Friday, January 31, 2020

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Mens Journal

Fit folks live for benchmark numbers⁠—1RM, PRs, body fat percentage. Perhaps the most braggable stat available, though, is your VO2 max.

Technically speaking, this is the maximum amount of oxygen you can utilize during exercise, but for all intents and purposes, it’s a marker of just how fit you actually are. “You want the biggest VO2 max as humanly possible, since this number defines how intense a workout your body can handle. The higher the number, the harder and longer you can go in a workout,” says San Diego-based trainer Matt Pippin, CSCS, founder of Pippin Performance.

Generally, fit guys will be between 42.5 (good) and 52.5 (superior) in their 20s, 41 to 49.5 in their 30s, and 39 to 48.1 in their 40s.

Now, traditionally, your VO2 max is determined by a treadmill test where you’re hooked up to a ventilator, run at different paces, and a machine measures how much oxygen you consume with each breath, then how much of that oxygen your body uses to fuel your exercise.

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But a recent study reports this coveted stat may be right at your fingertips: The Fitbit Charge 2 is able to measure your VO2 max on average within 10 percent of the accuracy of a full-blown treadmill test, says research in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

However, the reality is, bragging rights are just about all that number delivers. Because while your VO2 max rates your potential, it’s really the other numbers that come out of a treadmill test you want⁠—namely, at what pace and heart rate you hit both your aerobic threshold (where you burn carbs for fuel) and your anaerobic threshold (where you start burning fat for fuel).

These numbers allow you to craft a hyper-personalized training plan for pretty much whatever goal you have⁠—improving cycling endurance, mobilizing fat stores, but mostly, becoming the fittest and most efficient athlete you’re capable of being.

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The Problem With Not Knowing Your Numbers

Most gymgoers train in the “dead zone” of their heart rate⁠—the space above their aerobic threshold but below their anaerobic threshold, Pippin says. A lot of fit folks end up here because it’s moderately difficult, you get a great sweat, and feel like you accomplished something⁠. But it’s kind of like going into the weight room and benching the same weight week after week—you still feel a “pump,” but you’re not really improving anything, he says.

What’s more, it actually creates new problems: “Training in the dead zone will make your aerobic threshold really low (around 100 bpm) and your anaerobic threshold reasonably high (like 155–170 bpm),” Pippin says. “Even if you feel like you’re working hard, getting a great sweat, you’re essentially spinning your wheels when it comes to progress.”

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How to Craft a Training Plan Based Off Your VO2 Max Test

Head to a performance center or physical therapy office to get the treadmill test done. It’ll only set you back $100 to $250, but without the personalized numbers, you’re essentially running blind and simply guessing, Pippin says.

When you get a VO2 max test done, look at your aerobic and anaerobic threshold. If there’s more than 30 bpm between the two numbers, your first goal is to close that:

For six to eight weeks, your training regimen should be focused on slow cardiovascular exercise at just below your aerobic threshold, Pippin says. Train at this heart rate for 60 minutes, four to six times a week. Additionally, one day a week, crank your heart rate up to your anaerobic threshold for a HIIT routine or spin class for 30 to 45 minutes.

After six to eight weeks of the above, or if your numbers are already within 30 bpm of one another, you’re ready to start building a bigger engine with VO2 max–specific training.

Warning: The below is incredibly uncomfortable. But after four to six weeks, Pippin reassures, you’ll be more capable of crushing both long runs and brutal WOD⁠s. Keep it up for 8 to 12 weeks and you should have a 10 percent higher VO2 max stat to brag about.

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The VO2 Max Training Plan

Directions: Complete 60 minutes of slow endurance work at your aerobic threshold 3 to 4 times a week. Then, 1 to 2 times a week, do one of the following:

Workout 1:

Perform 3 rounds 20–40 seconds of maximal intensity effort, followed by 1–3 minutes of rest (or when your heart rate falls between 110 and 130 bpm). That’s 1 set. For the first two weeks, stick to 1 set, then progress to 2 sets with 8–10 minutes of rest between the two. Do this on an assault bike, versa climber, or on a track (sprints).

