SttB Articles

Looking At : May 12, 2013

2013-05-12T00:05:15Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

The Fitbit Flex : As fitness devices go, the Fitbit is nearing the exhalted 'household name' status. Is this configuration (worn on the wrist) better than the clip-on approach? Over to Techcrunch.
Making Old Hearts Younger : There was some truly incredible research this week surrounding the heart - repairs and replacement. Personal favourite :
'Researchers at Harvard Stem Cell Institute find protein that reverses some effects of aging (in mice)'. Very interesting area.

A Great Way to Video Adventure Sports : I'm really keen to hear your thoughts on this one. It's an autonomous drone that can hover nearby, capturing video or stills. Perfect for climbing, skiing, and anything else where holding a camera is simply not going to happen.

Sounds fantastic.

Antibiotics Could Up To 40% of Chronic Back Pain : For anyone suffering chronic back pain, that's been told that surgery is the only option : here's an incredible finding :

In 20% - 40% of cases, the root cause is actually a bacterial infection. Much, much easier to address.

There were also a number of things discussed on the Straight to the Bar Community pages, and in the daily 'Paper'. However you like to get your dose of 'What's happening in the world of fitness?', we've got you covered. Swing by.

Ready to transform yourself? Whether you're just starting out or have been training for years, grab the Straight to the Bar Strength Kit - an ever-growing collection of free resources that will help you become stronger, faster and in much better condition overall. Absolutely free. straighttothebar.com/strengthkit

Gymchat 203 - Fat Loss (with Vic Magary)

2013-05-06T13:18:24Z

Vic Magary.

UPDATE (9 May 2013) :

Apologies for the late notice, but we've unfortunately had to reschedule this one. More details shortly.

Scott

Fat loss. It's certainly a goal for an awful lot of people, but where exactly do you start? What do you eat, what do you do?

This week we'll be discussing this fascinating area. Whether you're looking to do a little fine-tuning or shed a load of 'extra material', we'll detail precisely how to do that. Joining us is Online Fitness Coach Vic Magary, Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine and You. Should be a great one - see you there.

Details -

Who : Online Fitness Coach Vic Magary, Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine and You
Topic : Fat Loss
When : Wednesday May 8, 9pm EST
URL : To Watch the Stream : https://www.youtube.com/user/kftrainer | To Be On the Hangout, and Ask Questions : https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/c3p42uhoouosournlfvjlifc318?authkey=CO6B8aCe9JmZJw
How : Google+ Hangout. If you've never been to one, here's how to take part.

See you there.

Josh Hewett.

Previously : In Gymchat 202 we talked about 'Intermittent Fasting', with Personal Trainer and Strongman Josh Hewett, and Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Great discussion.

If you missed the broadcast, the video is available over on Kirk's Youtube Channel. That's also the best place to subscribe to the videos directly, and to see previous discussions.

If you'd like to suggest a future topic, or schedule an interview for one of the upcoming discussions, you can send us a message privately here, or swing by our Community site on Google+. Look forward to hearing from you.

Looking At : May 5, 2013

2013-05-05T04:02:23Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Conversion From 'Bad' Fat to 'Good' Fat : Can white fat cells be converted to brown fat cells, and vice-versa? Quite possibly.
Sports on Google Glass : This is where my technology, photography and fitness interests combine. Love it.
Smart Thermometer : This is a very simple - and very powerful - idea. A thermometer than connects to a smartphone for additional functionality.
Low-Cost Robotic Arm Controlled With Facial Muscles : This sounds fantastic. Particularly the idea of 'picking up remote objects' - does an arm need to be attached in order to feel like part of you?

Video For Gymchat 202 - Intermittent Fasting (with Josh Hewett)

2013-05-02T08:38:18Z

Thanks again to everyone who watched and took part in the discussion Gymchat 202 - Intermittent Fasting (with Josh Hewett) - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video. Look forward to hearing your comments.

It was a great discussion; thanks to everyone who took part. Appreciated.

For more information on the work Josh is doing, swing by his site Top Form Fitness and check out the 'Get Lean' ebook. You can also see what he's up to on Facebook, Twitter and of course the Straight to the Bar Community area on Google+.

Gymchat 202 - Intermittent Fasting (with Josh Hewett)

2013-04-29T23:59:36Z

Josh Hewett.

What's your current diet like? When do you eat, and why?

