volleyball-related stories
Summer Workout Ideas - This Week on AOL Health

JJ Gies Fights Through Pain to Make Fit Gains
That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman have been giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! We are so grateful for their generous support and have been honored to partner up with them. We bid them farewell with great thanks, and are excited to introduce our new That's Fit Club sponsor. We welcome adidas to our club and are proud to announce they'll be providing awesome gym bags to each new featured member starting next week. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: JJ Gies
Age: 35 +
Occupation: Utility Player, part time student, teacher and customer service.
How often do you exercise? I used to train six days a week with one day of rest, but because of the tumor in my foot, I am limited to working out every other day.
What type of exercise do you do? Rollerblading, mountain biking and lifting weights. On a good day, I play beach volleyball.
What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? I just convince myself that no matter the pain or how I feel that the end results justify the means, Plus I know that after a workout i feel so much better all around.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen Engaged - Expect Superbabies Soon
NFL star Tom Brady and his leading lady, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, have made it official -- the unbelievably attractive couple is engaged to be married. Brady proposed aboard a private jet on Christmas Eve, accompanied by four dozen white roses, champagne and Bundchen's parents who were visiting from Brazil. Could they be any cuter?Here at That's Fit, we're fans of both Tom and Gisele already -- they're both so fit and healthy (and dreamy, of course). While Brady's athletic prowess is well-documented -- he is one of the best quarterbacks playing professional football, after all -- Bundchen's should be noted as well. She originally wanted to become a professional volleyball player in Brazil, and with her height and work ethic, she might've had a shot. You know, if the whole "highest earning supermodel" thing hadn't gotten in the way.
Now, I'm not normally one to push a couple to have babies -- not by a long shot. However, I cannot wait to see how athletic their kids are going to be. I bet Gatorade, Nike and Oakley are already setting aside funds to scoop up Baby Bundchen-Brady's endorsement!
Update: The couple's families are denying the engagement. However, a spokesperson for Tom's team, the Patriots, says that while he doesn't think the engagement rumors are true, "Tom keeps his private life private." I'm still holding out hope for their genetically gifted offspring debuting soon!
Kids Who Play Ball Keep Bones Healthy for 40 Years
Enrolling your kids in sports can improve their self esteem, get them in shape and help them develop a life-long habit of being active. These are some very good reasons to get them on some sort of team, yes? But there's another good reason they should get on the playing field -- playing ball as a teen can help keep their bones healthy for up to 40 years. According to recent studies, sports like basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer can help keep kids' bones strong well into old age, even if they don't keep the activity up. That's not to say they should give activity up as they age, but it goes to show that what you do in your teenage years can have lasting effects on your health.
So come spring, get your teenager active -- if you can, that is.
Tony Romo and Will Smith Pep It Up for a Dallas High School
We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs, Celebs & Entertainment

The volleyball and football teams at Dallas' Lake Highlands High School got a major surprise at their pep rally on Tuesday -- Will Smith and Tony Romo showed up to give motivational speeches and meet privately with the teams and their cheerleaders.
The volleyball team was gearing up for the state championship while the football team was preparing for districts, and it sounds like both teams got some great inspiration. Smith passed on the advice he was given by Quincy Jones when first starting out in show business. He wanted to be the biggest movie star in the world, and Quincy told him he needed to be fearless -- willing to be hurt and held back -- and relentless, meaning he wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal.
Romo also had personal experience to draw upon, recalling how he had to overcome people telling him he couldn't make it as a free agent in football. He took it upon himself to improve the areas of his game that were lacking, and he doesn't limit that attitude to sports, saying anyone can make necessary improvements at any time in any aspect of life. He then led the school in a traditional Cowboys chant.
A healthier Labor Day celebration
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity). When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:
- When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
- Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
- Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
- Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).
Alanis Morissette watching her body unfold
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation

"I'm fascinated by aging and how a woman's body changes," the singer says. "I don't want to spend the next 50 years of my life trying to hide those changes. There's something very relaxing about watching it unfold instead of fighting it the whole way."
This isn't to say Morissette doesn't pay attention to health -- she's recently completed a triathlon and names cross-training, kickboxing, dance, basketball, and volleyball as her favorite fitness activities. She's just not consumed with the natural and inevitable evolution of her aging body. We should all follow her lead, don't you think?
Forbes' best shoes for your sport
Forbes published some tips for choosing the best sneakers for your sport, and to be honest, I found it a bit lacking. They covered a lot of running and outdoor sports, but some of the sports for which shoes are really important (like volleyball and basketball) were totally left off.
I did a little research and added what sounded like the best shoes for those sports. However, it's important to remember your sport-specific needs when shopping for a shoe. If you will be making quick, side-to-side movements, you'll need different support than you would for running a marathon. If you really don't know what you need, try to find a store that specializes in your sport and ask for help. The right shoes might not make you a better athlete, but they will make your sport more enjoyable.
What to wear: Beach volleyball
Whether you're opting to play in your first tournament or you're meeting up with some serious players for the first time, you want to make sure you're properly attired. In no way does that mean you need to go out and buy the same bathing suit that Kerri Walsh or Mike Lambert wear, but there are certain items that will make you a little more comfortable:
Teach kids sports by letting them teach you
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Think about it -- kids love to play because it allows them to be creative. If you're trying to teach your daughter to play basketball, by all means teach her the basics of shooting, passing, and dribbling, but let her use her imagination to create new ways to play the game.
Fit Factor: Teaming up
- Dragon boating: Dragon boating has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and most cities have an annual dragon boat festival in the summer. Dragon boating teams consist of 22 people, 20 of whom are responsible for rowing the team to victory, and while you might think you can slack off because there are so many people, think again. Dragon boating is hard work, and can burn up to 800 calories an hour. I first heard about it from a family friend who participates in races regularly. She is in her 70s and a cancer survivor, so I think that if she can do it, you can too.
Gabby Reece is superwoman, even while pregnant
Celebrities and Entertainment, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
In a lineup of people who loooove Gabrielle Reece, I probably stand somewhere just behind her husband Laird and her kids. She's an amazing athlete, hotter than the sun, and she gives straight-up fitness advice without pulling punches. As Parentdish reports, at five months pregnant she still manages to stay on the pro volleyball circuit and put in time as a Today show correspondent. Her mortal hubby says, "She's feeling good, training hard, working out like an animal."Normally I might kinda resent women who can do it all while pregnant, but she's so fierce and, well, hot, I can't help but adore her even more. Why do I get the feeling she could deliver her baby on the volleyball court and still find a way to fit in a workout? Go Gabby, go!
Combining sports and mingling
I'm not one for team sports usually, but if the fun comes first, I think I can handle something like this. How about you?
More awesome outdoor activities
What other activities can you think of?
























