Geek Fit

Geek Fit: Exercise the Scientific Way

By Tara in Geek Fit 6 Comments Tags: , , ,

scientific workout

A scientific study was published in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal outlining why interval training is good for you. In short, they’ve devised a 7 minute circuit that will provide you with the aerobic and resistance training usually provided in a much longer workout.

You can see the circuit above, or read their study to learn more about it. Each exercise should be done for 30 seconds, with a 10 second break in between. The circuit can be repeated 2-3 times, giving you a full workout in under 30 minutes.

I’ll be trying this out tonight. Will you join me? Let me know in the comments!

Source: The New York Times

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Get GeekFit!

By Tara in Geek Fit 3 Comments Tags: , , ,

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I was Googling “GeekFit” the other day (you know, as you do), and came across a gym called “GeekFit” based in Redmond, conveniently near the Microsoft campus. Naturally, I had to try it.

GeekFit, as they put it, is:

a personal training studio that specializes in efficient exercise. Our workout engages every muscle fiber in as many muscles as possible and does so in the safest way. There’s no impact, no fast motions, and no free weights to drop.

Designed with the latest fitness research, our approach is highly effective for men and women of all ages. With just one 30 minute session a week our workout is proven to improve your aerobic capacity, endurance, and strength in just a fraction of the time of conventional programs.

So basically, it’s weight training that you do once a week for around a half hour. They work with you one-on-one and help you succeed on a personal scale.

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I’ve never done weight training before, but I actually had a pretty good time. Yes, it hurt, but it was a glorious burn. I left shaking, and could feel it for the next couple days. Pretty impressive for less than half an hour of slowly using weight machines for 90 seconds at a time!

If you only have time to exercise once a week, this is the way to do it. And they’re so awesome, they’re going to give away a session for free to one of you! Just leave a comment with your workout goals (do you want to lose weight? Get stronger? Be able to run a marathon? Fit into that cosplay you’re working on?) and I’ll randomly pick a winner next Wednesday!

Not able to get to Redmond, WA? You can strength train on your own with some machines at your local gym. Just take my trainer, Aaron’s advice: Lift slow, lift heavy, lift hard.

Check out GeekFit at www.geekfit.us!

EDIT: And our winner is #3, Joe! Congrats Joe!

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Geek Fit: Fashionable Covers for your Exercise Ball

By Tara in Geek Fit No Comments Tags: , , ,

I’d say I spend 80% of the time that I’m awake in front of a computer. On weekdays I’m at my computer all day at work, and then come home to check up on emails, write blog posts, and watch shows online. I’ve been wanting to find a way to incorporate a bit of exercise into my day, and I’ve heard decent things about exercise balls. With myBall, I’m even more excited to get one, because I can essentially decorate my ball however I want (and I’m loving their giant globe pattern, which I hear will be available in 2013).

myBall is a great new company that creates fashionable, comfortable, and washable covers for your exercise balls. The covers include a handle, so if you take the ball to and from rooms or locations, you can move it easily. They’ll even do special covers for companies and have already done orders for Levis. They’re in the middle of their IndieGoGo campaign right now, and you can essentially pre-order your ball cover there.

Do you use an exercise ball at work or home? What are your thoughts? Will people laugh at me when I inevitably fall off of mine?

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Geek Fit: The Best Lunch for Computer Users

By Tara in Geek Fit 4 Comments Tags: , , , ,

“The Modern Day Lunch,” my version of the famous “Lunch atop a Skyscraper” photo. 

For Labor Day, I had a bit of fun redoing a photo of workers from the 1930s. My version shows a bit more of the modern day experience. Our lunches are “healthier” according to our standards, and lunchtime focuses more on connecting with technology. Even if we do spend time with friends/co-workers, we’re often still on our phones/iPads/computer. The person on the far right even shows something I’ve noticed more and more of in the Startup community–the occasional imbibing at work and/or with lunch.

Back in the 1930s, the average adult male consumed 3,000 calories, resulting in a lunch that, according to The Food Timeline, could include “egg salad sandwiches made with white bread, apple pie, cheese, hot coffee, and an orange.” Their active workdays resulted in the need for more calories. However, today’s more sedentary lifestyle of computer/desk jobs brings our suggested caloric intake down to 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women. Let’s just say that egg salad sandwiches and apple pie does not make for the ideal lunch. Instead, give this a try:

  • Salad with dark, leafy greens (to help with potential eye strain) and a lean protein (chicken breast, beans, nuts, salmon, etc.) with a light dressing on the side
  • Carrot sticks (again, great for your eyes!) with hummus or a low-calorie dip
  • A piece of fruit
  • A huge glass of water

This meal would ensure you’re getting fruits, vegetables, proteins, and water–everything you could want to keep you going throughout the day! If you get hungry before or after lunch, I recommend keeping a bag of almonds or other nuts at your desk. If you want something a bit less heavy, try a bag of air popped popcorn. It’s delicious, filling, and not too fattening!

What’s your ideal lunch for your job? And how do you get motivated to wake up and make it in the morning? I’m still stuck in a “buy lunch out” rut, but hope to get back on track soon!

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Geek Fit: The Perfect Smoothie with Silkology

By Tara in Fun Food, Geek Fit, Recipes Tags: , , , ,

 

Staying fit and active can be a tough, but necessary, part of everyone’s life. Having a job that has me sitting from 9-5 plus a blog that has me making a lot of amazing baked goods makes it extra tough to fit into that cosplay outfit or cute nerdy tee. 

In the summer, I’m a big fan of protein-packed smoothies for breakfast to help stay healthy and fit, but my smoothies always turn out a bit less than perfect. I always put in way too much fruit and protein powder and not enough liquid, which turns it into delicious-but-difficult-to-eat sludge. Luckily, Silk (the soy milk company) has put together a bunch of fun summer drinks including a Strawberry-Banana smoothie they’ve named the “Straw-Nana Flip.” The smoothie has the perfect mix of liquid and fruit, plus an added dash of vanilla and sugar (my sweetener of choice). Add a dollop of protein powder, and you’ll be feeling better than Wonder Woman. Find this recipe and more on the Slkology Facebook page. 

I’d love to work this smoothie into a morning workout party with some of my favorite geeky ladies. Maybe as a good break between “Just Dance” sessions? 

Because they’re awesome, Silk is giving away a chance to win Silk for a year and an entertaining set. Whether you use it for a workout sesh like me, or for another summertime party, you’ll be in good hands. Just answer this question below: How can you reinvent your favorite summertime gathering? Is there something new you want to try? (Bringing smoothies instead of cupcakes would sure be a change for me!)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

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Weight Hacking: A Geek Fit Guide

By Tara in Geek Fit 3 Comments Tags: , , , , ,

 

Now that my friends and I are all getting a bit older, our metabolisms are slowing down, and our diets of Dominos and Doritos are needing to be revamped. We’re all starting to exercise and find ways to be more fit, but it can be tough. So many books, exercises, and plans are created with peppy women or hard-bodied men in mind, and that leaves out a lot of my friends. This new book, Weight Hacking, seems like an awesome option. The author is currently fundraising to publish his book, which features weight-loss tips and tricks from himself and other geeks like Neil Gaiman and Bonnie Burton. Donate $25, and you’ll be first in line for an e-book copy. $35 gets you one in print. So how about we all team up together to get a bit more healthy, the geeky way?

I’m also in the works on some Geek Fit posts/videos myself. If there’s anything particular you want to see or have questions about, let me know!

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