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Few bold enough to buy and ride goofy-looking bike/scooter hybrid
ST. PAUL - Look ma, no pedals! Also no uncomfortable bike seat, no greasy chain and no gears and derailleur to maintain. That's part of the appeal of the Kickbike, an adult scooter with brakes and a bike-sized front wheel that's being touted as a new form of low-impact exercise, outdoor recreation, competitive sport and self-powered transportation. Kickbikes, invented in Finland about 12 years ago, have caught on enough in Europe that there's a Eurocup competition and world championship Kickbike races. But in the United States, there are only about 1,000 Kickbikers, according to one estimate, a lonely but faithful few who apparently don't mind being the only ones in the neighborhood with a funny new way of getting around. "I can't figure why it hasn't caught on," said Mona Knutson, a Kickbike owner from Duluth.
Sportsmedicine: The Truth About Stretching
A three year old study about stretching is being cited in many articles today, and the conclusions reached by some writers may be harmful to your muscle, ligaments and joints. Is stretching before exercise harmful?
Stretching before fitness training and athletic training is being made out to be a time-waster, not needed, and even harmful. This is not true. In fact, there's a recent study that evaluates all the research on stretching, and the study concludes: "Due to the paucity (small number), heterogeneity (dissimilar study subjects) and poor quality of the available studies no definitive conclusions can be drawn as to the value of stretching for reducing the risk of exercise-related injury." (The efficacy of stretching for prevention of exercise-related injury: a systematic review of the literature, 2003, Weldon) Essentially, the researchers are telling us that there are not enough quality studies to draw conclusions about this issue.
Shape Express ventures into Jumeirah
[ClickPress, Fri Dec 15 2006] Shape Express, the one and only boutique gym in Dubai specialising in circuit training opens a second branch at Jumeirah with plans to reach out to its clients and meet the growing demand for circuit training workout options. The only womens gym that features circuit training in Dubai guarantees clients quick and remarkable results with just half an hour workout sessions within six weeks.
We have a state-of-the-art gym which offers 30 minute workout sessions versus the regular two-hour workouts. Shape express is not only for busy professionals but for everyone who wants to save time and become health conscious, says Jyoti Anand, Partner and Managing Director, Shape Express. We decided to open a new branch at Jumeirah as we saw an overwhelming response from our clients and decided to take our fitness technique to them and help them save time avoiding the busy traffic, she adds.
Fitness and finances top New Year resolutions
LONDON: More than 16 million Britons are set to make a New Year's resolution, but more than half will lose their resolve before June is up, a study shows. Next week, 38 per cent of British adults will embark upon 2007 with a New Year's resolution in mind, according to research on Tuesday from financial website Unbiased.co.uk. Losing weight or improving diet tops the list, with a quarter hoping to shed some pounds. Tackling finances comes in a close second, with 21 per cent planning to get their financial affairs in shape. Taking more exercise and giving up smoking rank joint third - one in ten adults are expected to plump for these health-boosting measures. And 6 per cent want to achieve greater happiness. However, if last year's behaviour is anything to go by, people will not stick to their resolutions for long enough to guarantee any change in their lives.
One on One With Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy has missed a lot of basketball games. After the pain in his foot became too much for him to play with the doctors diagnosed him with a misalignment of a bone in his leg, causing the major discomfort in his foot. Roy was fitted with a boot and told to stay off of it for three weeks. The other day he got back on the court for some full-speed drills - not practice - and came out of that with no issues. The next step for Roy is a real practice, something that will come when the team gets back together and starts ramping up for Wednesday's game with the Houston Rockets. Following Portland's big win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Roy gave Basketball News Services a status update on his foot and what he can bring to a Blazer team that has won four games in a row. How is the foot doing after that first run through? It felt good.
The A to Z of good health
* N is for Nuts - Nuts are high in essential fatty acids which help to replenish collagen, naturally moisturise and promote skin firmness. They also have anti-inflammatory propertieswhich help to ensure that the skin stays smooth and unpimpled. Those that are particularly effective include hazel nuts and Brazil nuts. .
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