This week we'll be talking about the fascinating world of Intermittent Fasting. What it is, why it's worth considering and how it all works. Helping us tackle this fascinating area is Personal Trainer and Strongman Josh Hewett and Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Should be a great one - see you there.

Details -

Who : Intermittent Fasting
Topic : Intermittent Fasting
When : Wednesday May 1, 9pm EST
URL : https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cjlk57vfilglr1cgmck6ktvd4fo
How : Google+ Hangout. If you've never been to one, here's how to take part.

See you there.

Chadwick Haines.

Previously : In Gymchat 200 we talked about 'Beginning Powerlifting', with serious fan of the iron Chadwick Haines (aka Horse From Hell) and Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Great discussion.

If you missed the broadcast, the video is available over on Kirk's Youtube Channel. That's also the best place to subscribe to the videos directly, and to see previous discussions.

Full Spectrum Cinnamon Extract from Planetary Formulas

2013-04-29T16:10:29Z

Research shows that cinnamon is an excellent way to lower blood glucose levels after consuming sugary or carb-dense foods. The suggested dose for cinnamon is 1-6 grams, taken with a carb-heavy meal. I followed this recommendation and saw fantastic results: Over three weeks, I consumed several high-glycemic foods with no major changes to my body composition.

Cinnamon should be an integral part of your program if you're serious about fat loss, and Full Spectrum Cinnamon Extract from Planetary Formulas is an excellent way to reduce blood sugar levels so you burn fat and get lean fast!

Read the full review at Renaissance Fitness Inc..

Looking At : Apr 28, 2013

2013-04-28T01:56:19Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

'Pandora for Exercise' : Can you build a complete fitness service in a couple of days? Yep.
Moves for iOS : This is an interesting idea : a simple 'quantified self' application for your smartphone.
Regular Exercise Reduces Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease : Very interesting research presented at the International Liver Congress in Amsterdam, indicating yet another benefit of regular exercise. Nice one.
Artificial Skin for Prosthetic Limbs : We looked at the fascinating world of artificial electronic skin, and its promising use on prosthetic limbs. Fantastic.

Looking At : Apr 21, 2013

2013-04-21T02:35:43Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Essential Anatomy : Fantastic piece of software. If anatomy's central to your business (trainers, coaches, physiotherapists and medical practitioners) and OS/X is your platform of choice, grab this. And if you just want to check out the incredible 3D imaging engine behind it all, grab Essential Skeleton for iOS. Absolutely free.
Your Brain On Music : The research continues into music and the brain. What do you listen to before, during and immediately after your workouts?
Employees Asked to Share Diet and Exercise Data : An interesting move; curious to see what happens long-term. Question : when an employee leaves, can they take everyone's data - or just their own?
The Promise of Deep Brain Stimulation : Andres Lozano takes a look at conditions such as Parkinson's, Schizophrenia and Depression; and how Deep Brain Stimulation might just be able to help. Nice one.

Video For Gymchat 201 - Hormonal Optimisation (with Josh Hewett)

2013-04-18T06:31:14Z

Thanks again to everyone who watched and took part in the discussion Gymchat 201 - Hormonal Optimisation (with Josh Hewett) - much appreciated. If you haven't seen it yet (or simply want to go over a particular point again), here's the entire video. Look forward to hearing your comments.

It was a great discussion; thanks to everyone who took part. Appreciated.

Gymchat 201 - Hormonal Optimisation (with Josh Hewett)

2013-04-15T11:13:57Z

Josh Hewett.

How do you go about fine-tuning something like fat loss? Once you've made the major adjustments, where do you go from there?

This week we'll be discussing just one part of the puzzle - hormone optimisation. The various ways to measure and adjust your hormone production, in order to achieve better body composition. Helping us tackle this fascinating area is Personal Trainer and Strongman Josh Hewett, alongside Personal Trainer Kirk Fontaine. Should be a great one - see you there.

NB : If this is the first time you're joining us for one of the Video Gymchats, welcome. There are three basic ways to watch this (depending on whether you want to join us on the Hangout and ask a question or two, or just sit back and take it all in) - full details here. However you like to do it, we've got you covered.

Details -

Who : Josh Hewett
Topic : Hormonal Optimisation
When : Wednesday Apr 17, 9pm EST
URL : https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cclbg61f2ubha5n8k5kuv1gvm5s
How : Google+ Hangout. If you've never been to one, here's how to take part.

See you there.

Chadwick Haines.

