The TecBlast Blog

Two types of exercise bikes are available. The design of the upright bike resembles that of a typical road bike but they are stationary. The pedals are positioned below the rider and puts added stress on the joints. The seat on the recumbent bike’s seat resembles chairs and the pedals are out in front of the rider so that pedaling is more natural and puts less stress on the joints.

Other types of exercise bikes are available as well. Dual action exercise bikes are upright bikes that have moveable bars or arm handles. You use both of your arms and your legs on this bike. While using this bike you will experience aerobic activity and upper body toning.

There is variety with resistance bikes as well. With direct tension bikes you can manually adjust the resistance you use. The cycling motion on a bike with flywheels is like regular cycling motion. Bikes with air assistance get resistance by pedaling against the airflow of a fan blade.

The most sophisticated resistance bikes are magnetic frictionless resistance bikes. These bikes provide greater variety of workout levels. On more advanced bikes there are feedback mechanisms that show the following readouts: speed, time, distance , total calories and fat burned, program mode, resistance levels, pulse, heart rate, and work out levels (RPM, watts, METS, mpm’s, and mph/kph).

The bike you choose to purchase will depend on your wants and needs. The type of workout you’re looking for will also influence your choice of bikes. A great cardio workout focused on the quadriceps is provided by an upright bike. You are seated in a reclining position on a recumbent bike.

Your back is supported by the seat and your legs are out in front of you. The hamstring muscles and the gluteus muscles get worked. Your lower back is less stressed on a recumbent bike. Some upright exercise bikes will have handlebars that move in a simulated rowing motion.

Your back and chest and your arm and back muscles will get a workout. You will get an excellent cardiovascular workout and calorie burning experience with both of these bikes. The bike should be matched to your size. Exercise bikes for the most part are easily adjusted for almost any body type.

There is a variety of reasons why people use exercise bikes. Cyclists use them to keep up their level of fitness in the off season. Many people feel embarrassed about exercising in front of people so they use them at home. Physical therapy programs also use exercise bikes in their programs to promote healing and the regaining the use of knee and hip joints.

Some cardiac rehab programs use them as well, to promote endurance and greater cardiac health. Exercise bikes can be purchased in sports stores, department stores like Wal-mart or Sears, as well as online. Buying them from a store makes it easier to match the bike to your space, to your body size, and your budget.

Buying online creates the risk of you not getting exactly what you ordered. The bike you ordered may not have the exact specs or may be bigger or smaller than what you ordered. Taking delivery is another problem with ordering online. It is very likely that the delivery company will not bring it into your house, you will have to bring it in and set it up.

Even though you are buying it in a store this is true, unless you contract with someone to do the entire process including setting it up. You can purchase service contracts from a store like Sears, in case of a problem. No matter what the reason you have for purchasing an exercise bike, it will only work if you use it.

You should check with your doctor to make sure you are healthy before starting a new exercise routine. At first you should start out slow and build up endurance. Your endurance will improve if you start out slow.

Have fun, be safe and be healthy.

If your looking for tips and advice on Exercise Bikes or fitness equipment in general, Martin Smith had a resource of information available. From Exercise Bikes to Home Fitness Equipment you’ll find something.

When one of us decides to pursue the study of Yoga, we find ourselves living and learning Yoga every day. On or off the mat, Yoga students can apply their practice to the many lessons life has to offer. The result of all this learning, and applying Yogic principles to life, is a major leap in self-improvement.

You can learn from your past, live the present moment in harmony, and plan your future, with an improved perspective of each. Past, present, and future are valuable, but each is important in a different way.

Let’s first address the past. Many people are “prisoners” to their past. When you look at past lessons, mistakes, and set-backs, each is as valuable as any form of higher education. This becomes life experience, and you should make the most of any form of education; otherwise you are wasting your life experiences, twice - first by learning them, and then later by regretting, blaming, and second guessing yourself. On top of this, you can create poor mental, physical, and spiritual health.

This is the exact opposite from what you are taught in a Yoga class. Yoga teaches you to unify these components of health, and this will enable you to improve your entire being. Put past worries, adversity, and pains behind you.

You can save them in a “mental file,” much like a valuable book. This teaches you not to repeat the same mistake twice. Remember that the past is filled with accomplishments, too. If you can read these words, you must be accomplishing quite a bit.