Workout 2:

Perform 3 rounds of 90–120 seconds of maximal intensity effort, followed by 1–2 minutes of rest. That’s 1 set. For the first two weeks, stick to 1 set, then progress to 2 sets with 4–6 minutes of rest between the two. Try this on an assault bike, versa climber, or on a track (sprints).

Workout 3:

Perform 5–6 rounds of 7–10 seconds of maximal intensity effort, followed by 2–5 minutes of rest (or when your heart rate hits below 120 bpm). That’s 1 set. For the first two weeks, stick to 1 set, then progress to 2 sets with 8–12 minutes of rest between the two. Do this on an assault bike, versa climber, or via explosive pushups or jump squats.

Workout 4:

Perform 10–12 rounds of 10–15 seconds of maximal intensity effort, followed by 20–60 seconds of rest. (Each 10–12 round equals 1 set.) For the first two weeks, stick to 1 set, then progress to 2 sets with 8–10 minutes of rest between the two. Try this on an assault bike, versa climber, or via explosive pushups or jump squats.

The post The Training Plan to Boost Your VO2 Max appeared first on Men's Journal.



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Thursday, January 30, 2020

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Ask the Ripped Dude: How Much Weight Loss Is Dangerous?

Trying to lose too much weight too quickly can put you back at square one.

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What One Lifter Learned from Not Eating for 60 Hours

Think fasting is just for dieters or skinny hipsters? Think again. Here's what one coach and meathead discovered by giving up his traditional eating schedule and embracing the hunger!

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Mens Journal

Even though he hasn’t won one yet in his PGA Tour career, golfer Tony Finau is on the cusp of winning a major championship. Finau has a top-10 finish at all four of the majors on tour, including a career-best third-place finish at the 2019 Open Championship. With how he’s played in recent years, 2020 could be his time to finally snag one of those trophies.

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One place Finau is focused on is at the first major of the year, the Masters Tournament in April, where he’s coming off of a top-five finish. The course also just happens to be one of his favorite places to play. (Finau and the tournament are also linked from the time he went viral in 2018 after dislocating his ankle while celebrating a hole-in-one during the Par-3 Contest; Finau was still able to tough his way through the rest of the tournament.)

“It’s one of the best-designed golf courses in the world,” Finau tells Men’s Journal. “When you combine that with the history and the matches being played there, it’s definitely got to be at the top of my list.”

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For his MJ5, Finau spoke with Men’s Journal about the way he tries to “attack” his workouts in the gym, his favorite lifts, the best advice he’s received, and more. Check out the full MJ5 archives for more interviews with Chris Evans, Russell Wilson, Michael Strahan, Tony Hawk, P.K. Subban, Ewan McGregor, and more.

On the areas he focuses most in his training: “The three areas I attack in my workouts are stability, mobility, and flexibility throughout the whole body. I believe those three areas are very important in the golf swing. I attack all parts of my body, just like I do with my golf game. I go pretty hard at the gym to get stronger every year. I try to gain an advantage by getting stronger and more fit than other players. At the end of the season, it makes a huge difference—the thing about the PGA Tour is it’s such a long season and we don’t really have an offseason, so you’ve got to train and keep in shape throughout the whole year.”

On his favorite workouts: “I like to use kettlebells for power cleans, Olympic lifts and squats—but that’s about all the weights I’ll use. Outside of that, I do a lot of floor work. I’ll mix in yoga with pilates for core, and then I’ll get on the bike. I also use a lot of bands.”

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On the best advice he’s received: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is ‘be yourself.’ I’ve learned that if you can be your most authentic self, things will happen in your life the way they’re supposed to. I think we all learn things about ourselves, we’re all unique and have unique things about us—and that’s what makes everybody great. That’s probably the best advice I can give as well.”

On his favorite courses to travel to: “My favorite course is my home course I grew up on in Salt Lake City, the Jordan River Par Three. I just have so many great memories starting there and playing with my dad and my brother. It’s my favorite course, and it’s the course I’d love to play my final round on if I ever had the chance. As far as a golf course every golfer should play before they die, it’s Augusta National. It’s such a treat to be on ground and play, and there’s so much history there.”

