Climbing Accidents

Many people are looking to buy home exercise equipment these days and find the selection overwhelming and confusing. This is normal, because there are literally thousands of possibilities. The bottom line is that choosing the right fitness equipment depends on your goals. If you want something to help you lose weight and just help you get a little more fit the product you choose will be vastly different than if you want to start training to take part in a specific sport. Other considerations should include: your age, starting fitness level, your budget considerations, and your amount of storage and set up space.This overview is designed to give you a general idea of how each piece of exercise equipment works and who it might be best suited for.Stationary Exercise BikesA stationary exercise bike may be an excellent choice for someone who has been inactive and is just starting a workout program. A bike can provide you with low-impact cardiovascular exercise, and burn calories to help you take off those extra pounds. Using a stationary bike will be less likely to cause injury than using other types of equipment. In addition, they are easy to use and store, and tend to be one of the more affordable pieces of exercise equipment available today.Stationary bikes come in two styles, upright, which is just like a regular bicycle, and recumbent, which allows people with lumbar problems to sit more comfortably as they pedal.Elliptical TrainersAn elliptical trainer is an aerobic exercise machine that is used to replace walking or jogging when the weather does not permit outside activity, you simply can’t get away, or you want a low-impact form of walking that is less likely to result in injury.Because elliptical trainers have different resistance levels it makes a great machine for beginners who plan on continuing exercising and do not want to purchase a new machine each time their fitness level increases. Prices on these machines run from low budget to quite expensive.TreadmillsTreadmills, like elliptical trainers, offer you exercise in the form of walking or running. They are not quite as low-impact as ellipticals, but can help you to provide you with increasing resistance as your fitness level increases. Like cross-trainers, they can run from moderately priced to very expensive. Treadmills have been used successful for weight loss as well as indoor training for runners. While most of these machines fold up for convenient storage, some are quite heavy and take up a lot of room.Stair ClimbersStair climbers, or stair steppers, are designed to provide a low resistance way to burn off the same amount of calories you would climbing stairs without giving your knees and ankles the pounding climbing stairs would. This machines usually consist of a handrail and two pedal-like steps that you use alternating to get the climbing effect. Others models in this area are a hybrid of a treadmill and a stair climber, and offer an experience a bit like walking up an escalator. Many people who have tried these kind of machines complain of hip and back pain. If you have been inactive for a long period of time this is probably not the machine for you.Rowing MachinesRowing machines are used both for low-impact cardiovascular exercise and for strength-building. Used properly, a rower can strengthen all the major muscle groups. It can also be a fun machine to use. Like other exercise equipment, they run the gamut from quite reasonable to extremely expensive for the models used by competitive rowers.Home gymsHome gyms will tone and strengthen muscles. They provide a variety of weight-resistance exercises, which allow you to get a total body workout and burn calories as well. Home gyms are geared toward people who are serious about exercise and keeping fit and toned. Quality models can be quite expensive and require considerable space.Resistance ChairsThese specially-designed chairs allow people who have trouble standing for long periods of time to get a cardiovascular workout with extremely low impact. All the exercise is done sitting in a chair so you can use this machine while watching television. It’s a good alternative for people who have been inactive for long periods of time, or for older people who want to stay healthy but have a difficult time using traditional exercise products.Home exercise equipment can help you lose weight, improve your cardiovascular fitness, and increase your strength. Choose a product that will most benefit you, and remember that while these machines have varying price points, you get what you pay for: a more expensive product is likely to last longer and give you better results.

UNLIMITED TREASURES BEYOND THE ROAD

By Avon M. Sison, HR Sr. Manager

DRAGON BOATING

Dragon Boating is an aqua team sport where timing and discipline are important. Its fundamental objective is to reinforce on teamwork and unity. The boat (which is shaped like a dragon, hence the name dragonboat) accommodates a group of 20 paddlers, plus a steersperson and a drummer. All paddlers must work in harmony or else the boat will wobble through the water instead of glide above it. The steersperson ensures that all the paddlers’ movements are synchronized, while the drummer helps maintain beat and rhythm.

Shanette Adan, Imao Addao and I recently engaged in said sport. We train every Saturday and Sunday, from 5:00 am to 8:00 am, in Manila Bay, under the guidance of the Philippine Blue Phoenix Dragon Boat Club members. This allows us to experience the power of synergy and the positive results it generates.

MOUNTAINEERING

Mountaineering is another team outdoor sport that is both a physical challenge and a test of mental toughness, as it is said to involve confronting physical risks and danger, as well as facing fears that one meets in one’s mind. It is mainly trekking, hiking, walking and climbing up mountainous terrain. Tiring as it may be, it is fulfilling as we can become close to the wonders of nature.

Recently, we, the Sun Cellular mountaineers, got out to scale the following sites:

Mt. Daguldol, San Juan Batangas- July 25 to 27; September 19 to 21

Mt. Maculot, Cuenca Batangas- August 1 to 3; August 22 to 24

Mt. Romelo, Siniloan Laguna- August 8 to 10

Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu Batangas- September 12 to 14

Mt. Marami, Magallanes Cavite- October 18 and 19

Mt. Tarak, Mariveles Bataan- November 22 and 23.

Every hike we make rewards us with lessons on becoming more responsible people. The weighing of risks and benefits, evaluation of contingency plans and of all available options that we do during the pre- and post-climb meetings, are the things that we apply in our daily lives. We also practice the same determination and patience we experience in climbing.