If you missed the broadcast, the video is available over on Kirk's Youtube Channel. That's also the best place to subscribe to the videos directly, and to see previous discussions.

Looking At : Apr 14, 2013

2013-04-14T01:41:39Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Lift Weights to Lower Blood Sugar : Very interesting research into the benefits of 'white muscle'. Over to the University of Michigan.
Exercise Boosts Memory : The research continues into another benefit of a little time in the gym - improved memory.
Life Without Sleep : A fascinating essay on the research into minimising - or even ending - the need for sleep. Good stuff.
Kidney Grown in Lab Successfully Transplanted in Animal : In a huge step forward, a team at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully grown a kidney in a lab, and implanted it into a living animal (in this case, a rat). Very promising indeed.

Looking At : Apr 7, 2013

2013-04-06T23:59:03Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

'Appetite Control Could Be Rewired' : Is appetite fixed from birth, or can it be altered later on? Researchers at the University of East Anglia may just have the answer.
The Value of a Brisk Walk : Time for a quick walk? Quite possibly.
When Does Life End and Death Begin? : Welcome to the fascinating world of Sam Parnia.
Kettlebells with Character : Looking for something just a little bit different? How about the Onnit FIT Primalbells.

The Future of Workout Clothing

2013-04-06T07:31:40Z

Under Armour E39 Compression Shirt. Image via Wired Magazine.

Over the past couple of years we've seen a number of unusual ideas in the 'workout clothing' space; some of them a little more promising than others. To give you an idea, here are just a few of the things we've seen :

Under Armour E39 Compression Shirt

First up, an Under Armour shirt with several sensors built in (pictured above). Measuring things like heart rate, temperature and speed.

The MotivePro Suit

A suit that vibrates when a particular position is attained. Could be a great way of instantly checking your form.

The Squid

As with the Under Armour one, this is another sensor-enhanced workout shirt. In addition to recording things like heart rate and ambient temperature, The Squid measures how much effort one side of the body is putting in relative to the other. Nice one.

Stanford's 'Cooling Glove'

On the recovery side of the equation, Stanford University's 'Cooling Glove' is a fascinating idea. Always On recently had a great video showing this device in action.

Radiate Athletics

Recently we looked at the Radiate Athletics shirt on Kickstarter, which promises to change colour according to body temperature. Interesting idea.

Of course, added to the above are the various strength-assisting, compression and moisture wicking items that are seen in any number of gyms and competitions.

Where's it All Going?

Now it's time to peer into the future. No doubt we'll see various combinations of the above ideas, as well as integration with those from other fields. New materials, more advanced sensors and so on.

Here are some of the things I'd love to see :

Information about your environment (such as the temperature of the air around you) automatically being fed to your clothing, and helping it to change accordingly. As an example, if you're working out in a cold room, the clothing might help keep key areas warm.
Information about what you're doing (the number of sets & reps, and the exercise you're likely performing) being recorded, and compared to your goals. And where relevant, shared with people such as your Personal Trainer and medical professionals.
Ability to customise things like moisture wicking, strength assistance and compression. All of these things are going to be needed more on some days than others, depending upon your age, injuries and how you're feeling generally.

Over to You.

Now it's your turn. What sorts of things do you expect to see over the next year or two, and what would you like to see? Are you perfectly happy with the workout clothes you wear now, or are features like moisture wicking and automatic cooling things you would actually like to see become much more common?

Leave a note in the comments below. We'll also be discussing this over on Google+ and in an upcoming Gymchat. Look forward to hearing your ideas.

Looking At : Mar 31, 2013

2013-03-31T02:23:07Z

Echo Point, Blue Mountains.

During the past week we've discussed a number of great links; on Google+, Twitter, Facebook and so on. Here are a few of my favourites.

Cycling to Work : How do you currently get to work - walk/cycle/drive/use public transport? As you'd expect, riding a bike is a great way to get a dose of activity in.
Sleep Tracking Gadgets : We've noted a couple of these in the past, and there are certainly plenty of options available. When it comes to your sleep, how do you keep track of what works and what doesn't?
Google Glass and your Training, Competitions : Chas Melichar received some very, very good news recently. Question : how would you make use of technology like this in your training and competitions?
Afrezza Inhalable Insulin : Is the idea of inhalable insulin about to make a newly-invigorated return?

Joe Weider

2013-03-25T03:55:54Z

Joe Weider, 1919 - 2013.

The incredible Joe Weider.