"Rep Fitness" - Fit at Midlife

U.S. Dietary Guidance for Sugar and Alcohol Intake Remains Unchanged

January 14, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Every 5 years the US government releases revised dietary guidelines for optimal health and longevity. The newest recommendations[1] have left unchanged the amount of added sugar and alcohol consumption that is recommended on a daily basis – despite the input to the contrary of the scientific advisory council. This is puzzling because prior studies show that lowering sugar and alcohol consumption reduces the risk of an individual getting diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. What is the Goal of the Nutrition Guidelines? The goal of these nutrition guidelines is to encourage Americans to live a healthier lifestyle. It aims to educate Americans to follow a healthier dietary pattern. It should also help maintain good [Read more …]

Reebok Nano X Differences

January 13, 2021 Tim Comments Off

Let’s look at all the different versions of the Reebok Nano X CrossFit Shoe from Reebok. This shoe has been out for a couple of months, and there are some different versions. Here’s an example, this is the Reebok Nano X Unknown. It’s a light-weight, mid-cut version of the Nano X. What’s the key differences between each version? That’s what we’re going to look at in-depth. Here’s all the different versions of the Reebok Nano X that we are going to compare and contrast in this article: Let’s compare and contrast – and find out all about the different versions of the Reebok Nano X. Reebok Nano X – Regular Edition Here’s the basic version of the Reebok Nano X. [Read more …]

GORUCK Tribe Workout Program Review

January 29, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the new GORUCK Tribe workout program from GORUCK. Choosing the harder path is what GORUCK Tribe is committed to take. Tribe formally launches in January 2021, with the theme of the year, “Seek Pain”. Full cycles are four years in duration. By subscribing, you will receive a new patch each month – attainable only if you read the book, do the workout, and the ruck mileage. Where do you sign up? Direct at GORUCK of course: GORUCK Tribe – Overview Pain is inevitable, and when we overcome painful situations, we appreciate life even more, and we discover the strength we never thought we have. GORUCK Tribe is into seeking that strength hidden within us. The GORUCK Challenge started [Read more …]

Rogue Crash Cushion Product Highlight

February 1, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the new Rogue Crash Cushion from Rogue. Deadlifting, powerlifting, or weightlifting in your house or apartment, especially on higher floors, seems impossible or impolite because of the noise and the shake. You don’t want to disturb your neighborhood, but you don’t want to go through the hassle of driving to a gym. The answer to your problem is a Crash Cushion. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Let’s take a look. Rogue Crash Cushion – Overview You can now keep the peace with your family and neighbors with Crash Cushion, a new type of noise-dampening pad used when dropping the weights or performing different kinds of lifts. They are long-lasting and exceedingly lessen [Read more …]

Food you might eat when you are done intermittent fasting

Research Study: Is Diet Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Trajectories?

December 24, 2020 VA Worker Comments Off

A new research study[1] presents that particular dietary regimens may impact rates of mental deterioration. It appears that the foods we eat have a direct influence on our cognitive acuity in our later years. It is uncertain how long-term food consumption affects Fluid Intelligence among adults with or without a genetic history of Alzheimer’s Disease. Still, greater age-related Fluid Intelligence deterioration escalates the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease. What was the Goal of the Research Study? The study aims to monitor how the total diet is linked with long-term cognition among mid-to-late-life populations at-risk and not-at-risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. What were the Research Methods of the Study? Among 1,787 mid-to-late-aged adult UK Biobank participants, 10-year Fluid Intelligence trajectories were designed and [Read more …]

Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack Review

December 27, 2020 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the Deadlift Bar Jacks available from Rogue. What’s a deadlift bar jack? It’s a handy device that lets you quickly and easily prop up a barbell (even if heavily loaded) to add or remove plates. Rogue, the leading manufacturer in strength and conditioning equipment, has now come up with new Deadlift bar jack options to improve your training. Here’s some of the bar jacks we are going to look at: Let’s check these out. Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack – Video Review on our YouTube Channel Why read when you can watch? Check out this video from our YouTube channel: We got hands-on with the Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack because it’s a great option to help you get more [Read more …]

AssaultBike Pro Product Highlight

December 23, 2020 VA Worker Comments Off

Assault Fitness, makers of the original “assault bike”, have recently launched a new version of this fabulous fitness tool – the AssaultBike Pro. To understand what’s new and improved with this bike – let’s review all the air bikes from AssaultBike. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Let’s compare all these models. Air Bikes from AssaultBike – Overview First, a quick word on air bikes. Combining the arm-pumping action of a cross-country ski machine with the leg-firming power of cycling across deliberate resistance, Assault bikes are in a calorie-burning league of their own. But, these can also be an effective tool for rehabilitation as it requires secure, controlled movement with zero impact. Assault bikes are [Read more …]

Can we couter the effect of sitting with exercise? Yes

Research Study: Counter the Effects of Sitting with 11 Minutes of Exercise a Day?

December 18, 2020 VA Worker Comments Off

A new research study[1] shows that a mere 11 minutes a day of exercise could decrease the unwanted health consequences of sitting for several hours. Low levels of physical activity and high amounts of sedentary time are associated with higher morbidity and mortality risks. In contrast, other large-scale meta-analyses and cohort studies examining the joint associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviors suggest that high levels of physical activity attenuate or even eliminate the associations between sitting time all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. What was the Goal of the Research Study? Some older studies in 2016 suggested that if you do about 30 minutes of exercise most days but sit for eight hours at work a day, it is still [Read more …]

Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Review

February 21, 2021 Tim Comments Off

Recently I wanted to get into some heart rate training techniques and do some other work evaluating calorie burn. This is my review of the Polar H10 Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor. Why a chest strap heart rate monitor (HRM)? These types of heart rate monitors are known to be the most accurate. Because it’s a chest strap, it isn’t impacted by movement (like a heart rate monitor you wear on your wrist or arm). Secondly, it operates by detecting the electrical signals of your heart – and this is a more consistent and accurate method than that used by wrist-mounted heart rate monitors (which use optical sensors.) Here’s some of the gear I used during this review. Polar H10 [Read more …]

How Many Calories Does Rucking Burn?

January 17, 2021 Tim Comments Off

How many calories does rucking burn? That’s a great question – you certainly know you are working harder when you walk for long distances with a heavily loaded backpack (rucksack) on your back. But, can we put some hard numbers to this? Yes, we can. Here’s results from testing I’m doing – measuring calorie burn (via heart rate monitoring) at a variety of distances, loads, and paces. Without further ado, here’s the results (Preliminary, more data will be added over the next 2-3 months): Ruck Weight Pace (mph) Calories burned/minute Calories burned/hour Calories burned/mile 0 (no ruck) 3.6 6.7 401 109 30 lb ruck plate + Rucker 3.0 3.0 6.2 373 123 30 lb ruck plate + Rucker 3.0 3.7 [Read more …]