Finding a computerized bike in a hotel gym without pedal straps is a pet peeve. Any bike provider--health club, hotel, community center, etc.--should offer working straps attached to both pedals.
BUT, if you ride a stationary bike often and want to spice up your pedaling a bit, try removing the plastic straps and go through your entire workout strapless. You will notice that your toes, ankles and calves, must work a little harder on the upsweep and your quads must push a little more on the down.
The two BEST pieces of advice for getting healthy?
Exercise first thing in the morning. If you miss some sleep, so be it. Studies prove that morning movers stick to their workout routines, get better sleep, and have an easier time staying healthy the rest of the day. Get it done first, so it gets done!
*Editor's Note: This post has been updated in 2023
According to a recent data Americans' screen time is at an all-time high...7 hours of looking at some sort of screen EVERY DAY.
I've mentioned this before, but if there are food staples that you use over and over, consider buying them online. I typically save 25% to 75%.
Examples:
1. Fiber One Cereal: Amazon price with free shipping: $4.42/box. Ouch! I just averaged $2.25/box by taking advantage of a 2 for $4.00 deal on Walgreens.com. That equates to a 49% savings. I did buy $50 worth of the cereal to take advantage of a promotion of $10 off any order of $50 or more. I now have 25 boxes of cereal on the way!
Editor's Note: Updated 2023
If you are debating whether to bring your larger device along on your next trip, do so. Free WiFi is ubiquitous! But just maybe, you could view the trip as a chance to explore unplugging.
The case for free WiFi: It's FREE. Easy. Get ahead on work or other projects.
The case against: Brain sucking. Time waster.
Good news for flyers? Airlines like Jet Blue and Delta already offer free WiFi and more to come. Finally.
Editor's Note: Lindsay Durston contributed this piece during her internship at Athletic-Minded Traveler. She aspires to be a travel writer.
While there is something deeply gratifying about the sweet, creaminess of peanut butter (unless you lean crunchy), and the way that it often sticks to the roof of the mouth, studies demonstrate, it might be time to switch the nut. Almond butter, which also comes creamy or crunchy, offers more on a strictly nutritional basis.
My wife is an every day Hot Yoga (Bikram Yoga) junkie. I prefer other forms of exercise and sweat, but after attending a half-dozen or so Bikram classes over the past 5 years, I feel qualified to pass along a beginner's perspective of what to expect, what to do, and what not to do at your first Bikram Yoga class: (*Click HERE to view all the cities Athletic-Minded Traveler covers.)
If you are about to run in the Chicago Marathon (or any marathon for that matter) and are wondering, "What race day items do I need for a marathon?", keep reading. All of the following long-distance running items should make your pack and prep list. These are Marathon Must-Haves:
1) Body Glide - the single most important product for a happy race. Rub this waxy stick all over your body (especially the armpits, nipples, back of your neck, top of feet and elbow/knee creases) to avoid painful chafing and irritating burns.
Although my personal experience is a non-scientific study of ONE, consumers of protein shakes and energy bars should be aware that these convenient, protein dense snacks can increase your risk for kidney disease and/or kidney stone formation (uric stones). There are more than one type of kidney stone. Some result from a build-up of calcium and most pass through our urine without us knowing. But, if they expand to sizes of 2-3mm or more, get ready for some mean back pain, potential fever, possible nausea and hematuria (blood in urine).
After the recent brouhaha over the SIGG water bottles, we are in search of some simple truths (or even easy to follow guidelines about plastics). Are your eyes glazing over? If so, here's the SUPER quick skinny.
