Always Turnberry

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

When the world focuses on  the Open Championship at Turnberry, many don't forget the Ailsa Course has has been the scene of three previous Open championships from which one charactericstic can be concluded:The world's top player at the time, arguably or factually, won it. What you know, I do think Tiger Woods, a golf history buff, doknow and love the spot.

In 1977, when the Royal and Ancient elevated Turnberry into the rota to mark the course's 75th anniversary, Tom Watson edged Jack Nicklaus in the immortal Duel in the Sun.

Watson won his second of five claret jugs by shooting 68-70-65-65, then a record low score. Nicklaus scored 68-70-65-66. If there has been a better man-to-man major battle, before or since, you can name it.

In 1986, world No. 1 Greg Norman created two rain-soaked rounds of 74, but in between scored 63 – a record-low major championship score that could have been 62 but for an 18th-hole three putt. He won easily in weather that, unlike the dust bowl of '77, figures to resemble what's in store when the 138th Open tees off tomorrow.

In 1994, Nick Price, the last time here, – top-ranked in the world – holed a 50-foot eagle putt at the 17th to win a tournament better remembered for Jesper Parnevik's refusal to check the scoreboard; he thought he needed birdie at the last hole to win, went for it and made bogey to lose by one shot.

What does all this prove? After all, isn't it like the mutual funds people say: Past results are no guarantee of future success?

Of course, sure. But look at those names; nothing but the best and, as Woods said , "some of the best ball strikers of all-time, or certainly their eras.""At this golf course you can understand why," said Woods, with three claret jugs already among his 14 professional major trophies. "You just can't fake it around this golf course. You just have to hit good golf shots."

"They were great champions, but they were also great Opens ... absolutely fantastic spectacles of golf," assessed Padraig Harrington, the two-time Open defending champion. "That's the great thing about this golf course; it's very fair. If you play well you can make birdies. If you play badly, especially this year, you're not going to make birdies, you're going to make bogeys."

It seems so obvious, but think about it. Major championship golf, particularly at the U.S. Open and now the Masters, is making pars on long, demanding holes. It turns into a war of attrition with more backward movement than forward as throats begin to close in the late going.

This place will yield both birdies and bogeys, and with them excitement.

It's not that Turnberry is a pushover. It is 300 yards longer than '94 – what isn't? – and 22 new bunkers have been inserted to pick off loose tee shots. Plus, over here a bunker is, as Harrington described, more like a water hazard.

You tend to chip out sideways and pay a penalty.

It is not so absolute that the wins the top players got at Turnberry can indicate this term followed. The weather will influence the result in a large extent.The weather looks shaky, at best, but if the sun shines and the wind lies down, someone will shoot 62 here or come close. If the weather is truly ugly, like that rain-soaked U.S. Open last month, the winner might end up being determined by his location on the draw sheet and the conditions he receives. We are waiting the magic happened again here!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/always-turnberry-1706553.html

An Ab Ball Exercise For Six Pack Abs – Not Crunches!

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Confused about the most effective Ab Ball Exercise for 6 pack abs?

Don't be...

Crunches <---- Are a common, yet inneffective ab ball exercise!

The problem with doing crunches is that over time it will hammer your back.

It is true...

Stuart McGill, author of Low Back Disorders claims that "the spine was not meant to be used as a joint". The abs are meant to stabilize the spine, not crunch and compact the spine!

The Best Way to Get Six Pack Abs

To get dense and compact abs, you want to challenge their ability to stabilize the spine.

1. Planks are the best way to go

2. Floor planks work well

3. Planks on an exercise ball are better

So what you want to do is place your feet on the floor and rest with your elbows on the exercise ball. It will seem shaky at first, but you will adapt over time.

My suggestion is to aim for 60 seconds doing planks at first and then work your way up to 2-3 minutes. Since this is an isometric exercise, you can do it almost every day.

