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Posts Tagged ‘fitness’
San Vicente Stairs
When you arrive at the top of the San Vicente Stairs you will be welcomed by a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the rolling Santa Monica hills. It’s a nice walk down, but the first step you take up these stairs will make you curse the day you heard about this spot. You’ll feel a nice burn just walking up these things. There are actually two sets of stairs that make it up the hill. One is concrete, windy, and narrow. The other is wooden, wide, and straight. Both get pretty crowded. I recommend getting there early. It’s not too bad for walking, but if you run up like I did, you’ll be forced to wait every now and then for a passing lane to open up. It was great to see so many people using the stairs. I was impressed to see a kid there working out on his own - A 14-year old center forward for his soccer team. Now that’s inspiring to see a kid taking some time out of his summer to get in shape. So check it out. Try to beat my time up the wooden stairs – 55 seconds! (That was with some gridlock mind you)
How to get there: Take San Vicente Blvd towards the ocean. Go north on 4th Street. It’s just a block to the top of the stairs. Park anywhere and go check out this Sweat Spot.
Tags: cardio, climbing, exercise, fitness, hiking, landmark, los angeles, running, san vicente, santa monica, sprinting, stairs, walking, workout
Posted in Los Angeles, Sweat Spots | Comments (0)
The Exercise Pill
Quoted from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25949447/:
Exercise in a pill? Drugs show promise in mice – Diet and nutrition- msnbc.com
Here’s a couch potato’s dream: What if a drug could help you gain some of the benefits of exercise without working up a sweat?
Scientists reported Thursday that there is such a drug — if you happen to be a mouse.
Sedentary mice that took the drug for four weeks burned more calories and had less fat than untreated mice. And when tested on a treadmill, they could run about 44 percent farther and 23 percent longer than untreated mice.
This is one of those topics where I have to wave my arms around wildly and say “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” to the world. Drug companies are always trying to PILLify the solutions to our problems, and most of us gladly open our palms and wash it down with an Evian. Does the description of the effects this experimental drug (AICAR) sound familiar to anyone? What are some other things that help you keep your weight down and your energy up. Caffeine? Nicotine? Speed perhaps? Just because we can squeeze something down into a pill doesn’t mean we should take it. I can imagine the year 2090. We will have all our meals consolidated into one daily pill. Exercise in a pill. Sleep in a pill. Soul mate in a pill? I shudder at the thought. Can we please keep exercise alive? Stay healthy, stay natural. Shortcuts in life just cut life short.
Tags: diet, diet pill, discovery, drug, exercise, fitness, Health, medicine, Nutrition, pharmaceutical, pill, research, workout
Posted in Current Events, Health | Comments (0)
Down with Trans Fats!
Schwarzenegger did something right last week (Friday, June 25) when he signed a bill that would ban the use of trans fats in California restaurants starting in 2010. Trans fats , a type of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, have become the red-headed stepchild of the food world in recent years because of the dreadful affects they have on our bodies. Check out this article – Trans Fat Public Enemy #1
Tags: arnold, arnold schwarzenegger, bill, body composition, diet, exercise, fat, fitness, food, governor, Health, law, legal, lose weight, meals, muscle, Nutrition, obesity, overweight, restaurants, schwarzenegger, trans fat, weight, weightloss, workout
Posted in Nutrition | Comments (0)
The Hollywood Sign
Talk about iconic! This uber-landmark is quite a site to behold. I love the trail up to the Hollywood Sign. It is an easy to moderate hike that you can walk, run, or bike up. On a clear day the views are spectacular. The trails goes all the way up above the sign, so you can actually see out over the sign from behind it. When you go to the Hollywood Sign, try to get an early start to beat the heat. And one more thing, be careful where you step – it doubles as a horse trail – do I need to explain any further?
Where to Park: Take N. Beachwood Drive from Franklin Avenue, just off the 101 freeway. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a dirt parking lot. This is the starting point for the Hollyridge Trail which leads up to the sign. Have fun!