On his dream golf matchup: “I had my opportunity last year with Tiger Woods at the Masters at Augusta National, and I’d love that opportunity again this year. Hopefully I can have that chance again this year and have a different result.”

The post MJ5: Golfer Tony Finau on Attacking His Workouts, Doing Yoga, and the Course Every Person Should Play appeared first on Men's Journal.



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Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Mens Journal

When it comes to food and nutrition, I’m always fascinated to learn exactly how what we eat benefits us.

But weighing nutritional facts gets a bit more tricky when looking at two extremely similar foods, like acaî and pitaya. Both are fruits that have purported health benefits, but is one superior to the other?

I put them to the test to understand the differences in how they taste, how they affect our overall health and the individual benefits that each bring to the table.

Acaî, a berry which hails from the Amazon, has been recognized in the health community for many years, and rose to mainstream stardom when companies like Sambazon came onto the scene nearly two decades ago.

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While acaî has become a staple at juice shops and health food grocers, its lesser known cousin, pitaya, is emerging in that very same way. Pitaya, or dragon fruit, is mainly grown in South America, and is recognized for its bright pink appearance in smoothies.

On their own, both are reportedly high in antioxidants, which can help your body fight free radicals and inflammation. As a result, they have also been touted as “superfoods.”

As it goes, most companies that produce smoothie packs with these fruits also add other ingredients into the mix, such as sugar, which alter the nutritional value and taste. This has led to a recent line of questioning when it comes to consuming juice and smoothies as healthy alternatives.

Aside from that, acaî and pitaya have a similar—but not identical—flavor breakdown, but differ in many other ways.

Take a look at the results of this recent taste test and nutritional analysis with two leading companies.

Acaî
pitaya vs acai
Sambazon Acaî. Photo: James Rodney

For this comparison, we used Sambazon Acaî smoothie packs.

This company was the most readily available at local grocers. A single smoothie packet contains 100 calories and 13 grams of sugar per serving. The acaî, however, calls for two packets when blended for a smoothie or bowl, doubling the amount of calories and sugar.

Acaî had a negligible amount of fiber, less than 1 gram, and about 4 grams of fat. The smoothie packs contain other ingredients besides acaî berry, such as organic cane sugar, organic soy lechitin and organic guarana extract—a seed found in the Amazon and used for energy.

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The blend also contains 15 mg of sodium per serving, and has 35 mg of Omega 3, 435 mg of Omega 6 and 2,130 mg of Omega 9. Omega-3s fats are known for reducing inflammation, which is at the root of many chronic ailments.

pitaya vs acai
Blend with some banana and apple juice, and you’ve got a tasty treat. Photo: James Rodney

For the taste test, the acaî was sampled on its own, and it really doesn’t need anything added to it—perhaps because of the added sugar and flavors from others ingredients like guarana extract, which is found in most acaî smoothie packs.

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When blended with about half a banana and 1/4 cup apple juice, the consistency was a bit runnier than preferred, but the taste was still good. In my opinion, these acaî smoothie packs have a bit of a richer, nuttier flavor, with hints of cocoa, that work well to offset the sweetness that you get from the fruit and fruit juices added to the mix.

Pitaya
pitaya vs acai
PitayaPlus Dragon Fruit Cubes. Photo: James Rodney

What was noted right away about PitayaPlus is that it only contains one ingredient: dragon fruit (pitaya) with seeds.

For this taste test, I picked up PitayaPlus’ fruit cubes because the smoothie packs weren’t available, and actually, found the fruit cubes to be a bit easier to work with—you can skip the step of cutting into the plastic smoothie packs, plus it saves on excessive packaging. Also worth noting: Pitaya was a bit harder to find at my local grocery stores compared to acaî, but is easy to find for purchase online.

Not surprisingly, the pitaya fruit cubes on their own are a bit bland when compared with the acaî smoothie packs, since it is essentially just the plain fruit. It also has roughly 100 calories and 13 grams of sugar per serving.

pitaya vs. acaî
PitayaPlus fruit cubes. Photo: Courtesy of PitayaPlus

Where pitaya seems to break away from acaî is in Vitamin C, boasting 7% per serving (compared to 0% in acaî). Vitamin C plays a role in everything from boosting the immune system to keeping skin looking healthy.