Indeed, dragon boating and mountaineering are more than just sports.  They are channels that allow us to gain a better appreciation of the importance of the small things we tend to overlook in our everyday lives, thus can be helpful in finding ourselves in the journey called life. They are also ideal tools for team building training as they give us a sense of focus, an eagerness to become better leaders, and a much-needed sense of teamwork and unity.  Engaging in such outdoor activities does not only allow us to put variety in our lives but also to see the world outside the confines on our urban existence of work, malls, and other man-made forms of diversion and entertainment.  These activities bring us back to where we, as human beings, first gained cognizance of our capabilities to master and change our environment and ourselves.

Being overweight brings about lots obesity related health problems. In most cases, people who are obese suffer from type II diabetes and hypertension. If you are one of those people who have tipping the scale more than you should, start making a difference in your life today. Here are five weight loss tips that could help you get into shape and make you look really fit and attractive.
Eating a balanced diet
Losing weight starts with a balanced diet. More often than not, people who are overweight tends to eat more fatty foods and less on the fiber. According to experts, having a high fiber diet will help you lose weight because fiber helps speed up the metabolism. Unlike fatty foods that are often slower to digest, fiber would facilitate digestion. What is more interesting about a high fiber diet is that you feel full for longer period of time. Since you don’t get hungry easily when you are on a high fiber diet, you will tend to eat less between meals.
Drinking plenty of liquids
Drinking plenty of liquids is one of the best weight loss tips that you will ever get. The good thing about drinking plenty of liquids is that it is very easy to follow. You just simply put a water bottle on top of your table at the office and you will always be reminded to drink up!
Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Aside from drinking water, drink plenty of fruit juices. If you have blender, blend at least five types of fruit juices, which you can drink throughout the day. The more types of fruits you mix in your juice, the more nutrients you will get.
Climb stairs
One of the best ways to burn those extra calories is to climb stairs. If you happen to work on the 10th floor of an office building, make it a point to use the stairs at least three times a week to help you exercise. According to experts, climbing stairs is equivalent to running or walking a few miles so go ahead a climb stairs.
Walk around while taking phone calls
If you think that you can’t do enough exercise while in the office, think again. There are plenty of ways to exercising while you are working in the office. One of the best ways for you to exercise is to stand up and walk around the room while taking phone calls. Stretch those legs and flex those muscles while talking on the phone.
Do household chores
One of the most practical weight loss tips that experts recommend these days is to do household chores. According to a recent study, doing household chores would help you flex those muscles and those joints. Cleaning around the house and moving furniture on the process could definitely give you a good work out. Besides, doing household chores will not only help you tone those muscles and loss weight, you can save a lot of money on housekeeping fees as well.

There is nothing more enjoyable to get outdoors and go hiking. I like to hike as often as I can so it is important that I have the right hiking boots on my feet so I can go whereever anytime I want without worrying about my feet getting sore. However, there is more to buying hiking boots than going to the store and buying what looks best on the rack.
Regardless of where or how often you plan to go hiking, having the best hiking boots you can find can make a difference in your safety and comfort. When you go to the sports store in search of boots, you will need to have in mind the type of hiking you plan to be doing.
There are different boots made for walking on smooth trails, for climbing mountain trails, and for climbing steep trails over tough terrain. There are also boots that are made especially for summer and those made to keep you feet warmer in winter. Believe me, you don’t want to wear winter hiking boots in the summer and visa versa.
The best hiking boots are built with a sturdy sole, so they won’t fall apart when you hike on uneven paths in the wilderness. A solid bottom can also prevent injury to the feet from any stones or thorns you may accidentally step on while hiking.
They should also have decent cushioning on the insole to reduce the possibility of blisters. The sides should offer sufficient support to help protect your ankles from being twisted to one side on uneven terrain.
Once you have determined the type of hiking you will be doing, consider the best hiking boots for that activity. Trail shoes, usually suggested for walking on smooth trails, are recommended for short hikes or day walks. These are less for protecting the feet and ankles from rocky terrain and more for providing protection to the bottom of the foot.
Heavier Trails Require Sturdier Hiking Boots
For those heading out for three or more days on rugged trails, trail hikers are the best hiking boots for that type. They have the tread on the bottom needed for rocky ground and can provide traction in the mud. Usually waterproof, they will be higher cut on the sides and provide protection from twisting the ankles as well as any branches that be encountered in the wild.
For those looking at the sport of mountain climbing, there are boots designed that may also accommodate attaching crampons for crossing glaciers and steep mountains. These are the best hiking boots for ankle protection in steep trails and also have a stiff sole to provide additional support while climbing steep mountains. While cushioned insoles can help prevent blisters, they may also bunch up under the feet, so insure they are cushioned but secured inside the boot.
Even if you buy the best hiking boots you can find, a proper fit is necessary to prevent foot problems while walking. While they need to be waterproof, they also need to be able to breath to allow them to dry out quickly at the end of the hiking day.
I hope I have helped you understand the importance of finding the best hiking boot for you. Whether you are going into the wilderness for an afternoon hike or to live there for three months in a tent, having the right boots is very important to your comfort and to avoid unnecessary injury. I also hope that you now know that when shopping for outdoor gear it is very important to think of where you are going and how often.