so your feet are flat on the ground. Your arms should be out to your side at about a 45 degree angle (let's focus our palms towards the ceiling or sky to decrease any potential for grabbing the ground upon pressing up. This position is one step to ensuring that no extra help is needed.)
From your starting position, lift your hips to the ceiling or sky. Your feet are flat, but your lower back is off the ground. As soon as you reach optimal height, then return your butt to the floor. Once your butt touches the floor, then return to the ceiling or sky.
For single leg bridges, simply push off one leg. You can hold the other leg straight out, which gives you an isometric thigh workout. Or, you can bend the uninvolved knee, which mimics a running motion.
For inclusion of rhythm: if you push off both feet, when you reach the top of the bridge extend your right leg. Come back. Then, extend your left leg. Come back. It is somewhat like the kick out in the "Cupid Shuffle". If you are on one leg, then proceed with a tap to the floor, to two taps toward the ceiling.
Derek Arledge, CSCS
Exercise of the Week: Overhead Unilateral Loaded Squats
What It Does: targets the glutes, thighs, and very quietly the side without the one arm over head
Why Would You Do It: Well, for one, it is like holding a baby in one hand while squatting to pick your keys that fell on the floor.
Procedure: Assume a squat position with your feet hip width a part and feet flat. Raise your right hand (if you're sure). Now, squat. That is, sit like you are about to sit in a chair. In fact, you can use a chair to use as a reference since most of them are built at 90 degrees. Make sure you keep your arm raised throughout the repetitions. You may feel yourself fighting rotational pull as you squat due to your raised arm. Your left side is working to pull you toward the left while your right side is trying to equalize.
Parameters: 2 to 5 sets for 60 seconds each side. Rest intervals are set at 30 seconds.
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Why Would You Do It: Well, for one, it is like holding a baby in one hand while squatting to pick your keys that fell on the floor.
Procedure: Assume a squat position with your feet hip width a part and feet flat. Raise your right hand (if you're sure). Now, squat. That is, sit like you are about to sit in a chair. In fact, you can use a chair to use as a reference since most of them are built at 90 degrees. Make sure you keep your arm raised throughout the repetitions. You may feel yourself fighting rotational pull as you squat due to your raised arm. Your left side is working to pull you toward the left while your right side is trying to equalize.
Parameters: 2 to 5 sets for 60 seconds each side. Rest intervals are set at 30 seconds.
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Friday, May 17, 2013
Coaching Carousel
May is a hot month for graduation. Colleges, high schools, junior high schools, middle schools, pre-schools, trade schools, professional schools, projects, and more are all associated with graduation. Include in this pomp and circumstance the time when grade school students graduate to high school where more students are athletic, bigger, stronger, and faster, knowing that physical education class will be different. High school students graduate to college where physical education is defined by the plethora of physical activity classes available each semester, by the number of intramural sports, by the number of club sports, by the number of intercollegiate sports, and by individual membership to the campus or off-campus gym. College students graduate from this surplus to the real world where they have to find the local gym, pay a membership, and then attend the gym on a regular basis. Hopefully, the newbies to the real world have a regimen to follow. The stats say they do.
You know what all of these students have in common? All of them have experienced a coach in their lives. Now, a coach comes in many genres. But, the team coach is a little different in terms of success. Right now, success will be important for all the current graduates. We look at the team coach and how he or she relates to success - the results can be applied to the other genre of coaches in everyone's life.
Again, let's use the realm of athletics since it is up close and personal with all of the playoff fever occurring. Plus, they are easy to follow with this topic.Notice that the most successful teams and the ones that win championships are the teams that have sustainable coaches. For example, the Los Angeles Lakes and Chicago Bulls had Phil Jackson in the 1990's and `00s. The Duke Blue Devils of men's college basketball have Coach Krzyzewski. The Penn State Nittany Lions of women's college volleyball has Russ Rose. The Boston College Eagles of men's ice hockey have Jerry York. All of these teams have won titles. None of these teams won while changing coaches amid their success. Consequently, this success rate has psychological and physical implications. Can you imagine the ease in which it feels like to play under one coach at the professional level or under a coach who has been in his or her collegiate position for a while? Basically, some sort of success is written.