Be fair with yourself and try not to be so critical. Let go of guilt and forgive yourself for being human. If you start to sink into deep dark past regrets, practice pranayama; breath awareness is the key to bringing you into the present.

This is much similar to what you might do when holding an asana for an extended time during your Yoga practice. This will also allow you to focus on the most important time of all - the present moment.

The present is the time for action, and you must be proactive in order to succeed in life. Good reactions will save your life, but proactive behavior requires planning, innovation, vision, and perseverance. You must focus on the present to see opportunities which are right in front of you.

Life is filled with many obstacles and you have to be ready for the daily challenge. You cannot change the past, but you can change the present and future. Every successful person has faced criticism, failure, and self-doubt.

When you let negative thoughts into your heart and mind, you cannot think clearly. You cannot act now, and this affects your ability to plan for the future. How can you visualize success, if you are letting fear and self-doubt control your life?

Fill your mind with passion that motivates you to step forward and plan your future. When you meditate, take the time to visualize your success, achievements, and goals as vividly as possible. When you practice meditation and Yoga in this way, you will find yourself enjoying life, helping others, and on your path to success.

© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Copyright 2006 Marc David

Which is better, the pump or the feeling of totally exhausting your muscles to the point of failure when it is nearly impossible to pick up a pencil? Good question because I can promise that one is asked a lot. People love the feeling of being pumped and the blood flowing thru their muscles. In fact, Arnold has quite a few ‘interesting’ quotes on this subject.

But really, what is better? The pump or the taxed feeling?

Let’s get down to brass tacks…

A pump does not build muscle. But overloading and giving your body a reason to grow does.

By the way…

There is some evidence to suggest that pumping the muscle full of blood will help get more nutrients to the area and therefore, help to build muscle. That is a weak argument that a pump builds muscle but nonetheless, I have run across that bit of debate.

While you might leave the gym feeling weak but not pumped, that certainly doesn’t mean you are not making some serious progress. And in fact, some programs I’ve tried, I leave the gym feeling completely weak but I’m not pumped at all and I even have the feeling I could do more work but that’s not part of the program.

My strong hunch is…

That you love the pumps! I mean honestly who doesn’t? I know I do and that’s why I found a little way to get the best of both worlds. Sort of like having my cake and eating it to.

It’s called super setting. It’s not a new concept at all. In fact it’s an old bodybuilding method but is foundational and can give you a great pump but at the same time, leaves you feeling weak and not wanting more.

Really think about…

A pump is just the blood flowing to the area. You can get a good pump without working all that hard. Giving your body no reason to grow. But you can get a great pump.

Overloading your muscles doesn’t have to give you a pump either. If you engage in training that has you lift heavy weights but only in the 4-6 rep range, you may not feel a pump at all. But you will be weaker and you will get stronger. Yet you’ll lose the feeling of pumps entirely because lifting heavy and resting simply doesn’t give your body a chance to get all that blood to the area like a typical pump will do.

Needless to say…

Many just get frustrated and go between trying to get the best pumps and actually working hard.

What they don’t know is that super setting is the ultimate way to work your muscle to a state of exhausting (increasing the intensity) and yet get that massive pump you’ve been looking to get.

Sample Pump Routine:

Incline Smith Bench Press (12 reps; slow, controlled reps, 70-75% of max)

IMMEDIATELY followed by

Incline Dumbbell Flyes (12 reps; 70-75% of max)

Keep in mind, this is just a sample but you are using weights that are challenging, in a higher rep range and following it up with another exercise that works the same area.

All this means is that you are going to bump up the intensity (forcing your body to grow) AND push blood to the area to get a great pump.

You can even experiment with rest intervals so that it’s even more intense and the area you are focusing on is totally pumped.

Please understand that a pump itself does not build muscle. Overloading it, challenging it and giving it a reason to grow does.

You can use various techniques to bump up the intensity of any exercise, making it challenging without stacking on super heavy weights and having long rest periods. You’ll not only get stronger and build muscle but you will get that pump feeling back.

Don’t think that one or the other is better or worse, it’s just different. But you can use techniques as I’ve shown above to build muscle and get them pumped up as well.

Certainly there are other ways in which to raise the intensity of an exercise and make it more difficult and still get the pumped feeling. Supersets were but one example. Drop sets are another variation that not only can overload the muscle and force it to grow thru intensity and progressive overload but you’ll get a fantastic pump from that method as well. There’s several other techniques you can use that I will detail in another article.

