HoserLife|Want to live life like a true Hoser, read on.

One of the things that I am planning on doing to get fit is to play more sports. I am already playing Basketball once a week with work and starting to play some squash. However now I am back into HOCKEY…

I am only playing once a week, on Saturday morning with my first day on the 10th. Man was I hurting, even now 5 days later I am still feeling the affects. My legs weren’t too bad since I am biking, running and playing basketball, but my back was killing me. This signals that there is a problem.

The problem is that I have a weak core. Having a weak core is going to affect everything I do, and leaves me prone to more serious injuries. So to try to combat this I have added different movements into my work out routine to help. One is crunches and side bridge. This will help strengthen my mid-section. The other is the “prone cobra” and seated rows. I have added these to the same day that I do shoulders to help fill out that day. I will also be doing crunches after cardio and maybe add the half-ball to my routine when doing standing motions like curls.

If anyone else has and idea on how to strengthen your core let us know by making a comment below.

I was wondering around the interweb today and found this cool site, Real Women’s Fitness and especially the post called 26 Gym Hacks You Probably Don’t Use There are a number there that are very smart, and guys don’t think that you can’t learn anything from a “Women’s” site, there is a lot of great information on there.

1. Trainers are worth the money
If you have been at the gym for a long time and still aren’t seeing much progress you should spend one session with a trainer and get their advice and opinion. This could save you time, effort and a lot of emotional energy.

Deservedly number 1! This is something that I think that most men don’t do, they think that since they read Mens Health and of mags, or was a High School athlete they don’t need a trainer. WRONG, most of these guys know what they are doing and as long as you make sure to see that they are accredited they are well worth the time and money. And most gyms will have discounts that you can apply when you start at the gym.

9. Machines are NOT meant to make it easier
When you get on a machine do not get on with the idea that it is easier to do that free weights. It is not supposed to make it easier to lift, it is supposed to help you target a certain muscle group. You still need to work hard.

I talk to a lot of friends who say that they like machines because they are “easier”. Well the reason why I use machines is that I want to push HARD, and if I don’t have a spotter a machine is very safe.

10. Repetition range means “until failure”
If you get one of those workout cards from your gym and it says “Dumbell Curls - 4 Sets of 10 Reps” it does not mean pick any old weight and just do 10 casual reps. What it means is that you should carefully select a weight that will cause you to “fail” at 10 reps. In normal speak this means that you have chosen the ideal weight if you can do 10 reps but no more. If you just do 10 reps with any old weight you are not going to make progress.

NO comment needed, this is important and something that when I am lazy at the gym will just use the weight I used the last workout and not up the weight.

20. If you don’t know, ask
The trainers are always wandering the floor like lost children. Quite often I wonder why they are even there. If you don’t know how to use a machine then go up and ask. They will be thrilled that someone actually talked to them and it might save you an injury.

At my gym it seems that this is VERY true, however there is one that I go to that they have very stuck up trainers, but that is only at one of the nearby franchises.

24. Early morning free breakfast
If you ever want a free breakfast some gyms (especially women’s gyms) offer a free breakfast of toast, fruit and a cup of tea. Go and do your workout and then have a bite before you head off to work. Perfect.

I wish that my gym does that, I am pretty sure that I would be going to the gym much more often in the morning.

And what is it with the Women’s Gyms getting the perks?

Anyway, browse the site, there is a lot of great stuff to find around there.

I have been thinking lately that there is no beverage that a Hoser likes more than beer. And even though this site is dedicated to helping Hosers and non-hosers alike to live a better, fuller, healthier life, beer is just too important.

Beer, like wine and other liqueur, when drank in moderation have even showed to help prevent heart disease. But in binging amounts there could be nothing worse for the heart, not to mention the liver.

However not all beer is made equal, both in the health aspect, or the taste. In the next little while I am going to be trying out different kinds and will be trying to write some reviews. I may get a couple of my “beer nerd” friends to help out.

Yipee, I am now going to be sure to go to the bar after the gym, rather than the juice bar.

According to a recent study, as reported by the Telegraph beer helps with re-hydration after strenuous exercise. In the Mens Health Blog, they reported that the study gave half of the subjects all of the water they wanted after strenous excercise and the other half had a pint of beer and THEN all of the water that they wanted.

It was showed that the people that had the beer had slightly better re-hydration than those who just simply had water.

This is great for those that are beer lovers, but remember not to go over-board, the reason that you are going to the gym or doing that strenuous exercise is to lose those extra calories, and beer as everyone knows is full of empty calories.

So what do you think?  Now that you know that having a beer may help you to re-hydrate are you going to change your after gym meal/refreshment?  Myself I am an average guy who goes to the gym to lose those extra pounds that I have gained sitting at my desk all day.  Beer is something that I like to enjoy, however I am not up for drinking down all of those extra calories after working hard on the rower.  This finding may be better for the NASCAR drivers or professional sports players who in the course of a game or race loose up to 10lbs in sweat and really need to rehydrate fast.

1. Over 45000 people in North America die from the simple flu every year. The majority are overthe age of 65.

2. Loss of productivity. When the cost of a shot is so insignificant compared from someone being sick for even one day it is a no brainer. BUt I suppose that the average worker doesn’t care, but I bet there boss does and talk about bownie points when you drop that you had your flu shot the night before :wink::wink:

3. Being sick sucks. THink about it, would you rather be healthy or laying on the couch for a week puking in a bucket?

4. Your hockey team needs you (or poker night or frisbee or reading group)

5. And I suppose the best reason would have to be because Jennifer Garner said so

But seriously now, those are some great reasons but there are some people that absolutley need to get the shot, anyone over 50 or between 6 years and 6 months old. Those are the to biggest groups who are most at risk. Remember reason 1? If you are over 50 be sure to get out there and get a shot. Also if you have a depressed immune system it is critcal that you get protected.

So now I bet you are thinking that everyone should get the shot, well there are some people that are exempnt. Those include babies younger than 6 months, and anyone that is allergic to eggs, or if you have ever had a reaction to the vaccine in the past.

One of the questions that some people ask is what does it cost? Well if you live in Canada it costs NOTHING, your health care program covers it.

Are you still wondering if it is a good idea? Skeptical? Check out this site for some good information on the facts and some common misconceptions.

So have you gone yet? GO!!!