Tim - Fit at Midlife

The speed bag is not just for boxers, it's a fun and intense fitness method

Speed Bag Training for Health and Fitness

February 13, 2021 Tim 1

Hitting the speed bag is not just for boxers – it’s a fun workout Looking for a creative way to add some fun to your workout? Consider speed bag punching. Boxers are universally known as the hardest working, leanest, and most well-conditioned athletes on the planet. That’s because facing an opponent in the ring for 12 rounds and dodging and delivering punches is extremely physically taxing. And boxing training prepares them for that. But boxing training isn’t just for aspiring boxers. The average health and fitness enthusiast can use basic boxing training techniques to add fun, creativity, and intensity to their workout routine. Today we’re going to discuss one of the boxer’s most important tools for timing and conditioning – [Read more …]

An athlete workout out with a jump rope (or skipping rope). Jumping rope is a fierce calorie burning exercise that is fun, easy to do, and can be done almost anywhere. Great for weight loss.

Jump Rope for Weight Loss and Fitness

September 22, 2019 Tim Comments Off

Jumping or skipping rope is not just for kids and boxers – it’s a fun workout. Looking for a creative way to add some fun to your workout? Consider adding a staple of boxing training into your workout regimen – jumping rope (also known as skipping rope). Jumping rope to lose weight, burn fat, and get lean? It’s a great idea. Jumping rope is a fierce calorie burner. How many calories can you burn jumping rope? According to some studies as many as 370 calories in 30 minutes. We’re going to highlight a great product that can help you meet your fitness goals thanks to it’s calorie burning efficiency – the Crossrope Get Lean Jump Rope Set. How To Choose [Read more …]

Boxing Gloves - Used for Boxing Training

Boxing Training For Health and Fitness

September 27, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Boxing Training is Not Just A Hard Workout – It’s Fun Looking for a creative way to add some fun to your workout? Consider boxing training. Boxers are universally known as the hardest working, leanest, and most well conditioned athletes on the planet. That’s because facing an opponent in the ring for 12 rounds and dodging and delivering punches is extremely physically taxing. And boxing training prepares them for that. But boxing training isn’t just for aspiring boxers. The average health and fitness enthusiast can use basic boxing training techniques to add fun, creativity, and intensity into their workout routine. We’ll discuss the easiest ways to get started. These techniques can be scaled to any experience level. Basics of Boxing [Read more …]

Sitting – The New Smoking?

February 20, 2019 Tim Comments Off

Dr. James Levine, the director of the Mayo Clinic at Arizona State University says that “Sitting is the new smoking“. Smoking, once a popular activity, was not recognized as the extreme health danger it was, until many years later. And now sitting may be in the same category. At first, this sounds ridiculous. But there’s a bevy of studies backing this statement up – and a possible logical explanation for why sitting for long duration is unhealthy. First, we’ll spoil some of the surprise – it’s not sitting in particular, but extreme sedentary habits that seem to be the risk factor. Secondly, it appears that being sedentary all day, then hitting the gym is not an effective solution. The extended [Read more …]

Proper sleep is required for fitness and health. Sleep deprivation and insomnia are associated with a number of serious health risks.

The Importance of Sleep for Health

September 27, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Everybody needs sleep. But did you know that a lack of proper sleep can increase the risk of diabetes and other risks? Having good sleep habits is also known as sleep hygiene. The Physical Effects of Not Getting Enough Sleep You probably know that if you miss too much sleep you feel tired the next day. That’s obvious, but what is less obvious is the impact on your hormonal systems that can also occur. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes If you are chronically missing too much sleep, you are raising your risk for Type 2 Diabetes. How does this happen? Through research, it has been shown that not getting enough sleep (for example only 4 hours a night or [Read more …]

Barbell Back Squat - used extensively in Starting Strength

Starting Strength Dictionary

September 27, 2018 Tim Comments Off

FitAtMidlife’s Starting Strength Routine Dictionary It’s no secret – we love Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength routine. It’s the efficient, science and logic based training program that is made for beginners of any age to develop strength. Starting Strength utilizes the barbell. The barbell is the most efficient means to build strength – because it’s the device that can carry the most weight. That may sound intimidating, but it shouldn’t be. You start light and through the magic of linear progression you get strong – and build muscle mass at the same time. Starting Strengh places great emphasis on proper form, and it’s safe for the joints. Lastly, it’s targeted to novices – people who have never lifted before. And all [Read more …]

The deadlift is an important lift for strength development

The FitAtMidlife Workout Dictionary

August 21, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Here’s a comprehensive list of terms and lingo you’ll run across in the gym. We’ll provide definitions for all the terminology that is pervasive in modern fitness methods. But it’s more than a list of terms – you’ll also find out about some of the current popular programs and personalities. We cover CrossFit and just about everything else you may hear about. 1RM – 1 Repetition Max 1RM is your 1 Repetition Max – This is the absolute maximum weight you can lift for 1 complete repetition of an exercise (with correct form). Commonly used to gauge progress in the big compound or power movements – for example you likely know your 1RM for bench press, squat, deadlift, cleans, and [Read more …]

Water – The Best Beverage

September 27, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Here at FitAtMidlife.com one of our primary nutritional rules is : Thirsty? Drink water. Everybody knows that water is essential to life, and we drink when we are thirsty. But do you really need any beverage besides water? Ok, maybe coffee, and alcohol in reasonable proportions, if you partake in it. But I think you’ll understand the benefits of drinking water when you are thirsty: Water has 0 calories Water is plentiful Water is often free, and almost always the cheapest option Cold water can help you cool down Water is flavorless Water is what your body naturally craves when thirsty. Sodas, fruit juices, milk, and other beverages are loaded with calories. And it’s very easy to drink a lot [Read more …]

What You Need To Know About Body Fat

March 11, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Here’s the most important points to understand about body fat Fat (variously known as body fat, adipose tissue, or just plain fat) is essential to life. It’s not possible to have “zero body fat”, nor would such a condition be desirable. Fat serves to store energy for later use by the body, it cushions the body and organs, and serves as insulation. But perhaps most importantly – body fat is part of the endocrine system – the body’s system of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, mood, and other things. This is a relatively recent finding – and it has important health considerations. Why Understanding Your Distribution of Body Fat is Important [Read more …]

Waist Size – Why It Matters

May 25, 2018 Tim Comments Off

Waist Size is a Key Indicator Of Health and Risk of Serious Illness Waist Circumference (or distance around the waist) is an important indicator of an individual’s amount of abdominal obesity, which is fat held around the stomach. Excess abdominal fat, resulting in waist sizes greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men, is strongly associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death. To measure waist size: Place a tape measure around your body at the top of your hipbone (normally at the level of your belly button.) Ensure the tape measure is level (horizontal around the waist), and snug, but should not be compressing the skin. Do not hold your breath [Read more …]