Exercise Bikes – Tackling Childhood Obesity

Getting children to exercise today is much more problematic than in previous generations due to the prevalence of video games. So, exercise bikes that bridge the gap between exercise and gaming may help tackle childhood obesity.

The problem of childhood obesity is one that is causing massive health problems for adults in later life. As such, children are increasingly being encouraged to exercise in order to diminish the potentially hazardous health implications of obesity. New form of exercise bikes are emerging that tackle the issue of keeping children entertained whilst exercising and which hope to tackle the problem of childhood obesity head on.

Exercise Bikes – Exertainment

By mixing entertainment and exercise, the new types of exercise bikes that are being produced are hoping to prevent childhood obesity from reaching epidemic proportions. By incorporating a computer element to exercise bikes, it becomes more of a game to the children which means that they’ll be more inclined to use them, little realising that they are getting fit in the process. The need for exercise bikes and other health orientated equipment is all too apparent for overweight children in the UK as obesity levels soar.

Exercise Bikes – The Extent of the Problem

Research carried out by the British Heart Foundation discovered that half of the children in the UK do not exercise regularly. The fallout from this lack of exercise is that the number of overweight children has doubled in the last 10 years. Exercise bikes aimed specifically at children hope to address this problem. The study found that children spent an average of 4 hours a day watching television or playing computer games, so, it is a logical step to create exercise bikes that allow them to continue doing something they enjoy, whilst getting fit in the process. Speaking to the Daily Mail, childhood obesity expert, Professor Kamlesh Khunti, argued that children who spent too long inactive in front of the TV had a much higher risk of childhood obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes in later life. For more on why exercise in essential: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Whybeactive.aspx.

Rowing Machines – Raising Funds and Fitness

Training on rowing machines to take on major competitions and events is one way of raising much needed charitable funds.

Rowing machines are accessible and affordable; it’s no wonder that so many people choose rowing machines as a way to get fit. But rowing is also a great sport to raise money for charity. One group of committed rowers put an alternative twist on the London Marathon by swapping their running shoes for oars. The University of Salford’s rowing team trains on rowing machines and races on rivers, but this year, while thousands line up in London for the 26.2 mile run, the rowers will be climbing into their boat on the Manchester Ship Canal. The idea evolved from the suggestion the rowing club could run the Marathon for charity. But as rowing was their passion, they decided to keep training on rowing machines rather than start pounding the pavements, and swapped the run for a row.

Rowing for charity

The distance is long and the team trained hard on rowing machines to ensure they were up to the challenge. And like the Marathon, the team put the pressure on by challenging themselves to raise money for charity, in this case the children’s medical research charity, SPARKS. Unlike running however, the rowing team couldn’t do it in fancy dress; rowing, whether it’s done using rowing machines or in a boat, demands that the legs and arms are free from obstruction. Obstruction not only damages your stroke but could impact on posture resulting in muscle strains or injury.

Rowing machines – Get in training

As well as rowing clubs and teams taking on challenges, individuals have been known to take on massive obstacles to raise funds for charity. Tim Bradbury and Mick Norman both succeeded in rowing the Atlantic – both in their mid-fifties. The duo increased their fitness training using rowing machines. The idea came to Tim during a sailing conference. Intense fitness training and planning were crucial for the adventurous pair’s success. The two not only had an adventure of a lifetime, they raised money for four charities – The Alzheimer’s Society, Wateraid, Macmillan Cancer Relief and The Eden Valley Hospice. Rowing machines are a fast track to fitness, no matter what your age, and Tim and Mick proved it’s never to late to take on a mighty adventure with the right training, outlook and determination. Rowing machines are a great way to get fit for other sports too, like golf www.scottsdalegolf.co.uk for example. Get fit and play better.

Camping – Extreme Adventure, Extreme Survival

If you’re looking for a camping expedition with a difference, take some tips from the born survivor – Bear Grylls.

Extreme Camping – Watch out for the Bear

It’s not everyday you have to know how to go camping in the Costa Rican jungle with nothing but a water bottle and a knife (and erm, a camera crew) to keep you company. But anyone who has seen Bear Gryll’s Channel Four show, Born Survivor, will probably feel they could cope with any hardships a camping holiday threw their way. Although you might be over-estimating the trials faced on the typical British camping holiday – cow pats, scrabbling to the loos at midnight, forgetting to leave the mallet at home for the tent pegs, running out of tea bags….but even if you are just camping in the back garden and not in a hostile, remote, danger zone, surely knowing how to climb coconut trees, survive snake bites or abseil down waterfalls is fun, if not always useful, survival knowledge.

Grrrrrrr…..Bear’s Survival skills

Sat in the comfort of your living room, glass of pinot noir in hand, watching a TV show that tells you what insects you can eat to survive on in the rainforest might not be completely necessary. But if you’re planning a camping trip and run out of Doritos, who knows? When you’re camping in the great outdoors, the fact that termite poo keeps mosquitoes away could save your skin (if make you unpopular with your neighbouring campers). Bear Grylls has survived on mountains, on deserted islands, in tropical rainforests…and just with a knife and water bottle. When he’s camping in the outdoors, he makes his shelter from tree bark. And if you’re camping in extreme places, you should take note of Bear’s survival tips.