Tip: Isometric movements are better for the abs than moving through a range of motion. Isometrics build density and muscle tone without an increase in muscle size.

Another movement that works well is an "Ab Ball Rollout".

1. Place your hands on a bench (in pushup position)

2. Place your feet on the swiss ball

3. You should be in full extension

4. Bring the ball and roll it towards you as you bend your legs

5. Then roll the ball back out to full extension.

Warning: You may be making a number of mistakes in your quest to get six pack abs!

Rusty Moore is a trainer who gives advice to get the lean "Hollywood Physique".

The "Bulky Bodybuilder Look" is outdated and cheesy!

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/an-ab-ball-exercise-for-six-pack-abs-not-crunches-1384203.html

An Olympic Weight Set For Regular Weight Training

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

If you want to weight train in the comfort of your own home, like an expert, you should consider an Olympic weight set including an Olympic weight bench.  These weight sets can help you push your lifting to the next level.  Or if you are just buying your first pieces of equipment for your home gym and you know you are committed to working out daily you want to get something that will last; this is your best bet. 

An Olympic weight set will get you through the beginning stages of your weight training and it will still work great as you start progressing.  Having a solid weight bench and weight set to start with means you won't need to get a new one as you start moving to the next levels.  Depending on your goals and your workout routines you may need to add weights eventually, but you can still keep this core Olympic weight set as your base.

Once you start weight training regularly you will start to notice a variety of benefits.  As your stamina and strength improves you will notice many of your daily activities becoming easier.  But better yet resistance training helps strengthen the connective tissue found in your joints which can decrease your chance of injury.  This is especially important if you have weak joints or joints that have been injured in the past.

Weight training will also help build strength in a variety of muscles, including some smaller muscles you otherwise may not use as much.  This can help improve your posture and in turn help you avoid or decrease back pain.

Along with a host of other health benefits you'll receive from regularly working out, weight training with an Olympic weight set will help you look better.  Building muscle helps you increase your metabolism and tone your muscles for greater definition.  When you start seeing and feeling the benefits you won't want to give up your weight training routine, and you'll be so glad you started and stuck with it.

Learn more about Olympic weight sets and Olympic weight benches with tips to find the right one for your needs: Olympic Weight Set

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/an-olympic-weight-set-for-regular-weight-training-1331840.html

An Upright Exercise Bike is a Great First Fitness Equipment Buy

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

If you're ready to buy your first piece of home gym equipment, an upright exercise bike is a great choice. Upright exercise bikes are ease to use, convenient, affordable and provide a good workout for beginner to moderate users.

An upright exercise bike is one of the most basic, easy to use types of exercise equipment on the market. Working out on one of these machines is a lot like riding a regular road bicycle. They have a seat, handlebars and pedals just like a regular bike, and most people intuitively assume the right position and movement for workouts.

Those who are just starting out with home exercise equipment find upright bike workouts fun and convenient as well as easy to master. You can watch TV, listen to the radio, read or even play video games if you like on an upright exercise bike. It's also possible to work out your upper body if you choose a bike with movable handlebars. If your balance and strength allow it, you may also be able to use light weights or arm movements to work the upper body as you ride an upright bike.

Even lower priced upright exercise bikes tend to feature some sort of workout programming. You can use programming to monitor miles cycled, calories burned, or the length of time of your workouts. Most upright bikes also come with adjustable resistance levels so you can vary your workout as you gain strength or just to keep things interesting.

One big advantage of upright exercise bikes is affordability. Although it's possible to spend a small fortune on an exercise bike, it's not necessary. You can find very affordable upright bikes that will stand up well to moderate use. Even lower end models tend to operate smoothly and quietly, as the design of these bikes is fairly simple.

An upright exercise bike won't take up much room in your home, so they are a great choice for those with space limitations. Today there are even foldable exercise bikes that take up even less space than traditional models.