Dear friends,

I would love to share the “HOW TO STAY YOUNG” formula with you.

1.Throw Out Non-essential Numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay “them!”

2.Keep Only Cheerful Friends. The grouches pull you down.

3.Keep Learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4.Enjoy the Simple Things.

5.Laugh Often Long and Loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6.The Tears Happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. BE ALIVE while you are alive.

7.Surround Yourself With What You Love. Whether it’s … family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. You home is your refuge.

8.Cherish Your Health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9.Don’t Take Guilt Trips. Take a trip to the mall … even to the next county, to a foreign country, but not to where the guilt is.

10.Tell The People You Love That You Love Them At Every Opportunity. And Always Remember: LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT BY THE MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY.

THE CONCLUSION IS: WE ALL NEED TO LIVE LIFE TO ITS FULLEST EACH DAY!

Elliptical Exercise Machines Provide Low Impact, Total Body
Workouts While Improving Cardiovascular Health

Ever since their introduction on the fitness scene several
years ago, elliptical exercise machines have become increasing more popular and
sophisticated. Estimates indicate that over six million people now prefer
elliptical machines as their choice for home exercise equipment. The main
reason elliptical exercise machines have become so popular is that they provide
a low impact, total body workout that is challenging enough for serious athletes
but safe enough for beginners and even expectant mothers. And when it
comes to cardiovascular workouts, elliptical machines are tough to beat.

Low Impact Workout

Over time, research has shown that in order to maintain
healthy bone density, it is necessary to engage in weight-bearing activities
such as running, racquetball, aerobics, and other forms of exercise where you
remain on your feet. But many of these activities involve jarring the
bones and muscles and can aggravate old injuries and even cause new ones.
The joints that can be injured or irritated with an impact form of exercise are
usually the knees, ankles, hips and back. Pregnant women, people with
arthritis, and those who are recovering from an accident often require a low
impact exercise routine, and that is exactly what the elliptical exercise
machines provide.

With an elliptical machine, you stand with your feet on
small, movable platforms, so you are bearing weight, which is good for bone
density. But the oval pedaling movement of the machine, which is caused by
you stepping up and down on the platforms or pedals, is smooth and flowing.
This is the same type of elliptical pattern that the human foot follows when we
walk or run. Although the movement is similar to these activities, there
is none of the jarring that usually takes place when outdoors or on a treadmill.
With an elliptical exercise machine, your feet never leave the footpads.
Not only does this make for a safer workout, it reduces the stress on your
joints.

Many people have compared elliptical exercise equipment to
pedaling a bike while standing up. Others have said they are like a cross
between stair climbers and cross country skiing. But unlike a stair
stepper, which comes to a halt before reversing direction between up and down
strokes, an elliptical machine provides continuous flow. By using
different inclines and stepping speeds, you vary the amount of flexion at the
ankle and knees and further reduce the amount of repetitive impact on your feet,
legs, and back.

An elliptical machine provides the benefits of weight
bearing exercise but without the harmful stress and impact on your joints and
muscles. There are few home exercise machines out there that give the same
quality low impact workout.

Total Body Workout

Elliptical exercise machines also provide a total body
workout. Because you are standing and walking or running in place, you use
your leg muscles as well as those in your buttocks, back, and abdomen.
Most elliptical machines have a setting to reverse the direction of motion,
allowing you to “go backwards” and work additional muscles that very few
other exercise workouts target.

In addition, you can swing your arms, carry small hand
weights, or use elliptical machines that come with handles and arms to enhance
your upper body workout as well, sculpting your biceps, triceps and other upper
body muscles while increasing your calorie burn and cardiovascular impact.
Exercise experts caution that resting your arms on the frame of the machine or
the upper body handles decreases the overall impact of the workout. They
stress the importance of letting your legs and torso carry all of your weight so
that you get the highest level of total body workout.

Many elliptical machines allow you to adjust the resistance
setting and change the incline. These adjustments increase the challenge
level of your workout and also target different sets of muscles. The
standing position and motion used to operate the machine provide for excellent
hip extension and flexion as well as outstanding knee range of motion. For
an all over body workout, few home gyms compare to an elliptical machine.