Pitaya has 5 grams of fiber compared to 2 grams in the acaî smoothie packs, 2 grams of protein, and is high in other nutrients such as iron (7 percent) and magnesium (17 percent). And although not listed on PitayaPlus’ nutritional facts, the fruit’s seeds are also reportedly high in Omega-3 and Omega-9.

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Studies have also examined how pitaya helps to regulate blood sugar and control glucose levels, which has potential health implications for those at risk for or who have diabetes.

pitaya vs acai
Loving the bright pink color from the pulp and the texture the Pitaya seeds offer in this bowl. Photo: James Rodney

Okay, now for the taste test. Pitaya is often compared closely to kiwi in texture, and that proved out when I blended it up with half a banana and apple juice, exactly as I did with the acaî. Instantly, I noticed a thicker consistency with pitaya. The taste was just as sweet as (if not sweeter than) the acaî.

Although it did lack some of the complexities of the acaî, the pitaya’s flavor was a strong competitor.

With all factors considered, I would lean toward pitaya over acaî purely based on the fact that the pitaya contained no added sugar and did not compromise on flavor when prepared in a smoothie or bowl. And in this case, the additional vitamins and nutritional benefits in the pitaya gave it the edge over my preference for acaî’s richer, nuttier flavor.

The post Pitaya vs. Acaî: Which Has Superior Nutritional Benefits? appeared first on Men's Journal.



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The Definitive Guide to Medicine Ball Slams

Something about a medicine ball just begs to be hurled into the floor. But are you doing this explosive move correctly? Here's everything you need to know, plus enough variations to keep you slamming all year!

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020

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Mens Journal

Anyone who works in an office (or at all, really) knows that dreaded 3 p.m. afternoon slump.

When the late afternoon stupor hits, it’s easy to fill up another cup of coffee… but is that the best way to go?

Researchers say that a cup or two of java in the morning has proven health benefits, including liver health, heart health, and boosted short term memory, to name a few.

However, drinking caffeine in the afternoon can mess with sleep patterns, concentration, and stress levels. The effects of coffee can last up to six hours, and according to Daily Mail, drinking one cup of strong coffee in the afternoon can knock an hour off of your sleep.

The next time you’re feeling sleepy in the afternoon, consider reaching for one of these alternatives.


Green Smoothie
What could be better for your waning energy levels than a tasty mixture of fruits and veggies? If you include the right ingredients, including superfoods such as spinach, açai and chia seeds, you'll increase energy levels while simultaneously filling your body with nutrients. Photo: Courtesy of Pexels
Kombucha

Sure, it's trendy, but that doesn't make it bad. After all, if something is popular there must be some reason everyone is seeking it. Kombucha is an excellent source of probiotics, which keep your gut happy.

Photo: Courtesy of Zarzamora/Shuttestock
Good Ol’ Water
The most obvious (but somehow least thought of in the group), water is what out bodies crave and run on—therefore, it should be one of your first choices in the quest to stay hydrated. Oftentimes, feelings of hunger or tiredness are really symptoms of dehydration. Next time you feel unfocused at work, sip a little water. You'll bounce right back. Bonus points if you add lemon. Photo: Courtesy of Jez Timms/Unsplash

The post 4 Healthy Alternatives to Your Afternoon Coffee Addiction appeared first on Men's Journal.



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Mens Journal

Since its discovery in December 2019, a coronavirus has been making headlines as it steadily spread from Wuhan, China, where it was first reported, to other countries around the globe. There are now more than 4,000 confirmed cases worldwide, and that number is expected to grow. While the CDC reports that the virus presents only a low immediate risk to Americans, it’s calling the infection a “a very serious public health threat,” and new cases are being confirmed every day.

First of all, don’t panic. There are just five cases in the U.S. at the time of this writing, and there’s no evidence that the disease is spreading between people here.

“For now, there’s no major concern,” Ramzi Asfour, a California-based infectious disease expert, told Men’s Journal. “Just keep abreast of the news and you will be warned if you need to be.”

Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus, and how you can stay safe at home and abroad.

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What Is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are actually a whole class of viruses, and according to the CDC, they’re relatively common. In humans, they usually cause only mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms in people—similar to what you’d get if you came down with a cold. In recent years, two newer human coronaviruses, MERS and SARS, emerged, and they frequently caused more severe symptoms and often led to pneumonia.

For the new coronavirus (officially labeled 2019-nCoV), symptoms have varied from person to person, with some reporting only mild affects while others have become severely ill and died. Generally, 2019-nCoV causes a fever, cough, and shortness of breath in the people it infects. Symptoms can appear as soon as two days after the initial exposure to the virus, or as long as two weeks afterward.

Where It Has Spread

Although investigations into 2019-nCoV are still ongoing, it’s believed to spread like other coronaviruses: through droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Since being identified in China at the end of 2019, the virus has spread across the globe. According to the latest stats reported by The New York Times, Thailand has reported 14 cases of coronavirus; Hong Kong has eight; the U.S., Taiwan, Australia, and Macau have five each; Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia have four each; Japan has seven; France has three; Canada and Vietnam have two; and Nepal, Cambodia and Germany each have one.

But most of the cases are in China. 4,515 people there are confirmed to have coronavirus there, the Times reports. In addition, 106 people have died—though there have been no 2019-nCoV deaths reported outside of China.

According to CDC data, in the U.S., coronavirus cases have been confirmed in California, Arizona, Illinois, and Washington state.

coronavirus
Passengers waiting at Hong Kong West Kowloon High-Speed Railway Station EyePress News/SIPA / Shutterstock

What Experts Are Saying

Right now, officials are focused on containing the spread of the virus. At a press conference in Washington, the CDC announced that it will step up screenings for travelers arriving in the U.S. from Wuhan, the Times reports. The agency will now assess travelers’ health at 20 ports of entry, up from five. With just a few cases reported in the states, however, the CDC doesn’t see coronavirus as a major risk to the general public, at least not yet.

“Right now, there is no spread of this virus in our communities at home,” Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Times.

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Japan, Germany, and Vietnam have all reported person-to-person infections, and the World Health Organization updated its global risk assessment of the outbreak from “moderate” to “high.” Even so, the greatest risk of catching the virus comes from traveling to China, where most of the infected people are. For that reason, the CDC issued a Level 3 travel warning for China—it recommends that people avoid “all non-essential travel” to the country.

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How to Stay Safe

To avoid the virus, treat it like you would the cold or flu, says Asfour. That means following the usual battery of prevention practices: wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoid close contact with sick people.

If you’re feeling under the weather, cough and sneeze into a tissue, avoid close contact with others, and disinfect your surroundings to stop the spread of the virus. And most importantly, says Asfour, don’t go into the office.

“I would be especially vigilant about remaining at home,” he said.

What about the surgical masks people are wearing? They’re largely unnecessary, Asfour says, and the evidence on their effectiveness is “sketchy.” More importantly, people rushing to buy them are causing a shortage for hospitals and clinics.

“Don’t panic and order a bunch on Amazon,” he said, “because people who might actually need them will not be able to get them.”

If you’re already sick, wearing a surgical-style mask that covers your nose and mouth can help prevent you from spreading pathogens (this is standard practice for flu patients, Asfour says). But there’s no reason for healthy people in the general population to wear them.

Instead, get plenty of sleep, make sure you have adequate vitamin D and vitamin C levels, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. That will keep your immune system in top shape.

“Those things are extra important when there’s an outbreak,” Asfour said, “but they’re also just routine recommendations.”

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Mens Journal

Super Bowl 54 is set with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The teams are going head to head in Miami for the NFL Championship, with one team taking home the Lombardi Trophy. For the Chiefs, it’s their first time in 50 years, while the Niners are looking to win for the first time since 1995 after making the big game back in 2013 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Minimally Informed Guide to Super Bowl 54: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

Through college, the draft process, and training camp, players work tirelessly in the gym and grind it out on the field in the hopes of making it to the Super Bowl. So we spoke to some players from the Chiefs and 49ers and scoured their social media feeds to collect their best training secrets. Here’s how this year’s top players from each team train for the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs 

Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback

After winning the NFL MVP Award for the 2018 season and leading his team to the Super Bowl this year, Mahomes has established himself as the best young quarterback in football. Mahomes spoke with Men’s Journal in 2019 about the way he trains and how he’s learned to make unconventional throws, something he’s become known for.

