The Best Music Systems for Swimmers

Posted on April 12, 2013 by admin

You may already know that your favorite tunes can motivate you to run faster or stick with the kettlebells longer, but dry land isn’t the only place that your mp3 player can help you step up your fitness game: Listening to music underwater can make you swim faster, according to new research conducted at Brunel University in the United Kingdom.

In a recent study, 26 collegiate swimmers experimented with wearing earbuds during 200-meter trials for three weeks. They listened to motivational music for one week, neutral music for one week, and no music at all for the final week. Listening to both types of music helped the athletes slash their 200-meter times by three seconds. That may not sound like a lot, but in swimming, three seconds can be the difference between first and third place—and the difference would likely be even greater for longer distances. “We found that any song played at 130 beats per minute, mellow or upbeat, motivated the swimmers,” says study co-author Jasmin Hutchinson, assistant professor of exercise science and sport studies at Springfield College in Massachusetts.

Looking to improve your swim time or just have a more efficient workout? You might want to invest in one of these underwater music systems:

Already have a waterproof mp3 player? Then all you need are these Underwater Audio Swimbuds. The extra-short cord minimizes the chance of any tangling, and the around-the-ear style keeps them secure even during flip turns.
$ 30; underwateraudio.com

If your iPhone is where you store your music, DRYBuds and DRYCase will waterproof your device. Simply place your phone in the plastic case, use the pump to remove any extra air, and secure it to your arm with the neoprene arm band. Plug in the ear buds, and you’ll be rocking out, lap, after lap, after lap.
$ 40 for DRYCase; $ 30 for DRYBuds; drycase.com

Pyle’s Waterproof MP3 Player is made of soft, silicon material that wraps around both your head and ears so you don’t have to deal with annoyingly long cords. Upload your music directly to the device, and you can decide whether you want to repeat or skip a track mid-swim with an easy tap of the control system under the right earpiece.
$ 60; pyleaudio.com

For those iPod Shuffle users, the X-1 Interval Swim Solution is your system. Just pop open the waterproof case, insert your Shuffle, and plug it into the inner wire. Then slide your goggle straps into either side of the device, and you’re ready to dive in. The device comes fully equipped with ear buds and multiple bud tips for a personalized fit.
$ 100; x-1.com

Can’t seem to keep ear buds from slipping out of your ears? Try the FINIS Neptune. You can upload your favorite playlists directly onto it, then connect the mp3 player to your goggles and adjust the bone conduction speakers so they rest in front of your ears (on your temples). Hit the play button, and the speakers will vibrate the jaw bone, sending pulses into your inner ear canal.
$ 160; FINISinc.com

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Best Excuse for Hitting the Mall

Posted on April 11, 2013 by admin

You just had a brutal day at work. What’s your move? According to a survey conducted on behalf of Ebates.com, 51.8 percent of Americans say they sometimes go shopping when they need a pick-me-up.

The survey asked 1,000 Americans aged 18 and older about their shopping habits. Not surprisingly, more women are getting their retail therapy on than men: When you break the above stat down by gender, 63.9 percent of women say they shop to increase their happiness, compared to 39.8 percent of men. The top item women spring for? Clothes. Plus, 39.2 percent of women believe that retail therapy really does provide a mood boost (20.6 percent of men feel the same way).

Fun fact: They might be right. In a recent experiment conducted at the University of Michigan, 100 participants watched a sad movie clip. They were then randomly assigned to either a “Choosing” or “Browsing” group and presented with 12 items (such as slippers and headphones). The “Choosers” were told to pick four items (all priced at $ 25) that they’d hypothetically like to buy, and then drag them into a box labeled “Your Shopping Cart.” The “Browsers” were told to judge which four items would be most useful when traveling, and then drag those into a box labeled “Travel Items.” The participants then rated their emotions again—and the “Choosers” were much less sad than the “Browsers.”

The idea, says lead researcher and assistant professor of marketing Scott Rick, PhD, is that making buying decisions helps you reclaim some sense of control when you’re upset—and that minimizes sadness.

So, as it turns out, retail therapy can be a useful (and fun!) tool every once in a while. Just don’t go crazy since you’re probably not in the most rational state of mind when you do it. “I would definitely hold off on the big-ticket purchases until you’re in a more neutral, deliberate, cool-headed state,” says Rick. But that super-cute blouse you’d most likely grab anyway? Go for it!

