Fitness
The Best Walking Shoes for Comfort & Foot Support
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
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One of the most annoying problems one can deal with is foot pain. Whatever the cause of said foot pain is pretty much irrelevant, all you want to do is get rid of that pain. Especially if you have to be on your feet all day or you have plans that necessitate you to do so. Working out is basically torture if you got pain. There’s no fun to be had and you need to find ways to get rid of the pain.
Specifics of foot pain need to be taken into account when you want to pinpoint how you can get rid of said pain. At the very least learn how to live with the pain. Planters foot is one kind of pain that needs a different set of solutions than joint pain or arthritis or even flat feet. All have different pains and different solutions. But all of them can be helped out a little bit with the right kind of shoe in your life.
For anyone dealing with foot pain, you don’t want to throw on a pair of work boots or a pair of dress shoes. You need footwear that fits like a dream and doesn’t put undue stress on your feet. Not to mention you would like a shoe that is actually designed to alleviate that pain. Durable shoes that you can walk around all day in that don’t end up causing those dogs of yours to bark.
Luckily, there are a lot of shoes like that out there that exists. And we have gone and found a bunch of them that will go a long way towards making your days go a lot smoother. Whether you got planter’s foot or high arches or the like, we have a wide variety of shoes that tackle a wide variety of issues. All you need to do is scroll on down and find out which ones work best for you. So get walking or working out with comfort right now.
Best Walking Shoes For Your Foot Type
Best for Plantar Fasciitis
Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Arch Support Orthopedic Diabetic Arthritis Shoes
Dealing with planter’s foot? It’s no fun, we’ve dealt with it before. So we know that you’ll want to get a shoe that helps alleviate that pain. And this shoe from Orthofeet will help keep the pressure off those barking dogs thanks to the orthopedic soles and the wider design, taking pressure off your feet. Walking around won’t be a problem anymore with these on your feet.
Get It: Pick up the Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Arch Support Orthopedic Diabetic Arthritis Shoes ($135) at Amazon
Best for High Arches
High arches can lead to some serious foot pain too. Makes walking around for any length of time a hassle. But it doesn’t have to be a hassle with these Skechers shoes in your life. They’re made with arch support so you can walk or work out in them without putting any more undue pressure on those arches.
Get It: Pick up the Skechers Gowalk Arch Fit-Athletic Workout Walking Shoe ($80; was $85) at Amazon
Best For Flat Feet
Got yourself some flat feet? Then you’re going to want to pick up these shoes from WHITIN. Because your flat feet won’t hinder your walks anymore. Take a stroll around the neighborhood or hit the bars with the guys with no more pain thanks to the non-elevated sole that will keep you properly balanced with the right posture.
Get It: Pick up the WHITIN Barefoot Sneakers ($37; was $44) at Amazon
Best For City Walking
All-Day Comfort
It should come as no surprise that if you want all-day comfort when walking around that New Balance has the shoe for you. A thick yet comfortable sole and effective shock absorbing heels will keep your feet comfy all day long. Whether you’re hitting the gym or just taking a stroll, you can’t go wrong here.
Get It: Pick up the New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe ($64; was $80) at Amazon
Cushioned Sole
A good cushioned sole will go a long way towards making your feet feel like a million bucks. And these shoes from HOKA ONE have the kind of soles that you’ve been aching for after long days struggling on your feet. Go about your day like you’re floating on clouds with these amazing walking shoes.
Get It: Pick up the HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota 2 Walking Shoe ($210) at Amazon
Designed for Walking
Not all shoes are designed for walking. They’re either designed for basketball or for running or working out or whatever. But these shoes are designed for walking. All-day walking with soles that just won’t quit and a fit that is ideal for anyone looking to relieve foot pain. adidas has another winner on its hands with these.
Get It: Pick up the adidas Strutter Cross Trainer ($65) at Amazon
Best For Trails And Mixed Terrain
Best Waterproof Trail Shoe
Like walking the trails but feel like you can’t anymore with those pains running up and down your legs? Then you’ll want these hikers that are waterproof. That way you can hit any terrain you want without having to worry about a surprise rainstorm. It’ll give you the best chance yet to hit those trails with a renewed verve.
Get It: Pick up the Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes ($150) at Amazon
Best For Shock Absorption
Shoes that don’t absorb the shock of walking can do some real damage to those feet of yours. But you won’t have that problem anymore with these Salomon shoes. They take the beating so your feet can keep on ticking, thanks to the tough as nails yet comfortable as a pillow soles and the lightweight design. Your feet can go the distance yet again.
Get It: Pick up the Salomon Vectur Running Shoes ($94; was $110) at Amazon
Best For Rugged Terrain
Really rugged terrain necessitates a really tough pair of shoes that come with soles that will keep your feet protected. And these Salomon boots will do just that. They’ve got a really strong pair of soles that grip like a vice and keep the rough terrain away from your feet with a ton of shock absorption. Hit the trails without a worry with these in your life.
Get It: Pick up the Salomon X Ultra 3 Wide Mid GTX Hiking Boots ($165) at Amazon
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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