If you are an intercessor or if know of any, then tell them to pray for what is occurring in Baltimore, around the U.S., and around the world!
This blog post was posted before learning about the Baltimore Orioles' game change.
You cannot tell me that social justice, activism, public health, and socioeconomic status do not go hand-in-hand with physical activity. The correlation is actively being witnessed on national television as you read. In Baltimore, complete unrest has enveloped the city due to several instances of a lack of control. More recently, many individuals' daily lives have been affected. Those who enter the city cannot simply enjoy a baseball game with worrying about the car being vandalized. Better yet, those who enter the city may feel stressed about the pain that current Baltimoreans are feeling based on what happened to Freddie Gray, the teenager injured and killed while in police custody.
Everyone is hurting in some capacity.
Everyone's livelihood has been affected.
What do we all do about it per our professions?
As a health and fitness professional, it will be difficult to reach many of the individuals who are directly affected with the violence has birthed in Baltimore. Sure, there is the idea of community sport tournaments such as basketball and football. But, how would it be possible to involve the police? Typically, these types of tournaments evolve when the police have nothing to do with the initial incident. But, in this case, it is Protect & Serve vs. The Public.
That's not the correct competition.
The real competitor is multifaceted. How does a community compete with something on which they do not have a strong grasp?
Not sure if there is a best answer to this question. But, taking stressed, hurt, or bothered individuals out of the immediate harmful environment and re-inventing themselves sounds achievable. For health + fitness, I am not sure what that would mean at this time except to wait until peace enters again.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
The Organic Exerciser
Exercise within your means. That is organic exercise. No, this post is not about food.
For the beginner, you have to exercise within your means; otherwise, you will fall out of fitness very quickly. Well, unless, of course you have a strong support team or support system (i.e., family, friends, neighborhood exercisers, co-workers who exercise, etc.)
For the advance exerciser, there may be space to exercise out of your means. But, keep it under control. For example, you do not have to sprint on Monday; do a heavy weight workout on Tuesday; sprint again on Wednesday; think about resting on Thursday but instead go for a long run; swim on Friday, and so on. Again, you do not have to; but if you are training for something then this schedule might happen.
There is nothing wrong with organically exercising. In fact, an organic exerciser most often will use a lot of body weight exercises to achieve fitness success. Yes, it includes walking, running, biking, and swimming. The organic exerciser might use weights, but he/she does not get too extravagant with movements. The organic exerciser may participate in group training or in group exercise.
A mix of doing normal exercises and exercises that are out of your means, when performed safely, can produce great results. It's like the person who never runs hills all of a sudden run a hill one day and feels fine!
Fit Escape Bonus: accumulate 3 points (1-point per correct answer) and receive a free pass to Fit Escape 2015:
From the blog on "Best Outdoor Equipment" name the street of the closest hill to you.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
For the beginner, you have to exercise within your means; otherwise, you will fall out of fitness very quickly. Well, unless, of course you have a strong support team or support system (i.e., family, friends, neighborhood exercisers, co-workers who exercise, etc.)
For the advance exerciser, there may be space to exercise out of your means. But, keep it under control. For example, you do not have to sprint on Monday; do a heavy weight workout on Tuesday; sprint again on Wednesday; think about resting on Thursday but instead go for a long run; swim on Friday, and so on. Again, you do not have to; but if you are training for something then this schedule might happen.
There is nothing wrong with organically exercising. In fact, an organic exerciser most often will use a lot of body weight exercises to achieve fitness success. Yes, it includes walking, running, biking, and swimming. The organic exerciser might use weights, but he/she does not get too extravagant with movements. The organic exerciser may participate in group training or in group exercise.
A mix of doing normal exercises and exercises that are out of your means, when performed safely, can produce great results. It's like the person who never runs hills all of a sudden run a hill one day and feels fine!
Fit Escape Bonus: accumulate 3 points (1-point per correct answer) and receive a free pass to Fit Escape 2015:
From the blog on "Best Outdoor Equipment" name the street of the closest hill to you.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Fit Escape 2015! - Natick, MA
Full Registration is open on the website at www.teempt.com
Intro video
Be motivated! Have fun with health, fitness, and athletics! Learn! Meet people!
Watch out for ways to win a Fit Escape freebie! The Organic Exerciser
The chance has been brewing for over two years...You can come as a beginner or as an advanced exerciser. Fit Escape 2015 will help you to enjoy a fit summer! The month of June marks a period when individuals begin to think of the relaxing summer season. Sparked by good temperatures, sunshine, plenty of greenery, and a sense of positive body awareness, your mind speaks movement at this point of the year.
...Enjoy proximity to Natick Mall.
...Group meet-n-greet at the hotel
...Gift card prizes!
If there is something you do not know, then you can learn it at Fit Escape 2015 in Natick, MA!