Before heading up the trail I decided to get in a few warmup exercises.
Tags: biking, exercise, fitness, hiking, hollyridge trail, hollywood, hollywood sign, horse trail, landmark, legendary, mountain, running, walking, workout
Posted in Sweat Spots | Comments (0)
Cooking With The Traveling Trainer – The Scramble
Here is a quick and easy breakfast to make right after your workout. Actually, I’ve been known to cook eggs any time, day or night. Good nutrition is supremely important for healthy living, and providing the energy to workout and have a speedy recovery. Please share your favorite healthy snacks and meals, so we can all diversify our palate.
Tags: burn, calories, cooking, diet, eating, eggs, exercise, fat, fitness, food, healthy, instructional, meal, Nutrition, protein, recipe, weight, weightloss
Posted in Nutrition | Comments (0)
The Dune
The first time I visited Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach, CA my jaw dropped to the floor. I said “We’re running up that!?”. It’s crazy steep! Basically, you walk up it and your legs start burning after 3 steps. The soft sand means you slide back one step for every two you take. But guess what! You’ll want to go back. It’s a great workout. You can walk all the way up the massive dune, jog up, sprint up (good luck!), or if you don’t like sand between your toes you can take the shaded stairway next to it. It is common to see elite athletes and some pros workout there also. And for a good time, go up the dune, then run down at full speed. It’s pretty fun. You’ll see.
Here’s a tip: If you take your shoes off to run on the sand, WEAR SOCKS! During the day the sand is blistering hot. Believe me, the skin will just start to slough off when it gets burned. Please, just take my word for it. To avoid the heat you can go in the early morning or late evening. Still wear your socks though – before the sun comes up that sand is FREEZING! Or maybe my feet just have Goldilocks Syndrome. Oh well, enjoy this bit of the Sahara right here in California.
Where to Park: From the 405 freeway you will go west on Rosecrans Ave. Turn left to go south on Bell Ave for about 100 yards. There is usually plenty of free parking.
Tags: cardio, desert, exercise, fitness, manhattan beach, running, sahara, sand dune park, sprinting, workout
Posted in Sweat Spots | Comments (0)
Muscle Beach
Muscle Beach is located in the heart of Venice, CA. It’s a full-on outdoor gym where there are usually several musclebound exhibitionists on-hand at any given time during the day. There are often some pretty cool bodybuilding/hardbody competitions during the summer. For a small fee you can get a day pass or buy a membership, but I prefer to workout on the free equipment directly adjacent, towards the water. In the “Sandbox” there is an assortment of bars, beams, rings, and ropes, along with an area for boxing bags (heavy and speed) next to it. This is my favorite spot in Venice to soak up some sun and break a sweat. Then you can take a dip in the ocean to cool off. The best place to park is on 18th Street. It’s a little street where spots tend to open up frequently and you don’t have to feed a hungry, hungry parking meter or pay $12 bucks for one of the bargain (Ha!) beach lots. If you like to see and/or be seen, Muscle Beach is your Mecca.
Download Muscle Beach Workout Video
Tags: bodybuilding, competition, exercise, fitness, gym, lifting, muscle beach, outdoor, personal training, venice, venice beach, weights, workout
Posted in Sweat Spots | Comments (1)
Who is The Traveling Trainer?
My name is Christopher Staton, also known as The Traveling Trainer. Come along as I explore the most unique places to get in a great workout. Why settle for the gym when you could break a sweat, get some fresh air, and experience local and world landmarks in a whole new way. Please feel free to share your favorite outdoor fitness spot, and let me know what you think of the places I visit. Check back often for new places, healthy recipes, and fitness tips. See you soon!
Tags: abs, bodybuilding, cardio, core, diet, exercise, fitness, food, historical, icon, international, landmarks, Nutrition, outdoor, personal trainer, travel, weightlifting, weights, workout
Posted in General Info | Comments (1)