Routines Are Good, Change Is Better

Ed: The face one might expect when seeing Patrick at the gym.

I’ll be the first to endorse developing a routine at the gym. Repeating exercises week to week allows your body to adapt and thus become better at them (i.e. stronger, better conditioned).

Personally, I like to have three separate lifting routines that I do each week for one month. My body becomes more comfortable with the motions each successive week, enabling me to up the intensity. By the last week it’s not unusual to lift 40-60% more than when one starts. This approach also has the added benefit of constant improvement, which can be intrinsically rewarding. The same holds true of your cardio routines. Whether you prefer interval training or running 5k, sticking to a routine will aid in faster improvement.

Unfortunately, your body will become too well adapted and therefore won’t have to work as hard as it used to. When this happens you’re bound to see diminished results.

My suggestion: a new routine. Scrap what you’ve done over the past month and get yourself a new plan. This is a great way to work muscles in new ways or target muscles that you’ve previously neglected. If you’re a runner, try spinning or rowing. If you’ve maxed out your bench press, try incorporating circuit training (Eric’s favorite). It doesn’t matter what your goals are, changing up your routine each month will certainly get you there faster. Muscles under duress learn to operate more efficiently. It’s one of the main reasons trying new things is so beneficial. Imagine becoming noticeably stronger or better conditioned with just the muscle you already have.

If you’re stuck on a dreaded plateau or find yourself simply bored at the gym, trying something new will not only offer a fresh start each month, but will also help train your muscles in a variety of ways. Always a plus.

Many heath and fitness magazines/websites provide monthly routines. Don’t be afraid to try something just because you’ve never done it before. It won’t be long before you’ve master it.

Also See: Hydryx Hard-Core Workout Towel | High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Door Gym Chin-Up Bar

Are you a Bomber or a Technician?

While putting may be universally accepted as the most important aspect of golf, I believe that driving is the key to enjoying golf. Poor driving puts tremendous pressure on the rest of your game. Yes, missing a short birdie putt makes you sick, but a poor drive precludes even having that chance. Thankfully, technology has gotten pretty good which means longer, straighter drives. Always a good thing. This Fall TaylorMade Golf unveiled their drivers for the 2009 season and here’s my take.

Don’t assume you can only benefit from one or the other. Last year in the same tournament John Daly played the r7 SuperQuad (technician) while Fred Funk played the ’08 version of the Burner (bomber).

My recommendation is to hit them both and let your ball flight speak for itself. An extra 15 yards or a controlled draw comes from practice not what you see at the store. Pick the club that gives you the most confidence when you tee it up. You should buy clubs that play on both your strengths and weakness.

More about the difference between the drivers after the jump.

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Add Equal Parts Land and Sea

Marvelous engineering masks its grueling take on your body.

We’re fascinated with the unique. When a new idea comes along that ingeniously combines multiple product attributes we can’t help but get excited. The Row Bike from Total Body Fitness was dreamed up by the same brain trust that gave us Rollerblades. Approved.

Constructed with a 7001 heat treated aluminum frame the Row Bike provides the same great total body workout of a rowing machine with the freedom of a road bike. A 7-speed Microshift Derailleur offers riders the ability to vary the intensity and the speed of their workouts and provide more comfortable long distance touring and hill climbing abilities.

Personally I skip exercise bikes. You simply don’t burn enough calories only using half your body. A Row Bike workout can burn close to 50% more calories than a stationary bike by engaging the entire body, abdominals included. The Row Bike is a great option for those looking to loose weight, cross train or just want to have some outdoor fun. If you’re having a hard time picturing how this all works check out the video at RowBike.com.

Cost: $1190

Also See: The Expresso Bike | Moots Psychlo-X Road and Cross Bicycle

A Man-tastic Resource for the Holidays

Have you ever wanted to be the guy who gives a kick ass toast at a holiday party? Or perhaps you no longer want to be the dude who can only be trusted to bring chips and dip. Either way, the holiday season is chock full of opportunities to either adroitly impress your peers or commit a faux-pas that will leave them gossiping (a la the Bowers reindeer sweeter scandal of ‘07). Fear not, Newcastle Brown Ale is providing a life-line dubbed The Man-ual.

Besides providing lifesaving tips for navigating the entertaining season, the Man-ual also offers delicious, easy-to-make holiday recipes courtesy of cookbook author and TV cooking personality Sam the Cooking Guy. They even come on perforated recipe cards. We particularly liked the Au Revoir Fondue made with Cabot Cheddar Cheese. The GP test kitchen is still recovering.

Go from “that guy” to “go to guy” this holiday season.

Cost: Complimentary | This November In Your Local Supermarket

Also See: Kansas City Strip Steak|Crate & Barrel Bar Tool Set

21st Century Breadcrumbs

The BackTrack is required directional gear for outdoorsmen and parking-lot goers alike.

Let’s face it. Some people are directionally challenged. Hell, one of the guys here can’t even make it to the golf course, even with a navigation system (Eric: I resent that.). So you can imagine the relief when Bushnell agreed that they’d equip the GP team here with BackTracks and give us the chance to get ourselves lost, and more importantly, un-lost.

Equipped with a high sensitivity SiRF Star III GPS receiver, the BackTrack can store and locate up to three locations. Simply push a button and the BackTrack will remember your current location. Whether it’s finding your car after a football game (post-beer) or hiking back to base camp on your latest excursion, the Backtrack will guide the way. The digital interface even provides distance and directional cues. Throw in a built-in self calibrating digital compass and the BackTrack is now standard issue at GP.

The BackTrack comes in camo, orange, white and even pink… Just in case you’d like to not-so-subtly give your significant other a hint about her aptitude for losing the car at Whole Foods.

Cost: $74

Also See: Colibri Xtreme II High Altitude Lighter | Pelican 2480 ELS Emergency Lighting Station | Osprey Stratos 18 Daypack

Trim The Cost of Shaving

Normally Brian would be the one reviewing grooming products. However, he shaved last week and isn’t due for another this quarter. So I was more than happy to add Men-Ü’s Ultra Concentrate Shave Creme and Facial Moisturizer Lift to my daily regimen.

In each small travel-sized bottle you’ll be equipped with enough product to cover your shaving needs for the next six months (or the rest of Brian’s life). That’s 22¢ a shave. More importantly, we like saving money as much as you, but we only endorse doing so when there’s no sacrifice of performance. Make that twice as important for anything that comes into contact with your face.

The Ultra Concentrate Shave Creme produces a rich lather in just two pumps proving that more is not necessarily better. Shaving products work by lubricating your face directly. It’s what stays in close contact with your skin and beard that matters. Everything else is a waste.

Editor’s Tip: The best shave starts with a light exfoliation and a pre-shave oil.

The Ultra Concentrate Facial Moisturizer Lift contains glycerin and silicones to transfer and bind moisture to your skin. Refreshing mint and menthol provide a great pick-me up in the morning or a wake-up call for your nocturnal endeavors.

Cost: Ultra Concentrate Shave Creme ($17) | Ultra Concentrate Facial Moisturizer Lift ($19)