Although an upright exercise bike is a great first piece of home gym equipment, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you want a very vigorous workout, an upright exercise bike might not be the ideal choice. Those who are very obese or who have back injuries or issues may find them difficult to use. But for the majority of people, an upright exercise bike is a great option for an indoor workout.

Exercise Equipment Review provides an unbiased consumer review of exercise bikes, elliptic
al trainers
and treadmills. Author Bill Doane has been researching exercise equipment for his own home gym.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/an-upright-exercise-bike-is-a-great-first-fitness-equipment-buy-1438176.html

Are Ab Machines Really Useful

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

In this article, I will be highlighting on the myth and the truth about ab machines. Read on and decide for yourself are these ab machines really useful and do they worth your investment at all.

The Myth about ab machines: 

Your Exercise routines need to be coupled with "ab machines" to make the exercise work doubly well in helping you to get 6 pack abs.

The Truth about ab machines:

Most people have this wrong perception that in order to get 6 pack abs, they will just need to strengthen their abdominal muscles. Well, I would say that they are only 50% right. The fact is, in order to exhibit the 6 pack abs, you will have to first strip away that irritating abdominal fats that is covering your abdominal muscles. Only after you have stripped away that irritating abdominal fats then can u start the process of strengthening your abdominal muscles,and losing the abdominal fats is what the abs machines have failed to achieve.

Those abs machines or gadgets are designed and built for the sole purpose of mere strengthening of the abdominal muscles only. When it comes to losing the excessive abdominal fats, the ab machines or gadgets are totally useless in helping you to achieving that.

Forget about all the media bogus about all these so called wondrous amazing ab machines that promise to deliver you the perfect abs. And remember that only Real workout and Real nutrition strategies are able to help you to strip away those irritating abdominal fats. Real workout refers to workout that increases your metabolism and stimulates your fat-burning & muscle building hormones in your body.(Shall not elaborate on what workout is beneficial in this article )In order to reap the most benefits from the workout, you will also need to follow a nutritious diet as well. I mean, you cant be expecting to be seeing noticeable results when you are sweating all out today and eating your favorite McDonald's meal the next day.

Ok. Now, if we are to disregard the aspect about the fact that the ab machines are not useful in helping us lose fats. Lets assume that we are all great individuals with absolutely little or no abdominal fats and we would only want to strengthen on our abdominal muscles. Are these ab machines more useful or better than any abdominal exercises?

Well, I would still hold my stand that these ab machines are still not that useful after all. Yes, these ab machines may be useful with strengthening of the abdominal muscles but they are still far less effective when compared to the floor, hanging and standing abs exercises.

Therefore, my verdict would be: Try not to invest time and money on abs machines when there are other better abs exercises to help you get 6 pack ab.

Sick and tired of all the online bogus programs that just refuse to give you the 6 pack abs that you have all along dream of?

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/are-ab-machines-really-useful-754989.html

Are You Ready To Start Exercise Workout Training

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Workout training at home is convenient. You take control of your time, allowing you to accomplish more things because there is no need for you to travel or take a ride to reach the gym.

The first thing to do is, organize your schedule. Take a calendar and set a regular schedule for your home fitness training. It could be any day of the week.  Plan to exercise at least three time a week and up to four time for a more aggressive workout.

Your workout routine does not require everyday, although doing so will have faster results, but your muscles need rest and time to grow stronger.  Spending 30 minutes of your time for strength training or weigh training each day, three days a week can produce good results.

There are two options for starting your workout training. You can do it without gear, with gear.  Training without gear you can use various exercises that build muscle and get you healthy and fit. Like walking, running, jogging, yoga, aerobics, basic exercising or oriental fighting.

To exercise with gear, you can purchase some small weights and inexpensive equipment to get started at home.  Learn some of the basic exercises so you can start building muscle.

If you have never tried jogging, it is advisable to start out walking. Do not forget your warm up exercise. Any workout training requires warm up. Breathing in and out for two minutes can set you ready.  Learn some stretch exercise before you start your walk.

