Alternative to Going to the Gym

Don’t like working out at a gym? Let’s face a fact: Some people are too scared to exercise in front of others. For those who already exercise at a gym, it’s not a problem for you. Maybe you’re already fit; maybe your personality allows you to not care about what others think. But for others, sometimes working up the courage to exercise is more work than actually exercising. Let’s face another fact: You don’t need to go to a gym to exercise....

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Fair Weather Exercise

You wake up, roll over and search out the window. You squint, wondering why it’s so dark and twist your neck to find the time. After all, the darkness outside should only mean that you can roll over for a few more zz’s. You find the time and you do a groggy shrug as you realize you did not wake up any earlier than need be. You twist to see the window through half-closed eyes and make out the large storm clouds and the blowing tree branches. The...

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60 Resources for Ab and Core Workouts

Spring and summer typically bring heightened interest in being fit and looking good. However, we are now in the fall season and (brace yourself) winter is quickly approaching.. Whatever your intent is, there is no reason why you cannot rededicate yourself at any point of the year to a stronger core or more defined abs. Regardless of whether your desire is to look good or to reach peak physical performance, these 60 resources will aid you in your...

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How to Create a Home Gym

“Ughhh, I don’t want to drive all the way to the gym. But I really need to work out. But my favorite show is about to start. And plus, it’s freezing cold outside.” I don’t know about you, but these are my thoughts sometimes when I’m debating whether or not to go to the gym. Here in Ohio, the weather is changing…temperatures are beginning to drop and sooner or later, the infamous Ohio snow will be on its way. So with cooler temperatures and winter approaching, I figured I’d give you some tips on how to build your own gym….. at home! There...

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The Importance of Stretching

It is easy to forget about stretching or choose to skip stretching as a way to shorten workout time. Skipping your stretching might save you time in the short term, but it leads to a higher chance of pulled muscles or other injuries that could hinder you from training or exercising. Taking shortcuts at the expense of stretching is not the road you want to take. If you’re looking for a generic stretching regiment to loosen up tight muscles be...

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5 GIFS to Enhance Your BOSU Workout

Sitting through YouTube videos of favorite fitness routines can get old. Sometimes you just need a break from the person's voice, the cheesy music, or maybe you just need to see the routine done once and you've got it. Fitness GIFs are your salvation! Three simple steps: 1. Get your BOSU ready. 2. Turn up the music. 3. Watch and learn. Alternating Lunge Bent Knee Boxer Crunch Bicep Curl Four Squat Across Prone...

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Calories: Popular Halloween Foods & Drinks

One of the most beloved holidays of the year is quickly approaching: Halloween! Costumes, trick-or-treating, parties, a plethora of foods and drinks… It’s easy to get carried away in the fantastical holiday. Who doesn’t love watching scary movies, dressing up, and going for a hayride? If you are trying to watch what you eat, then October 31 may be a day that you are dreading this year. You may see your friends knocking back drinks and eating...

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Keep Calm and Hike On

When I get home from work, sometimes the last thing I feel like doing is staying inside to exercise….so I head for the trails. When the weather is just too perfect to pass up, going for a jog or hike on the trails is a great way to enjoy nature and stay fit. I have recently discovered some beautiful trails in my hometown and take advantage of them any chance I get. You don’t need to search very far from your backyard to find a trail or two. I...

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10 Fun Fall Activities

This blog entry was contributed by Adena Siefert, a PR and Marketing intern at Hedstrom – Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Ashland University with degrees in Sport Communication and Public Relations. She enjoys decorating her house for the holida...

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A Few Favorite British Snacks and How to Make Them

Seen in Covent Garden, London  One of the most amazing things about traveling to another country is to experience their cuisine. I love London's street food and markets! They're always so colorful and the aromas are very different each day! Not only that, Scottish fish is most delectable. When I first went to the UK, I didn't know anything about the cuisine. I knew about a few things like fish 'n' chips, Shepherd's pie, and pasties (Thank...

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The Versatility of Swimming

Energizes the young. Reinvigorates the elderly. Competitive sport. Leisurely pastime. Indoor activity. Outdoor adventure. Part of therapeutic rehabilitation. Core of intense training regimen. Swimming engages a broad spectrum of people with varying backgrounds in pursuit of varying objectives. Swimming is a versatile and an age-old pastime. It’s been around for as long as there have been bodies of water and the versatility of the sport suggests...

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Bring on the Pumpkin!

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, it’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors. It’s getting dark earlier in the evening. Halloween candy is being packed onto grocery-store shelves. ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween will start on TV soon. It’s getting colder… Okay, let’s not think about that one. Let’s think about the positives, like the abundance of pumpkins that are beckoning to be used in any and all meals we can possibly...

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To Meat, or Not to Meat...

I love vegetarian dishes, but I’m not a vegetarian! Oh, how I love my vegetarian friends! I love their choice in lifestyle, their meals, their recipes, and their willingness to help share their recipes to meat eaters like myself. I absolutely love seeing photos of the meals they eat posted on Facebook and helping them celebrate their tasteful victories with a solid “Like.” Most of the time, I wonder what ingredients are used in the dishes and where...

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Make Your Tailgating Snacking a Touchdown

Fall is here, which means one thing: FOOTBALL SEASON IS IN FULL SWING. I’m Ohio born and raised and a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, so you can guess who my team is. On any given Saturday you can find me watching football on the couch, at a bar, sitting in the stadium cheering on my Buckeyes, or one of my favorites….tailgating. There’s nothing better than stadium parking lots fired up with team spirit on a fall Saturday with friends,...

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7 Tips to Reduce Boredom at Work

Oh, work. The thing we must do to be able to pay our taxes, bills, and for the occasional vacation. Mondays are the worst. You come in, tired, and can’t wait for the day to eventually be over. Wednesdays give you hope. You are halfway through the week—surely you can make it to Friday. That’s right… FRIDAY. The best day of the work week. Usually, the day flies by because of your anticipation of the much-needed weekend. But the time from...

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