Fitness

So, you have decided to exercise to lose weight? What an excellent idea! Increasing the number of calories you burn by doing more exercise is a logical way to lose weight, since it focuses on the main cause of being overweight, namely lack of exercise.

When it is cold, our muscles produce as much heat as they would in warm weather, but they lose it more easily. So we must dress well, but not in any old way. So what’s the best strategy? Dressing in layers: several pieces of clothing overlapping that close in the air and provide good insulation. When the body heats up, we can remove a layer if necessary, and put it back on when it c ools down.

How do you know which activity you will stick with and which you will give up? You can randomly try out various activities, but could end up feeling disappointed. In fact, your choice must be based on your preferences, needs and physical abilities.

For much of the autumn, you can practise the same activities that you did in the summer, without excessive sweating. Here are some suggestions to get your circulation back and stay in shape.

We are getting less and less sleep. So the question is why exactly are we having problems sleeping? The pace of life today is certainly partly behind it. To keep up with an ever fuller schedule, many people cut into their sleeping hours to get it all done. They do not get enough sleep, but force their bodies to stay awake, using pills and other stimulants like caffeine-laden energy drinks. In the long run, these poor sleepers expose themselves to ...

Imagine blading along at a good speed on a sunny path... skating, but without the cold, while enjoying the breeze being created by your own muscles. Now that promises to be a lot of fun! This is precisely what inline skating provides, an outdoor activity that has become nearly as popular as cycling.

Cardiovascular training is important for weight loss. However, muscle training also provides many benefits to people trying to lose weight. The main advantages are maintaining muscle mass, with increased calorie expenditure and improved strength. On the long term, combining cardiovascular and muscle training is an excellent way to lose weight and not gain it again. If you also reduce your calorie intake with a healthy diet, you’ll cover all angle ...

You have certainly noticed how much elite marathon athletes—both men and women—are similar physically. All slim, slender and light as a feather it seems. It’s the same story with 100-metre runners with their muscles and then some! As for the “pleasantly plump”, if they are not sumo wrestlers in Japan, they may be throwing a weight in the Scottish Highland Games. To each sport its own shape, it seems. And how could it be otherwise? Can you imagine ...

Whether you are out for a couple of hours or all day, a few extras will make your snowshoeing experience even more enjoyable.

The kids’ summer vacation is almost over… That means the beginning of your annual challenge: getting everything together for their return to school!   Sports Experts® has a few tips to help you make the right choices when you come into the store.

The principle behind losing weight is simple: just take in fewer calories than you expend. This is a basic understanding of this principle, but an essential one. For example, if you eat 2,000 calories during the day and you expend 2,500, after seven days, you will have lost approximately one pound. It is simple mathematics!

While fall heralds the return to the gym, it also unfortunately signals an increase in injuries linked to physical activity. Fortunately, these injuries are largely harmless and easy to treat. One of the most common injuries is tendinitis, a painful inflammation of the tendon, the fibrous band that lengthens the muscles and attaches it to the bone (see illustration). The pain can be felt where the tendon inserts into the bone (tenoperiostitis) ...

Jogging is one of the most effective activities out there for getting into shape. It expends many calories, increases muscle endurance in the calves, thighs and hips, strengthens the heart and protects against type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even some cancers (especially colon and breast cancers). However, not everyone likes to run, and some people should not run on a regular basis, since they could develop musculoskeletal problems due t ...

During a tennis match, many muscles contract and work in conjunction with each other so that you can hit the ball: quadriceps (thigh), glutes, calves, adductors (inside of thighs), abdominals and deltoids (shoulders). In order to avoid injuries and perform on the court, it is therefore important to prepare by doing different muscle, cardiovascular and flexibility exercises.

Spring is around the corner. To enjoy the fresh air this year, you say you’ve decided to get a bike? What an excellent idea! Biking is an activity available to everyone, is energizing, requires little equipment and can be enjoyed over many months. Here are some tips for choosing the best model for you.

Spending a day at a ski resort offers so many activities: snowboarding, twin-tip skiing, telemark skiing and various types of downhill skiing, such as downhill, slalom, freestyle and mogul. For many people, the choice can be difficult. If you are an experienced skier, have you thought about mogul skiing? Why not add this to your repertoire?

We are becoming more and more “sympathetic”, but this is not a good thing! We are not talking about feeling sympathy here, but rather the part of our nervous system that puts our body into a state of alert. Normally, this system prepares us for action by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, accelerating respiration and releasing stress hormones. In short, the sympathetic system is like the gas pedal in a car.

Spinning has gained so much popularity that fitness centres now offer two types of courses: fitness classes for the general public, and advanced classes for experienced cyclists.

Ice hockey is very popular in Quebec, where numerous street leagues are found playing in the arenas until late at night. Many amateur players would like to be able to play at their full potential week after week to end up top in their class. To get there, these athletes buy the best equipment on the market. Although equipment is a non-negligible aspect of performance, players should still develop technical skills, individual tactics, team strateg ...

Every day, doctors, physical educators, kinesiologists and other healthcare professionals bombard you with messages about the benefits of physical activity. This fact no longer needs to be proven: reduced risk factors for several diseases, improved muscle strength and endurance, better cardiovascular condition, better posture, etc.

