Supplements for people with joint pain and arthritis are increasing in popularity, since studies have shown the effectiveness of items such as glucosamine. Synotrex is a joint pain supplement* that contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and a few other newer ingredients that are supposed to improve joint health by rebuilding damaged cartilage while alleviating pain issues. You can order online and get discounts off what you would pay at a local health foods or supplements store.
*Paid link
I guess it’s pet week here at Fitness Gadgets, because I keep finding things for dogs (also see: Bicycling with Your Dog). This tent may look like a normal pop-tent at first glance, but it’s actually dog-sized, the “dog dome.” This way if your hiking plans include an overnighter, you’ve got a place for Fido to stay. That’s the theory anyway (every dog owner knows Fido would rather stay in your tent with you).
This is one of several doggie accessories available over at REI (if you get one of the canine backpacks, Fido can carry his own tent, food, and water). Worth checking out if you take your hound with you on all your adventures.
Activa is one of my favorite places to shop for workout gear, because all the shirts and pants I’ve gotten from them have been of a high quality that last a long time. I bought my first gym outfit there almost two years ago, and even though I wear it two or three times a week, it’s stood up well (most other things seem to develop holes in, uhm, private places in that time) to all the active stuff I do.
Anyway, I found one of those web sites that keeps track of online coupons*, and they’ve got a section for Activia coupons. There’s a coupon code up there right now for free shipping, so I may just have to check things out.
*Paid link
Usually we talk about fitness gadgets for people, but this one is for your pet. If you’ve got a big dog like an Alaskan Malamute that was born to pull dog sleds over great distances, chances are a walk around the block isn’t going to wear him or her out. Taking your dog for a bicycle ride is a great way to get him the exercise he needs, but it can be dangerous to try and handle a leash and steer and control the speed on your bike all at the same time. This is where the Springer Bicycle Dog Jogger comes in.
The Springer attaches to the side of your bike, leaving both your hands free for the handle bars. It has a low-mounted coil spring that absorbs and reduces your dog’s tugs and pulls, so it’s easier for you to keep your balance as you ride. It also keeps the dog at arm’s distance from the bike, so there’s no danger of him getting hit by the pedals or caught in the wheels. The device comes with a safety release mechanism that allows your dog to break away if he ends up on the wrong side of a post or tree somehow.
You can get the Springer online for less than $50:
The Nautilus Treadclimber (made by the same folks that bring us all those Bowflex commercials) has been out for a couple years, but I just got a chance to use one today, so I thought I’d write a quick review of it. I’d seen it described as a cross between a treadmill and a stair climber, but that’s not exactly right.
It’s like a treadmill that’s split down the middle, so you have to keep your feet exactly on their sides of the machine. Each section goes up and down independently, so it’s kind of like you’re climbing a slope, but you have to be careful where you step. The idea is to keep your steps in sync with the up and down motion (it took me a few minutes to get used to it), so you don’t lose your balance.
The movement of the treads makes for a little more interesting workout than you get on a treadmill or stair climber. There’s definitely more core-muscle stabilization required, especially if you use the machine at a decent speed with a decent incline (I maxed the incline and walked at about 3.5 mph; this allowed me to burn just under 300 calories in 20 minutes). It should be noted that the Treadclimber is only designed to work with walking, not running or jogging. I got a good workout just walking though (and I workout everyday, so I’m in pretty good cardiovascular shape).
Though the calories burned ends up being similar to what you get on an elliptical trainer, I felt the Treadclimber was actually a better workout. The whole balance issue makes you work a little harder to keep your stride even and to keep your heels from brushing against the boundaries in the back. You’re constantly adjusting your stride to stay in control, especially if you walk with your hands swinging at yourself instead of holding onto the rail.
Overall, I found it to be a good workout, and I would definitely choose a Treadclimber again over the other standard gym cardio machines.
I’ve been into bodybuilding for several years and have tried some of the supplements out there and know about lots of others, but I wasn’t that familiar with the idea of human growth hormones as a supplement until I read about Sytropin HGH*.
According to the site, it is an “advanced blend of HGH, L-group amino acids, and Growth Factors formulated to help you look, feel, and perform your best.” The ingredients are alpha GPC, gaba, glycine, l-arginine, l-dopa bean extract, l-glutamine (I’m actually taking this right now), l-isoleucine, l-tyrosine, l-valine, l-lysine, moomiyo extract, and ornithine alpha ketoglutarate. Whew, that’s a mouthful. Most of these are amino acids that are necessary for proper functioning of the body, but you can read more about each individual ingredient on the site’s Sytropin Ingredients page, if you’re curious.
Overall, the reasons for taking Sytropin are that it’s reputed to help decrease body fat, increase lean muscle mass, increase energy levels, give you more restful sleep, and improve skin tone.
*Paid link
I’m seeing quite a few stories about people who have hooked up computers to their treadmills in order to create a “Treadputer.” This of course would allow you to get some work done while getting a bit of exercise too. I’m not sure how much of a vigorous cardio workout you could get while answering e-mail, but if your main goal is just to burn a few extra calories during the day and keep the blood moving, this might do it.
This reminds me a bit of the Geek-a-Cycle from last week. I think I’d like that more since you’re sitting down, and your arms wouldn’t be moving around as much. But, hey, anything that gets you moving instead of just sitting sedentary at the computer all day is okay in my book.
via OperationGadget