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Best Pet-Friendly Fitness Classes

Posted on April 10, 2013 by admin

Fat dog, fat owner? Not necessarily. But if you move too little and weigh too much, there’s a good chance your pooch does, too. In fact, 52.5 percent of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s 2012 National Pet Obesity Survey. But a new trend could help both you and your four-legged friend shape up together: A growing number of fitness classes across the country are offering fun workouts for people and their pets.

Like humans, dogs benefit from any kind of physical activity, says Tricia Montgomery, founder and president of K9 Fit Club, a Hinsdale, IL-based fitness club for dog owners. And when that tail starts wagging, owners find the motivation they need to make regular exercise a routine.

Sure, there’s no proven correlation between the health of a dog and that of its owner. But a more fit and happy you will likely rub off on your pooch and keep his behavior in check, says Montgomery. Even better: Unlike your other workout buddies, dogs never work late, sleep in, or choose “drunch” over a Sunday morning fitness class. So schedule a workout for you and Sparky at one of these fun places across the country:

K9 Fit Club’s Boot Camp
You don’t need hand weights or resistance bands to break a sweat in K9 Boot camp classes, which are taught by fitness and animal trainers. Just scoop up your small dog to do bicep curls, or place your larger dog’s paws on your knees during a wall squat. The 55-minute classes put your strength and agility to the test and promise a heart-pumping workout for you and your dog—not to mention quality time together.
$ 15 per class; various locations in Illinois, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Florida—and more coming soon

Thank Dog Bootcamp
Inspired by Barry’s Bootcamp for humans, Thank Dog Bootcamp combines fitness and obedience training for you and your furry friend. Run by one personal trainer and one physically-fit dog trainer, the course begins with a mandatory consultation to assess you and your pup’s fitness levels. In each hour-long session thereafter, you torch calories and sculpt lean muscle while your dog learns who’s boss (you).
$ 50 mandatory consultation, $ 25 per class with discounts for bulk packages or $ 18 per class to “borrow” a dog; Los Angeles, CA

Bootcamp at FitDog Austin
Some fitness classes for pets focus more on training your pet than training you. But if you want to sprint, strengthen your core, improve your balance, and actually break a sweat, FitDog Austin is the answer. While you can bet you’ll leave with a damp shirt, your dog will walk away extra bendy: The class includes dog stretches and tricks.
$ 12 per class; Austin, TX

The Pack Fitness Doga Yoga
To improve you and your dog’s balance, flexibility, and strength, practice downward facing dog with an actual downward facing dog. The class begins with a walk and flows into a 45-minute yoga class with some doggy massage to leave you both feeling Zen.
$ 12 per class with discounts for bulk packages; various locations in California

Leash Your Fitness Butts and Guts With Your Mutts
This hour-long class sculpts your buns and core from every angle using Bosu balls, TRX, and your own body weight to perform squats, step-ups, and shuffles. Taught by a certified fitness instructor, the class emphasizes fitness for people but also promises to mentally and physically exhaust your dog with constant commands and movements. Why tire out Toto? A tired dog is a well-behaved dog, says Leash Your Fitness founder Dawn Celapino. When you give a dog a job—even if it’s just sitting down—they have to think, which is way harder than a typical walk around the block.
$ 20 per class with discounts for bulk packages; San Diego, CA

Barking Boot Camp
If your dog can sit, stay, and heel, he’s welcome at Barking Boot Camp, a high-energy fitness class that combines resistance training, cardio, “dogstacle” courses, and elements of “doga” (yoga with your dog).
$ 15 per class; New Orleans, LA

Go Fetch Run Cross Training
If you’re bored with your regular dog run, your pup probably is, too. Go Fetch Run Cross-Training classes merge cardio, strength training, agility, core work, and a “down and dirty” obstacle course that promises to challenge participants on both ends of the leash.
$ 25 per class; Brooklyn, NY

photo: Hemera/Thinkstock

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The Best Ways to Beat Brain Fry

Posted on April 2, 2013 by admin

The next time you’re struggling to think coherently, skip your usual caffeine fix and take a quick walk instead: Being in a green space may help combat brain fatigue, according to new findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

For the study, researchers hooked 12 people up to portable electroencephalography (EEG) devices to record their brainwave patterns, which can be used to help gauge levels of excitement, frustration, engagement, arousal, meditation, and more. The participants then walked through Edinburgh, Scotland, on a specific route that took them through both busy city streets and a park. During the walk, researchers tracked participants’ brainwave activity, as well as their GPS location.

“Moving from an urban shopping street to green space showed reductions in arousal and frustration, indicating a reduction in stress levels,” says Richard Coyne, PhD, one of the study authors and a professor of architectural computing at The University of Edinburgh. As such, Coyne says that taking a walk in the park appears to reduce cognitive overload and may help you overcome that brain dead feeling.