Swimming is also great home fitness training. It works out your chest, abdomen and arms.  If you want to stay indoors, you can do pushups and sit-ups. Crunches are the most common and preferred sit-ups. They are easier on the neck and back.

To see the difference, you can try 30 sit-ups. Begin with 2 or 3 sets of 30, increasing the number as you progress. You can do one set, and try another type of home fitness training exercise, then, you can go back doing sit-ups.

There are many free and paid videos dedicated to workout programs. Through the internet you can find some beginning or advanced home exercise training programs.  Choose the programs that fit your lifestyle.

Joining a workout training membership can be a good idea.  You can get the support of professional trainers.  They can guide you in building your body without injury.  In addition they can help you by guiding you in the nutrition you need for body building.

An effective workout is Yoga. Go take some lessons then start these exercises at home.  Yoga will build up your muscles and balance your body organs to give you better health.  By learning some nutrition and taking supplement you can accelerated you body’s health and strength to new levels.

If you have equipment for fitness workouts, you can use them too. Weight training is part of workout training. If you want to workout the muscles on your arms, shoulders, biceps, triceps and chest, you can use dumbbells. If you do not have dumbbells, use soup cans and bottles of water.  But you need to have a good workout program.  And this is where the internet comes in.

You can also use a couch to do bench dips. To begin, you need to position your feet on the ground, hands on the couch, and your butt hanging over the edge. Lower yourself up and down that is similar to push ups. Do this 15 times. Finally, Workout training must end in another warm up such as breathing in and out.

To discover the workout programs we have come to http://www.xtremebodyfitness.com . You will find a great source of fitness supplies. Chalean extreme is among our available items. Go to 10 minute workout, and experience our good customer service. At our site you will also learn to lose weight.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/are-you-ready-to-start-exercise-workout-training-1477384.html

Ax-Lightness Saddle Line Review

Friday, March 13th, 2009

AX-Lightness Apollo Carbon Saddle

The AX-Lightness Apollo has a very traditional saddle shape and benefits from a center grove that starts just behind the nose of the saddle and runs to the split in the rear. This grove helps reduce perennial pressure and numbness while improving blood flow. Only the Apollo has this feature.

The AX-Lightness Apollo is an impressive 74grams and has a maximum rider weight of 176lbs. Its 127mm wide and 270mm long, just slightly larger than the AX-Lightness Phoenix and smaller then the San Marco Aspide - which it looks very similar to.

Weight: 74grams

AX-Lightness Endurance Carbon Saddle

The AX-Lightness Endurance saddle is 135mm wide, which in saddle terms, means it will cater to the largest audience. It's 279mm long, meaning it gives the most room for you to move around on. Check the Life-Size to see how it compares to your current saddle.

Compared to:
Selle Italia Flite – Endurance is 5mm wider and 1mm shorter
San Marco Aspide – Endurance is 3mm wider and 1mm longer
Fizik K1 Carbon - Endurance is 5mm wider and 21mm shorter

Weight: 78grams

AX-Lightness Phoenix Carbon Saddle

The AX-Lightness Phoenix is one of the lighter saddles with a more defining quality then weight alone. With the saddle flipped its unique leaf sprung rail system is reveled. The AX-Lightness Phoenix rails blend into the front and back of the saddle with a standard round rail section for your seat post to clamp onto. (Traditional rails are round and mount directly to the base of the saddle). The leaf system, improves ride quality by absorbing more road vibration. Oh the marvels of German engineering – ultra-light and designed with comfort in mind.

The saddle is 125mm wide and 260mm long with the rear slopping allowing you to push off the saddle.

Weight: 58grams

AX-Lightness Sprint Carbon Saddle

The AX-Lightness Sprint saddle is 124mm wide, which in saddle terms, puts it on the smaller side. It keeps a longer length of 274mm giving you a fair amount of room to move back and forth.

