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New Yogaglo feature

yoga, free, yogaglo, class, gift

I think you´ll like the new Yogaglo feature: gift a free class to a friend!

Maybe you know this or not, but Ilike to practice yoga everyday. It helps me to focus, relax and face daily challenges. 

I started doing yoga four years ago in a local yoga studio and three years ago I discovered Yogaglo. This way, I can take a class whenever I want and I can only recommend the experience.

Thanks to this new Yogaglo feature, now I can do more than that. This week I received an email explaining the new feature that Yogaglo has just launched.

new yogaglo feature, yoga, free, class, fitness, health, chape

Unfortunately, most of my Spanish neighbors and friends do not speak English. But fortunately for you, my fellow bloggers, I have five classes a month that I can give you for free.

As you can read in the picture, I can invite you via email. So, if you are interested, email me to info@chape.fitness and let me know. I will be happy to share with you the good vibrations.

There are many styles that you can try, divided into three levels of difficulty:

  • Ashtanga
  • Beyond The Mat
  • Hatha Iyengar
  • Kundalini 
  • Mat Pilates
  • Meditation
  • Partner Yoga
  • Pre/Post Natal
  • Restorative
  • Tao Yin
  • Vinyasa Flow
  • Yin Yoga
  • Conditioning

The classes are taught by a large number of great yogis:

  • Alex Van Frank
  • Ali Owens
  • Amy Ippoliti
  • Annie Carpenter
  • Carole Westerman
  • Chelsey Korus
  • Claire Missingham
  • Claudine Lafond
  • Darren Rhodes
  • David Harshada Wagner
  • Dice Iida-Klein
  • Dr. Chris Chapple
  • Dr. Douglas Brooks
  • Elena Brower
  • Felicia Tomasko
  • Giselle Mari
  • Honza Lafond
  • Jason Crandell
  • Jo Tastula
  • Jodi Blumstein
  • Katherine Ghannam
  • Kathryn Budig
  • Kia Miller
  • Krishna Das
  • Kristin McGee
  • Larry Payne, Ph.D.
  • Lee Holden
  • MC YOGI
  • Marc Holzman
  • Marla Apt
  • Mary Taylor
  • Normandie Keith
  • Olivia Hsu
  • Paul B. Roache, M.D.
  • Richard Freeman
  • Rocky Heron
  • Rod Stryker
  • Sally Kempton
  • Sara Clark
  • Seane Corn
  • Stephanie Snyder
  • Steven Espinosa
  • Tara Judelle
  • Taylor Harkness
  • Tias Little
  • Tiffany Cruikshank
  • Trudy Goodman

If you want to take advantage of this new Yogaglo feature, write me an email to info@chape.fitness

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How can Sports Therapy help you with your fitness goals?

Today I´m delighted to introduce you Anna Pluck, Sports Therapist and owner of Relax Therapies who is going to explain us how sports therapy can help you with your fitness goals.

Are you training regularly with a Personal Trainer?  Or are you just starting an exercise plan?  No matter what your level of fitness an injury could stop you exercising and be very painful.  It could even force you to take time off work! 

Sports Therapy might be just what you need to stay injury free or to rehabilitate an existing injury.

What is Sports Therapy?

Sports therapy takes a holistic approach to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries.  It differs from Sports massage because although Sports Therapists use Sports Massage as a technique Sports Therapists are more qualified and trained in treatment of injuries and use other treatments in addition to massage.

In a consultation the Sports therapist will gather lots of information to find out what’s going on in your body.  They might:

  • ask you about your pain
  • look at your posture and gait
  • ask what your current exercise regime is and what your goals are
  • feel for areas of tightness or tension in your muscles
  • measure your joint’s range of movement (ROM) using a special piece of equipment called a goniometer

Using this information they can work out which muscles are damaged or imbalanced and use a range of techniques to help you get better.

One of the main techniques is Sports Massage.  Sports massage uses specialised targeted massage strokes which:

  • Stretch tight muscles and connective tissue
  • Break down scar tissue
  • Increase blood supply to the tissues
  • Promote relaxation
  • Improve Range of movement
  • Help speed up healing

Sports therapists can also advise on home treatment for your injury such as using heat or ice packs and some stretching or strengthening exercises to do.  They might also suggest you work with a good personal trainer to ensure you are doing the right workout to reach your goals.