Why might green space have this kind of restorative effect? One theory, says Coyne: Nature provides the perfect balance of being interesting enough to hold your attention—but not so overstimulating that it prevents you from engaging in reflective and productive thought.

No park near your office? The next time you feel like you’re suffering from a bad case of brain burnout, try out these tactics to help you refresh mentally:

Think happy thoughts
When you’re stressed, your brain has trouble sending information from the amygdala (basically your brain’s gatekeeper) to the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-level thinking, says Judy Willis, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Neurology. But focusing on something positive—like your upcoming vacation or a date that you’re looking forward to—can help lower stress levels and increase the flow of information to your prefrontal cortex, she says. Translation: You’ll actually be able to start thinking clearly again.

Hit YouTube
Research shows that humor has a similarly brain-calming effect, says Willis, so watching “Dave After Dentist” or the latest Jimmy Kimmel stunt can help. The videos won’t just get you laughing—brain imaging research indicates that they may also increase motivation and perseverance and decrease stress so you can regain control of your mental facilities. That’s two minutes well spent.

Get a hobby
Anything from learning how to crochet to running marathons works, so long as it satisfies two requirements: It has to be something you enjoy doing, and you have to be able to make clear, measurable progress while doing it. The kind of ongoing progress sends your brain a steady stream of the pleasure-inducing chemical dopamine, which will help make your mind more resistant to stress in general, says Willis. Plus, when you’re feeling brain dead, you can think about your latest accomplishment for a restorative effect, says Willis.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Best Umbrellas for Your Health

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

You might want to grab your umbrella—even if the weather forecast doesn’t call for rain: Umbrellas can help protect against ultraviolet rays when it’s sunny outside, according to new research out of Emory University in Atlanta.

For the study, researchers collected 23 umbrellas. They included traditional umbrellas, a larger golf umbrella, a children’s novelty umbrella, and a travel umbrella specifically designed to block out the sun. On a cloudless day, the researchers measured UV radiation (UVR) without an umbrella, as well as from two positions underneath each umbrella. The umbrella created to block rays was the most effective option (it deflected 99 percent of UVR), but all of the umbrellas protected against at least 77 percent of UVR.

The worst pick? A white umbrella. No surprise, black proved to be much more effective: All of the black umbrellas blocked at least 90 percent of UVR, with most blocking more than 95 percent.

While umbrellas can provide an additional layer of protection when the sun’s beating down, you still have to apply plenty of sunscreen. “We feel like this could make a nice complement to what people are already doing for sun protection,” says Josette McMichael, MD, the first author of the study and chief resident of grand rounds in Emory’s department of dermatology. These results also mean that your umbrella does double-duty on rainy days; UVR can make its way to your skin even when it’s cloudy, says McMichael.

Check out these stylish options to help keep you safe:

photo: Amazon.com/Fashion

Tumi Luggage Medium Auto Close Umbrella
This sleek umbrella is super compact, so it’s easy to carry around in your purse.
$ 60 at Amazon.com/Fashion

photo: MoMA Design Store

Sky Umbrella
No matter the actual weather forecast, the sky always looks clear from inside this umbrella’s sky blue canopy.
$ 48 at MoMAStore.org

photo: Mango.com

Glitter Umbrella
The glittery accents on this umbrella shine extra bright on sunny days.
$ 19.99 at Mango.com

photo: BrooksBrothers.com

New Stick Umbrella
The genuine Malaca wooden handle adds a sophisticated touch.
$ 60 at BrooksBrothers.com

photo: Coolibar

42” Titanium Travel Umbrella
This umbrella was specially designed to block UVR. (The travel sun umbrella in the study was also a Coolibar.)
$ 39 at Coolibar.com

photo: wisiel/Shutterstock

More from Women’s Health:
What Is Sunburn?
Sunscreen Myths Busted
Get More from Your Sunscreen

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The Best Social Networks for Fitness Junkies

Posted on March 20, 2013 by admin

When you survive a crazy boot camp session or set a personal record on a run, there’s one thing you want to do (besides shower): Tell the world. The thing is, your Facebook friends and Twitter followers probably don’t want to hear it. More than half of social network users think fitness- and diet-related posts are the most annoying updates, according to a new survey conducted by Sweatband.com, a U.K.-based e-commerce site.