I get it. Every school or pro team with a long term coach has not won a championship. But, I am having trouble even naming programs and organizations that have long term coaches, and the team is absolutely awful.
So, why do some teams and organizations continue to change coaches like it's a formula with a definite end? It must be annoying for a coach to get canned 14 games into a season, especially if the season is only 1/5 over.
I get it. A team cannot continue to lose all season. Comebacks can be made. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
What happened to group effort? Hey, if a coach is awful and does not get it, then OK. Sometimes, it's the players the fault (i.e., divas, prima-donnas, Don-Juan's, and Michelangelo's) and sometimes it is the coaches fault.How does this athletic coaching carousel translate to the real world? Well...
1) Isn't it annoying to continue to change trainers or specialists? It happens. But, every new one has to learn your style and learn who you are as a goal achiever.
2) Isn't it annoying to change supervisors? For new graduate, the outlook at a high-turnover location may seem bleak after a short period.
3) What if Microsoft, Google, and Apple had 5 CEOs over 10 years? Do you think those products would be as successful?
4) What if you...yes, yourself...were coaching your individual self to meet a certain human performance goal by July 1, 2013 such as 20 full range rapid squats in 30 seconds. But, you kept reneging on when you would start or when you would get serious? Is this not a type of coaching carousel? How would you reach the successful state? In this case, a lot of self-coaching is practiced.
Through all of the hard work and discipline, congratulations to all of the graduates for the year 2013. Remember to kick yourself into gear over and over again. Stay focused. Ask for help. Laugh. Dig without being scared. Seek mentors and advisors. Learn. If you fail, you will pass because you will keep keeping on! Stop me because I can continue on this topic.
So, who is up for a mentally and physically challenging goal?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
You know what all of these students have in common? All of them have experienced a coach in their lives. Now, a coach comes in many genres. But, the team coach is a little different in terms of success. Right now, success will be important for all the current graduates. We look at the team coach and how he or she relates to success - the results can be applied to the other genre of coaches in everyone's life.
Again, let's use the realm of athletics since it is up close and personal with all of the playoff fever occurring. Plus, they are easy to follow with this topic.Notice that the most successful teams and the ones that win championships are the teams that have sustainable coaches. For example, the Los Angeles Lakes and Chicago Bulls had Phil Jackson in the 1990's and `00s. The Duke Blue Devils of men's college basketball have Coach Krzyzewski. The Penn State Nittany Lions of women's college volleyball has Russ Rose. The Boston College Eagles of men's ice hockey have Jerry York. All of these teams have won titles. None of these teams won while changing coaches amid their success. Consequently, this success rate has psychological and physical implications. Can you imagine the ease in which it feels like to play under one coach at the professional level or under a coach who has been in his or her collegiate position for a while? Basically, some sort of success is written.
I get it. Every school or pro team with a long term coach has not won a championship. But, I am having trouble even naming programs and organizations that have long term coaches, and the team is absolutely awful.
So, why do some teams and organizations continue to change coaches like it's a formula with a definite end? It must be annoying for a coach to get canned 14 games into a season, especially if the season is only 1/5 over.
I get it. A team cannot continue to lose all season. Comebacks can be made. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
What happened to group effort? Hey, if a coach is awful and does not get it, then OK. Sometimes, it's the players the fault (i.e., divas, prima-donnas, Don-Juan's, and Michelangelo's) and sometimes it is the coaches fault.How does this athletic coaching carousel translate to the real world? Well...
1) Isn't it annoying to continue to change trainers or specialists? It happens. But, every new one has to learn your style and learn who you are as a goal achiever.
2) Isn't it annoying to change supervisors? For new graduate, the outlook at a high-turnover location may seem bleak after a short period.
3) What if Microsoft, Google, and Apple had 5 CEOs over 10 years? Do you think those products would be as successful?
4) What if you...yes, yourself...were coaching your individual self to meet a certain human performance goal by July 1, 2013 such as 20 full range rapid squats in 30 seconds. But, you kept reneging on when you would start or when you would get serious? Is this not a type of coaching carousel? How would you reach the successful state? In this case, a lot of self-coaching is practiced.
Through all of the hard work and discipline, congratulations to all of the graduates for the year 2013. Remember to kick yourself into gear over and over again. Stay focused. Ask for help. Laugh. Dig without being scared. Seek mentors and advisors. Learn. If you fail, you will pass because you will keep keeping on! Stop me because I can continue on this topic.
