Heart Rate Monitors

I used to use the heart rate monitors on the cardio machines but I stopped when they started reading out 220. How can that possibly be? For a lab in one of my classes recently I used a more accurate heart rate monitor, one with a strap that goes around the chest and a watch that reads out your result. I was much relieved to find out my heart rate only went up to 193. So why should you try one out? 

Here are some reasons: 

• They are more accurate then the ones on the machines most of the time.
  
• Help you work out more efficiently, make sure you are not slacking off or pushing yourself too hard.
  
• Easy to use and not uncomfortable.
  
• Make exercising safer by alerting you if your heart rate becomes too high. 
  

Kettlebells

Kettlebells are a cast iron ball with a handle attached to the top and come in many different weights. They were developed in Russia and have been around for hundreds of years. But they are fairly new to North America and most gyms do not yet carry them. One of the benefits of using a kettlebell is that they improve strength, balance, endurance, and agility. Using one in your fitness routine can cut down your time at the gym because a kettlebell works multiple muscle groups at one time. The number of exercises that use them are endless. They were made famous by Russian weightlifters, wrestlers, and Olympic athletes. 

Some simple exercises can be found at:

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/kettlebell-exercises.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9KNdpen1g

Shin Splints

Anyone who has ever had shin splints knows that they can be extremely painful. Here is what they actually are, "the muscles swell and puts pressure on the fascia that covers the muscles in the lower leg leading to pressure and pain."(http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/leg_injuries/a/leg2.htm). If shin splints go untreated and the activity that caused them is continuously repeated it can lead to stress fractures. I have them for the second time now and was researching what I could do to help them. Here is what I found from a variety websites:

New shoes with shock support

Stretching

Strengthening exercises

Icing the shins before and after exercise

If you have any other suggestions for how to improve them let me know. 

Crossfit

If you want to check out a really neat website go to http://www.crossfit.com/. Crossfit is a world wide "principal strength and conditioning program" used by everyone from the military to regular people. The site includes videos of different exercises and links to specific Crossfit establishments.