Weight: 72grams

All of the AX-Lightness saddles are constructed in Germany by hand in a slow and meticulous process. AX-Lightness doesn't bolt or screw their rails to the saddle shell but rather goes through the process of molding them together during the manufacturing process. This creates a monocoque construction which fully integrates the rails and shell. This greatly improves the saddle's strength and ability to absorb road vibration.

The Author is owner of We Keep You Cycling, they have the parts to keep you riding, from SMP Saddles to AX-Lightness Carbon Saddles.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/axlightness-saddle-line-review-736042.html

Ax-Lightness Seatpost Review

Monday, March 9th, 2009

AX-Lightness Daedalus Seatpost

The shaft is carbon fiber and at 3mm thick it doesn't get much thinner or lighter. The rear is reinforced with a strip of Kevlar to ensure your seatpost clamp doesn't damage the post upon tightening.

The seat clamp uses two titanium bolts with aluminum beams to clamp the rails down on the carbon half pipe. The carbon half pipe – the bottom part of the seat clamp – fits into a groove on the top of the carbon set back reducing the materials required to put a seat clamp on top of a seat post. The front bolt is finger adjustable; however, the rear will use an Allen key.

Some assembly is required when you receive your Daedalus. You'll need to put the titanium bolts in the seatpost and put on the aluminum beams. Drop the front titanium bolt down the carbon shaft – they will easily pop out the bottom. Although the bolt has a 4mm Allen head, you'd need a 350mm+ Allen key to reach it.

In order to properly install this saddle, dial in the front by using your fingers to spin the threads. Place the saddle between the aluminum beams and the carbon half pipe and then begin the process of getting the rear beam on the rails and lined up with the titanium bolt.

It may be a little more work to initially set up but at 125grams this seatpost is the lightest set back seat post you'll likely get your hands on.

AX-Lightness Europa Carbon Seatpost

Where less is more the AX-Lightness Europa Carbon Seatpost is more. It might very well be the lightest post you'll own. In either the 27.2 or 31.6 diameter the post weighs just over 100 grams.

The shaft is carbon fiber and at 3mm thick it doesn't get much thinner or lighter. The rear is reinforced with a strip of Kevlar so your seat post clamp doesn't damage the post upon tightening.

The seat clamp uses two titanium bolts with aluminum beams to clamp the rails down on the carbon half pipe. The carbon half pipe – the bottom part of the seat clamp – fits into a groove on the top of the carbon shaft reducing the materials required to put a seat clamp on top of a seat post.

The two titanium bolts allow for micro-adjustments with an Allen key. We love the two bolt clamp system. We believe it's far superior and we're happy to see we don't have to sacrifice the micro-adjustability for the weight savings. The AX-Lightness Europa Carbon Seatpost is everything you could want in a seat post. It's über light and has micro-adjustability. Set back is zero.

Weight : ~118grams

This content is the property of We Keep You Cycling and may not be used by any retailer selling bicycle parts. It may be quoted, and referenced by other article directories, news organizations but not in the sale or resale of products.

The Author is owner of We Keep You Cycling, they have the parts to keep you riding, from AX-Lightness Europa seat posts to a AX-Lightness Daedalus Seatpost.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/axlightness-seatpost-review-736218.html

Ballet bars: novice’s best coach

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Ballet dancing is liked by people all over the world and in western countries some schools have organized ballet classes from the basic level. To learn this type of dance, a ballet bar is necessary, which is also known as a Barre.

This term is also used for some exercises which are performed with its help. It has several types, but the wall mounted type is the most commonly used one which is usually made of steel or wood and has a height of about one meter. Experts suggest the beginners adjust its height according to their needs to ensure safety.

Like all activities, requiring lots of movement, dancing also requires your muscles to be warm and flexible. This is where the ballet bar comes in; it is an integral part of you the beginner ballerina's training and ultimately you daily bread.

