Push Mob: March 2010

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Holbrook: Shaun White's New Sunglasses

Polished Black with 24K Iridium
$120.00
Release Date – April 2010

Shaun White is the global rockstar of snowboarding, a gold medalist who’s been part of the Oakley family for over a decade. When he’s not flying high above the halfpipe walls with his signature tricks, he’s bringing his own unique style to the street. We teamed with Shaun to create a new lifestyle sunglass called Holbrook™.

With his brother Jesse as his creative director, Shaun worked with our designers to crystallize his vision of classic American cool, and Holbrook was born. Shaun has always been inspired by the film legends of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s — the everyday man who lived by a code and inspired youth with his own brand of defiance. The name “Holbrook” comes from a small town on Route 66, a place in the badlands with all the grit and glory of the open road. It’s the perfect moniker for a salute to vintage sunglass designs, a fashion-forward creation that takes style to a whole new place.

Holbrook gets the full Oakley treatment with the performance and protection you expect from our icon. The stress-resistant frame is made of a lightweight synthetic called O Matter®. We highlighted it with metal bolts and icons, then got busy with technology. Optical precision and impact resistance meet the uncompromising standards of ANSI Z87.1 to offer superior clarity and protection, and multiple lens/frame combinations are available. All feature High Definition Optics® (HDO®) with pure Plutonite® lenses that filter out 100% of all UV, not just UVA and UVB.

You can select optional Oakley HDPolarized Lenses that match unbeatable HDO performance and protection with premium glare filtering. Get lenses with Iridium® coating to tune light for maximized performance in a chosen environment, or opt for gradient lens shading — darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. You can even match Holbrook with Oakley Authentic Prescription Lenses (+2.00 to -4.00 combined power) with a wide array of options.

[via snowboardmag]

Sunday, March 28, 2010

How Low Can You Go Challenge '10

So after the UFC fight yesterday some of the guys were talking about a bet that was placed last year at around the same time. A few of the guys each put up $100 to see who can lose the most weight during the summer, the winner being Dan (the result of reffing some hockey games). After reminiscing about how fit we all used to be we set up another wager this year.

We all decided that we would all put some money up and the person that lowered their body fat % the most would take home the loot. So here is the opening numbers for the guys participating. If you interested in some of this action let me know and you too can join in on the challenge.

I set a personal goal for myself to get down to 170lbs and lower my body fat below 10% by labour day so wish me luck!

Start date: March 28, 2010

Devin Paiva - Weight: 199.4lbs @ 32% body fat

Sam Hambre - Weight: 179.8 @ 19% body fat

R-J Tacorda – Weight: 212 lbs @ 28.8% body fat

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Lock Up Two Bikes with One Mini Lock

Ever find yourself out with a biking partner (that is, two bikes) but just one lock? Make demonstrates how easy it is to make due with one lock for both bikes.

The DIY gurus over at Make Magazine have a Tricks of the Trade feature in each issue, and this week they were kind enough to translate said tip into video. If you're an avid biker and have a better suggestion for how you might tackle two bikes with one lock, let's hear it in the comments.

Monday, March 22, 2010

And you thought you worked hard at the gym

Check out this dude go through the paces with a barbell.. my jaw is forever dropped

Soluble Fiber Boosts Immunity

Image via Wikipedia

Soluble fiber, found in apples, nuts and oats, reduces inflammation that is associated with obesity-related diseases and helps strengthen the immune system, according to a new study conducted by the University of Illinois and published in the May 2010 issue of Brain, Behavior and Immunity. Gregory Freund, a professor in the University of Illinois College of Medicine and faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Division of Nutritional Sciences, states that soluble fiber changes immune cells from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory. This occurs, according to Freund, because soluble fiber increases production of the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-4.

In Freund's study, laboratory mice were fed a diet, where the only difference was the presence of either soluble or insoluble fiber. After six weeks, the animals fed the soluble diet became only half as sick when illness was induced than the group fed insoluble fiber. Freund wonders if a soluble fiber diet could help offset some of the negative aspects of a high fat diet, effectively immunizing obese people against the inflammatory effects of excess weight.

Christina Sherry, who also worked on the study, points out that the study showed researchers two important points, the first is the positive effect soluble fiber has on inflammation, and the second, that it doesn’t take a pharmacological dosage of soluble fiber to gain these benefits.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Dwight Howard on the cover of MH

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Forefoot Running

Cover of Chi Running

Running on your heels isn’t only risky for your joints, it’s also not a very efficient way to get the most out of each stride. By leaning forward and landing on your mid-foot and toes, you keep your momentum and allow gravity to do some of the work for you.

Several different names for the technique of leaning forward and landing on the forefoot have been used. A Russian doctor named Nicolas Romanov coined the term “pose running” in the late seventies and has written a great deal about it.

Many other books have addressed the problems with landing on your heels, such as Chi Running by Danny Dreyer.

