The Best Exercise Gear Money Can Buy

Anyone watched TV lately?  I hope the answer is no, but if it’s yes, then you’ve probably seen the same things I have, endless commercials for sports equipment.  Forget all the ads for diets, meal replacements shakes and eating plans, just look at the advertisements for sports equipment!  From $1000 bowflexes to $100 ab machines, there is an endless amount of gear for you to buy.  All of which will promptly be forgotten and left to collect dust in your garage.  So forget those ads and read on for the best exercise gear your money will ever buy.

I Love Running

I never in my life thought I would say that, but I really do enjoy running.  There’s a point about 10 to 20 minutes into a good run where I just zone into this great place.  My head is clear, my thoughts are flowing and my body feels like it could go on forever.  It’s a unique feeling and one which I greatly enjoy.  It’s also one of the reasons why I’ve stuck with long distance jogging despite quite a few people trying to convince me that sprints and intervals are better.  There may or may not be something to what they say, but I know there’s a difference in my enjoyment level of jogging vs. sprints, which tells me I should stick with what I enjoy.

Here’s The Problem

For the past few months, I’ve been having issues with my running.  My legs were hurting, my feet were hurting and I was experiencing odd joint pains for the first time in my life.  I tried to figure out a cause.  I tried sleeping in a different position, which helped a little bit.  I also tried changing the way my desk is set up at work, which also helped a little.  Still, my legs were in pain and I wasn’t enjoying running as much as I had before.  And then I remembered…

I’m An Idiot!

When I first started running, a trainer friend of mine gave me a bit of very important advice.  She said, “your shoes are the most important things about running.  Replace them every 6 months and don’t use them for anything other than running”.  Well, I took that advice and used it for a few years but I forgot all about it last year.  That means I’ve been using the same pair of running shoes for a year now and not just for running.  I go hiking in them, walking, work in the yard and so on.  I didn’t think this would be an issue, after all, they’re just shoes, right?  Oh, how wrong I was.

New Shoes

As part of my efforts to fix my leg pains I resolved to buy a new pair of shoes.  So I marched on over to Sports Basement and spent an hour talking to one of their very knowledgeable sales people.  She went over my stride, examined how I run and made several recommendations on shoes I should pick out.  I tried on quite a few until I finally settled on a new pair of New Balance running shoes.  Yesterday was my first run with these new shoes and WOW, what a difference!  I felt like I was gliding on air.  My legs felt great and I didn’t even notice the passage of time.  Within 10 minutes I was back in that runner’s high and having a great time.  I ran for 40 minutes but I could have easily run for an hour.

So here it is, my advice to you on the best investment you can make when it comes to sports gear, shoes.  Buy a new pair every 6 months and don’t use them for anything other than your workout.  Stay away from ab machines and home gyms, they’re a waste of time, space and money.  Just get a good pair of solid foot gear.  If you can, go to a store with qualified sales people who can help analyze your stride and make good recommendations.

By the way, the shoes ended up costing me around $60.  Not too bad for something so valuable.  So thank you Sports Basement for your help and great prices.  Thank you New Balance for such a great product and thank you Chris for your invaluable advice.  I won’t forget it again

NOTE  - I have no affiliation with either Sports Basement or New Balance.   I don’t get paid for endorsing them or mentioning them on this website.  I just happen to like their products and so I don’t mind giving them free publicity.

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Thank you also to the Rich Life Blog for including a 60 in 3 post in their latest blog carnival.

14 Health and Fitness Sites You Should Be Using

Ahh the internet, the best way to waste time mankind has ever invented. However, among all the dancing badgers, LOLcats, shock sites and music players, this series of interconnected tubes does actually offer a few useful sites. So here they are, my list of the top health and fitness relates sites out there:

Healthy Eating

Calorie Counter Database - This is actually a service offered by about.com.  It’s a well stocked database of foods and their nutritional values.  A good place to start if you’re wondering how many calories were in that sandwich you just ate.

