SNEWS best fitness reads from around the web

What did the SNEWS team read this week that other fitness insiders might find interesting? Read on to find out.

• Few of us are “average.” So when we’re doing all the right things to lose weight according to what works for the so-called average person, it’s frustrating when weight creeps on. The, “I worked out, so I can eat more,” mentality might have something to do with it (we know we find ourselves face first in the fridge after long runs, in search of chocolaty snacks). This Globe and Mail article reports the results of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that showed some people felt they could eat more if they worked out more, leading to weight gain instead of weight loss.

• If your customers are part of that group (like us) who scours the fridge for anything sweet, you can point them to this Fit Sugar blog post, which gives several ideas for post-workout snacks that come in at no more than 150 calories.

• Let’s face it: Everybody likes a reward for a job well done. You sell a very expensive machine? You should get a reward! You open a new store? You should get a reward! Your customers lose a bunch of weight? You both should get rewards! That’s the premise behind an app that a few software engineers from I.B.M. developed to reward themselves for losing weight. Check out this New York Times story.

• Your customers have excuses about why they can’t purchase products? Maybe they don’t have enough time or they think they’re too old. Show them this blog post from gym chain Life Time Fitness, which features a 99-year old who recently joined the gym to exercise with his wife. It was a gift to himself for his 100th birthday, which is May 25.

• Our poor knees. They take a beating. Especially those people who are trying to lose weight, as added weight adds more pressure on our joints. So when your customers are saying they might not be able to do certain things with the products you’re selling, give them a look-see at this Prevention article about the best exercises for knee pains are, and sell accessories accordingly.

• Yoga is ever-popular among athletes of all types, and most likely a lot of your customers engage in the activity. One of the primary reasons people get into it is because of its reputation for relaxation. Check out this Yoga Journal story titled, “Tame Your Stress,” for tips on stress management and the corresponding yoga poses. 

• Got any body builders with bulging muscles coming through your doors? Perhaps they’re looking for ways to get leaner and fitter — faster? For tips on directing them to the right strength equipment, exercises and supplements for this goal, check out this Muscle and Performance story.

• Outdoors, stand-up paddling is all the rage, but in gyms across the country, indoor surfing is taking center stage. Check out this Chicago Tribune story about the growing popularity of these classes. Wow. From water rowers to indoor surfboards, it seems like your customers are wanting to take their on water experience indoors. Capitalize on it!

• This isn’t a fitness story, but it is an inspirational story of friendship and courage. It’s the kind of story that makes you grateful for everything from simply waking up in the morning to having the gift of health. It’s about soulmates: Two little girls who became best friends, bonded by their common goal to beat cancer. Check out this touching Denver NBC affiliate 9News story before you start your weekend.

Have you read anything interesting you’d like to share with us? Maybe we’ll include it next week’s column with a little shout out to whoever sent it to us. Send a link to the story with the subject line “SNEWS Reads” to be considered.

–Compiled by Ana Trujillo