Archive for September, 2008

Which Exercise is Better – Aerobics or Weight Training?

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

So which is better? The answer is NEITHER! Both accomplish different things for your body and mind and both are essential to your health. Although fleeting exercise fads will often tout one over the other, both cardio and strength training are important. Here is why.

General Benefits of Weight Training
The most notable weight training benefit shown by research is the age-reversal effect. Subjects who performed only moderate weight training routines demonstrated muscle mass, cardiovascular fitness, coordination and bone density comparable to those who were 20 years their junior! This result was thought to be due in part to increased growth hormone secretion. Other benefits include increased metabolism, greater lean muscle mass, decreased body fat, reduced risk of osteoporosis, stronger connective tissue, greater joint stability, and more strength for every day activities. Working out with free weights also improves balance and coordination.

General Benefits of Cardio-Respiratory Exercise
Cardio, or aerobics, increases both heart and lung capacity and causes your body to produce an increased number of blood vessels. As a result, more nutrients and oxygen are delivered to every cell, while toxins and waste products are quickly removed from your body. The net result is you gain increased energy and ability to perform physically as well as mentally. Cardio fitness helps your strength training program by enabling you to lift with greater intensity for longer periods before the fatigue of lactic acid burn overcomes you. There is a distinctive runners’ high that often occurs with activity lasting 40 minutes or more, probably resulting from the natural endorphine production triggered by aerobics. Oh, and one other thing – cardio exercise burns fat!

Cardio vs. Strength Training
As described above, strength training directly impacts your metabolism, muscles, bone density and body fat composition, while cardio trains the lungs, heart and vascular systems. One interesting difference between cardio-respiratory exercise and strength training lies in the equipment we use to assist our workout. Although the matter is subject to debate, it appears that strength training is best assisted by non-machine-based equipment (free weights, dumbbells etc.), while cardio activity is better assisted by machines.

In brief, the main reasons underlying the weight training “simplicity rule” involve the fact that simple and cost-effective free weights allow for natural movement in three-dimensional space, exercising both your primary mover and stabilizer muscles. You train many muscles at once, compared to machine-based exercises that usually train only one muscle at a time.

Cardio-respiratory exercise, however, carries the opposite rule – shall we call it the “Complexity Rule”? Unfortunately, some of the most effective aerobic workouts involve high-impact force, which over time causes joint injury and decreased functional capacity. Machines will often buffer the high impact of cardio activity. A bicycle, for example, is a machine that enables us to perform aerobic activity through pedaling off the ground, and protecting our joints from the high impact we would experience if our feet were allowed to repetitively pound a hard surface.

Low-impact activity, however, usually means low-intensity. Low-impact exercise therefore will often fail to achieve the same level of benefit as higher-impact exercise, and must be performed for longer durations to get any benefit at all in terms of cardio-respiratory fitness and weight control. Despite myths to the contrary, science has proven that walking a mile is not the same as jogging a mile.

The latest development in cardio machines have enabled the fusion of low-impact and high intensity cardio training. You are able to train intensely and effectively without jeopardizing the integrity of your joints. So, there is a solution to the high-impact dilemma of cardio. As for weight training – just continue to carry on with your dumbbells. Save your money for investing in a high-tech cardio machine.

Janet Ford is President of PowerFit LLC and co-owner of TheFitWoman.com, a website of women’s weight training and fitness equipment, including the high-tech cardio machines and the low-tech dumbbells discussed in the above article. She is an experienced weight trainer, marathon cyclist, and primary author of The Fit Woman Blog.

Go on a Safari Tour this Winter

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

For those women that have never accomplished a safari in South Africa will often find it difficult to imagine the eye-opening wildlife you will probably see. The holiday makers who come to a safari are regular tourists like you and me, some are into taking wildlife photos, some tourists are into animals but all of them are interested in a new beautiful experience.

The superb thing about a safari is the fact it is so different from a standard holiday to Spain, there are very little children. Each walking safari company will supply an English speaking guide to take you through the tremendous areas of South Africa. The most popular wildlife you might well see are giraffes. All the above wonderful animals are not tame and of course do not feed them. If you are interested in taking photographs of the tigers you should make sure you turn off the flash as you do not want to scare them. The breathtaking animals in South Africa will put a smile on your face.

If you would enjoy to ascertain more about marvellous safari holidays in Southern Africa you may use the search engine like Google to happen upon a safari company that offers safari holidays from the UK, the prices will often range from 200 pounds to 700 pounds. If you need to get away use Kaingo for an African Safari.

