Tim - Fit at Midlife

CrossFit Open Workout 19.5 Strategy Guide

October 11, 2019 Tim Comments Off

The CrossFit Open 2020 starts soon – find out more. Today’s post is from coach Ben Dziwulski – head coach at WodPrep. Ben is a CrossFit wizard – check out his advice and courses on all things CrossFit. CrossFit Open 19.5 is here, our final workout of the (first) 2019 Open. Thrusters are back… and this one is going to burn. 20 minutes may seem like a high time cap, but don’t be fooled by what you saw the Games athletes do last night – Open 19.5 is going to take a while to grind through. I expect to see athletes struggle through this one, not to mention, plenty of torn hands (which can potentially be avoided if you watch [Read more …]

A recent study has linked drinking two or more sugary drinks today to a significantly higher risk of death

Study: Sugary drinks and diet drinks linked to higher risk of death

March 18, 2019 Tim Comments Off

A new study published in the journal Circulation shows that the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and artificially sweetened beverages is linked to a higher risk of death.[1] This study, which reviewed the history of over 117,000 participants, found that women who drank two or more sugary drinks per day had a 63% increased risk of premature death. Men who drank similar amounts had a 29% increased risk of death. The study found an increase in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and to a lesser degree an increased risk of cancer. The formal conclusion of the study is : Consumption of SSBs (Sugar Sweetened Beverages) was positively associated with mortality primarily through CVD mortality and showed a graded association with dose. The [Read more …]

The American Barbell Power Bar has a shaft made from precision grade alloy steel

Best Powerlifting Barbell

December 22, 2021 Tim 1

Rogue Fitness now has the Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar available. This specially curved bar reduces stress on the shoulders, biceps, and back, while enabling scapular retraction and superior joint centration. Let’s look at who makes the best powerlifting barbell. What’s a powerlifting barbell (Also called a power bar or power barbell)? It’s a tough, stiff Olympic sized barbell used for lifting big weight – think heavy squats, heavy deadlifts, and big bench presses. Shown here is the Rogue Ohio Power Bar – it is our top pick for best power bar. These bars are big so they can hold a lot of weight, but they also have some very important differences as compared to the type of Olympic barbell you [Read more …]

CrossFit Open Workout 19.4 Strategy Guide

October 11, 2019 Tim Comments Off

The CrossFit Open 2020 starts soon – find out more. Today’s post is from coach Ben Dziwulski – head coach at WodPrep. Ben is a CrossFit wizard – check out his advice and courses on all things CrossFit. CrossFit Open 19.4: Ultimate Workout Strategy for Rx, Masters, Scaled CrossFit Open 19.4 is here, and it’s a great week for a first bar muscle up…. or maybe a pull-up, if you’re going after 19.4 scaled. In week 4 we have three movements, and some programmed rest. Let’s take a look at the workout, and then talk strategy. CrossFit Open Workout 19.4: For Time (12 minute time cap, this includes 3 min rest!) 3 rounds: 10 snatches 95/65 lbs 12 bar facing [Read more …]

CrossFit Open Workout 19.3 Strategy Guide

October 11, 2019 Tim Comments Off

The CrossFit Open 2020 starts soon – find out more. Today’s article is from Ben Dziwulski @ WODPrep.com, be sure to check them out. Week 3 is here! And strict gymnastics have officially arrived in the 2019 Open. Who’s ready? CrossFit Open Workout 19.3 For Time (10 minute time cap): 200 ft. Dumbbell overhead lunge 50 DB box step-ups 50 Strict HSPU 200 ft. handstand walk Men: 50 lb dumbbell / 24 inch box Females: 35 lb dumbbell / 20-in box For a full breakdown of the 19.3 workout standards, including the scaled and masters modifications, head to games.crossfit.com Link to full-length 19.3 strategy video: Overhead Dumbbell Lunges: Be aware of the lines and markings on the floor. Remember, [Read more …]

Woman sleeping - timely sleep may be an essential part of maintaining a healthy weight.

Can you “catch up” on sleep?

March 3, 2019 Tim Comments Off

Can you use the weekends to “catch up” on missed sleep? A new study published in the journal Current Biology seems to indicate that you can’t.[1] In this study, a number of participants were split up into three groups. Two groups slept only 5 hours per weeknight, and the other slept 9 hours per night. One group that slept less during the week were allowed to sleep as much as they wanted on the weekend – to “catch up”. This didn’t prevent that group from gaining weight – due to metabolic dysregulation from the lost sleep. The researchers concluded that: “Weekend recovery sleep did not prevent weight gain or reduced insulin sensitivity” Insulin sensitivity is an important factor in maintaining [Read more …]

Research: Intense Exercise Helps Your Body Clean Up “Junk Proteins”

March 17, 2019 Tim Comments Off

Exercise has a lot of benefits such as: helping you maintain a healthy weight, improving your mental state, building strong muscles and tendons, and more. The latest research shows another potential benefit. It seems that intense exercise can help accelerate the body’s internal processes for cleaning up misfolded proteins – also known as “junk proteins”.[1] Every cell within your body is made from proteins, and there is a complete protein lifecycle that is used by the body to manage the creation and elimination of these proteins. This essential function is known as proteostatis. It includes protein synthesis, folding, assembly, translocation, and clearance.[2] Environmental and physiological stress can cause cellular dysfunction – and this can result in the creation defective proteins. [Read more …]

Sandbag Training

December 22, 2021 Tim Comments Off

With so many forms of exercise available today, zeroing in on the optimal workout routine can be daunting. But it turns out that while the latest high-tech machines and exercise fads may have considerable merit, with workouts as in life, the best things are often free or at least nearly so. In the case of sandbags, the fact that these pieces of ultra-simple exercise equipment can often be constructed for just a few dollars belies the incredibly robust workouts that they can provide. With sandbag exercises, you get far more than you pay for, at least if you are only counting the dollar cost. But as we’ll see, the cost in energy, effort and focus required for sandbag training rivals [Read more …]

The Concept 2 SkiErg is an American-made, precision engineered Nordic skiing machine from the makers of the industry’s most trusted indoor rowers.

Concept2 SkiErg – Buyer’s Guide

June 2, 2020 Tim Comments Off

Let’s take a look at an innovative piece of endurance exercise equipment – the Concept2 SkiErg. This unique piece of equipment lets you get the health benefits of Nordic skiing exercise anytime, anywhere. Looking for SkiErg Black Friday deals? Concept 2 equipment is rarely on sale at discounted prices – even on Black Friday – your best bet is to look to minimize sales tax, or to find free shipping. In fact, Rogue has the SkiErg available as part of it’s “5 for $5” shipping deal right now – buy any 5 qualifying items and they all ship for only $5. This is the cheapest way to get a SkiErg. Is the SkiErg the right piece of exercise equipment for [Read more …]

Nike Romaleos 4 versus Reebok Legacy Lifter versus Adidas Adipower 2

Best Weightlifting Shoes for 2022

December 20, 2021 Tim 4

Why look at the best weightlifting shoes for 2022? Lifting heavy weights requires the proper footwear. Many people lift using normal sneakers or running shoes – and that is a big mistake. They should be using proper weightlifting shoes, like the Nike Romaleos 4 shown here instead. We’ll review who makes the best weightlifting shoes for 2022, and tell you why they are the best. Best Shoes For Squats? Weightlifting shoes are the best shoes for squats. The raised heel (which is very firm) minimizes the ankle range of motion needed. The solid heel ensures you are stable with hundreds of pounds on your back or in your hands. These are the best shoes for Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and the [Read more …]