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Gifts For the Extreme Sports Enthusiast

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:30:01 -0800

Extreme sports are death-defying, adrenaline-pumping activities that leave most of us staring in disbelief. And whether it's rock climbing, snowboarding, or skydiving, you may have someone special in your life who likes to push the limits. Here are my picks for gifts that will keep your action adventure buddy safe, warm, and protected no matter where they are.

Kershaw Carabiner Tool ($35) If MacGyver was a real life dude, I'm pretty sure he'd always have a carabiner on him. It's a must-have tool when any sort of ropes are involved, and it also doubles as a cool keychain. This carabiner gets pumped up on steroids with the addition of a stainless-steel blade, Phillips-head screwdrivers, and a bottle opener.
Petzl Elios Helmet ($56) Extreme sports often equate to extreme falls. The Petzl Elios is an exceptional mulipurpose helmet that can be used for climbing, kayaking, and more. I love that it's durable and lightweight - it doesn't weigh down my backpack and comes in a ton of colors.

To see the other gift ideas read more.

The North Face Crimptastic Hybrid Down Jacket ($229) Conditions can get harsh out there so you better be protected. This jacket will keep the wearer super warm and safe from the elements without looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Sunto Core Multifunction Watch ($300) Hey world, bring it on! This watch has an altimeter, barometer, and compass that works as high up as 29,000 feet. There's a storm alarm, and for the scuba diver in your life, it gives accurate depth readings to 30 feet.

Now Is the Time to Get Ready For the Slopes

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Even though we're in the middle of Fall and I've yet to see any real signs of snow, experts say now is the time to get your butt in gear for Winter sports. Days on the slopes can be long and require a good amount of endurance, especially if you're the type who likes to visit the mountains for an extended weekend or even longer.

Veteran Winter Olympic athletes like ski racer Daron Rahlves and snowboarder Elena Hight recommend doing specific training for Winter sports six to eight weeks before the season starts. They say the key to lasting all day, weekend, or week on the slopes is to work on flexibility, strength, and cardio. A good mix of this will ensure you can snowboard from sunup to sundown. Being in tip-top shape will also help cut down on injuries.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle asked a group of Winter Olympians and trainers their advice on getting in shape for Winter sports. Here's some of their advice.

Stretch for 15-20 minutes every day or do 10 minutes of sun salutations. Skiers should focus on their lower bodies, while snowboarders should focus on their upper and lower areas.
Two to three times a week, focus on strength training with emphasis on your quads, hamstrings, and core muscles. Keeping your legs and core strong helps with balance and endurance, and helps cut down on ACL injuries. If you can, use kettlebells and also make sure to do tons of squats, leg curls, and lunges.
Do some sort of aerobic activity for at least 15 minutes every day, keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time.

Sounds doable to me. Who's hungry for powder?

The Beckham Boys Show Off Their Sports Skills!

PopSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:51 -0800

The Beckham boys hit the park in LA yesterday to play a variety of sports while Victoria was away in London. Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn tackled each other but were careful with David who is still wearing a protective boot around his foot before playing in this weekend's MLS Cup game in Seattle. His tendency to get shirtless on the soccer field helped him make the list of People's Sexiest Men Alive and according to Victoria the fact that he's such a loving dad makes him all the more hot.

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Daily Tech: EA Sports Active Opens Two Temporary Stores

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:21:22 -0800

Right up until Christmas, you can test out EA Sports Active in stores in San Francisco and Boston - EA Sports Active
Walmart's Black Friday ad has surfaced - CrunchGear
Firefox 3.6 Beta3 for Windows, Mac, and Linux users is now available to download - Lifehacker
Hulu has just teamed up with EMI to offer music videos on its free video streaming site - The New York Times
The Nokia N900 is now on sale in the US - CNET
Find out how you can download videos to your iPhone - Switched

Do You Take Your Tot to Sporting Events?

babysugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

What's porous, striped or gold all over? Mini "Cheeseheads," wee Yankees, or lil Lakers, of course. While tiny tots may not understand the sport at hand, many parents enjoy the ritual and family time spent together at big sporting events. Tailgating before the game and noshing on hot dogs in the stadium are fun for mom and pop but the youngsters usually like the cotton candy and Cracker Jacks best. The only thing that could make a win better is if baby's mug is up on the jumbotron... the sighs in the crowd will be audible. Still some like to keep the sport and spit-up separate so mom and pop can sip and scream all they want.

Tell us, what is your sport attending style?