“I do a lot of single-leg stuff, but it’s more than just lunges,” Mahomes said. “I do step-ups and similar things, but what’s key is that my trainer Bobby [Stroupe] will put me in these difficult, awkward positions and I’ll work on throwing from those spots. He’ll toss me med balls and I’ll have to catch it and try to keep my balance and strength. I feel like that training helps me out a ton when I’m on the field and in those awkward positions. I learn to use my strength and balance to throw an accurate football. It becomes natural because of how we work on it together.”

As for strength training, Mahomes has some mainstays: “Two of my favorite static exercises are the deadlift and bench press, but I can’t bench press any more because of my position,” Mahomes added. “I can only dumbbell bench press, but I still love to do it. With the deadlift, I just love the explosive part of it. I guess I like it because I’m good at it, but I feel like it’s a great workout.

Here’s a look at Mahomes in action with his trainer:

Travis Kelce, Tight End

Kelce has become the model for the modern tight end in the NFL with Rob Gronkowski retired, and he’s become the go-to target for Mahomes and the Chiefs. Kelce has made five straight Pro Bowls and has been voted First-Team All-Pro twice in 2016 and 2018. Kelce had a monster game in the AFC Divisional Round comeback against the Houston Texans, catching 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns in the 51-31 win.

“During the season, I do Tuesday/Thursday workouts in the mornings,” Kelce said in an interview with Men’s Journal. “I’ll start with lower body—squats are amazing. I think front squats really tie in everything with your core, lower extremities, and hips. The biggest thing I like to focus on in all my workouts is using my core to trigger everything. I’ve had two surgeries, so you want to make sure everything is connecting the right way. Pullups and pushups are always undefeated in my mind: They’re the ultimate two workouts you can do to help your core and upper body all work together. I think it helps me so much to evolve as an athlete.”

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Here’s a look at Kelce training with a boxing workout:

Damien Williams, Running Back

Williams has stepped up as the lead running back for Mahomes and the Chiefs this season. He also had a big game against the Texans in the playoffs, scoring three times to help the team advance to the AFC Championship.

Tyrann Mathieu, Safety

Mathieu has long been considered one of the most talented defensive backs in football, but this season he really separated himself from the pack and helped elevate the Chiefs defense all season. Mathieu’s hard-hitting play earned him first-team All-Pro recognition as a defensive back, and his four interceptions during the regular season were the most for him since the 2015 season when he was with the Cardinals.

pic.twitter.com/5ZbFuX7OFt

— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 3, 2018

Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver 

While Watkins didn’t have a great statistical regular season in 2019, the speedy wideout made up for it with his breakout game in the playoffs against the Tennessee Titans. Watkins finished with seven catches for 114 yards and a crucial touchdown—he left the Titans defense in the dust on a 60-yard touchdown from Mahomes that put the game out of reach and helped seal the Chiefs victory.

Cam Erving, Offensive Line

Erving has been a steady presence on the offensive line for the Chiefs this season, helping to give Mahomes plenty of time to make his throws.

49ers RB Raheem Mostert Almost Became a Pro Surfer. Now He’s in the Super Bowl

San Francisco 49ers

Raheem Mostert, Running Back

The surfing-loving Mostert had the breakout game of the playoffs for the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns to help defeat the Packers. The performance was a major surprise from a player who had been cut from six different teams on his NFL journey over the years. As a nod to his love of surfing, Mostert uses a touchdown celebration that mimics him riding out on the water and catching waves.

“I started surfing when I was about 13 or 14,” Mostert told 49ers.com during the 2019 season. “It’s just been a big hit for me—going out there and riding the waves… just enjoying the atmosphere in the water. My touchdown celebration brings me back to being a kid and enjoying myself and surfing.”

Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver

As a rookie, Samuel has made a big impact on the 49ers offense, as he has been used as a receiver and a rusher at times, using his incredible speed to make big plays all over the field. If the 49ers put up points on Super Bowl Sunday, Samuel will likely be heavily involved.

George Kittle, Tight End

Along with Kelce, Kittle has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the game. Kittle has been just as good catching the ball as he’s been at blocking for his 49ers teammates, making him one of the top all-around players at his position. Kittle had the signature play of the season when he dragged multiple Saints players during a comeback victory in New Orleans.

.@gkittle46 isn’t messing around this offseason 💪 pic.twitter.com/IMZELoYISz

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 20, 2019

Nick Bosa, Defensive End

As a rookie, Bosa has already established himself as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league. He’s expected to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award after recording nine quarterback sacks during the season. In the playoffs, Bosa has been crucial for the 49ers, sacking Vikings QB Kirk Cousins twice in the Niners’ 27–10 win and then getting Aaron Rodgers for a sack and plenty other disruptions during the 37–20 win over the Packers to advance to the Super Bowl.

Solomon Thomas, Defensive Line

After playing college ball in Northern California at Stanford, Thomas helped the 49ers put together one of the most talented defensive lines in football. This season he finished with two sacks while playing in all 16 games for the 49ers.

Richard Sherman, Cornerback

The future Hall of Fame cornerback has had a career resurgence in San Francisco after spending the first seven years of his career in Seattle with the Seahawks. Sherman finished this season with three interceptions, his most since the 2016 season, and he was voted to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro after his strong 2019 season. Sherman also sealed the game against the Packers in the playoffs with his interception of Aaron Rodgers in the fourth quarter.

DeForest Buckner, Defensive Line

The entire front line of the 49ers are all first-round draft picks and Buckner has helped the unit become one of the best in football. Buckner was named second-team All-Pro this season and helped disrupt the passing game for the Packers in the 49ers’ win in the NFC Championship game.

The 10 Best Exercises for Football Players

The post How Top Players From the Chiefs and 49ers Train for the Super Bowl appeared first on Men's Journal.



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Mens Journal

I know, because I was nearly part of the statistics

In the winter of 2012, it wasn’t strange to wake up and think about killing myself. After a cocaine and whiskey bender, when spears of afternoon light would break into the dingy bedroom I rented in Telluride, Colorado, the voice in my head would remind me that no one loved me and that I was worthless. And so I’d go about my day with a clenched-fist attitude and a soul that was home to a protected vacancy. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was suffering through undiagnosed alcoholism and addiction, as well as the periphery diseases that accompany those demons, like depression and suicidal ideation. I was too proud and too scared to ask for help.

And that almost killed me.

My life is better than your vacation. You hear this said often in mountain communities, see it on T-shirts, stickers, and coffee mugs—and it makes sense. Locals love the mountains and the towns that sit in their shadows. Mountain towns are home to our most celebrated athletes and adventurers, and hold our dreams of a daring, awe-inspiring life. We praise the ski and climbing bums who forego social norms in pursuit of this counterculture existence. It’s why I originally moved to Colorado. But behind this “best outdoor life” aesthetic, this carefully curated mountain lifestyle, is a hulking mental health crisis. I know because I was nearly a statistic of it.

The U.S. Mountain West is home to the most stunning, and most visited national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Zion. In 2017, Colorado alone hosted 86 million tourists. The natural beauty of these states beckons many to call the mountains home so they can “live the dream.” However, the Mountain West contains eight of the top 10 states with the highest suicide rates in the country. The suicide rate in the Rocky Mountains is nearly three times the national per capita average. And because of this, the Rockies are commonly referred to as “The Suicide Belt.”

Unbuckling the Suicide Belt

Truckee, Calif., Aspen, Colo., and Salt Lake City all have suicide rates higher than the national average. Mental health professionals point to substance abuse as a contributing factor. In fact, a 2017 Swedish study found that ski resort employees have a higher risk of alcohol and drug abuse than the general population.