If you have any other questions, then please feel free to email Derek Arledge at derek.arledge@gmail.com or call 202.549.8934 (cell).
Intro video
Be motivated! Have fun with health, fitness, and athletics! Learn! Meet people!
Watch out for ways to win a Fit Escape freebie! The Organic Exerciser
The chance has been brewing for over two years...You can come as a beginner or as an advanced exerciser. Fit Escape 2015 will help you to enjoy a fit summer! The month of June marks a period when individuals begin to think of the relaxing summer season. Sparked by good temperatures, sunshine, plenty of greenery, and a sense of positive body awareness, your mind speaks movement at this point of the year.
...Enjoy proximity to Natick Mall.
...Group meet-n-greet at the hotel
...Gift card prizes!
If there is something you do not know, then you can learn it at Fit Escape 2015 in Natick, MA!
If you have any other questions, then please feel free to email Derek Arledge at derek.arledge@gmail.com or call 202.549.8934 (cell).
Location: Hampton Inn, 319 Speen Street, Natick, MA 01760
Days: Saturday, June 13th to Sunday, June 14th
Activities: Zumba, Yoga, Nutrition, and more!
Costs (only one discount per person permitted):
- Teachers receive 20% off (your school year is coming to an end, so why not wind down with a fitness pep-you-up!)
- Refer a friend. If you refer a friend, then you (only) receive 10% off.
- Do not miss out on a value worth over $1,100 that you receive at an excellent price!
- Overnight attendees receive bonuses!!!
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Best Outdoor Equipment
Trick question?...No.
It's more a reason or cause for layout, design, and access versus equipment that you need to purchase.
The other part of TEEM Performance Training is the outdoor season. Sure, it runs year-round. But, with the weather picking up to mildly nicer in New England and sub-warmer in the DC area, the outdoor season has arrived. Everything on this list should be free. If your area charges you an arm and a leg to use a tennis court, basketball court, pool, or if there is not enough access to the aforementioned within a two-mile radius of your home, then 1)it's shady...2) something needs to be done...3) someone or some local legislation does not know what they are doing when it comes to public health and fitness. So, here it goes:
Hills - Whether it involves the street or grass (preferably), you need them to challenge your heart. Period.
Fields - Honestly, you should have at least one field per neighborhood. It doesn't have to be a football field size. But, it can be small enough to adequately and safely field, say, a game of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 Ultimate Frisbee. No research intended.
Parks and Playgrounds - Cambridge and Somerville, MA have about 200 in a total of 14sq/miles. You do not have live up to that number. But, if you live in a playground or park desert, then there is an issue. You should be able to walk to both of them.
Stairs - The best stairs are found in stadiums unless you live near Georgetown, Washington, DC, which is home to the stairs found in the movie "The Exorcist"; or if you live in Philadelphia and would like to emulate Rocky Balboa on your way to the Philadelphia Museum.
Straight-aways - are good for resistance? Why? They create wind tunnels that are shocking. Plus, they are great for running. Anyone who has run on a track or on a field knows that you can only run about 120 meters in a straight line. Have you ever asked or been around someone who asked, "I wonder what it is like to run 1/2 mile in a straight line that is not labeled as a trail?"
Curves - Street curves, that is. Why do you need curves? Curves can help strengthen ankles. Just make sure that you are not always turning left or always turning right. A curve plus a strait-away or hill is a hotbed for acceleration.
Walls - Brick and cement are what you mostly find. The only downfall? It would be great if more walls were slanted away from your body.
Woods - Because we all need to breathe better. Woods have trees. Trees give off oxygen. You need oxygen. I once had an undergraduate professor who said, "If you want to improve your breathing, run in the woods." Well, he knew what he was talking about since other professors in various colleges and universities have reference his books.
With heart...Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
It's more a reason or cause for layout, design, and access versus equipment that you need to purchase.
The other part of TEEM Performance Training is the outdoor season. Sure, it runs year-round. But, with the weather picking up to mildly nicer in New England and sub-warmer in the DC area, the outdoor season has arrived. Everything on this list should be free. If your area charges you an arm and a leg to use a tennis court, basketball court, pool, or if there is not enough access to the aforementioned within a two-mile radius of your home, then 1)it's shady...2) something needs to be done...3) someone or some local legislation does not know what they are doing when it comes to public health and fitness. So, here it goes:
Fields - Honestly, you should have at least one field per neighborhood. It doesn't have to be a football field size. But, it can be small enough to adequately and safely field, say, a game of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 Ultimate Frisbee. No research intended. 
Parks and Playgrounds - Cambridge and Somerville, MA have about 200 in a total of 14sq/miles. You do not have live up to that number. But, if you live in a playground or park desert, then there is an issue. You should be able to walk to both of them.Stairs - The best stairs are found in stadiums unless you live near Georgetown, Washington, DC, which is home to the stairs found in the movie "The Exorcist"; or if you live in Philadelphia and would like to emulate Rocky Balboa on your way to the Philadelphia Museum.
