The Fastest Way to Get in Shape: Take to the Hills
By Jon Herring
If you want to get in shape fast, improve the health of your heart, and accelerate your physical conditioning, there are few better ways to do it than sprinting uphill. Unfortunately, there aren't any hills in Delray Beach, where the ETR offices are located. But this week, I'm visiting my family in Tennessee, and there's a long, steep hill in front of the house. So I began this morning by challenging myself to do some hill sprinting.
Whew! What a workout!
I warmed up by jogging most of the way up and then sprinting for the last hundred feet. After that, I ran about 10 sprints of a few hundred feet each. (Although I'm not sure if you would call it a "sprint," considering how slowly I was chugging near the top.)
One great thing about running on hills: It is much safer than sprinting on flat ground. And because the difficulty is increased, you can get a far more strenuous workout in a lot less time. After 15 minutes of really pushing myself this morning, I was done. Who doesn't have the time for that?
If you enjoy exercise and you live near hills, I strongly suggest that you include hill sprinting in your routine. Nothing will get you in better condition quicker, especially if the hills are steep. If you don't live near hills, here are some other ways to run with resistance:
. If you live near the beach, run in the sand or in thigh-deep water.
. Set the treadmill on a steep incline when you're at the gym.
. Buy a weighted sled and take it out to a local field.
. If you're adventurous and don't mind people staring at you, use a Power Fitness Chute (EverythingTrackAndField.com) - which is basically a small parachute that you tie to your waist to help increase resistance as you run.
______________________________
It's Fun to Know: The Highest Scoring Scrabble Words
Bigger isn't always better, even in Scrabble. Here are nine of the highest-scoring two-letter words you can use to kick butt on your next game night.
. AX - 9 points
. EX - 9 points
. JO - 9 points
. OX - 9 points
. XI - 9 points
. XU - 9 points
. BY - 7 points
. HM - 7 points
. MY - 7 points
Check out the Hasbro website for a complete list of the highest-scoring Scrabble words - from three letters to seven.
______________________________
Word to the Wise: Hector
To "hector" (HEK-tur) - derived from the name of the chief Trojan warrior in Greek mythology - is to intimidate, harass, or bully.
Example (as used by Jeffrey Taylor in The Atlantic): "At both ends of the escalators, attendants... hector and berate any passenger who steps out of line."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2082, 06-30-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
If you want to get in shape fast, improve the health of your heart, and accelerate your physical conditioning, there are few better ways to do it than sprinting uphill. Unfortunately, there aren't any hills in Delray Beach, where the ETR offices are located. But this week, I'm visiting my family in Tennessee, and there's a long, steep hill in front of the house. So I began this morning by challenging myself to do some hill sprinting.
Whew! What a workout!
I warmed up by jogging most of the way up and then sprinting for the last hundred feet. After that, I ran about 10 sprints of a few hundred feet each. (Although I'm not sure if you would call it a "sprint," considering how slowly I was chugging near the top.)
One great thing about running on hills: It is much safer than sprinting on flat ground. And because the difficulty is increased, you can get a far more strenuous workout in a lot less time. After 15 minutes of really pushing myself this morning, I was done. Who doesn't have the time for that?
If you enjoy exercise and you live near hills, I strongly suggest that you include hill sprinting in your routine. Nothing will get you in better condition quicker, especially if the hills are steep. If you don't live near hills, here are some other ways to run with resistance:
. If you live near the beach, run in the sand or in thigh-deep water.
. Set the treadmill on a steep incline when you're at the gym.
. Buy a weighted sled and take it out to a local field.
. If you're adventurous and don't mind people staring at you, use a Power Fitness Chute (EverythingTrackAndField.com) - which is basically a small parachute that you tie to your waist to help increase resistance as you run.
______________________________
It's Fun to Know: The Highest Scoring Scrabble Words
Bigger isn't always better, even in Scrabble. Here are nine of the highest-scoring two-letter words you can use to kick butt on your next game night.
. AX - 9 points
. EX - 9 points
. JO - 9 points
. OX - 9 points
. XI - 9 points
. XU - 9 points
. BY - 7 points
. HM - 7 points
. MY - 7 points
Check out the Hasbro website for a complete list of the highest-scoring Scrabble words - from three letters to seven.
______________________________
Word to the Wise: Hector
To "hector" (HEK-tur) - derived from the name of the chief Trojan warrior in Greek mythology - is to intimidate, harass, or bully.
Example (as used by Jeffrey Taylor in The Atlantic): "At both ends of the escalators, attendants... hector and berate any passenger who steps out of line."
Michael Masterson
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2082, 06-30-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.
posted by Oak Stone at 7:49 PM
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