Before you decide that “running isn’t for you,” make sure you fully explore all the evidence. Don’t be in a rush to get to the finish line, instead try to simply enjoy each step along the way.

[via Al Kavaldo]

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hot Girls Make Male Skaters Charge Harder

It seems like one of those obvious things, but according to a new report published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science being in the presence of attractive women made male skateboarders attempt more difficult tricks, according to a post on the Chronicle of Higher Learning.

The study also found that the men had higher testosterone levels in the presence of the attractive woman, which, the authors theorize, may have led them to take more risks, presumably to impress her.

Sounds like it might not be a bad idea to take some heaters along on your next skate filming outing.

[via Boardistan]

Monday, March 15, 2010

Active Recovery

Image via Wikipedia

After a hard workout, you might be dreading the soreness which will inevitably ensue over the next 24-48 hours. Your instinct could be to take the next day off from exercising altogether. Not so fast!

Active recovery allows you to keep the momentum in terms of your fitness AND can potentially decrease the lactic acid build-up that’s partially to blame for muscle soreness.

Instead of taking the day off, try following your high intensity training day with a low intensity workout. For example, if you did sprints on Saturday, you might just want to do an easy jog on Sunday.

The principle behind active recovery can also be applied within the context of a single workout. When used this way, active recovery refers to following an intense exercise with a less intense one.

Rather than simply resting in between sets of pull-ups, an active recovery workout might have you alternating pull-ups with a lower intensity exercise that allows your arms to rest while keeping your heart rate up, like jogging in place.

While I am a proponent of daily exercise, that doesn’t mean that every workout has to be an all-out balls-to-the-wall effort. Varying your intensity is the key to maintaining a daily workout regimen without over-training."

[via Al Kavadlo]

You Can Still Have Dessert

I thought I had to give up desserts/sweets as I started training for the events this season but then I found this magical dessert. It's a tofu dessert made by Sunrise that comes in all kinds of flavours (personal fave is mango/peach) which is delicious and VERY healthy for you. It has a low caloric value and is a good source of protein and calcium. So don't fret, you can have your dessert and eat it too.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

What to do First–Weights or Cardio?

When clients ask me about how to organize their exercise regimen, they usually want to know how to break up their strength training and cardio sessions appropriately.

There are basically two questions that come up: first, do I think it’s a good idea to do them on the same day; and second, which one do I do first?

The simple answer to the first question is, yes, it’s fine to do them on the same day. However, it’s a matter of priorities. This brings us to the second issue–what to do first?

I think of it this way; after you run 5 miles, you probably won’t have as much energy to devote to your strength training. Conversely, if you lift weights for 45 minutes first, your cardio session is not going to be as productive.

Life is like that though, there is no one best way to do anything. All situations have pros and cons.

This is why I typically like to alternate my strength training and cardio workouts. (Although that system isn’t perfect either!)

If you want to experience the best of both worlds, another possibility is to combine strength and conditioning at the same time by doing circuit training or kettlebell workouts. Just don’t get limited by only doing kettlebells or circuit training. They’re great ways to maximize your time, but they’re not the be all end all of fitness.

If you are training for improved performance in a given activity, be it a one rep max on adeadlift, doing 50 pull-ups, or running a race, you need to train specifically towards that goal and make it a priority. However, if your goals are more loosely defined, then feel free to experiment with different approaches to see what works best for you.

Like I always say, there is no better way to learn than through your own firsthand experience.

[via alkavadlo]

All About Australian Pull-ups

Australian pull-ups are becoming a very popular exercise. Like all types of pull-ups (and all types of exercises for that matter) there are many different ways to do the Australian, and it can be incorporated into a number of different contexts within a workout.

Using the Australian for Beginners
I first mentioned this idea in my introduction to Australian pull-ups. If you aren’t strong enough to do a pull-up (this goes for you too, ladies), this a great way to start to build toward it. Once you can do 3 sets of 10 without struggling (something that shouldn’t take too long for any reasonably fit, dedicated individual), it won’t be long before a pull-up is within your grasp.

Trainer Tip:
The higher up the bar, the better the leverage. Of course, this is only true up until a certain point--once the bar is too high, then you’re just doing a regular pull-up!

Using the Australian in a Superset
The Australian pull-up is a great exercise to use as a superset with push-ups, since they work opposite muscle groups. You will get a great pump from doing this and it also allows you to keep your heart rate up. Due to the fact that you’re allowing certain muscles to rest while you are using others, you can maintain that elevated heart rate without burning out your muscles too quickly.

If you are trying to really hit your back muscles, it can also be used as a superset after regular pull-ups or another rowing type of movement, such as a cable row.

Plyometric Australian Pull-up
I like to turn the Australian pull-up into a plyometric exercise by switching between overhand and underhand grips on alternating reps. You can also switch back and forth from a wide grip to a narrow grip in an explosive fashion to mix up this exercise with a plyometric spin.

