Archives

Archive for January, 2011

Top Fitness Apps for 2011

Looking to take your exercise or fitness plan to the next level?  Well with the recent boom in mobile applications for your smartphone, you can now bring your fitness plan where ever you go!  We have put together a list of some of the most popular apps that fitness enthusiasts use to stay in shape.(in no particular order)

iFitness ($1.99)

iFitness is an exercise database that includes over 115 exercises.   You have the ability to log exercises, track workouts, and access the instruction page of each individual exercise.  Every exercise has photos to show you how to properly perform the exercise, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to do it.  Currently iFitness is only available on iOS for downloading.

CardioTrainer ($2.99)

The CardioTrainer app is your training partner for running, cycling, hiking, and other fitness activities. It is very visually oriented and has many great features including: race against your previous tracks (premium), real-time pedometer-guided GPS, records path, climb, pace, calories & uploads to website, voice output, autopause.  This app is currently only available on Android phones and has both a free & premium versions available.

Runkeeper (Free)

Runkeeper is one of the more easy to use apps for the fitness enthusiast and has the title of one of the first fitness apps to be available on smartphones.  It uses your iPhone’s GPS to track where you have gone and allows you to track your favorite routes.  Runkeeper works with the music on your playlist and provides you with audio cues throughout your run.

iMuscle ($1.99)

iMuscle is more of a reference tool rather than an exercise instruction app and features over 100 hi-quality 3D animated exercises.  It allows users to zoom in and identify which muscles were used during each exercise.  It also shows the user specific muscle groups and how certain muscles can build up that group.

FitnessBuilder ($9.99)

FitnessBuilder is probably one of the premiere apps to have for someone looking to have their iPhone as their personal trainer.  The download fee may sound steep at first, but hey if you are using this as your personal trainer you are going to save a lot of money!  FitnessBuilder has developed a revered reputation spanning from Oprah to Jillian Michaels and with over 663 workouts this app will really kick your workouts into gear.

NFL prospect Scotty McKnight and The Core Laser

Recently Laser Gym was fortunate enough to have one of the top college football receivers in the Big 12, #21 for the University of Colorado Buffalo’s, Scotty McKnight, test out their revolutionary product, the “Core Laser”, the results were amazing.

During his 2010 college season Scotty had been experiencing some problematic back pain and hip tightness before games.  He would need extensive massage therapy and other treatments in the training room to loosen up prior to each game.  Laser Gym heard about this and sent him a Core Laser immediately after his season finished to try out.  After using the Core Laser for just two weeks Scotty noticed a decrease in his back pain and an increased range of motion and flexibility in his hips!

Below you will find Scotty’s letter that was sent directly to the Executive Vice President of Laser Gym:

“Thank you so much for letting me use the Core Laser.  I really have seen an improvement with the lower back pain I was experiencing and with hip flexibility.  I received the last package right before I left Colorado and now I am out in New Jersey for a little bit before I head back to California to start training.

I love how portable the core laser is, I have been able to take it along with me so that I can keep up with it.  Just wanted to say how much I appreciate everything.”

Thanks,

Scotty McKnight

(Wide Receiver #21 at the University of Colorado)

Follow Scotty on Twitter @smcknight21

Asymmetrical motion and back pain

Studies show that close to 80 percent of the general adult population suffers from lower back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives.  Most patients that are diagnosed with LBP are classified as having “nonspecific” or “mechanical” LBP, defined as pain in the back that is induced and aggravated by mechanical factors such as movement.  This movement can be from sports related activities and studies have shown this can be prevalent in people who play asymmetrical sports.

There are many sports that people enjoy playing like tennis, golf, volleyball, bowling, softball and baseball just to name a few where only one side of your body gets used (asymmetry) much more and gets stronger than the other side.

A study done by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.  and doctors Einas Al-Eisa, PhD, David Egan, PhD, Kevin Deluzio, PhD, and Richard Wassersug, PhD found that the group with lower back pain exhibited significantly higher asymmetry in the principal motion.  This showed that asymmetry in lumbar lateral flexion and axial rotation effectively distinguishes between healthy individuals and people with unilateral mechanical LBP.  The study demonstrated objective differences of lumbar movement between asymptomatic people and people with lower back pain.

If you are a person who enjoys playing an asymmetrical sport and using only one side of your body it is very important to try and exercise and strengthen the other side to prevent injury or back pain.  By using a device such as the Core Laser, designed to improve the flexibility, strength, and control of the users’ hips and core the person has the ability to exercise and strengthen both sides of their body.