When should you see a sports therapist?

Although most people think of going for treatment only when they are in pain there are many ways sports therapy and massage can benefit you even if you don’t have pain or injuries.  For example:

  • You could go for a tune up before training for an event or increasing your mileage or intensity. This might pick up an issue, for example, tight hamstrings.  If you address this you might be able to prevent a serious injury further down the line. 
  • Regular sessions while training. There are no set rules for this but if you are exercising very hard for a period of time, e.g. training for a marathon you might find it helpful to have frequent sports massages to keep supple
  • After a major event or race. We all know the aching and soreness and day or two after a really heavy gym session or an event.  This is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness  (DOMS).  A sports massage can help speed up healing and reduce the pain.
  • You have a job or hobby that stresses your body. Many people are at risk of Repetitive Strain injury (RSI) or other injuries from their work.  Having a sports massage can relieve pain and help improve posture to reduce the risk of injury. 
  • Some people choose to have a sports massage every month as it helps them feel good and recover faster
Anna Pluck

Anna Pluck

Anna is a Sports Therapist, Massage Therapist and founder of Relax Therapies in Wirral, England. She provides Sports Therapy and massage from her clinic in Birkenhead. She works with a wide range of people from marathon runners to desk workers with back or neck pain.

You can find out more on her website www.relaxtherapieswirral.com

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Healthy Grocery List

healthy shopping list

Today I bring you a healthy grocery list that you can carry at all times on your phone and so not forget any ingredient you need.

You can also share the note with the other members of the family so that anyone can stop by the store and buy what is missing to prepare the menu of the day.

We’ve already talked about how you can easily manage your recipes with Evernote in a previous post, and I think this list will be useful and a good starting point to organize and build your grocery list.

Having a well-planned grocery list gets you in and out of the store quickly and helps you stick to your healthy eating plan. Time to stop tossing bad food and money in the trash! This grocery list includes everything your family needs to eat healthy and delicious for one week.

The healthy grocery list includes: Produce, proteins, grains, milk & dairy, legumes, beverages, and pantry staples. 

The list is extensive but, no worries,  you can edit any section to be something else. Modify as works best for you: 

  • Some people like to arrange the categories in their list around the order in which foods are found in the store.
  • Include categories for non-food items that you purchase at the grocery store such as health and beauty aids and household supplies.
  • “Play” with your master list for at least a month to find what works best for you.

Remember that time spent developing a list is usually less than time spent returning to the store for a forgotten item. Having a list may also contribute to your overall meal quality.

I have added a checkbox next to each product, so all you have to do is check or uncheck the box to verify if you have it in the pantry or you need to buy it.

You will never have to write or reprint again the grocery list, and then leave it forgotten at home. This list will always be on your phone, updated and synchronized with the other members of the family.

Just click on the image below to get the note and make your life much simpler.

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Best Swimming Workout to Lose Fat

Now that we are enjoying the summer, it is hot and what we most want to do is dive into the water, Eva Forde brings us the best swimming training to lose fat:

One of the best ways to look great in a swimsuit is to slip into one for your workout. Swimming is by far one of the optimal types of exercise. Not only does it provide you with resistance you can work against to build more muscle and burn more fat, but it is low-impact, so any one of any age and any fitness level can do it.

Of course, you’re not going to lose much weight just dog paddling around the pool. If you want to lose serious fat, you need to slip into your best sports swim suit and ignite your fat burning engines. To do this, you need to tap into your anabolic system: that system that fuels your body without the presence of oxygen. Instead, you draw on your glucose and glycogen to fuel your movement. The result? You use existing energy stores instead of O2, and you burn more fat.

So, the question remains, how do you get an anaerobic swimming workout?

Read on to find out!

Interval training!

Interval training uses short, intense bursts of energy followed by a short period of active recovery (minimal intensity) to maximize your workout, and increase your fat burning gains. When you’re pushing yourself through those intense bursts, you’re working in your anaerobic zone, and you need to be pushing yourself to your limit. Remember: you won’t be doing it for long! You continue to cycle back and forth between your working sets and your active recovery sets until your time’s up.