The One Arm Australian Pull-up
Of course an Australian can be done with just one arm. This is another method to practice whilebuilding towards one arm pull-ups. Like any single limb movement, the one arm Australian pull-up requires a ton of core strength and stability. You can add an extra challenge by trying it on one leg also!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Best Inexpensive Entry Level Road Bikes

Novara: Express

MSRP: $799

IT'S FOR ROADIES, HONEST: Putting aside the handlebar for the moment, the Express is like many other road bikes. The frame is aluminum with a carbon fork on the nose, and the 700c-diameter wheels are shod with wider 32c tires for a bit more comfort over rough pavement. With a triple crank and low gears, it'll spin up almost any hill with ease.

FLAT IS BEAUTIFUL: A mountain bikestyle flat bar is wider than a drop bar, providing more control over the front wheel and slightly slower handling response, while a rise stem puts riders in an upright position that is comfortable and affords a good view of the road and surroundings. Bar-ends provide a second hand position for both comfort and leverage when climbing.

Felt: Z 100

MSRP: $769

Take away the top-mounted brake levers, the triple chainring and the oversize saddle, and it would be hard to tell that Felt's Z 100 is a beginner bike. The smoothly welded, fully butted frame tubing, eyepopping red tires, and subtle and stylish attention to detail belie the sub-800-dollar category it falls into.

The Z line is a toned-down version of Felt's race-oriented F series, with a slightly longer head tube, a sloping top tube and a longer wheel base. "Sloping top tubes help accommodate different reach requirements and increased standover helps shorter riders," says Dave Koesel, Felt's road product manager. "But the Z 100 is not a dumbed-down ride. It's the same geometry as the top-of-the-line Z frames."

Because of the 22-pound weight, the triple chainring is a necessity and comes in handy when you're trying to keep pace on up- tempo climbs and for easier spinning on steep hills. However, the big ring is a 52, so we didn't spin out in faster pacelines and false flat descents. The front end is built around a plus/minus 10-degree stem and relaxed drop bar. Riders new to the sport or trying their first road bike can straddle the line between upright and comfortable, or riding in the drops, depending on the ride du jour. They'll also find comfort in the Z 100's additional brake levers on the top of the bar, especially if transitioning from a commuter or mountain bike.

The gel-padded saddle is longer and more heart-shaped than most road saddles and is almost unbelievably comfortable. All of these touches are meant to ease new riders' adjustment to road riding. "We don't want to overwhelm people in this category," says Koesel. Whatever direction this bike's rider takes, he can rest assured its on a well-spec'd, carefully thought out, and fairly priced bike that's suited for any conditions or time spent on the road.

BUY IT: If you're looking for an inexpensive, but racier, entrylevel bike
FORGET IT: IF you actually plan to race; there are better choices for that

Cannondale: CAAD8 8

MSRP: $899

ALL NEW: The new CAAD8 platform opens up Cannondale's road portfolio. Compared with the manufacturer's 2009 offering at this price, the CAAD8 8 has a 15mm-taller head tube and 3mm-longer chainstays, for a more comfortable riding position and a touch more stability.

STEP BACK: The CAAD8 8 is Cannondale's least-expensive road bike, and $50 cheaper than the bike that bore that distinction last year. The drivetrain comes down a notch—from nine to eight speeds—though Cannondale still offers buyers the choice of a triple or compact-double drivetrain. We generally suggest the lighter, better-shifting double.

Friday, March 5, 2010

This Weekend - Toronto Spring Bicycle Show

The Toronto International Bicycle Show is the best place to shop for bicycles and accessories, preview the newest trends in cycling from the top manufacturers and distributors plus enjoy thrilling action-packed events. The show is celebrating its 24th year in production and is one of the largest exclusive bicycle consumer shows in North America.

Big for this year is the exhausting 24 hour spin, starting at noon Saturday.

Some of the events will include the exhilarating Toronto BMX Jam contest. This exciting Pro/Am Street contest series returns to Toronto for the 11th year, featuring many of the world’s biggest names in BMX Street Course pulling unbelievable tricks on an indoor street course. Add the CFO Pro/Am BMX Flatland Freestyle Competition, the Meta Bike Trials Contest and the all new Stadium 4 Cross Mountain Bike Races. You get lots of value for your admission. The show also provides valuable cycling information such as where, when and how, Club Enrollment opportunities, Extreme Theatre and much more.

For more info go to: http://bicycleshowtoronto.com/springshow.html

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

March: Look fresh next season

The season to sell people warm coats, gloves, scarves, and other gear is right near the end, and to make room for the spring stock, stores are selling it all off at a discount. The same goes for snowboards, ski gear, and other winter activity accessories. So if you had your eye on that Burton Custom X board, this might be the time to grab it