Nutrition Data - Another nutrition database with information on a wide variety of foods.  It’s interesting to look up what you’re eating on a regular basis.  Just as long as you’re ok with the occasional bad surprise.  (ouch, that sandwich I ate for breakfast…)

USDA Food And Nutrition Center - A government site from the USDA which is focused on nutrition.  I’m a little suspicious when I read articles on this site, especially since their goal is to support agriculture and not really promote health.  However, there is some good information here as long as you’re aware of their bias.

The Food Network - Yep, I’ll admit it, I love food.  You don’t really need to hate food to be healthy.  And a great place to learn more about good food is the network dedicated to it.  Find good recipes, meal ideas and other food related information.  Or just argue about which chocolate truffle is better (go Lindt!!!)

Food Shopping

Eat Well Guide - Want to find local restaurants in your area that sell organic food?  How about stores?  Farmers markets?  For all of you who want to eat food made with quality ingredients, this is a great place.

Eat Wild - Similar concept to Eat Well, but this one specializes in meats.  Lots of good meat sources for people who don’t want factory produced crap.  Find your local farmer and buy directly from them.  You benefit, your local economy benefits and your body will be much happier.

Local Harvest - Another food finder that can help you find local vendors or markets with good quality foods.  Remember, support your local farmer!

Exercise

Cooper’s Guns - Their news page is out of date but their exercise encyclopedia is the best around.  Click on the exercises link under videos to reach it.  My first destination when I’m looking to vary up my workout.

EXRX - Their marketing person should be shot for coming up with that acronym but the website still kicks ass.  This is like a more professional version of Cooper’s Guns.  Lots of great information here on exercises, weight training and so on.  Click on the exercises link and then on the Exercise & Muscle Directory link to see a great exercise encyclopedia.

Online Tools

Fit Day - They can get a bit annoying when they start pitching their software app, but the free web based account is still a great tool for storing data about your eating and exercise.  If you’re going to keep a food journal, this is a good way to do it.

Calories Per Hour - Want to know how many calories a 35 year old man who weighs 200lbs and exercises vigorously three times a week needs?  How about the number of calories you burn if you run for an hour?  Either way, this site probably has a calculator that will help you find your answer.

Disease and Injury

Mayo Clinic - Want to know if the rash on your leg is something you need to worry about?  Need to find out how to cope with a family member who has cancer?  Or are you just curious about some disease you saw in the latest episode of House or Grey’s Anatomy?  This is the site for you!

Web MD - Similar to the Mayo Clinic site although a bit more commercial.  I happen to trust Mayo more than I trust WebMD but there’s no reason not to use both and compare the information you get.

Centers For Disease Control - The ultimate government research site on health, illness, injuries and anything else related to the various problem that might befall a human body.  Includes everything from tips on preventing injuries to advice on living with disease.  Surprisingly well organized and readable for a government site.

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Got your own favorite site?  Please include it in the comments.  Also, I’ll be listing my favorite blogs later this week so feel free to mention those as well.

And thank you to Me Ander (love the name) for including a 60 in 3 article in their latest blog carnival.

The Pirate Workout!

Ok, so the pirate workout is a bit of a joke, but for those of you inquiring about my health, turns out everything is ok and I will not need to wear an eyepatch. Seems like I managed to scratch the surface of my cornea and that scratch got infected. So there was a whole lot of pain but nothing that can’t be fixed and no permanent damage. I’m staying indoors today because the medication makes my pupil dilate and that means that bright lights hurt a lot, but I should be ok by tomorrow. In fact, after my follow up appointment tomorrow, I’ll have a few things to share with you about my latest medical experience.

In the meantime though, being cooped up at home reminded me that I have some new home gym equipment which I haven’t mentioned on 60 in 3.

Soft Weights

Being a bit accident prone (my injured eye was caused by a clothing accident. Don’t ask!), I’ve been looking for weights which are softer and less injury causing. I’ve also been looking for something I can throw around much like a ball but with greater weight. In short, I was looking for a Medicine Ball (also called a kettle ball or kettlebell although those are slightly different).

What Is A Medicine Ball?

A medicine ball is a ball, usually made from rubber, with a handle on the side. The ball contains a weight on the inside which makes it far heavier than your normal rubber ball. In terms of usage, the ball can be used just like a dumbbell.