What Are the Best Christmas Gifts to Give?

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Before buying random gifts and hoping that they will be pleasing to the recipient, read this article and learn how to avoid aimless gift buying. It would be a great idea to get them a gift card and let them choose what they really want and then you can spend the rest of the day enjoying each others company.

Christmas gets more extravagant every year. Despite everyone saying that next year will be different, it seems like Christmas is spent cleaning up piles of wrapping paper and trying to fit stuff into cars. It’s fun to receive gifts, especially when you’re a kid, but as adults, do we really need to go bonkers in the mall each year?

The obstacle occurs,because everyone has different tastes. The theory seems to be that if you just buy a lot of stuff for a person you will please them because you increased the odds. It it best to do research before you put the time and effort into going all out for someone. You need to get opinions from people who are sure of what they are looking for. Ask the person a few probing questions throughout the year so when gift time comes you will have something to go on. Hopefully this will deter you from spending your money on worthless trinkets and gadgets. If all these ideas do not work then there is nothing wrong with gift cards. You can personalize these with a few home-baked cookies or ornaments, or with a personalized card that lets them know that you wanted them to have the last say about their gift. Even if you get to spend all your time surrounded by gifts, the best gift of all is spending time with loved ones.

A lot of people feel that gift cards are not personal, but of you think about it, you realize that giving a friend something he or she doesnt like or need is not personal either. Gift ideas are hard to come up with but gift cards are a great back up when questioning and snooping about fail. Musch of the time people won’t admit to what they want even if they know. There are lots of ways to give pleasure to this group. Here is a great site for some unusual gifts for everyone.

Marketing Jobs Blue Skies Careers

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

As with abounding professions, the sentiment of the customer relationship directly effects the performance of the Blue Skies Careers company. Back when the company was first operational there was a target in mind, and that was to improve upon the ordinary level of recruitment service that candidates and clients with marketing jobs receive from a marketing recruitment business.

There is one unmistakable thing which disconnects Blue Skies from their competitors, which is that around some moment or other each member of the marketing recruitment staff has spent time working in an marketing agency or client side. That is important because it can guarantee Blue Skies Careers have got an unclouded understanding of what both candidates looking for jobs in the marketing industry, and clients with available a job in marketing.

Blue Skies Careers has four offices, in London, the Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire; sourcing candidates wanting for a position in marketing. They give recruitment services for both freelance and permanent positions.

The recruitment consultants cover manifold distinct sectors, however the most trendy are their jobs in the marketing industry. The agency can be found incredibly painless to chat to and there will probably without doubt be someone in one of the locations who may help you. Have a peek on their website first, that can often give you the trust or possibly the drive to observe what Blue Skies Careers is really about for yourself. It’s fun and really uncomplicated to click around, there are areas on everything you will often want; locate your ideal job, press, happenings, ratings, agencies Blue Skies recruit for, and also even an area where you will probably pick up a little interview tactics.

Within Blue Skies, the recruitment consultants have got a special area called b.creative. The recruiters work a lot with the agencies side of the marketing industry and help to develop some exciting work. The recruitment consultants meet often with gifted creative folk, and with folk who understand brand to brand communication. If you are an art worker, copywriter or designer working on or offline, then why not use b.creative to help you find that next special member for your business’s team. www.blueskiescareers.co.uk/marketing-jobs for jobs in marketing from Blue Skies site.

Do you have the desires to purchase a motorhome and expect 30000 dollar

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

A moneylender in Broken Arrow Oklahoma or so can have a total completely different actual rate for a 35000 dollar money loan then a merchant bank in Dubuque Iowa and that makes a huge clear gap in your monthly pay backs. of the merchant banks wil show you a loan rate that looks bonny but feels poorly or so after a period of time.

Translated in Dutch it means: Woon je in Meerlo-Wanssum of Gilze en Rijen en heeft u BKR verleden. Lenen met zonder BKR is nergens zo eenvoudig. Haal snel een nieuwe caravan met hypotheek met bkr registratie, 463270 euro is geen enkel probleem om te financieren. Van Sint-Michielsgestel tot Nieuwkoop, financieren met een BKR registratie gaat hier altijd.

Now you can look into interest rates quickly online and insure if there are other possible traps you should be aware of. 7.8 percent interest rate may come along so mediocre but will it stay constant after you have to reinforce your loan. now you really need to check out and escort if you can have a loan at a fine percent rate of interest. It doesn’t matter if you live in Bellevue Washington or in Methuen Massachusetts a effective online investigation will often lots of incommode. Be sassy today to if you have a bargain or if you don’t with the bank that offers you a bank loan. Examine to see if the bank who is tending to give you a money loan is trustworthy.

