Sports Then and Now

If you usually don’t keep a regular fitness routine, starting one can be more than a little daunting. There are so many aspects to consider–from figuring out when you’ll have the time to work out, to learning how to balance a healthy diet with proper exercise.

Here are a few recommendations that might make it easier for you to start living a healthier, fitter life. Remember, baby steps are not only okay: they’re recommended.

Start at Your Level

If you haven’t picked up a dumbbell in three years, don’t just throw yourself into an intense weight lifting session without thought. That spells danger for your body, and nothing sets your fitness routine back more than a pulled muscle.

Whatever workout routine you decide to adopt, make sure it’s one that you can participate in safely. Pushing yourself is good, but push too hard and you’ll end up regretting it. If you’re not sure what level of exercise you can handle, talk to a trainer or a fitness expert. They can help steer you toward the appropriate routine.

Wear Proper Clothing and Accessories

Although you might be tempted to throw on your old walking shoes and a t-shirt, that kind of attire won’t help you in the long run. Avoid cotton clothing and adopt moisture wicking workout gear instead. Light, breathable outfits will prevent you from overheating and developing annoying skin irritation.

Shoes are also extremely important in your workout. Choosing the wrong athletic shoes can result in serious injuries, as well as painful shin splints and aching feet. Take the time to figure out exactly what size your feet are, as well as whether or not you need inserts or other special accommodations. Read the rest of this entry →

Athletes face many challenges not only in their sport of choice but also in everyday life. Consequently, these challenges can affect their performance both on and off the field, whether male or female. Therefore, not only do they need the help of their coaches, but also of counselors to help them navigate their everyday lives.

The Role of Coaches

Coaches deal with their players on an everyday basis. Consequently, they play a significant role in their athletes’ lives and spend a lot of time with their players. Coaches are responsible for training athletes on the skills and techniques for the given sport. As such, coaches should be equipped a master’s degree in coaching, and with both leadership and technical skills to manage their athletes’ performance. To ensure they are in the best physical shape, coaches follow up on athletes’ diets, training regimen and general well-being. Coaches should be duly trained on the best knowledge and skills essential for bringing out the best performance in an athlete. A coach should also foster a sense of community, confidence, and teamwork for their team if they are dealing with a team sport.

Individual Sports

Even when dealing with individual sports, the coach is still responsible for ensuring athletes are in the best physical and mental conditions to handle competition. Good coaches contribute to the confidence levels exuded by players both on and off the field. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the coach to ensure he/she has a good working relationship with their athletes. Read the rest of this entry →

Any child will tell you how much fun a trampoline is. In fact, you probably experienced the joy of trampolining when you were a kid too. It turns out these fixtures of the childhood backyard are more than just an activity for kids on a sunny afternoon. They’re also an ideal accessory for an intense workout.

In fact, the American Council on Exercise says that a mere 20 minutes of jumping up and down on a mini trampoline gives you just as much of a workout as a 20-minute run. The only difference? Most participants found bouncing to be a much more fun way to work out than pounding the pavement.

Need more incentive? Here’s how trampolines can help you reach your ideal fitness level. Read the rest of this entry →

Sports injuries happen regularly, whether they are in organized sports programs or just playing a simple game of pick-up basketball. Sports injury claims can often be problematic for the injured party in very serious situations when specific claim factors are considered by a respondent insurance company. Regardless of what transpires that produces an insurance policy injury claim, the insurance company adjusters will still investigate the claim diligently looking for reasons to limit coverage. In some instances, the only coverage is for medical bills. The can result in the necessity to consult with a personal injury attorney concerning injury compensation because details always matter in any personal injury claim.

Case Specifics

In the event that a sports injury claim goes to court, the injured claimant legal counsel must prove the injury occurred either due to the negligence of the property owner for the safety of the injured party or by intentional act. Many times insurance companies even deny claims that are the result of an intentional action by the property owner or individual in charge. How an injury occurs is important in every instance, and limitations on coverage could be largely dependent on which form of comparative negligence your particular state uses. Assumption of personal risk is always a consideration in sports injury claims because most athletic activities are personal choices by the injured party. Actually, in organized sports injuries, waivers on legal claims are often a component of the sign up process, so claims could be limited by agreement of all involved parties. Read the rest of this entry →

Most of us are constantly looking for ways to improve our lifestyles. It can be very easy to develop poor lifestyle habits, such as drinking too much or eating too much fast food. Due to the addictive nature of such habits, we tend to persist with them for some time, with more beneficial habits taking longer to form and to commit to. There does, however, come a time where most of us are keen to shun such habits and embrace a more positive lifestyle. You may not immediately think it, but one way to seriously upgrade your lifestyle is by taking up a sport such as golf. Here are few reasons why.

Discipline

It’s pretty well-accepted that golf is a game of skill, rather than of brawn. The game can teach you some important things, such as how precision can be imperative in succeeding at the game, and why taking things slowly could benefit you. When you play a sport like this, you will notice that you start bringing these aspects into your daily life, which can result in you leading a much more focused existence. With all the many distractions that we face on a daily basis, and procrastination being a real issue for so many people, the kind of discipline golf can teach you can be a huge benefit in all aspects of your life.

Socializing

Thanks to its steady nature, golf is one of the more social sports around today. You can easily treat a game as a social event just as much as you would go the pub for a round of drinks – except, of course, the game of golf is much better for your health! If you, like so many other people, struggle to find the time to meet up with your friends to catch up, a weekly round of golf can be a great way to rebuild those relationships. Read the rest of this entry →

Most sports injuries occur when we fail to properly prepare before hitting the turf or the track. Warming up properly loosens muscles before activity and allows for better range of motion without harming joints and ligaments.

There are many different ways to warm up before physical activity. Some routines might fit your sport better than others, but what is important is to find one that works and see it through prior to your exercise. It can make the difference between a stellar performance and sitting out hurt.

Why Warming Up Is Critical

In professional sports, it’s often the athletes who are not only talented, but stay healthy, who leave lasting legacies. A dynamic warm-up routine serves to activate all of the muscle groups you will use during your workout.

Read the rest of this entry →