Surveyors asked 1,793 Brits about the most irksome social media habits. Fifty-three percent of those polled said bragging about diet and exercise is the worst. Almost as annoying: people who share food photos, write cryptic status updates, invite others to play online games, and post baby pictures. More than 50 percent of respondents said they avoid Facebook and Twitter altogether to avoid these irritating updates, and 38 percent have quit a social media site because of them.

Do you clog others’ feeds with fitness updates? No need to risk losing friends over it—or stop using the web to stay motivated. Instead, share your fitness triumphs with people who actually want to hear about it. All of these social networks are made for workout fiends:

Fitocracy
Unlike other social networks, Fitocracy rewards you with points for being active. Earn enough points, and you’ll get special profile badges (aka bragging rights) and advance to the next fitness level. On this game-like network, you can log and save workouts, monitor your progress, and connect with your most fitness-minded Facebook friends—or meet new ones via shared interest groups. Then, use the corresponding Android or iOS app to broadcast good news or share before and after pictures. You’ll also see friends’ fitness updates via a Facebook-like feed. The best part? You can give each other “props” (the Fitocracy equivalent of a Facebook Like).
FREE, or $ 4.99/month to compete in fitness challenges and save more than eight fitness routines

Daily Mile
If logging every single workout, tracking your mileage, and posting after-workout updates helps keep you motivated, head over to DailyMile.com. You can also search for routes or map your own. Then, connect with fit friends on your DailyMile feed. For even more fun, share a running route and challenge your DailyMile buddies to follow in your footsteps. Not a runner? You can also log swims, bike rides, and other fitness routines.
FREE, or $ 49.95/year for extra features like bulked up analytics, a calendar to plan workouts, and a prettier interface

Map My Fitness
Billed as the world’s largest online community of fitness fanatics, the MapMyFitness family (which includes MapMyHike, MapMyRide, MapMyWalk, and MapMyRun) lets you log in with your Facebook credentials, then record your outdoor workouts using Google maps to automatically tally mileage. Better yet? Link up with friends from your other social networks to swap routes and make sure they’re the first to know when you hit a training goal. You can also access others members’ routes and join groups through the sites to find local events. The coolest part: You can input your workout stats from the tracking device you already use, like Nike+ or Fitbit, and selectively email fitness feats to people outside the network—so even your Facebook-averse mother can stay in the loop.
FREE, or $ 5.99/month for an ad-free MVP Membership with extra features like cadence analysis, training plans, and mobile coaching

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Look Your Best This Allergy Season

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

Hiding a pimple is easy. Masking a red nose, dry skin and puffy eyes during allergy season is a full-time job. In fact, a survey commissioned by Zyrtec found that 50 percent of women have missed parties and dates because their symptoms made their beauty routine so much longer.

Researchers surveyed 1,000 women about allergies (both indoors and outdoors) and their effects on makeup habits. Most women said their go-to products to hide allergy symptoms include concealer, foundation, and mascara. “Women think that when they’re dealing with allergies, the best way to cover it up is to throw on a lot makeup,” says Rebekah George, the beauty expert for the survey. “But a lot of the time, that can make it look worse.”

If you dread allergy season, heads up: experts say it’ll only be worse this year. You don’t need to be a makeup magician to look your best this spring, though–just take some beauty cues from Jennifer Lawrence. You’d never guess she was battling a cold when she attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards show back in January.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Best Time to Have Sex

Posted on March 8, 2013 by admin

Mark this date on your calendars, ladies: A new study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine shows that around day 14 of your menstrual cycle, your clitoris grows up to 20 percent bigger and becomes engorged more easily, upping your chance of arousal.

A group of Italian researchers studied 24 women between the ages of 18 and 35. Using ultrasound equipment, they took measurements of each woman’s clitoris and the main artery that feeds blood into the clitoris, causing arousal. They did this at the beginning, middle, and end phases of each woman’s menstrual cycle. The researchers found that on day 14 of a woman’s cycle, her clitoris actually grows in size. And not just by a tiny bit—it swells by 15-20 percent on average. On top of this, the clitoral artery becomes less restricted, meaning blood can travel to your love button more easily. These changes make it easier than ever for you to get turned on, so why not take advantage?

Day 14 is also around the time that ovulation occurs, so it makes sense that your body is gunning for some action. In fact, the women in the study reported having more sex mid-cycle than at any other time.

Cesare Battaglia, MD, PhD, a researcher at the University of Bologna and one of the study authors, says that the surge in estradiol (natural estrogen) around the time of ovulation is probably what causes these changes. But you don’t have to tell your partner that—just schedule a date night for day 14.

Looking for more ways to give your sex life a boost? Read more about how maximize your pleasure between the sheets:

Have More Fun with Foreplay

Boring Sex, Begone!