Online Exercise Programs

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

Online personal fitness training has become an affordable, convenient alternative to face-to-face personal training. The internet offers the ability to receive instruction from a qualified fitness trainer in the privacy of your home or office and even while traveling. The number of certified fitness trainers working with clients online has increased more than 400% in 2004 compared to 2003 and is predicted to double again in 2005/2006.

This type of training is ideal for someone who doesn’t have the income for a personal trainer or cannot commit to a scheduled session. What makes losing weight in cyberspace so appealing? CONVENIENCE! There are many people who would like to join a health club but do not have access to one due to location or simply the time to get to the gym. This is where online fitness training is a win-win situation because it provides an effective way to receive fitness advice and guidance from a fitness expert.

You will find similar programs offered on the internet for this service. A certified personal trainer will design an online training program specifically for you based on your individual profile. They will consider your age, exercise and medical history, fitness level and goals, available equipment and schedule availability. Workouts are e-mailed to you on a weekly bases and many services offer weekly encouragement e-mails and work-out tips. Each workout should include an animated demonstration and a detailed written instruction, just incase you have no idea how to safely perform a flat-bench dumbbell flye for your chest or a reverse trunk twist for your abs. Some also offer customized diet programs with access to meal plans.

Online training is also becoming very popular with preteens seeking a competitive edge in sports performance. Weather a young athlete is looking to increase his speed and endurance for soccer, needs a stronger arm for their overhand tennis swing or more leg power for football, online training can offer personalized training programs to help them achieve their goal. Parents who are concerned with cutbacks in school physical education classes are also taking an interest in online training to fight against the rising percent of obesity among children.

Online training is an effective, safe and convenient way to lose weight, tone your body and improve your health in the privacy of your own home. If you have trouble staying motivated, knowing what to do or just want a little extra help, this is a viable option available to you. But just like other workout programs, you have to follow the workout schedule and eat nutritious meals to reach your goals. But at least with online training you can train when and where it is convenient for you. In the comfort of your own home!

If you would like to learn more about online training, visit my website www.fitnessinhometraining.com and take the first step towards a heathier you!

Gina is an ISSA certified personal trainer. She works with her clients in their own homes and offers online fitness training. She writes a weekly fitness article for her local newspaper. Her passion is fitness and helping others reach their fitness goals. She participates in dualthons and 5K races all the way to marathons.

Track Uniforms Can Be Worn on or off the Track

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Track Uniforms Can be Worn On or Off the Track. In fact, there are probably more people who have never ran track who wear Track Uniforms than people who have ran track at some point in their past. Track Uniforms can be the warm up suit, running shoes, Track Jerseys, or many other forms of Track Apparel.

NCAA Track Apparel is often seen on college campuses across the United States and also makes its way onto high school campuses as well. Wearing your college or high school’s colors in the form of Track Uniforms is a cool way to represent your school spirit and pride.

Every year there is an Olympic Games held there is usually a rush on the Track Jerseys and Track Uniforms from the Team USA track team but also the Track Jerseys of the Gold medalists are very popular as well. While Team USA T shirts and other track team apparel are prevalent year round, it seems that every four years the demand is much greater.

Large sports manufacturers such as Nike, Addidas, and Reebok all sell various types of Track Apparel and they also logo it with many different schools and sayings. Just Do It, Property of Your School Athletic or Track Department shirts can be seen across the USA.

Even if you have never attended a track meet, let alone competed in one, you can own and wear Track Jerseys or other types of Track Apparel. In fact, many outdoorsmen prefer track running suits because of the quality materials they are made from. Keeping the outdoorsman dry, protected from the cold, yet able to not get overheated is critically important and the Track Apparel can achieve this goal.

The Highly Splendid World of Internet Bingo: a Run Over

Friday, September 19th, 2008

On line bingo has now become ever more accepted in the UK and elsewhere. Following the total smoking ban in pubs and other public places, an unprecedented number of traditional bingo gaming places collapsed — this needless to say led to an unprecedented number of organisations tendering virtual bingo as an alternative option.

Big shot testimonials as reported from S. and J. Osbourne and others have contributed towards developing the reputation of on line bingo — encompassing some three million contestants currently enjoying a regular game at the computer.

You can now see plenty of a good many virtual bingo webpages, each one proposing to their fans wonderful cash winnings and some other restricted prizes for example the very latest cars, movie premiere tickets and luxury holidays.