Cardiovascular Workout

Research has found that elliptical exercise machines also
provide some of the best cardiovascular workouts of any home fitness equipment.
The cardio benefits come from the fact that you are getting a total body workout
and using many muscle groups. Since you can adjust incline, speed and
other factors, you can maximize cardio impact, making elliptical trainers more
effective than weight lifting, leg presses, or other less comprehensive types of
exercise. Some elliptical machines come with built in, programmable
computers and heart rate monitors to help ensure that you are getting the most
out of your exercise routine. The better machines have five to seven
different workouts that can be programmed.

In addition, many people feel that the elliptical motion
feels natural and is easy to sustain. They find that elliptical machines
compliment and enhance normal body movements, making it feel as though this type
of workout requires less exertion than other types of exercise. But in
fact, studies have shown that elliptical exercise works the cardio muscles and
burns calories on a level equal or greater than treadmills, stair steppers and
other similar equipment. It only feels easier to use an elliptical
machine.

Because most people find elliptical exercise equipment easy
and fun to use, they are more likely to workout on a regular basis.
Ongoing, consistent exercise is a key aspect of attaining good overall
cardiovascular health.

Something For Everyone

Elliptical machine workouts have become one of the most
popular forms of exercise, both in the gym and at home. The ease of use
for all fitness levels, along with the low impact benefits, cardiovascular
features, and total body capabilities make elliptical trainers an ideal choice
for nearly anyone looking to get in shape, lose some weight, or even train for
athletic events.

The increasing popularity of elliptical technology has led
to many different brands and models of equipment as well as numerous variations
on the technology. Those seeking to purchase elliptical exercise equipment
have many choices in a variety of price ranges, from a few hundred dollars to
several thousand. Look for machines that have a sturdy frame, adequately
sized foot platforms, upper body handles, and adjustable inclines and
directions. With these features on an elliptical home gym, you will be
assured of getting a low impact, cardio-friendly, total body workout.

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for http://www.elliptical-machines-n-trainers.com
She has researched a variety of different exercise equipment and believes that elliptical
trainers and elliptical
machines provide some of the most user-friendly workouts available.

Copyright 2005 Elliptical-Machines-N-Trainers.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the
author’s byline is included and all 3 links are hyperlinked.

Your exercise program could benefit from the use of
treadmills. Using a treadmill provides a wonderful
cardiovascular workout for your heart, your lungs, and your
circulation. There low impact on your joints, which makes it
easier and less painful to workout.

Pregnant women will get an excellent workout. Its low
impact and cardiovascular nature it builds endurance
which will no doubt help during labor. The lower end
models are not expensive and treadmills are easy to use.
Using a treadmill could help you lose weight and even
body fat.

That they don’t take up a lot of space is a non-physical
benefit. There are some that could take up a whole room
almost but if space is the issue, than you can find manual
treadmills that fold and are powered by your movement
only. Talk to professionals and do your research to find out
which one might be appropriate for you.

Comparing different models is best. Do you know what
features you’re looking for on a treadmill? You should look
at certain things when you are comparing various models.
All you really want to do is workout so this can all be
overwhelming.

The size of your machine can be affected by the type of
the motor. The most important things to look at are the
belt trackers. This is the type of movement of the belt and
the placement of the running belt as you work out. You
don’t want a belt that’s jerky you want it to move as
smoothly as possible over the rollers.

Have you seen the check out belts that move and then
jump and move again etc.? There can be more impact
than is necessary on your joints and injury can result if the
movement on your treadmill is like that. Something else to
look at is the length and the width of the belt.

A belt that is too short can cause you to run-off the end
of the belt. A narrow belt might not necessarily support
your stance. If possible try out the machine you want or
one that is very much like it. The type and percentage of
the incline will affect your joints and your workout.

As you progress, on most treadmills you can adjust the
incline to be as if you were climbing a steep hill. How fast
the belt moves should also be adjustable also. Do you
know what the minimum speed and maximum speed is?
This knowledge will help you plan your workout routine and
make it more effective.

Your treadmill console should a heart rate monitor as one
of its main features. If you know your resting heart rate and
your target heart rate which is the highest number you
can reach for maximum benefits from your workout, your
workout will be more beneficial. Your speed, your time and
your distance should also be displayed on the console.