So, who is up for a mentally and physically challenging goal?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Asbury Health Fair - A Look Back
I wish I could share more photos with everyone, but there are only two from my camera. Health fairs are a great way to get awareness out about our obedience to health. From April 6, 2013:
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| Table Display - bright and ready to go |
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| Mayor Vincent Gray offers some opening words |
Parkour - Movement with International Spice
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| Accessed from: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/urban-sports/parkour1.htm |
Forget the elevators. Forget the stairs. Forget going around obstacles when you can go through them, over them, and under them.
You have have probably seen Parkour in movies, on television, and on YouTube. You might have been lucky enough to see it in person. No matter where you have seen it Parkour [parcour] or "course" is extremely eye-catching. It seems as though many cool and tough movements, regimens, and attitudes spawn from the military or at least help with military tactics - parkour, kettlebells, Navy Seal training or workouts.
In high school, I remember we called it the "Wall-Walking Club." Students would attempt to basically run up a wall then jump or try to complete the arc. Since this time, walking up walls has taken to rooftop jumping, jumping over or through railings, and even scaling down stories. Parkour has even been included in action movies and dance/break dance movies sometimes as the icing of the plot. Finally, many people have mastered fitting through holes and spaces with ease.
It's not for everyone.
Traceurs, the Parkour athletes are the ones who make this discipline look easy. And, it does...look... easy. But, it most definitely is not reminiscent of sitting down. In Parkour, we are talking plyometrics, strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and agility wrapped into a quick synapse at various heights and speeds.
The French world, most likely the originator of Parkour, has created a movement that has grown in popularity across the world. It is not an Olympic sport, but it will make it's claim at some point. Look out!
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
Rugby - New Zealand's Gem, Haka!
If you do not like Rugby, find it violent, find it slow, find it dangerous, or it does not appeal to you because you simply cannot play it due to age, experience, mobility level, or will not play it because it simply does not appeal to you...think again.
I have never played Rugby. But, 7's (Rugby 7-on-7) entertains me. Even a full rubgy match is entertaining. Have you seen the movie, Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon? Do you know about the "All Blacks"? Have you ever been to New Zealand? Most of us can probably answer "yes" to the first question. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national rugby union team, and they are very successful in winning the Rugby World Cup. Highly known for their intimidating pre-game ritual, the Haka War Dance, the All Blacks have been successful since their first game back in 1884.
But, it is not all about the All Blacks and the sports of rugby as New Zealand's national sport - picture the United States and American football. Well, that is rugby to native Kiwis. Remember the utterances mentioned in the beginning of this post based on opinions about Rugby: the sport is very intense and very popular at all levels. It is a sport, whereas, you do not have to play it to enjoy it. However, you can enjoy its fierceness in preparation and in competition. Everyone undergoes some kind of competition on a daily basis. I have mentioned it in the past, but sports offer an immense glimpse into overcoming adversity and rising to the occasion. Hey, I am not a zealous proponent of golf. But, I respect the amount of mental imagery and mental strength that golf encompasses.
In rugby, a player must have trust and communication with his teammate; otherwise, the turf will taste a little sour when he is tackled. How true is this phenomenon with health and fitness struggles and successes?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
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| Courtesy of: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Rugby.jpg |
But, it is not all about the All Blacks and the sports of rugby as New Zealand's national sport - picture the United States and American football. Well, that is rugby to native Kiwis. Remember the utterances mentioned in the beginning of this post based on opinions about Rugby: the sport is very intense and very popular at all levels. It is a sport, whereas, you do not have to play it to enjoy it. However, you can enjoy its fierceness in preparation and in competition. Everyone undergoes some kind of competition on a daily basis. I have mentioned it in the past, but sports offer an immense glimpse into overcoming adversity and rising to the occasion. Hey, I am not a zealous proponent of golf. But, I respect the amount of mental imagery and mental strength that golf encompasses.
In rugby, a player must have trust and communication with his teammate; otherwise, the turf will taste a little sour when he is tackled. How true is this phenomenon with health and fitness struggles and successes?
Purpose and Development,
Derek
Derek Arledge, CSCS TEEM Performance Training www.teempt.com
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