Flickr user elijahsong

Brandi Chastain and Her Bra: a Great Moment in Women's Sports?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:06:40 -0700

When the US women's soccer team won the Word Cup in 1999, it was thanks to Brandi Chastain. She scored the winning goal on a penalty kick and promptly ripped off her shirt to celebrate. The moment has been nicknamed "the bra heard 'round the world." The photos of her are infamous, and she became a household name, her moment in the spotlight eclipsing an amazing win for US women's soccer.

Her dark sports bra was part of the memorabilia installed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. But when the museum went bankrupt and all the sporting souvenirs placed in probate, Brandi's bra was held for a ransom of $250, plus shipping. After many e-mails and phone calls, her bra is back in her hands to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her famous penalty kick win - an oddly sweet and sentimental tale.

Her disrobing on the field, to me, was a consoling gesture. When my husband sees me wearing a sports bra with no shirt, he always calls me Brandi. Kind of funny but also kind of sad that this is what she is remembered for since she is also a tremendous athlete. What do you think? Was this a great moment in women's sports? Can you name any other infamous sporty gal moments that have captured the nation's attention? Are there moments in sports where our nation's female athletes made you proud to be an American?

Sports Energy Products Explained: Drinks, Powders, and Tablets

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:47:52 -0700

In order to sustain your energy for long workouts, you need to refuel with some kind of sporty energy product. Sport nutrition products are manufactured in so many forms these days - sport drinks, powders, energy bars, goos, and chews - so how do you know which one is right for you? Hopefully I can ease your confusion starting with sport drinks, powders, and tablets.

Popular brands of sport drinks include Gatorade, Accelerade, and Powerade. These pre-made, often neon-colored drinks contain carbs that you need for quick energy, and sodium and water that you need for hydration. A proper sport drink contains about 15 grams of carbs and 110 mg of sodium per eight-ounce serving. You can also buy powders you mix with water to make sport drinks. You only really need these drinks if you are working out for an hour or longer or are sweating profusely during your workout. I wouldn't sip these while running on the treadmill for 30 minutes. The sugar isn't necessary for short workouts, and as long as you hydrate with water before and after exercising, you're good to go.

What about Smartwater? To find out read more.

There are also beverages that contain electrolytes and no sugars, such as Smartwater or Function Water. Or if you want a little flavor but not a ton of sugar, NUUN tablets can be dissolved in your water. Electrolyte-enhanced water will help prevent dehydration but help your energy levels by providing glucose (aka sugar, which is turned into fuel for your muscles).

So here's the bottom line. If your workout is under an hour, drink plain water before and after. If you're working out and sweating a lot, sip electrolyte-enhanced water every 10 to 15 minutes while working out. If you're working out for an extended period of time, and are also sweating out fluids, sip a sports drink every 10 to 15 minutes.

Sports Energy Products Explained: Gels and Chews

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:07 -0700

When you need energy for long workouts, there are many choices. Sport drinks, powders, and tablets offer fuel with hydration, but many just provide electrolytes to prevent dehydration. If you're working out for over an hour, you need to provide your muscles with some fuel, aka glycogen, and that's where gels and chew come into the mix. Conveniently packaged in single-serving packets, full of carbs and sometimes electrolytes, you can easily carry one in your pocket or pack. Gels like GU, Clif Shot, and Hammer Head contain sugars that provide super concentrated, fast-acting fuel. Just squirt a pack in your mouth every 30 to 40 minutes of intense exercise, down some water, and you're good to go. You can easily consume the entire serving while on the move, provided you have water to help wash it down.

Bite-sized energy chews such as GU Chomps, Clif Shot Blocks, and Luna Sport Moons offer the same quick energy, but they're less sticky and messy than gels. Since they are more like gummy candies, some folks find them more pleasing to eat, making them great for hikes and longer, slower runs or rides. They can also be easier to digest for some people (although that has not been my experience), but remember that you need to take them with water just like gels. Consume six chews per hour of running, and what's nice is you don't have to take them all at once. Both gels and chews are fairly inexpensive, about $1.30 per packet. Tell me which do you prefer - gels or chews?

Can You Ace This Summer Sports Quiz?

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

From watching the French Open on TV to playing pickup volleyball at the beach, team and individual sports are a crucial part of Summer fun. If you're spending the warm months golfing, playing doubles, going swimming, or just watching from the sidelines, see how well you know your Summer sports jargon.

Source

Take the quiz

Bar and Brooklyn's Sexy SI Bikini Shoot!

PopSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:02:23 -0700

Bar Refaeli and Brooklyn Decker show off their amazing bikini bodies for this special Portfolio issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue! The girls look fantastic, of course, in all sorts of skimpy attire and while we're used to Bar's enviable figure, Brooklyn is hotter than ever proving that Andy Roddick is a lucky, lucky man! In August we got a sneak peek at Bar's bikini shoot with some of the other models, and here's the finished product - enjoy!

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