In this issue...

• What's New at StrongFast?
• Feature Article: Fitness Gifts Part Three
• Fitness Found Online
• Recipe: Apple Mustard Pork Chops

What's New at StrongFast?

This isn't "new" yet, but it will be soon! We'll be announcing a new program shortly, perfect for people who don't have the time to get in for regular training sessions but still want the fantastic benefits of getting a completely personalized training experience. You can find out more next week on our Facebook page (be sure to "like" us to get updates); otherwise, you'll have to wait two weeks for the next issue of The Planet. Exciting stuff!

Feature Article

Fitness Gifts Part Three

In part one, we looked at some gift ideas for home strength training. In part two, we took a look at cardio training gifts. This time, it's a look at the best of the rest, and still with three weeks to shop!

As with the previous lists, this one is roughly in order of cost, from low to high. And again, prices can vary widely so there may be a lot of overlap. OK, Rudolph, light up your nose!

1. StrongFast Stuff. How could we not include this one? Everything looks better with a StrongFast logo on it. Well, almost everything. And there's a wide variety of stuff to choose from, or even from which to choose, if you're into that sort of thing. There's apparel including t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, and more. And other stuff, like water bottles, bags, mouse pads, and keychains. Check it all out at the StrongFast Fitness online store.

2. Pedometer. This is an excellent stocking stuffer and you can find some pretty cheap ones (although they tend not to last long). You wear a pedometer and it counts your steps as you walk (or run) throughout the day. Set yourself a target of 10,000 steps and get moving! Oh, and some mobile devices like smart phones and iPods may come with a built-in pedometer. That would be like two gifts in one! Now if you could only get it into two boxes. Because 'tis better to give than receive, so why not give two things for the price of one? Brilliant!

3. Foam Roller. Get this. Get it for yourself, and give it to everyone else. They're used for Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) to improve tissue quality and blah blah blah. Truth is, the science is still out on the effectiveness of these things, but the anecdotal evidence is clear: they help you feel good. And who will complain about getting a massage any time? There are two main types here: the typical foam ones which are like very hard styrofoam, and The Grid which wraps dense foam in a grid pattern over a hard plastic cylinder. The former are cheaper and more comfy while the latter can do a better job of digging deep. Yes, these usually hurt when you're doing it right, but in a good way. And the results are worth it.

4. TRX Suspension System. Disclaimer: I don't have one of these and have never used one. But at StrongFast, we use rings that work the same way. This probably should have been in Part One with the strength equipment, but they really don't jazz me the way lifting things does (although they're really good for inverted rows). Anyway, they're a very popular piece of equipment in fitness centers and at home, so they're definitely worth a look. TRX is the big brand, but there are less expensive alternatives. Shop around.

5. Garmin Forerunner. This is for the outdoor folks who run, bike, hike, and otherwise get around. (This is the model I'm familiar with; there are other models and manufacturers.) It's really just a small GPS with software built in specifically for these kinds of activities, so you can see your current or average speed, distance traveled, elevation change, and even heart rate (with some models). They can let you "race" against your previous time or a simulated opponent, export your data for display on a map, and lots more. There are smart phone apps that will do most of this, but how well do they strap to your wrist for easy viewing? These are a little pricey, but pretty cool. They have a reputation for being imprecise; that's life. But if you're directionally challenged like me, they can show you the way out when you get lost on a hike. How valuable is that?

So there you have it. Now get shopping for the gift of a happy and healthy new year!

Be seeing you.

-gary

Fitness Found Online

A UK cycling blog looks at the relative dangers of cycling versus sitting. Since it's a cycling blog, you can guess which comes out on top. Still a worthwhile short read.

Maybe not timely, but interesting nonetheless. A study looked at using interventions to prevent the "Freshmen 15" that leaves new college students packing on the pounds. The results were only gauged after a month, but it's worth a shot.

Recipe: Apple Mustard Pork Chops

That was one thick pork chop! Another easy recipe, because that's all I can make. Made a few changes to the ingredients because it was rainy and I didn't want to go to the store. I am, after all, a delicate flower. Anyway, used apple cider instead of juice. Used coconut oil instead of lard. And my mustard had a sell-by date back in 2011, so I think that gave it an extra kick.

Apple Mustard Pork Chops