What’s So Good About A Ball?

• Softer - That’s great for people who injure themselves frequently like me. I can drop this on my foot and it’s far less likely to break a toe than an equivalent weight dumbbell.
• Built in handle - The handle on the ball makes gripping easier. You can put it around your wrist and not focus as much on the gripping of the weight.
• Maneuverable. Because of the strap plus the shape of the ball, it’s easier to do some exercises without banging yourself with the weights as you would with a dumbbell.

What’s Not So Good About A Ball?

• Weight is not adjustable - You need a different ball for each weight, unlike some adjustable dumbbell sets where you can add or remove weights to suit your need.

Can These Replace Dumbbells?

No. Both dumbbells and balls have their place in a home gym. However, I do think these are great to have for some exercises. They’re relatively cheap which means you can get a couple of sets for a low cost. I’d recommend getting some of the lower weights in these rather than dumbbells and then working out with both.

Is There A Recommended Brand?

I got mine from Ball Dynamics, the same people I got my exercise ball from. I’ve found them to be reliable and very competitive on prices. You can find their website here. As usual I would like to note that I am not affiliated with Ball Dynamics in any way. I don’t get paid to recommend them or any other product on 60 in 3.

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I like trying out new things, and these new balls were a lot of fun. The exercises are similar to dumbbells but different enough to keep things interesting, plus the cost was very low. Give them a shot, maybe you’ll find something that you like.

The Best Fitness Investment You Can Make

If you’re a long time reader of 60 in 3, you’ll notice that I usually try to save money while improving health. I believe that health and wealth can easily go hand in hand. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on expensive gear, gym memberships or supplements. Most healthy choices end up being quite affordable. In fact, being healthy might save you money when you do things like walk instead of drive, eat at home instead of out at a restaurant or ride your bike to work. However, today, I’m going to change that a bit and tell you about the one place where you shouldn’t skimp, your feet.

Oh The Humanity!

Think about the the kind of life that feet lead when they belong to a person who’s interested in fitness.  They walk between 2 to 3 miles a day!  They go to the gym where they get pounded on for hours and hours.  They go running and have to withstand 100 to 200lbs of impact EVERY SECOND.  They go hiking and need to climb hills over rocky uneven terrain.  Sometimes they even go dancing and spend an evening shuffling around and getting stepped on.  In short, it’s a rough life, and while the rest of your body may appreciate it, your feet can easily get worn out.

Good Shoes Are A Must

Beyond giving your feet an occasional bit of rest, your most important means of protecting these valuable assets is shoes.  Which is why I’m going to tell you that shoes are the one area you shouldn’t try to save money on and instead go for the best quality possible.  That said, there’s no reason to go out there and buy a $300 pair of LED lit, computerized, pumped, Air Jordans, Racing striped, springs in the heels, Blu Tooth equipped sneakers from Nike.  Those aren’t quality, they’re just silly.  What I’m talking about is reasonably priced shoes that are also comfortable and quality.

At Work

Yes, good shoes begin at work, not at the gym.  Think about it, you spend an hour a day at the gym, but you spend 8 hours a day at work.  So the shoes you wear at work are a lot more important than your gym shoes.  Contrary to popular belief, you can actually get comfortable work shoes that don’t actually look like those old rubber shoes that nurses used to wear.  Just look for something with rubberized soles as opposed to hard leather.  For women, this is going to be a bit more difficult and I’m not going to pretend like I understand women’s fashions enough to give specific advice.  However, you really need something that combines looks and comfort if you intend to wear it for multiple hours.  The more padding on the bottom, the better, and the more natural of a position your foot is in, the better.

At The Gym

If you’re an avid gym goer, and especially if you’re a runner, you need a new pair of shoes every six months.  No, this is not my way of helping the American economy recover by encouraging more spending.  Your shoes wear out.  The padding on the bottom becomes more compressed and less springy the more you use it.  At the six month mark, your shoes no longer provide you with a cushion to exercise on.  That’s why you need to replace them with something that will protect your feet from the constant impact of working out and running.  Keep in mind, good shoes don’t need to cost a lot.  My running shoes cost around $100 and I occasionally find a good deal as low as $60.  So keep an eye out for deals.