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-swimming-on-body-of-water-863988/

When is your time up?

That’s the other good news: when you interval train, you don’t have to workout for long. As little as 20 minutes can give you better long-term metabolic health than an hour on the treadmill.

Sounds great, right?

Of course it does. So suit up! Here’s your fat-blasting swimming workout.

You’re going to do this workout in a circuit. Start with exercise #1 and then move to #5. Cycle through the circuit 3-5 times, depending on your current fitness level, and then call it a day.

Photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/water-swimming-competition-pool-56837/
  • Exercise 1: Front Crawl at maximum intensity — 1 minute. Treadwater or jog on spot in pool for 20 seconds.
  • Exercise 2: Butterfly at maximum intensity — 1 minute. Treadwater or jog on spot in pool for 20 seconds.
  • Exercise 3: Back crawl at maximum intensity — 1 minute. Treadwater or jog on spot in pool for 20 seconds.
  • Exercise 4: Flutter kick at maximum intensity — 1 minute. Treadwater or jog on spot in pool for 20 seconds.
  • Exercise 5: Reverse flutter kick at maximum intensity  — 1 minute. Treadwater or jog on spot in pool for 20 seconds.

A note on maximum intensity…

For this short and sweet workout to burn the fat and build the muscle that will keep your fat burning engines revved, you need to work hard. Super hard. On a scale of 1 – 10, with 1 being lying on the couch doing nothing and 10 being working so hard you’re ready to vomit, you need to be working at a 9. This is the only way you’re going to see the results you’re working toward.

Eva Forde

Eva Forde

Eva Forde is a dedicated and passionate freelance lifestyle blogger. She blogs over at evafordebeauty.blogspot.com about Fitness and Fashion.

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Training pace calculator

This training pace calculator will automatically show how fast you should run the different components of a training week to ensure you’re training to your full potential.

How to use the training pace calculator?

It’s very simple, just tap in a recent race time, choose metric or imperial, and press ‘calculate’.

Recent race distance (you can use a decimal point, eg. 21.1):
My time (hrs:mins:secs): : :
Show my training paces in:
 
Your easy run training pace:
Your tempo run training pace:
Your VO2-max training pace:
Your speed form training pace:
Your long run training pace:
Your Yasso 800s training pace:

Easy runs

Easy runs build your aerobic fitness, and your muscular and skeletal strength. They also help you burn more calories and recover for harder workouts. 

Top coaches and exercise physiologists believe that most runners should do 80 to 90% of their weekly training at the easy run pace.

Tempo runs

Tempo runs help you improve your running economy and your running form. They are sometimes described as ‘threshold‘ or ‘hard but controlled‘ runs.

Tempo sessions generally fall into one of two categories: steady runs of 2 to 6 miles; or long intervals with short recoveries.

You should do tempo runs once a week, and these runs should make up no more than 10 to 15% of your total training.

VO2-max runs

VO2-max training helps you improve your running economy and your racing sharpness. These sessions are most useful when you are preparing for a race of 5K to half-marathon.

Example of a good VO2-max workout: 6 x 800 metres at VO2-max pace with 4 to 6 minutes of recovery jogging between efforts.

You should do VO2-max workouts once a week, and these workouts should make up no more than 6 to 10% of your total training.

When you run these workouts, you are running at or near 100% of your maximum oxygen capacity, which scientists call VO2-max.

Speed-form runs

Speed-form workouts help you improve your running economy, form and leg speed. These are interval sessions that will help you prepare for races of 800 metres to 5K.

Here’s an example: 8 x 400 metres at speed-form pace with 3 to 4 minutes of recovery jogging between efforts.

You should do speed-form sessions once a week, and these sessions should make up no more than 4 to 8% of your total training.

Yasso 800s

Yasso 800s are an invention of Runner’s World US writer Bart Yasso, who has run more than 50 marathons and ultramarathons.

If you want to run a marathon in 2:44, 3:28 or 4:11, you should train to the point where you can run 10 repetitions of 800 metres in the same time: 2:44, 3:28 or 4:11. The only difference is that your marathon time is hours:minutes and your 800 time is minutes:seconds.

