The Right Shoes for You

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Finding the perfect shoe for your workout can be a real challenge.  What brand do I buy, wide or narrow, what color works best?  These are just a few of the many questions the everyday Joe will be thinking while walking into any shoe store or department to pick out that perfect shoe just for them.  Well lucky for us, there are actual shoe experts out there who are knowledgeable, can get you into the perfect shoe, and can actually educate you about the right kind of shoe.

Now is there really one brand that is better than the other?  Easiest way to answer that is that each brand of shoe can be used for a specific purpose.  There are certain shoes that are made just for running, there are brands that are made for more of a side to side movement, and there are shoes that are made for people who are on their feet constantly all day with no running at all.  Depending on what you are specifically looking for, there is a shoe for you.

With any type of shoe there can be problems that come along with them, just like anything else in life.  Not every shoe is going to last you 5 years, and frankly they shouldn’t last that long.  Tearing, holes, shoes being too tight are usually the main issues when it comes to shoes.  Great thing about most shoe companies is that if there is a problem with your shoe that includes tearing after only a few months or other issues like that, they usually will be more than happy to refund your money or send you another pair, or the store you bought them at will do that as well.

Now what do you have to consider when you are purchasing a pair of shoes?  What purpose will they serve?  How often will they be used?  Any certain brand that you like better than another?  Do you have narrow or wide feet? Do you have problems with your arch in your foot?  How much do you want to spend?  These would be just a few questions that you can answer yourself before you go in to help the process go along more smoothly.

Going out and buying a pair of athletic shoes can be nerve racking, time consuming, and frankly a pain in the buns, but if you can get a general idea of what you are looking for in a shoe it will make the process run more smoothly.  I have listed a couple of websites to help you out.  Now these may or may not be the best for you, but this should at least give you a starting point.  Good luck out there!

http://www.runningshoeswizard.com/best-running-shoes.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Common-Questions-About-Running-Shoes&id=4727886

Listening to Music While Working Out

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Almost everyone has their favorite genre when it comes to listening to music; especially while they are working out.  Several studies have shown that listening to music during your workouts can actually help increase your endurance during a workout by around 15%.  In addition, upbeat music can help distract you from the fatigue and keep you from boredom from the longer workout days. 

Findings by Costas Karageorghis, PhD also show that there is a sweet spot for what particular music is best.  He labels this as music with 120-140 beats per minute.  So if you are rocking out with your iPod for your workouts keep with faster upbeat music.  Pandora, internet radio, has even made it easier to get your genre going with specific workout stations; such as, dance cardio, hard rock strength training, 80's cardio, and many more.  

I personally like to go with the hard rock strength training with a few of my top workout songs being Last Resort by Papa Roach, Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson, One Step Closer by Linkin Park, and many others by these artists.  Otherwise other great workout songs are Survivor - Eye of the Tiger, AC/DC - Thunderstruck and Back in Black, and LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It.  

What are your favorite workout songs?   

So next time you're working out crank up your fast paced music and workout with higher intensity

Soccer Moms and Hockey Dads

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Parents these days go well above and beyond the norm when it comes to coaching and supervising their child's sports teams.  Sometimes however, it goes a little far.  Don't get me wrong here, parents need to be in their child's life for support, but how far is too far?

I have many clients who spend numerous evenings at volleyball games, hockey games, you name it, they are there up to 4 nights a week.  This doesn't always include practice their kids need to attend.

Now, we have all seen “that parent”, who takes their kids games to the extreme.  Whether it be taunting the refs, yelling at the coaches, or scolding their kids in front of other parents.  These are all things that occur all too often and will have a negative impact not only on their children, but indirectly on themselves.

I have a small list here of some signs that may relate to you as the parent.  I'll let you decide where you fit in and what you can do to fix them.

The “Nightmare” Parent -

Overemphasizing sports at the expense of sportsmanship.  Parents demonstrating negative energy or displeasure during an event are sending the wrong message.  Athletes tend to keep their emotions in check, parents need to learn to do the same.

Treating your child different after a win or loss.  Parents should treat their children the same regardless of the outcome.  Don't value your child based off a win or loss.

Living your dream through your child.  If you as the parent are upset or depressed after the outcome of your child's game, maybe you should step back and put your goals in perspective. Just because your kid doesn't perform in the games the way he practices, or misses a game winning basket, you should not get down on yourself over it.  This is your child's life and fun activity, not yours!

The “Ideal” Sports Parent -

Cheer for everyone on the team, not just your child.  Obviously you want your child to perform well, but it is a team event and you must support the other children out there as well. Encourage the team.

Know when is the right time to approach a coach.  This is something that happens all too often and can easily be fixed.  Do this in private and with a positive attitude.  Go about it as if you are asking ways to help coach your child.  Perhaps drills the two of you can work on together to help your child in the future.  Showing you care and asking the coaches for advice is the best way to go.  Trust me, it shows you care as a parent and will translate to the coaches better than abusive language.

Listen to your child and encourage them.  If and when they want to share their thoughts with you on the games they just played, listen to them and do not criticize them.  It takes a lot for children to open up, be encourage by this and encourage them back!

Hopefully this article puts some perspective into you as parents.  Be there for your children and encourage them by demonstrating positive reinforcement.  After all, you are who they turn to in life when they need it!