Sports Then and Now

There’s something exciting about getting back into the habit of working out. Before you begin comparing what different fitness equipment stores have to offer, set some ground rules for choosing only the best. Here are a few tips that will help.

Start With the Basics

It’s been a long time since you worked out regularly. Now is not the time to invest in a lot of equipment that is beyond your ability. Focus instead on basic equipment like benches, weights, and other resources that you can use to tone those muscles and build endurance. The day will come when you can add more equipment and take advantage of the great pricing for new exercise machines for sale. For now, simple and basic will serve you well.

A Little Fun Won’t Hurt

While you may be sticking with the basics for now, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun at the same time. You’ll find that the better fitness equipment stores offer equipment that almost makes it seem as if you are playing instead of working out. Remember how much fun it was to jump rope when you were a kid? Consider adding some time jumping rope to your workout routine. It’s a great stress reducer and works out more muscles groups than most people realize. Jumping rope is also a lot of fun even if you aren’t particularly stressed right now. Read the rest of this entry →

As consumers, we need to be able to determine gimmicks from the real thing. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to use hype and brand reputation to their advantage in order for them to sell products that are simply overpriced. And this applies to almost every industry, whether it’s in smartphones, shoes, cars, and clothing.

Now, whenever a product retails for an exorbitant price, eyebrows tend to be raised. This mostly because majority of the current population are Millennials. And this particular generation is extremely resistant to marketing pitches (because they’ve been exposed to all sorts during their childhood). Couple this with our heavy reliance on technology and the internet for information and you’ve got yourself a generation that’s skeptical by default.

Now, to answer the question, yes. Sportswear actually works. But it really boils down to the sport you’re planning on doing. Almost all sportswear are designed for a particular sport. For example, sites like https://kinonasport.com/ sell sportswear that’s designed for Golf, while https://www.head.com/en-IC/home/ sell sportswear and equipment for Tennis. While you could technically wear these to the gym, as well as casually, there isn’t much benefit because the features that these clothes have are meant to enhance golf performance. The same could be said for training shoes. While technically, you can wear them when you go out to run a marathon, you won’t really benefit much, or in some cases, you may even end up injuring yourself because you used the shoes for the wrong sport. Read the rest of this entry →

As a hardcore sports fan, it’s no surprise you dedicate a lot of time, energy and heartache to your teams — and, as such, you deserve a space that reflects your passion.

Creating a sports-themed man (or woman) cave is one of those projects that can be amazing when done right, but can easily veer off the mark into tacky territory. Here are six steps to help create the ultimate sports den.

1. Choose a Theme

Before you break ground on your room, decide on a unifying theme. Whether you want to showcase your love for the Philadelphia Eagles, interest in all things hockey or incredible jersey collection, deciding on a theme will help inform all of your decisions. Going with the Eagles? You now have a green and black color scheme. Is hockey more your jam? Well, hockey sticks make for fun wall art. Showcasing your jerseys? You have your décor covered.

2. Get Comfortable

You can’t call it a proper man cave until you have ample and comfortable seating. Indeed, the focus of any good sports den has got to be watching sports. As such, furnish your room with pieces that will make sports watching the most comfortable for you and your buddies. Whether it’s theater seating with two rows of leather recliners or an L-shaped sectional, choose seating that is sized for your space.

3. Accessorize Your Space

Rather than overwhelming the room with junk, acquire one or two special items and make those your focal points. Beautifully showcased game-used memorabilia is a perfect addition to any sports den. Once you have your centerpiece, accessorize with other items that fit your theme.

Have a signed home run ball? Set it off with lighting and surround it with nicely framed photos of the player or game. Got a basketball jersey worn by your favorite player? Frame it to display it on a wall with a series of mounted basketballs. Read the rest of this entry →

No one wants to pull out their sports equipment just before a game only to notice mold, mildew, cracks, termite holes, or other forms of damage. That is why you should spend some extra time cleaning and correctly packing all of your gear. Here are a few tips that will help you keep your sports equipment safe and damage-free.

Deflate All Balls When Not Being Used

Just before packing away all of your gear, you need to deflate any balls that are filled with air. Those balls contain a flexible air bladder that becomes weaker over time. Taking a few pounds of air out of a ball will increase its lifespan and prevent it from becoming lopsided.

Wipe Everything Down

Sports equipment is often caked in sweat and mud by the end of the season. Most gear is designed to stand up to that grime, but it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before packing it away. A damp towel and some warm water can be used to clean most sticks, bats, and pads. Once you are done cleaning the gear, you should wipe off all excess moisture. Read the rest of this entry →

There’s nothing like the feeling of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair during a refreshing hike, especially now that the weather is getting warmer. Before you set off, however, make sure that you’re prepared for whatever the great outdoors can throw at you.

Rain Protection

You never know when the sky will open up, but you can reduce the unpleasantness of a rainy day by including some waterproof gear with the rest of your camping or trekking equipment. If you’re going for a short trip, a hooded poncho might be enough. If you’ll be miles from civilization when a storm hits, you’ll want a jacket made from high-quality nylon or polyester canvas with a breathable lining.

Navigation

Some people like to follow old-fashioned paper maps. Others prefer the ease and convenience of technological gadgets like handheld GPS systems. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to how you comb through the wilderness, but make sure that you have everything you need to utilize your chosen tools. For example, if you’ll be using electronic navigation devices, you’ll want to bring along solar charging equipment as well.

Cold Weather Gear

It’s always a good idea to pack a few pieces of cold weather gear if you’ll be spending a long time outdoors. Even if the forecast promises sun, a breeze or high altitude might make you shiver, and temperatures usually drop at night anyway. Stick a few long sleeve performance shirts in your backpack to keep yourself warm no matter what the weather or terrain is like. Read the rest of this entry →

Quite often pool enthusiasts wish that playing pool was as easy as grappling a cue and striking the cue balls. As a beginner, you’d be forgiven for such naivety, but you’ve come to the right place to take in a thing or two about choosing the perfect pool cue.

First, experiment with various cue sticks while examining their weight, length and individual diameter of their tips. Opt for the cue you feel most comfortable using. Let’s explore in detail the fundamentals of choosing the best pool cues.

1. Your skill level

Prices vary from one manufacturer to another; however, there are pricing specifications that help you select your cue depending on your expertise. Supposing you’re getting started, look ahead to spending roughly $100 on a stout amateur cue.

Once you up your game, and more so when you start contesting, you’ll want to improve on your cue to something a bit ampler. Intermediate to advanced gamers can look forward to spending sum of $150 – $500 for a suitable cue. Upon attaining a professional level, cue prices start at about $500.

2. Weight and balance

A standard cue weighs roughly between 18 to 21 ounces. Cues usually have numbers on them indicating the aggregate weight of the cues. The most common and often the perfect weight is 19oz.

Perhaps you prefer a lighter or heavier cue, but 190z is the ideal medium for a newbie. Also, keep in mind that your height greatly affects your cue balance. In the case that you are shorter than average, house cues may seem heavy for you, and this dramatically affects your game than you might realize. Instead, opt for forward-weighted cues. Some cue designs enable for weight to be removed or added. Read the rest of this entry →