Bart suggests doing Yasso 800s once a week as part of your marathon training. Start with 4 x 800 and build up to 10 x 800. Between the 800s, take a recovery jog that lasts as long as your 800s. 

Long runs

Long runs form the foundation of all marathon training programs – they build everything from your confidence to your discipline to your fat-burning. So, even when you’re not training for a specific marathon, it’s a good idea to do at least one semi-long run a week.

Because long runs are done at a relaxed pace, there’s great latitude in how fast you actually run. Let your long runs be your slow runs, and save your legs for other days of the week when you might do tempo runs or maximum-oxygen runs.

But there are a thousand theories about how to do long runs, none of which have yet been proven superior to the others. The important thing is building up the distance and training your body to keep going for 3, 4, 5 or however many hours it’s going to take you.

To get a general idea of what you should be running each week, follow these basic rules: 

How often should I do ‘hard days’? 

I recommend that most beginner and intermediate runners do just two hard days a week. More advanced runners can do three hard days if they’re careful.

Each of the following is a hard-day workout: tempo runs, VO2-max sessions, speed-form workouts, Yasso 800s, long runs.

What should I do on ‘easy days’?

A hard session should usually be followed by one or (even better) two easy day sessions. Easy days can include rest days.

How many ‘rest days’ should I have per week? 

I recommend one or two rest days, when you do no training at all (or just take a relaxed 30-minute walk).

Most beginner and intermediate runners should run no more than 4 to 6 days a week.

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The common causes of muscle pain and how to avoid them in your exercise regimee

A couple of weeks ago, the guys at Bodytonic clinic contacted me because they wanted to expand their health and fitness related blog content. 

Specialist Osteopathy, Pilates, Massage, Health, Beauty and Fitness clinics based in the heart of London, Canada Water SE16, Wapping E1W & Stratford E15 (E20, Zone 2).

They are very nice guys and great professionals, if you have the opportunity because you live near or you travel to London, I recommend that you pay them a visit and enjoy their facilities and services.

For this occasion, they’ve put together an infographic about the common causes of muscle aches and pains in your fitness regime, specifically those which come about as a result of a poorly planned fitness regime.

Obviously, this wouldn´t happen if you´d hire a personal trainer to plan your fitness journey and help you all the way.

The common causes of muscle pain and how to avoid them in your exercise regimee
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Training senior adults. My methods surpass new studies.

Training senior adults

Last week I came across a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University. I had to read it twice to actually believe it, and a couple of times again before writing this post.

I´ve highlighted the “shocking” results so we can go straight to the point:

This is what Glenda achieved in 12 weeks, not 18 months! If you permit me, I think the training period time is the first achievement. Who wants to wait 18 months to see results? I´d love to know you if that´s so!

Glenda lost 11 pounds in 12 weeks, compared to 17 pounds in 18 months achieved by the study participants. 

Also, she gained 8,4 pounds of lean muscle, compared to 20% muscle mass loss in the study.

Side note, the weekly comments Glenda were doing each week in the measurement table were priceless.

These are the data that I can present to you, the conclusions are yours.

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News and projects

I want to thank you for your patience because, if you remember, last month I had to publish less than usual due to some family problems and other professional projects that had arisen.

Today I am happy to tell you that my mother is totally recovered from her surgery (thank you all for your prayers). I would like to share a picture of my mother, but she is one of those people who do not like to be photographed.

On the other hand, the projects are taking shape, and about that I can share some photos.

I had been offered a tv show on a local network and yesterday we recorded the pilot.

While they prepared the lights and the equipment, I took pictures as a child visiting the zoo.

I had fun. I had to repeat a few things several times, but I was less nervous than I expected. 

I surprised myself by being able to do the exercises without throwing the microphone to the ground.

The most pleasant and strange thing, at the same time, was having a team of people sharing the work: camera operator, editor, producer and me.

For the pilot, and to bring me luck, I chose one of the t-shirts that Glenda gave me. Hopefully, we will be working all summer and the show will be broadcast in October.

My other great project (still secret) is meeting deadlines and I will show you in a few weeks.

Stay tuned.

