Monday, February 17, 2025

What is HYROX all about and is it for me?

 


Hearing about HYROX and wondering what it is all about and if it is for you? Read on to learn what HYROX is all about and get tips for doing each of the HYROX events.

HYROX is a global indoor fitness competition that combines endurance running with functional exercises. Originating in Germany in 2018, it has rapidly gained popularity worldwide, offering a standardized race format that challenges athletes of all levels.

The HYROX race consists of:

- 8 rounds of 1km runs (8km total) – a kilometer is .625 so a bit over half a mile.

- 8 functional exercise stations

The exercise stations, in order, are:

1. 1km SkiErg - https://youtu.be/B0lIgT5PHc8?si=vASbTKwaBu5hWogz

2. 50m sled push - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qw8q55JR5VY

3. 50m sled pull - https://youtu.be/K2FhsenkS3U?si=_j8a5jEoCU5QapA1

4. 80m burpee broad jumps - https://youtu.be/UTO-GzRXF-Q?si=45n80SinSJyXMvV-

5. 1km rowing

6. 200m farmer's carry - https://youtube.com/shorts/Jns3X4BsFns?si=DZ2vdGvui4QENGWc

7. 100m sandbag lunges - https://youtu.be/YlFsbfK5Doc?si=qB7jA90dzRheTdff

8. 100 or 75 wall balls (depending on division) - https://youtu.be/bm7QLEOx26c?si=j7Kvk7H16qO11NYS

HYROX offers four main race categories:

1. Individual Pro: For elite athletes, featuring heavier weights

2. Individual Open: Standard solo challenge with lighter weights

3. Doubles: Two-person teams sharing workouts

4. Relay: Four-person teams dividing the race

The competition is designed to be accessible to a wide range of fitness levels, with no time limits or qualification requirements. HYROX events are held in indoor venues worldwide, creating a unique stadium-like atmosphere and allowing for consistent conditions across all competitions.

HYROX has seen remarkable growth, with some events attracting over 4,000 participants and 10,000 spectators. The standardized format allows for global rankings and comparisons, culminating in an annual World Championship.


Monday, February 10, 2025

Dramatic Weight Loss and Health Benefits of Standing Desks

 


Can switching to a standing desk increase weight loss? The short answer is yes! If you switch from spending your 8 hours of work from sitting to standing there are some significant benefits including a significant increase in calorie burn.

A study on standing in the workplace showed that heart rate increased by approximately 10 beats per minute when standing vs sitting which translates to between 42 and 50 calories per minute!   This translates into an additional 336 – 400 calories per day!   This is a very significant increase in calorie burn and can help you lose between 20 – 28 lbs. over the course of a year if you keep your calorie intake the same.

Other proven benefits of standing at work using a standing desk include:

Improved blood sugar regulation: blood glucose levels return to normal more quickly after meals when people stand during work.

Reduced low back and neck pain: standing automatically tends to result in big improvements in posture translating to a lot less stress on the neck and low back.   Most low back and neck pain is caused by long term postural stresses which often come with sitting.

Increased energy levels:  most people find they have more energy when spending work time standing because of increased circulation and oxygen uptake.

Increased movement:  when people stand at work they are more likely to move and walk to and from their desk resulting in even greater calorie burn.

Increased focus and concentration: standing tends to reduce distractions and improve focus.   A study at Texas A&M found that first-year high school student who used standing desks showed improvements in focus, executive function, and memory. 

Increased productivity: workers tend to confer more with others in the office when standing.

Improved mood:  the take-a-stand project studied how standing at work affected people physiologically and mentally. One of the many benefits shown was significant improvements in all of the following areas:

Decreased mental fatigue

Improved feelings of vigor

Reduced feelings of tension

Improved self-esteem

A significant drop in depression

Monday, February 3, 2025

Can Cialis Improve Health and Muscle Size?

 


Tadalafil (aka Cialis), primarily known for treating erectile dysfunction, may have potential benefits for muscle growth and overall health. Recent research suggests that tadalafil could enhance muscle hypertrophy and improve various aspects of physical performance.

Muscle Growth and Recovery

Tadalafil may promote muscle growth through several

mechanisms:


Improved blood flow: By enhancing circulation, tadalafil

increases nutrient and oxygen delivery to muscles,

potentially accelerating growth and recovery.


Protein synthesis:  Studies show that tadalafil may stimulate

muscle protein synthesis, contributing to muscle hypertrophy.


Reduced muscle damage:  Tadalafil has been shown to decrease

exercise-induced muscle damage, allowing for more frequent

and intense training sessions.


Performance Enhancement

Tadalafil may offer additional benefits for athletic performance:

Increased endurance and stamina during workouts.

Faster recovery times between exercise sessions.

Potential increases in lean muscle mass.


Health Benefits

Beyond muscle growth, tadalafil may provide other health advantages:

Enhanced cardiovascular function through improved blood flow.


Reduced Inflammation in muscles following workouts.


Possible improvement in insulin sensitivity and endothelial

function.


While these findings are promising - it is important to note that more

research is needed to fully understand tadalafil's effects on muscle

growth and overall health. Additionally, the use of tadalafil for these

purposes should only be considered under the guidance of a healthcare

professional.