If possible, you should also go to a store where they can help you get the right fit by looking at how you run and walk.  Different people use different strides and shoes that are comfortable for one person can be painful for someone else.

Personal Recommendation

I’m not going to recommend a specific shoe model because I know it’s not going to be a good recommendation for all people.  However, in general, I’ve usually bought New Balance shoes.  I’ve found them to be very comfortable, durable and reasonably priced.  If you’re in the Bay Area, I recommend a store called Sports Basement.  They have a great selection and I’ve always found their sales people to be knowledgeable and helpful.

NOTE - as usual, I am not connected in any way with Sports Basement or New Balance nor am I making these recommendations at their request.

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Your feet bear a lot of strain when you’re active.  Make sure you protect them with a good pair of shoes.

3 Reasons Why You Should Get A Brita Filter (and how to get a free one)

If you’ve read 60 in 3 for any length of time longer than a month, you’ve probably seen me ranting about sodas and other unhealthy drinks. In a nutshell, I think these are one of our worst habits. They’re usually filled with calories that we don’t pay attention to, they cost money and they generate a tremendous amount of waste. In short, you’re paying money to harm yourself and the environment. Well, rather than complain some more, I decided to try something different and suggest an alternative.

The cheapest and healthiest drink out there is still water. Unfortunately, water to many people still means paying good money for bottled water which then fill up the garbage can. So you might have solved the health issue, but you’re still wasting money and generating waste. Tap water, although I personally like it, seems to have developed a bad reputation as impure. Nevermind the fact that most bottled water is just tap water, but ok, if that’s what people want to believe, I have a solution. Introducing, the Brita Filter!

What The Heck Is It?

Brita makes two types of water filters. The first is a device that attaches to your tap and filters water as it comes out. The second is a decanter that you fill with water, which is then filtered. They also make a refrigerator tap filter that operates very much like their faucet tap one. In other words, Brita takes your tap water and cleans it up.

So Why Should I Use It?

Number 1 - Water is healthy. That soda you just drank? 140 empty calories that won’t even make you feel full. That Starbucks Latte? As much fat as two McDonald’s Cheeseburgers. That fruit smoothie? 500 to 600 calories of mostly sugar. Water is better than any of these alternatives.

Number 2 - You’ll save money. Want an extra million dollars when you retire? Take a look at the Latte factor. And this is only assuming you pay $5 a day for your drinks. I know people (including myself a few years ago) who paid a lot more than that for their daily drinks. Add in the extra health care costs from all those calories and it seems like your drinks are costing you quite a bit, aren’t they?

Number 3 - Reduce Waste. Even if you’re not a die hard environmentalist, you can’t argue the fact that cans and bottles generate a huge amount of waste. Every time I go hiking, I try to pick up the trash I see on the trail. You know what I find most often? Water bottles. You know what I found when I went canoing? Cans and bottles. Millions of tons of waste generated every day because we like to spend money on poisoning ourselves.

So What Am I Going To Do About It?

Well, not only am I posting this article, but I’m also going to give away three Brita faucet filters for your tap to the first three people who post comments on this thread. I wish I could afford to give away more but hey, it’s a start. If you want one of these, just post a comment on this thread. They’re brand new and in the box. I’ll even pay the shipping cost

If you do comment, please make sure to include your email so I can contact you and get your address. You do not need to include your email in the body of the comment, there’s an email field just for that in the comment form.

And for those of you who might read this a bit too late, why not go to the Brita site and check out their products? Filters are in the $20 to $40 range. Think about how much you spent last month on drinks and then compare that cost. Now throw in the fact that you’re trying to be healthy. How much is that clean tap water worth to you now? Toss in a few cleaner trails and it’s a no brainer.

DISCLAIMER

I am not affiliated with Brita. I do not make any money on their products or on anything you purchase from their website. Nor does Brita pay me to endorse or recommend them. I’m doing this because I believe it’s the right thing to do.