What’s particularly marvellous about virtual bingo is that anyone can go for it just about anytime wherever there’s some internet connection. With games kicking off every other minute or so you can easily organise bingo seamlessly with your routine life.

One would have imagined that the social aspect of bingo would lose its impact because of the shift away from traditional bingo gaming places — but, rather bingo patrons in Britain have really proven all skeptical voices wrong… Growing numbers are making use of the chat rooms proffered by some virtual bingo organisations.

Here, we can forge quite a number of new friendships, enjoy exclusive tournaments and join up with other bingo communities.

Likewise, independent research reports have proved that one is dramatically more likely to gain £1 million by playing net bingo as weighed against other forms of staking a bet for example lotteries and sports wagers.

And if you become a little bit tired of bingo, hundreds of virtual bingo webpages will throw in a huge selection of alternate amusements. These will ordinarily range from slots and numbers games all through to caption games and mock tests.

Faced with so many possibilities chances are it’s hard to spot which bingo corporation is likely to be best for you. It should be worth the effort to take a stab at some rudimentary research and explore who is extending to the most attractive bonuses. Scores of virtual bingo webpages will authorize their visitors to take a stab at a number of free games or match any initial cash deposit.

If some of your cronies have registered with a given virtual bingo site, how about following suit since networking may considerably add to the overall fun and amusement…

Online Bingo/

What is the Difference Between the Strength Coach (CSCS) and the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)?

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

A panel of five fitness experts gathered their opinions and thoughts on a specific question for the standAPARTfitness.com Round Table Discussion. The panel was asked the following: “Aside from the prominent letters after a strength coachs’s name, where does the line cross between CSCS and Personal Trainers (CPT)? What are the major differences between the two professional roles?”

In no specific order, their answers are as follows:

Rick Karboviak, CSCS: “In today’s realm, and with respect to CPT’s of all organizations, there are some that try to do sports performance programs with their general fitness knowledge. Some of these trainers know how to step things up to a sport’s higher demands and more specific demands, while others merely copy or mimic what other, more highly educated and experienced strength coaches do. It’s these ones who merely try to copy what the CSCS knows and applies daily, and the trainer tries to do it haphazardly, just to make a sale of packaged sessions in the end. Other trainers do study the sports performance methods, maybe obtain other sport-related certifications in the field (there are Speed/Agility/Quickness Trainer certs, Specialist in Strength & Conditioning certs, among others). They then apply their new knowledge they have, after having obtained it through quality education (study, workshops, internships or mentorships), and observation, before they apply anything to their clients.”

Chris Blake, MA, ATC, CSCS: “As far as where does the line crosses between the CSCS and CPT certifications; there are distinct and equally respectable qualities with each certification. I can’t speak for the CPT group as I am not certified as a personal trainer. But the scope of practice states:

Personal trainers are health/fitness professionals who, using an individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients regarding their health and fitness needs. They design safe and effective exercise programs provide the guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals and respond appropriately in emergency situations. Recognizing their own area of expertise, personal trainers refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate. In order to challenge the exam you must have CPR certification as well as a high school diploma/GED.”

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. Recognizing that their area of expertise is separate and distinct, CSCS consult with and refer athletes to other professionals when appropriate. A bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) or chiropractic medicine degree granted by an accredited institution and current CPR certifications are prerequisites to challenge the exam.”

Dr. Kwame Brown, PhD., CSCS: “As I understand it, the major difference between the CSCS and the CPT certifications is that the CPT spends more time on addressing those with health issues in a training environment, and is more geared toward personal training at a health club. The CSCS is geared toward those who may want to work with sports teams or in training competitive athletes. The overlap between the 2 will be in the knowledge both will acquire during the certification process in the foundations of training techniques and physiology. Another source of overlap is the experience of the individual outside of the preparation for the certification exam.”

Steve Payne, CPT, CSCS: “We all have an obligation to constantly improve, to gain knowledge. It should be, for those who truly care about their clients, a burning desire. Knowledge is the one thing that no one can ever take from you. Knowledge is not power, effective use of knowledge is.
In the gym where I train, there are three CSCS’s who regularly come to me for information. I don’t pretend to know more than them, and give them the respect they deserve for their educational accomplishments. I also inquire of them on many occasions. The reason I think they seek my counsel is three fold:
1) My age – I’ve been involved in this industry in one way or another for over 25 years. That makes me a senior, and age has taught me a few things. I’ve seen a lot of things.
2) Each of these guys knows I read voraciously. I lent two of them my “Essentials of Strength Training” book so they could study for the CSCS exam.
3) I work with athletes of all ages and genders. They have witnessed the results these athletes have gotten and respect my abilities.
I’m not tooting my own horn, just stating fact. I’m not as smart as I look, so I have to work harder to make up for my lack of formal education. I love this job (if you can call it that) so, therefore, I want to be the best that I can be. My motivation is the satisfaction that I receive from the folks I’m able to be involved with. If they like the results they get, then who am I to argue with them.”