Before you attempt to use your treadmill it is of the utmost
importance that you learn to properly use your treadmill.
The display on the control panel should be clear and easy
to read. Is the software program necessary to be able to
use the control panel?

A noisy treadmill is something you don’t want. There will
obviously be some noise but you don’t want it to be
overwhelming. What is the acceptable level of noise for
you? Is the belt thick enough? If a belt is too thin it could
wear out too soon, so you would want an appropriately
thick belt so it will last.

Stretching can occur with some belts. Checking to see
that your belt isn’t cracked anywhere or stretched, Make
sure the monitor is functioning properly. Consider the
weight of the machine. A few of the delivery companies
will bring your machine to your door but it’s up to you to
get it in the house and set it up.

The look of the machine is important because if it doesn’t
appeal to you, you will be less apt to use it. How easy will it
be to store it when you aren’t using it? Before you bring it
home, consider the probability that it will stay in the same
place when it’s not in use, then you need to decide if this is
ok with you.

Don’t put your treadmill near walls to prevent injury. You
should put it approximately eight feet away from walls,
ledges or windows. You should put the wires and the
power supply out of walking areas or it should be taped
down to prevent someone from tripping while getting off
the treadmill. There are a few tips about how to use your
new treadmill.

Before getting on the belt, straddle it and make sure it is
set at the proper speed. Your feet will follow your eyes so
keep them straight ahead. Staying in the center of the
belt will help prevent slips and falls.

If your looking for tips and advice on treadmills or fitness equipment in general, Martin Smith had a resource of information available. From Treadmills to Home Fitness Equipment you’ll find something.

Incorrect exercise may have adverse effects and you could end up injuring yourself. Leg injury is most common for work out freaks. Never ever hurry yourself. Try to do too much in les time can result in unforeseen critical injuries. Most common injuries from work outs are a result to improper practice and no warm up practices.

If any part of your body hurts beyond normal threshold after a work out, use ice packs. If it does not reduce in 24 hours do not hesitate to contact your trainer or a doctor. While working out your legs make sure that you do not have any previous pelvis or knee condition.

Guidelines to avoid leg injury

While doing leg exercises, always keep your stomach in and the torso stable. Do not lock your knees while extending legs. Following these guidelines will help you avoid leg injury.

Lunges Bending downward, do not overdo by bending too far. Do not go over your toe, if you do you will be putting undue pressure on the knee which may result in a leg injury.

Extensions Always perform leg extensions without locking the knee. Extend your legs slowly without any jerks.

Leg Press Leg press is a machine based exercise. It is less stressful on the knees. Keep your torso stable and build up the weight slowly. Do not jerk or use fast motions.

Leg Curls Leg curls are done to strengthen your hamstring. Make sure you are using the right equipment; your back should not arch from the exercise. Keep your torso stable and lift only as much as you can. Do not go gaga on the weight it could result in back or leg injury.

Squats Squats can be done with or without a machine. Using a machine will help keep your back in the correct position, so that it is not stressed unwontedly. Squats are very good for the entire leg if done properly by use of correct weights. Keep your back stable and move only your knee, ankle and hip. Please be careful that your knees do not extend in front of your toes. This helps keeping leg injuries at bay.

Step-ups Always start your step-ups on a low surface without weights. Increase the height gradually until your knee should not be parallel to the ground. Do not let your knee go over the toe. Keep your back straight.

Biking Biking is a very good exercise for the legs and extremely good for the knees. Be careful that when your leg is at the bottom stroke, your knee is slightly bent.

Just Say “No” - And Lose Weight

From the time you were a child, you might have been a people pleaser. You tried to ace your schoolwork in order to win your parents’ approval…you practiced soccer for hours on end to win a vote of support from your coach…or you diligently practiced your piano chords in order to earn the gratitude of your music teacher. There’s nothing wrong with aiming to please. It can make you a respected leader, a valued friend, a comforting mentor. However, it should be recognized that some food addictions begin with an inability to say “no.”

It might have begun with a Thanksgiving during your childhood when your mother asked if you wanted a second helping of mashed potatoes. Or a teacher at your elementary school might have given you a gold star if you cleaned your plate. You were probably taught that it is wrong to waste food and that a hearty appetite was a good thing. The problem is, such cues from your environment might have caused you to learn the wrong lessons when it came to food consumption.