After relaxing over the summer and putting on some weight, many people start a fitness program in the fall only to stop before the first snow! Why do they give up exercising along the way? Most of them would say they no longer are motivated to continue for a variety of reasons. If you are among them, here are five winning strategies to remain motivated and persevere.

Every summer, volleyball players suddenly appear in parks. They throw the ball over the net, and try to score points. This is a great activity for people of all ages, whether beginner or an advanced player.

Yoga is a practice for the body, mind and spirit. Based on Indian philosophy, it aims to free the mind of the constraints of the body using various postures, exercises and breathing techniques.

Experienced swimmers who want to improve their performance can complement their pool training with time in the weight room.

Riders should think about overall physical training before the season starts, in order to prevent injuries and allow them to lengthen their activity time throughout the season.

For many, winter is synonymous with hibernation. However, you simply have to step outdoors - by yourself, as a couple, with friends or family- to enjoy many sporting activities, including the often overlooked ice skating.

Exploring rivers, lakes and oceans is a passionate and unique pastime for snorkelers... Before going underwater, though, you must learn diving techniques, know the safety rules, and be in good physical condition. Whether you are a beginner or expert, being in shape will allow you to better enjoy your underwater adventures.

Winter boot ratings, established using thermic sensors in a laboratory, indicate the insulation factors of different models. But wait! Keep in mind that these ratings are established for active people in good health who move a lot. If you do not move much, choose maximum insulation.

For several years now, demographers have reiterated that the Canadian population is aging. According to the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA), one out of ten Canadians is now a senior. In 2021, everyone who is currently 50 or over will be part of this cohort of approximately two Canadians in ten, i.e., 20% of the population!

With autumn on the horizon, football fans are getting into gear. The players have already been preparing months in advance, getting ready to thrill their fans. And, yes, it’s true... serious players start training at the gym for the new season only a few weeks after their last game!

Every autumn, people take to the hiking trails for a bit of fresh air and to enjoy nature. Indeed, hiking is excellent physical activity for everyone: children, teenagers, adults and seniors. This inexpensive activity can be carried out everywhere, along trails in the countryside, on mountains or even in one of the many city parks. These outings are great for spending time with friends and family, expending energy and moving our bodies. So take a ...

Before starting a training program of outdoor or indoor running, it is highly recommended to have your physical condition evaluated. This will enable your trainer to know what starting level of running intensity is right for you. That way, the training program will be created based on your limits.

For example, in 1995, according to the statistics of Soccer Canada, Quebec counted 91,260 registrations, a number that has practically doubled in 12 years, with 164,901 registrations in 2007. And this does not include games between friends in the parks and playgrounds around Canada.

In 2008, Louis Garneau Sports has set up a team of young turks, who are ready to attack a entire series of major races in Quebec and in the Northeastern United States. A team that will definitely be a force to be reckoned with...

Alpine skiing brings into play many physical skills, including muscular strength and endurance, balance, coordination and agility. Each time you go downhill, several muscles contract so you maintain control to make it to the foot of the mountain without falling. The main muscles playing a role in alpine skiing are the quadriceps (thighs), glutes (hips), calf muscles, abdominals (to keep the body upright), deltoids (shoulders), biceps and triceps.

To enjoy this winter sport, all you need to do is a bit of research to choose a snowshoe that meets your needs. When making a selection, here’s what you should know.

Once a goal has been set, a certified trainer, preferably a kinesiologist*, measures current and target levels to determine a person’s starting condition and any improvements that need to be made. This is where the fitness assessment comes into play.

During a game, they aspire to score that spectacular goal, making accurate passes, outplaying an opponent by out-stickhandling him, and even diving to steal the puck from an opponent. These players must train and play regularly if they want to develop or enhance the technique and tactics needed for this level of performance.

Unlike other shuttlecock launchers on the market, the Knight Trainer is easy to transport, store, handle and adjust. With schools and camps in mind, it was designed for easy portability between locations. There is no question that this machine is radically different from any shuttle launcher created so far.

As soon as they received word of her illness, Olga’s family and friends rallied around her. With their help, she decided to set up a team called Olga’s Butterflies and to take part in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk that August.

With spring well on its way, it's time to think about getting into shape. Walking and running are both excellent ways to get back into shape and to improve your overall health. So, lace up those running shoes! It's time to head outdoors!

This new line of Nike+ enabled shoes includes a variety of styles, including the Air Max Moto+ for both men and women. The shoe is designed to incorporate a pocket for a sensor in the shoe’s sole.

For products aimed specifically at women, Rollerblade adheres to its slogan: “designed by women for women”. Its creative team consists of professionals who focus exclusively on designing skates to suit the needs of a woman’s anatomical shape. In designing parts such as shells, cuffs, liners and footbeds it goes to show that no one knows women better than women themselves.

If you want to be comfortable when you're working out in the gym or while you're outdoors running, jumping, climbing, playing tennis or soccer, or riding your bike, your clothing must be suited to the activity and provide maximum comfort in both summer and winter.

Walking through the snow, even on ultra-light snowshoes, provides more intense exercise than gliding along a trail or jogging along a road. If both activities are conducted at the same pace, you will burn 45% more calories snowshoeing than you will jogging. Studies in the U.S. have shown that if you walk in powder snow, you can easily burn more than 1,000 calories an hour! If you want to burn a lot of calories and improve your physical conditioni ...