surfing-related stories
Jack Black Shows Off His Beach Bod
When you think of guys with hot beach bodies, Jack Black doesn't spring to mind. Matthew McConaughey with his beachy hair and fit body? Yes. Mario Lopez and his perfect abs? Sure. But Jack Black? Jack Black recently vacationed in Mexico and spent some time paddling a surf board (with limited success) and relaxing on the shore. While his beach-ball-like belly is far from fit, there's something undeniably likable and sexy about his confidence, ease and so-what-if-I-don't-look-perfect, I'm-having-fun-anyway attitude.
Even though he admits to eating two breakfasts, we know Jack Black is trying to get fit. I hope he keeps at it. There's nothing sexier than a sense of humor and he's got that in spades. Pair it with a fit and healthy body, and there would be no stopping him.
Freeline Skates - A Fun Way to Get Fit
Surfing and snowboarding are fantastic workouts, but they have some specific requirements -- namely, waves and snow. And sure, you can always skateboard, but what if you're ready for a new challenge? You just might want to look into Freeline Skates.
The creators of Freeline Skates are serious about sports like these -- sports that get them "charged up." The website says, "Freeline Skates are a testament to the awesome potential of each of us." Not only are they a fun way to get your adrenaline pumping, but they also do a fantastic job of working your inner thighs and ankles.What's cool is that these skates have lots of possibilities, as shown on the site's video page. Even though they incorporate many of the moves you'd use in the sports mentioned above, they're definitely unique.
Elle - Stays in Shape With Cycling, Surfing
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Celebs & Entertainment
Elle MacPherson got the nickname 'The Body' for a reason -- because she's got the body we want, even as a 44-year-old mom. You know, it's really not fair that she looks better in a bathing suit than me, a 20-something non-mother, but whatever. The question is: What does she know that the rest of us don't?Apparently, the hot-body secret she's hoarding to herself is not really a secret at all -- it's fitness. The stunner fits in activity with everything she does. For instance, she spent the recent holiday season surfing up a storm in her native Australia. And what about when she's back at home in Notting Hill, London, where surfing isn't an option? She and son Aurelius bicycle everywhere. "We have so much fun," Elle says of her cycling addiction, adding, "it helps keeps me in shape."
That settles it. As soon as this darn snow melts, I'm breaking out my bike.
Zac Works His Abs and Angelina Plays Video Games - November 8 to November 14
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs Weekly Roundup, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Zac Efron has sexy surfer abs
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
As Zac probably is well aware, activities that keep you off-balance do a phenomenal job at working your core, thus helping to create enviable abs. Surfing is great for that, but lots of other sports provide a tough core workout, too, like water skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding.
Zac isn't the only celebrity to embrace surfing as a sport -- check out the gallery below to see some other famous folks who know how to catch a wave.
Surfing your way to fitness
While, I've never surfed myself, I'll admit to being a bit enthralled with the activity. It's somehow surpassed mere sport and become an out and out lifestyle for some. In addition to all of it's other perks, surfing is incredibly physically demanding. You need leg and core strength as well as balance to succeed at the activity.
If you're lucky enough to live in an area where surfing is an option, check out these 11 reasons why women should learn to surf. If you haven't hit the waves before, sign up for lessons. When you're riding the waves, know that there's one writer stuck in the mid-west who's longing to be you!
Surf star's Wonderwall Collection
Fitness, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
Surfer king Laird Hamilton is into big waves, but he also has one big heart when it comes to his new 200-item Wonderwall Collection of men's and teens' clothing. He designed each item to not only be cool, but remain affordable. Each item sells for $14.98 or less at Steve & Barry's.
Hamilton was raised by a single mom and as a kid, money was tight. He didn't have the cool clothes and he understands how it feels to be teased by peers who do. He developed the Wonderwall Collection to be fair to teens who can't afford hip gear. Comfortable, colorful, hip fashion teens can get excited about and parents can afford.
Hamilton lives by the slogan, "We are all equal before the wave" -- and the Wonderwall Collection follows this philosophy with a huge line of graphic tees, board shorts, cargo shorts, polos, woven shirts and pants equally accessible by most family budgets. Hamilton is a thoughtful celebrity making cheap fashion cool -- I admire his good intentions. Check out Hamilton in action below!
Fit Factor: Chanelling your younger self
Virtual surfing used in physical therapy
Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products
Virtual reality surfing and jogging is being used to help physiotherapy patients regain their balance and, in some cases, find the confidence to walk again.
A new system developed by MOTEK, an Israeli motion simulation company, allows technicians to modify the size of the waves and the wind speed as they put patients through their paces on an imaginary ocean.
While this marks the first time this particular system has been used in medical treatments, virtual reality has been utilized by doctors for some time. It's used to help patients overcome phobias by simulating the feared experience, to aid combat soldiers in overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder, or even to distract patients undergoing chemotherapy.
So far, the MOTEK system seems to be producing better and faster results. However, it's important to note that virtual reality cannot replace the healing process, only assist it.
Fit Factor: Surf's up!
Kate Hudson does it. Cameron Diaz broke her nose doing it. Those crazy kids in the Archie comics make it look so easy. What is it? It's surfing, the sport synomous with California and bleach-blond, perfectly toned pretty people on the beach. But in all fairness, surfing is a world-wide phenomenon and is popular in places you wouldn't think, like Canada (Nova Scotia and Vancouver Island in particular), the UK, Indonesia, Chile, Italy and South Africa, plus a few places you would, like Hawaii, Mexico and Australia, where yours truly is soaking up the sun right now. And since surfing is practically the national sport of Australia, I decided to find out more about it and even try it if the chance arrives.
All I know about surfing thus far is that it involves standing on a board while riding waves, and that it gave rise to the word Tubular which hit its peak of popularity while I was in Jr. So that's not a lot, but hey, I'm pretty fit and I've got good core strength, so it should be easy for me to pick it up, right? Wikipedia has a good scientific explanation of surfing, but I'm more interested in finding out just how it's done and how easy or difficult it is for a beginner.
Surf's up! surfing found to be safer than soccer
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Analyzing data from 32 surfing competitions, researchers found that surfers suffered about 6.6 significant injuries per 1000 hours of surfing. The most common injuries were sprains and strains. Second most common were cuts and contusions, which also happen to be the most common injuries among recreational surfers. Risk of injury increased twofold with large waves or when surfing over rocky bottoms. The hope is that this study will help predict the needs of medical staff at surfing competitions and provide information to schools wishing to start a surfing team.
With a little instruction and practice, surfing can be a fun and healthy workout. If you're landlocked and a seaside vacation isn't in your future, you can still get a great surfing workout at an indoor surf center.
Fit Factor: Get fit to the core with Pilates
These days, pilates is trendy, practiced among many A-list celebrities like Jennifer Aniston. It's a great class for beginners, but I think it has even greater benefits for people who are already active. Until I took pilates, I never realized how big a role my core plays in everything I do. Since I've taken pilates, I'm much more aware of my core strength and try to integrate it into every sport and activity I participate in. Using my core, I'm better at many things, including wakeboarding, snowboarding, volleyball and even yoga. I'm hoping to try surfing this year and know my core will play a huge part in that so I better start preparing.