In our society, many people have difficulty saying “no.” They want to be part of the crowd and they don’t want to stand out for non-participation. They will do all they can to blend in and that leads them to say “yes” more times than they’d like to. In fact, the epidemic of alcohol and drug abuse may be due in part to the refusal of many people to say “no.”

Admitting that you have a problem overcommitting yourself is the first step to progress. It shows that you have a great deal of insight into your own problems with food and you want to change your bad habits and replace them with admirable ones. But this can be difficult, given the fact that so many families have a number of rituals involving food. Also, unlike cigarettes or marijuana, food is not considered inherently bad–nor should it be. However, you need to learn how to use food effectively.

Part of your training begins with learning the power of “no” or “no thank you.” You need to learn to assert yourself, to recognize that you do not have to go along in order to get along. You realize that you are doing yourself no favors by accepting extra helpings of pasta–in fact, you could be doing your body a great deal of harm. The key now is to do something about it.

What’s the best way to undergo assertiveness training? One method you can use is role-playing. Practice saying “no” to extra servings with the help of a friend playing the role of adversary. In this “pretend” situation, you may feel more comfortable saying “no.” You will also learn that saying “no” isn’t the end of the world; that you will not automatically lose friends by taking a “negative” stance.

Another trick you might use is making sure that you do not slouch while sitting at the table for your meals. Slouching indicates defeat–a belief that a situation is hopeless. With your head held high you will gain the confidence you need to say “no”–and to mean it.

Yet another effective strategy is to keep a journal recording your thoughts after you’ve said “no”–either to more food or to a commitment you just can’t handle at this time. Putting your feelings in writing can be quite cathartic. It can also help you with problem-solving, enabling you to figure out ways that you can say “no” without hurting another person’s feelings.

Something else you will need to learn is that it is not necessary for you to fulfill another person’s expectations. In other words, whether your Aunt Mary thinks you’re eating enough really doesn’t matter. If you recognize that you are overweight, Aunt Mary’s opinion shouldn’t be taken into account. You must do what you think is best in order to take control of your eating. Assertiveness will not happen immediately. But, with practice, you can learn to say “no” like a pro. And you–and your waistline–will be better off as a result of what you’ve learned.

Twenty two years ago I feel into the world of bodybuilding by accident. I had absolutely no discipline, determination or confidence in myself. After many championships, Television shows, movie star clients and successful businesses here are a few training tips that have kept me going all these years.

1.MORE THAN JUST LOOKS: Realize exercise is more than just having a great physique. It is about strengthening the mind and heart and soul.

2.KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND: You will have good days and bad days. One day at a time attitude.

3.BE SOLD OUT! No matter if you are a competitive bodybuilder or just one who does it for a hobby, be sold out for life to exercise.

4.LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. This one will be hard for most of you to do. But to be a champion, you have to get rid of your ego. Your mind is your biggest competitor. In order to improve on your health you need to not be self serving.

5.KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: If you think you know everything, forget, stop right now. You never will. Continue to learn all the time. Most importantly, share your knowledge.

6.HAVE FUN: Most people in bodybuilding are wound way to tight. Loosen up a little.

7.ASK FOR HELP: If you do not know something, ask someone who does.

8.MORE IS NOT BETTER: Put time limits on your workouts.

9.HAVE VARIETY: Never be afraid to change your exercise routine around.

10.HAVE SYNERGY: Incorporate all areas of fitness. Low body fat levels are more important than the size of your biceps.

What every your goals are remember the big picture. You are in this for life, even when the body is not were you want it to be.

I haven’t played a round of golf in about 2 or 3 weeks. I wanted to see how my swing was compared to how I was playing golf earlier. I used discount golf clubs and am very pleased with their performance. I would guess that I am a bogey to par golfer. I have never figured out what my handicap is or even how to figure it. I usually try to play by the golf rules that I know, but sometimes I even stray from those.

Well, as I mentioned, since I haven’t played for so long, I selected an Executive 9 hole course that is a par 30. I like playing from the back tees. That way I get my money’s worth when playing golf. This particular course has a length of 1773 yards from those back tees.

As a little background, my golf bag has 4 woods. 1 is a 10 degree driver. I do not know the cc’s, but I usually drive around 250 yards to 300 yards. Not always straight, but I have straightened out my slice in the last year or so. I have a 3 wood, 5 wood and 7 wood. The 5 wood is shorter than the 7 wood. I think that was a mistake when the woods were made. My 3 wood goes about 220 yards to 250 yards. The 5 wood goes about 220 yards. The 7 wood goes about 200 yards.