Straight-aways - are good for resistance? Why? They create wind tunnels that are shocking. Plus, they are great for running. Anyone who has run on a track or on a field knows that you can only run about 120 meters in a straight line. Have you ever asked or been around someone who asked, "I wonder what it is like to run 1/2 mile in a straight line that is not labeled as a trail?"
Curves - Street curves, that is. Why do you need curves? Curves can help strengthen ankles. Just make sure that you are not always turning left or always turning right. A curve plus a strait-away or hill is a hotbed for acceleration.
Woods - Because we all need to breathe better. Woods have trees. Trees give off oxygen. You need oxygen. I once had an undergraduate professor who said, "If you want to improve your breathing, run in the woods." Well, he knew what he was talking about since other professors in various colleges and universities have reference his books.
With heart...DerekDerek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Fitness Reimbursement via Health Insurance
If you have not fixed your eyes on the benefits, then please follow suit. You can get reimbursed up to a certain amount (i.e., $150 or $250), depending on the type of health insurance you attain. The amount can get you through one season of a TEEM Performance Training group package, meeting once per week. The amount that you get reimbursed may also be enough to kick start your entire exercise aspirations for the year. Now, I will admit that you could face the run-around by your health insurance agency since TEEM PT is not a health club. Typically, the reimbursement rewards those who belong to health clubs. but, why not take a safe chance at saving $150?
Why not be rewarded for the time you have taken to exercise and to improve your health? The reimbursement may cover massage therapy as seen in the photo to the left taken from the TEEM Health & Fitness Seminar at UMASS - Boston in 2011.
Check it out with your health insurance company: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Harvard Pilgrim, United Healthcare, and more.
So, what is your final word on reimbursement?
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Exercising with "Elsa"
Spring is coming soon in its legitimate sense. But, winter is remind us about its fury. 110+ inches have fallen so far in Boston, MA. The winter also brought late snow to the DC, Philly, and Southern states areas. If anyone had a wish to begin exercising this winter or if anyone con tuned to fulfill their exercise goals this winter, then this person picked one powerful winter!
Besides the essentials when exercising in the winter or cold and cooler weather such as, covered extremities, adequate hydration, and breathable winter clothing, there are other winter exercise [essentials]:
You know what. If you're reading this post, then the fact that you survived a harsh winter deserves applause.
That's it.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
Besides the essentials when exercising in the winter or cold and cooler weather such as, covered extremities, adequate hydration, and breathable winter clothing, there are other winter exercise [essentials]:
You know what. If you're reading this post, then the fact that you survived a harsh winter deserves applause.
That's it.
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
The (Exercise) Loop
View Larger Map
Today, April 1, 2015 is National Walking Day. So, why not celebrate it with some loops around your neighborhood. If your neighborhood i snot featured, then you can map one out. One reason that people may not get out and do adequate walking or running lies in the fact that they do not good routes. Of course, there are numerous routes around numerous neighborhoods. Below are only a few. Are there ways to train for walking and running around the vicinity? Sure! It depends on the terrain and slopes. Your neighborhood is a great walking and running haven:
The Neighborhoods
- One Mile - East Cambridge (MA)
- One Mile - Woodridge Neighborhood, Washington, DC
- One Mile - Beacon Hill Neighborhood, Boston
- One Mile - Arlington, Virginia
- One Mile - Bethesda, Maryland
Scenery
- Three Mile - DC Scenic (So, it's 3.7 miles. At least, you get to see the Capitol, Monument, WWII Memorial, and the Lincoln Mem. You can even decide to go around the Lincoln Mem or up its stairs.)
- Three Mile - Boston Scenic (Without getting too marathony or too duckboat parade route-ish, you will see plenty of old and historical figures, including the Boston Common, The Old Courthouse, The State House, The 54th Massachusetts mural, and more.)
I Need A Long Run for My Marathon
- Ten Mile - Boston Area: The Minuteman Trail (one way is 10 miles. Meet the family or your ride in Cambridge or in Bedford)
- Ten Mile - DC: Rock Creek Park Trail (It looks convoluted. The path is measured at 8.3 miles, but doing an extra lap around the first loop should seal the 10-mile deal.)
- Ten Mile - Maryland: Sligo Creek Parkway (OK, it's 9.5 miles. But, to say "I ran Sligo Creek Parkway"...)
- Ten Mile - Virginia: Cross County Trail (Stay on the trail and not the road. it's just a tad over 10 miles from the entrance to Occoquan Regional Park to Henderson Road and back. Avoid the intersection stopping by U-intersection-running around stopped cars.)
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training
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