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Top 10 High-Fiber Foods

Top 10 High-Fiber Foods
Fiber is a form of carbohydrate found in plants that humans lack the enzyme to digest. It helps us feel fuller on fewer calories, keeps things moving through the gastrointestinal tract, can help support cardiovascular health, and can help support healthy blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar after a meal.
 
If you’re looking for a simpler way to slim down and improve your health, eating more fiber may help you get there.
 
Without fiber, the digestive tract suffers and people may develop high cholesterol that could lead to heart disease.
 
So, the question is, are you getting enough fiber?
 
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that women ages 19–50 get from 25–28 grams of fiber daily; men ages 19–50 should aim for 30–34 grams daily. Due to today’s lacking Western diet, it is estimated that less than 5% of population get the recommended amount of dietary fiber each day.
 
All of the foods listed below are not just foods with the highest fiber content, but essential nutrients that help our bodies thrive.

Flaxseeds

Total dietary fiber: 2.8 grams of fiber per tablespoon of whole flaxseeds (10 grams) 
Essential nutrients: Protein, thiamine, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, omega-3 fatty acids

Chia Seeds

Total dietary fiber: 10.6 grams per ounce (28 grams)
Essential nutrients: Protein, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids

Coconut

Total dietary fiber: 7.2 grams per cup (80 grams)
Essential nutrients: Manganese, omega-6 fatty acids, folate, selenium

Almonds

Total dietary fiber: 11.6 grams of fiber per cup (95 grams)
Essential nutrients: Protein, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, riboflavin, omega-6 fatty acids

Artichokes

Total dietary fiber: 10.3 grams of fiber per medium artichoke (120 grams)
Essential nutrients: Vitamins A, C, E, B, K; potassium; calcium; magnesium; phosphorous

Raspberries

Total dietary fiber: 8 grams of fiber per cup (123 grams)
Essential nutrients: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate

Avocados

Total dietary fiber: 10.1 grams per cup (150 grams) 
Essential nutrients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin K, potassium

Peas

Total dietary fiber: 8.8 grams per cooked cup (160 grams)
Essential nutrients: Vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, thiamine, manganese, folate, vitamin A, protein

Chickpeas

Total dietary fiber: 12.5 grams of fiber per cup (164 grams)
Essential nutrients: Protein, copper, folate, manganese, omega-6 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids

Lentils

Total dietary fiber: 15.6 grams of fiber per cup (198 grams)
Essential nutrients: Protein, iron, folate, manganese, phosphorous

Now, I´d love to know: How do you plan to combine these foods to get the fiber you need daily?

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Recoup Cold Massage Roller

Recoup Cold Massage Roller

The Recoup Cold Roller provides all the benefits of a traditional Self Myofacial Release (foam rolling) in combination with Cryotherapy (Ice Massage). These two forms of muscle therapy help to decrease inflammation, aid in post workout recovery, and allow specific treatment for areas in need.

By applying the pressure with the cold roller the muscle will release metabolic waste products and toxins which become build up in the muscle after exercising. In addition, Self Myofacial Release impacts the Golgi Tendon Organs and allows the muscle to relax. Once the muscle is relaxed the cold aspect of product allows for a decrease in inflammation.

Product Specs

  • Cold therapy + massage recovery
  • 2 hours in the freezer = 6 hours cold
  • Unscrew blue handle to use ball outside of handle
  • Use anywhere on the body
  • 3.4 oz cooling gel for safe travel
  • Handle free rolling
  • Ball 3.15 in. in diameter (a little larger than a baseball)

Injuries this Treats

  • Shin splints
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Tight IT bands, quads, hamstrings
  • Neck pain
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Back pain

Benefits

  • Takes down inflamation
  • Faster muscle recovery
  • Lowers cell metabolism, saving energy
  • Helps to prevent tissue death
  • Stops pain
  • After muscles warm increasein blood flow
  • Muscle relaxation
  • Improve tissue recovery
  • Impruve neuromuscular efficiency
  • Regulate production of cytokines
  • Flush out lactic acid
  • Decrease muscle soreness

Regular price is 39.99$ 

If you want to get it just for 32.79$ send me an email to info@chape.fitness and I´ll get you the discount. As easy as that!

(US shipping only)