My irons are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, pitching iron, and sand wedge. The 3 iron goes about 190 to 200 yards. My 4 iron goes about 180 yards. The 5 iron goes about 170 yards. The 6 iron goes about 160 yards. My 7 iron goes about 155 yards. My 8 iron goes about 150 yards. My 9 iron goes about 130 yards. My pitching wedge goes about 120 yards. My sand wedge goes about 80 yards. Round this out with the putter. It is a blade type putter.

Back to the course, the first hole is a par 3 at 100 yards headed straight east. This hole has a 9 handicap, the ninth hardest hole on the course, or the easiest of the nine. The wind was from the south about 20 to 30 miles per hour. I used my pitching wedge and choked down to shorten the distance. I ended up right on the front edge of the green with the wind helping to bring the ball back to the middle of the fairway. The flag was in the front of the green about 15 yards on. I putted to about 3 feet and put the next putt in for a par 3.

The next hole was 173 yards par 3 headed east again. This hole is the 4th hardest hole. I used a 4 iron teed up and ended up on the left side of the green on a hill above the green. The wind pushed the ball a little to the left. I used a sand wedge to pop the golf ball up and landed about 4 feet from the hole. I putted for a par 3.

Hole 3 is a par 4 headed straight south into the wind. It is 352 yards long with trees on each side of the fairway at about 190 yards out. It is rated the hardest hole on the course. I used my driver off the tee and hit a little fade skirting the trees on the left side of the fairway. The ball landed on the right side of the fairway about 110 yards out. I used my pitching wedge from there and ended up short and on the left of the green. I used my pitching wedge again and ended up about 6 feet from the hole. 2 putts gave me a bogey 5.

Hole 4 is a par 3 at 141 yards heading straight west with a line of trees along the south edge of the fairway. The handicap on this hole makes it the 3rd hardest hole of the 9. I used my 8 iron teed up and landed the green on the left side about 30 feet from the hole. I didn’t read enough break and my putter left it down hill of the hole about 7 feet. The next putt was uphill and I left it short about 1 foot from the hole. The next putt was in for a bogey 4.

Hole 5 is 121 yard par 3 headed north with the wind. It is the 7th hardest hole on the course. I used my pitching wedge and landed the green short of the hole about 20 feet. 2 putts later and I had a par. My short irons are going fairly straight and about the right distance!

Hole 6 is a par 3 at 152 yards going with the wind to the north. It is the 6th handicap hole. I used my 8 iron teed up and landed on the right side of the green on a slope that allowed the golf ball to bounce left onto the green about 35 feet from the hole. 2 putts and I had another par. My putter is working fairly well!

Hole 7 is headed straight south into the wind with a gentle dogleg left. It is the 2nd hardest hole on the course at 324 yards and a par 4. I teed up and hit my driver. I hit a slight fade and the wind took it even further right into the rough about 120 yards out. That darned fade takes yards off of my driver. I used my pitching wedge and ended up short of the green about 5 yards. I used my pitching wedge again and ended up about 12 feet from the hole. 2 putts and I had a bogey 5.

Hole 8 is a par 3 at 110 yards headed straight west with a line of trees along the south edge of the fairway. It is the 8th hardest hole on the course. I teed up a pitching wedge and landed the green about 8 feet from the hole. I am very pleased with my irons and wedges so far. My driver isn’t working quite as well as I would like. I 2 putted and came away with a par.

Hole 9 heads straight north with the wind and is 300 yards long. It is handicapped as a 3 and is a par 4. I drove the ball to within 65 yards of the green right in the middle of the fairway. Again, it was a slight fade, but the end result was good. I used a sand wedge and landed the golf ball about 3 feet right of the flag and ended up about 5 feet from the hole. I was hoping for a birdie, but the putt just grazed the left side of the cup. Another put and I had another par.

If I added up correctly, I ended up with a 33, 3 over par. I was very please with this round, especially after taking off that much time. My irons, wedges and putter were working very well. My driver was a little short, probably because of the fades and wind. I ended up in the fairway 2 out of 3 times when I used it, so I can’t complain about that too much.