Have Great Morning Sex

Orgasms 411: Have a Weegasm Tonight

Call of the Wild

Print It: The Better-Sex Diet

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Best Foods For a Healthy Heart

Posted on March 1, 2013 by admin

Do your heart a favor and reach for the olive oil: People who eat a Mediterranean diet high in extra virgin olive oil and nuts are 30 percent less likely to suffer from heart disease, according to The New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona recruited 7,500 people from Spain with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and other heart-related diseases for their study. The participants were then assigned to one of three groups: two that followed variations on the Mediterranean diet (one added four tablespoons of olive oil per day to their diets, while the other group added 30 grams of nuts per day to theirs) and a third group that was put on a low-fat diet. Both Mediterranean diet groups were discouraged from consuming baked sweets, red and processed meats, and soda. Over the five-year study, the low-fat dieters were more likely to abandon the program than either of the Mediterranean diet groups.

Some experts worry the results might be skewed because participants were also taking medications for their conditions. But Robert Eckel, MD, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver, says that’s not the case.

“This shows that, even in a high-risk group with a lot of hypertension, ultimately a healthy diet works,” he says. “Many people think that if a patient is on a medication they may not need a good diet—not true.”

Add some staples of the Mediterranean diet into your meal plan with these fast and simple recipes:

Top off grilled salmon with an herb-infused olive oil dressing.

Mix pine nuts and olive oil into nutrient-packed couscous.

Up your veggie intake with these roasted Mediterranean vegetables.

Invite some friends over for some party-ready Greek-salad skewers.

photo: Hemera/Thinkstock

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The Best Apps for Saving Money

Posted on February 26, 2013 by admin

You can increase your next bank statement with the click of a button—but there’s a catch: That button has to be part of a money-saving app or website. Nearly 60 percent of the people who frequently use online banking tools say the resources helped them save more cash, according to a recent survey from the insurance and investments company Country Financial. As an added bonus, 70 percent of all the people who reported using the tools say they’re also great for staying on top of their finances.

“The reality is that if you break down your financial life into a series of smaller, doable goals, you can spend less and save more,” says Catey Hill, a personal finance journalist and the author of Shoo, Jimmy Choo! The Modern Girl’s Guide to Spending Less and Saving More. “Lots of apps and websites can help do that.”

Hill shared a few of her favorites. The sooner you sign up for (or download) these, the sooner your bank account can start growing:

Mint.com
You may think of “budget” as the other B-Word, but Mint.com makes it a much friendlier term: The site links to your credit card accounts, and every time you swipe, the app automatically organizes your spending into categories (rent, groceries, gas, etc.) and creates a chart. “It’s unlikely that someone would write out every purchase he or she makes,” Hill says, “so this app does all the hard work for you.” The app also sends you email and SMS alerts when you’re close to going over your monthly spending limit, which helps prevent buyer’s remorse.

Red Laser
This app takes the legwork out of bargain hunting. Use your phone to scan the barcode of any item while you’re shopping, and the Red Laser app pulls up a list of websites and nearby stores that carry the same product, along with the price tag at each place. Driving five minutes to save $ 25? So worth it.

Gas Buddy
Filling up your tank and then realizing gas is 10 cents cheaper at a station off the very next exit is the worst. Enter Gas Buddy. The app keeps a running list of user-generated data from across the country (i.e., 20 million users who’ve shared gas prices), so you’ll know where exactly to make gas stops on your next trip, whether it’s from one coast to the other, or simply across town.

SnipSnap
Even if you tear out a coupon, that’s no guarantee you’ll remember to bring it with you when you go to the store. SnipSnap solves that problem. With the app, you can take a picture of a printed coupon and store it on your phone so you’ll be sure to have it on you at all times.

Retail Me Not
Saving money is no fun if you can’t splurge on clothing, shoes, and makeup every once in a while. The good news is you don’t have to give up your shopping habit—just rein it in a bit by downloading Retail Me Not. The app uses GPS tracking to determine what store you’re in, then gives you any available coupons for that shop and surrounding retailers. “All you have to do is hold your phone up at the register to be scanned,” Hill says.

photo: Photodisc/Thinkstock

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Tag Archives: Best

The Best Music Systems for Swimmers

The Best Excuse for Hitting the Mall

The Best Pet-Friendly Fitness Classes

The Best Ways to Beat Brain Fry

The Best Umbrellas for Your Health

Look Your Best This Allergy Season

The Best Time to Have Sex

The Best Foods For a Healthy Heart

The Best Apps for Saving Money