Camping Rules

Bear is a born survivor and when he’s camping in extreme environments he always follows a few simple camping rules:

• Make sure you’ve told someone where you are going and when you will be back so they know to get help if you don’t return on time.
• Do your research – find out about the area you’ll be camping in, know what’s edible and what’s poisonous and what dangerous insects or animals are indigenous to the land.
• Check the weather forecast before you go camping so you are prepared for whatever is thrown your way.
• Pack your camping gear according to the environment – For example, if it’s damp make sure you have a waterproof lighter and waterproof gear.
• Put common sense first – don’t meander on if you are lost, get your bearings first and make sure you visualise landmarks as you go. If you are hungry, focus on finding food before moving on.
• Think positively – if you’re caught out camping in a remote, hostile environment all the great survival stories show it’s the people who have hope and positive thinking that push themselves forward.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/campingholidays/7811133/Camping-tips-packing-and-pitching.html

Camping and Surfing go Hand in Hand

If you’re a surf dude, camping is the only way forward.

If you love surfing your vocabulary will be different to the rest of us mere mortals. Everything will be ‘awesome’, you’ll be ‘stoked’, and your friends will all be ‘dudes’. But dude, did you know that the future is camping?

Camping fits Surfer Lifestyle

If you are a surfer than camping will fit into your general philosophy, for you there’s nothing more idyllic then going camping near the beach, waking up and hitting the water. Camping means you can be right on the beach – you can watch the sun rise and the sun set over the ocean, and you can live, eat and breathe surfing.

Get close to nature camping

Camping, like surfing, is a way to get up close and personal with nature. And it’s about escaping the trappings of urban life – just you, the earth, the ocean and the elements. You can be a beach bum and afford to surf your summer away if you’re happy camping – you don’t need a big pay packet, just big attitude.

Camping and surfing all over the world

If you want to learn how to surf, there are surf schools all over the world where you can go camping and learn 24/7 the ways of the sport. Unlike other sports, surfing can be about a philosophy and way of living and camping gives surf addicts the chance to be based near the beach and travel around the world’s greatest surf spots.

Alleviate stress

Surfing, like camping, is the ideal way for adults caught up in the frenetic pace of modern life to get back in touch with nature and alleviate stress. In the ocean, when you’re forced to focus on the moment, you leave all your troubles momentarily back on land.

Surf camping festival

In Cornwall, they understand how camping and surfing go hand in hand with the Surfstock Festival – two days of camping, laid back fun and top music. It’s held in the 17 acres of lush green overlooking the ocean with great camping facilities for the ultimate laid back surf festival.

Check out the Secret Spot Surfshop for the best surfing gear.

Finding the Perfect Swimming Pool Accessories

If you want to make the most of your mew swimming pool, make sure you have all the right swimming pool accessories.

Bikini – check. Poolside flip flops – check. A chilled cocktail complete with umbrella – double check! It seems like you’ve got everything when you’ve got your own swimming pool in your back garden. Absolute paradise - and when you have paradise, colourful beverages and a pair of sunglasses are all the swimming pool accessories that you need. But if you want to maximise your poolside experience, you need to think beyond alcohol and fashion. 

Swimming Pool Accessories

Okay, so let’s talk inflatable toys, balloons, rafts, floating loungers, drinks holders and anything that screams “pool party!” But when the barbeques are over, and the guests have all gone (having left wet footprints all over the house), it’s time to think about maintenance. Have you got thought about the right swimming pool accessories? Here is a list of all the things you may need to think about before getting carried away with the fun:

• Swimming pool chemicals – the most important swimming accessories you need are tablets and chemical solutions. Chemicals help to keep your water at the right PH balance and this ensures that it is a safe environment for swimmers. It also helps to maintain the life and quality of your pool, keeping everything in tip top condition. You can buy chemicals in tablet form, including chlorine and bromine.
• Cleaners and sanitizers – whether you choose tablets or granules, you need to think about sanitizing the pool before you use the pool. Make sure you create a safe place for you, your family and your guests to swim in.
• Algae controllers – this is one of the most useful swimming pool accessories you can own to keep everything in working condition throughout the year. Once your swimming pool’s installed, it’s there to stay. So even when summer’s over, you still have to take good care of it. Algae controllers can help to eliminate algae problems across the seasons. 
• Winter maintenance kits – British weather means a short summer and a long winter. Using winter care products can keep your pool clean during the bitter months and give you an easy start-up when the flowers start to blossom.
• Cleaning tools – not the most glamorous of swimming pool accessories, but you really can’t go without. Make sure you have all the right swimming pool accessories including cleaning poles, cleaning pastes, scoops and leaf eaters.

http://swimming.about.com/od/swimworkouts/a/swim_benefit.htm