For those of us living in these communities, the statistics are not abstractions; they’re our neighbors, friends, and even heroes. In the fall of 2019, the Roaring Fork Valley—my new home—experienced what public health officials call a suicide cluster. Four people died from suicide in one month, three were within a five-day period. Just before the New Year, a beloved professional snowboarding phenom from Mammoth Lakes, California, Jaeger Bailey, took his own life at age 26.

Mountain towns don’t cause alcoholism and addiction, depression, or suicide, but a link is clear. Why?

I moved to Telluride to work for the mountain resort when I was 23 years old. But I was really seeking the ski bum life as an extension of my college party scene. Ski towns are a great place to simultaneously assert a kind of manhood while avoiding many of the adult responsibilities that come with actual manhood. When my friends back home were walking career paths, buying homes, starting families, I was trying to scrap together enough money to buy a new backcountry touring setup. Ski all day, party all night, and find some time to earn enough money to support both. As my passion for mountain pursuits grew, so tightened the grips of my undiagnosed addiction and alcoholism, and depression. I self-medicated to muffle the bellow of suicidal ideation. The deeper the darkness got, the amount and frequency of my use increased. “Pushing it” in the mountains became less about achieving goals and more about self-harm.

Paddy O'Connell
The author, sharing from personal experience to unpack an unseen crisis afflicting mountain resort towns. Courtesy Paddy O'Connell

And at every turn, even when I plotted my own death, I never felt that I could reach out and ask for help. I was ashamed, figured I could handle it.

I could not. The great lie about mental health issues is that, because these diseases live in our heads, we are some way in control of them. Those of us devoting our lives to heroics in the ski resort front-, side-, and backcountry seem to be particularly susceptible. We figure that if we are courageous and strong enough to ski a steep line, jump off of a 50-foot cliff, or climb an exposed route, we should have no trouble dealing with the dark clouds inside our minds. If I had a compound fracture of my forearm, I wouldn’t rub dirt on it and say, “I got this.” I’d see a doctor. And anyone in our outdoor community would tell me to do so too. But when the dark voice in my head keeps me from getting out of bed and inspires thoughts of suicide, I tell myself that this is something to handle on my own. I am too afraid and ashamed to ask for help.

How to Find the Right Therapist for You

The stigma that shrouds mental health is what keeps us sick. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly 47 million Americans suffer from mental health issues in a given year. And they say a little less than half of those people receive treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducted a survey in 2014 to find out why. Some of the reasons given were logistical or financial, like health insurance or transportation issues. But stigma was the main reason. People are worried that it could affect their job, don’t want others to find out, and fear being judged or treated differently.

I wish I could say that I ultimately overcame my issues through the same discipline and determination I use to break trail up a bootpack on a powder day, but the opposite is true. The only reason I got help was because I was intervened upon. By luck and circumstance, friends and family helped me when I couldn’t help myself. I started my path to recovery nearly seven years ago. Today, I am happy and healthy. I work at positive mental health daily. But my story is atypical. So many people in our community are suffering, and they feel they must do it alone.

A New Study Shows Hitting the Slopes Could Lower Your Risk of Depression and Dementia

Unfortunately, that instinct can be tragically justified. When a friend of mine told her climbing partners that she was scared about where the depths of her depression and anxiety might take her, she was kicked out of the group. She was told she was infringing on their ability to live the good life and maximize fun. The fear of this type of response kept me silent for years; it was only after my recovery that I learned how many of my friends and peers struggled alongside me in isolation due to the same fears.

Given the number of people suffering, the statistics and the deaths, one would think that the community itself would be working hard to change that identity. But we don’t talk about this. Mental health and suicide is too often swept under the rug, covered up by the good vibes only sensibility that attracts us to the mountains in the first place.

Mountain Gathering
Courtesy Paddy O'Connell

We all need to focus on openly and honestly expressing our inner demons, and create a welcoming space for others to do the same. We have to make the conscious and deliberate shift to change the way our community views mental health and suicide and destroy the stigma. And we need to do it right now, because this is a crisis shrouded by mountains. You can’t get rad, and there are no good vibes, if you’re dead.

The New Thinking on Depression

The post Why Mountain Towns Across the U.S. Are Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis appeared first on Men's Journal.



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