It's on that ballet bar you practice your steps and get that nice fluid movement. The training school may not always be open if you're deadly serious about your dancing, you'll want to train almost full on. This is why the ballet bar is so important in all of your training exercises - it is as important to you, Ballerina, as a rifle is to a soldier.

The ballet bar is your coach and helpmate. It is there to support you as you practice and develop the basic skills. The exercises done on a ballet bar are slow in pace and generally repetitive. The exercises aim at improving the dancer's posture and enhancing the body's steadiness. The exercises performed on the bar also help beginners strengthen their ankles for point work.

There are several websites which offers ballet bar online. It is important to remember that care should be taken in case of online shopping as it requires sharing of financial and personal information. A good reputed website must be chosen for this purpose.

Leash Myers is an expert in article writing and has done a lot of research online and offline. Come visit her latest websites on Ballet Bar and Personalized Door Mat

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/ballet-bars-novices-best-coach-1524401.html

Basic Boxing Training Equipment And Gear

Monday, July 20th, 2009

In a contact sport like boxing, proper equipment and gears are essential. Here are the things you need to have when training for boxing.

Gloves – A pair of boxing gloves that is both comfortable and fitted to the boxer's hands are essential. Laces should not be tightly (but not too tightly) tied around the gloves at the wrist. Cut off any lace tips that are hanging off the gloves before sparring. Laces should also be wrapped with tape and the gloves covered with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

Handwraps – Handwraps reduces the boxer's hand injury both on training and in actual boxing match. Make sure that an expert demonstrates the proper way of wrapping the hands. If it is not available, remember that the fingers must be separated to allow freedom of movement and the knuckles should be padded evenly.

Headguard – There is a continuous debate about whether boxing headgear prevents head injuries or not. Still, there is no question that a proper fitting headgear reduces the risk of cuts, bruises and other eye injuries. A good headgear must snug comfortably and properly that a blow would not move it and obstruct your vision.

Mouthguards – You can buy a mouthpiece for 2 dollars but that doesn't mean you should buy it. In fact, the worst thing you could do is to buy the cheapest mouthpiece your money can buy. The mouthpiece you should have is the type that is molded fit to your mouth. The extra amount you pay should be enough to prevent any possible injuries and damages to your gums, teeth and lips.

No-Foul Protector – Wearing a no-foul protector during training is as important as wearing a mouthpiece. If a mouthpiece protects your from any possible mouth injuries, wearing a no-foul protects you from the damage that can be dame by a low blow.

Shoes – Boxing shoes are different from your conventional snickers and other rubber-soled shoes. Boxing shoes are lighter, leather soled and provide excellent ankle support. Wearing shoes other than those that are truly made for boxing make you look awkward when moving around the ring. Non-boxing shoes also increases the risk of ankle injuries and increases your legs fatigue level significantly.

Jump rope –A regular jump rope exercise helps improve coordination, agility, speed, footwork and endurance. A good jump rope can cost under $5.

Training Apparel - Commercially sold training apparels are designed to give you maximum comfort while on the ring.

Boxing Bags – You can either make it your own or buy in a store. Boxing bags are usually made of canvas or vinyl. Other bags are made of leather. The earliest form of punching bags is made from kangaroo skin. Home-made punching bags can be a simple duffle bag filled with sand. The material which the bag is made of is really not that important as long as it is durable and can withstand daily use. Boxing bags are effective training equipment if you want to improve your punching strength, increase your stamina, and practice punch combination.

Speed Bags – Speed bags are either mounted on the wall or in a free-standing floor frame. Whichever you choose, it can provide loads of benefits including increased hand-eye coordination, improved reflexes and increased strength.

Speed bags also improve endurance and stamina.

Al Dawson is a 25 year + keep fit fanatic and runs the company : http://www.ultimateboxingbags.com.

The Author grants full reprint rights to this article. You may reprint and electronically distribute this article as long as its contents remain unchanged and the Author’s byline remains in place.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/basic-boxing-training-equipment-and-gear-1051173.html