Brian Nolan, CPT: “I have to say the letters behind the name are essentially moot. If the trainer is charged with the responsibility to increase human performance than THAT is what they shall do. I’m sure there are some intellectuals that will attempt to refute my following response with some tired-ass, old, and often misapplied research, but it is IRREFUTABLE that athletes are just people. They have higher functioning bodies, but still just friggin’ people. I don’t think there is a line between the CSCS and the Personal Trainer. Personally, I consider myself a “movement and performance” specialist. Which cert does that fall under? I help PEOPLE move and perform better regardless of the task. I will say that I often feel those that pursue or obtain the CSCS cert view it as a way to position themselves away from personal trainers as though CPTs as a whole are lesser qualified professionals. Given the way some people view this profession, it may not be a bad idea if it works.”

John Izzo, NASM-CPT: “Personally, I have run into some real good CSCS’s, and I have known some really bad CSCS that were just proud to have the letters after their name. However, alot of organizations are crossing-over into the field of strength & conditioning (NASM-PES, ISSA) and I personally don’t see a major difference between a “mediocre” CSCS and a “real good” CPT.I have been inquiring about NASM-PES certification and have published many opinions from professionals (from this forum) on my website about the differences with the CSCS.

Personally, (and I know I may get some flack), but I think the CSCS is outdated. I think the NASM-PES takes a more updated cutting-edge approach to athleticism and human movement. In the last 2 years, the NSCA has really “turned it up” on its competition and really started “working” on its marketing. I guess they realized that simply sitting back and saying “We’re the NSCA, and we’re the best”, was not enough. And that’s good, because that sense of urgency will prompt others to look further in education. I have run into alot of trainers/coaches who tell me “I’m a CSCS” and I would say “….and?”

John Izzo - EzineArticles Expert Author

John Izzo is the founder of stand APART Fitness. Athletic Performance Applied Resistance Training is a unique web site geared at providing information and products to help personal trainers, strength coaches and fitness enthusiasts
become better at what they do: training clients…training athletes…training yourself.” For more info, please check out: http://www.standAPARTfitness.com.

Solution Overload

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Call center software targeted at the small-to-medium-sized business market is a fast-growing field right now. It only makes sense, really. With VoIP and IP Telephony finally coming into their own, it’s only logical that communications software companies are going to want to get in on the action. The result of this is a glut of “all in one” call centers, all guaranteed to meet your personal business needs better than the rest: Contactual, CRM, VirtualOne, AMCAT, Fonality, BCMR Desktop… the list goes on and on.

To some extent this isn’t a bad thing. It means small businesses have an unprecedented range of options in telecommunications, which drives costs down. The obvious drawback is that anytime you have such a wide range of programs and companies, many of them are bound to be cheap imitations or downright ripoffs. A little research will of course turn up the obvious frauds, but with such a relatively young technology it can be hard to tell.

The curious thing is what it indicates about the small business world’s approach toward VoIP in general. The obvious demand for such products suggests that companies are finding it hard to get the functionality they need out of VoIP without one of these virtual call centers, and yet the promise of VoIP was that it was supposed to free telecommunications from the monopolized world of a few phone companies.

For all the rhetoric about freeing up communications, all we’re seeing is the exchange of physical PBX technology for the virtual call center – exchanging the new shackles for the old. Yes, VoIP is cheaper (most of the time), and, yes, it can theoretically do a lot more, but how much of that power are small businesses really seeing? Instead of being bound by the limits of telephone technology, a company is now forced to work within the artificial confines of the program it purchases.

In essence, the approach hasn’t changed. Although VoIP creates the possibility for a custom made platform which is truly tailored to individual needs, it seems that most companies would still rather buy a premade package.

In a few years, once the technologies settle down and standardize, I suspect this will lead to a contraction in the number of small-time platforms in favor of a few recognized industry names, again essentially replicating the telecommunications scene before the introduction of VoIP. But for now, it’s an exciting time to be in telecommunications.

David Roberts is a 10th level VoIP champion and technology writer for voip-avaya.com, an online resource for all things VoIP.