I have not been on a rowing machine since college when I was on the rowing team.  Since I was in New Hampshire and it was too cold to row outdoors all year, we used these during the winter to train.  And boy do I have poignant memories of training on the “erg” machine!  It was TOUGH! So today, in search of something different for my cardio workout, I revisited the rowing machine.  I forgot just how amazing they are!

With another Triathlon and running season upon us, lots of us are busy running, cycling, and Spinning.  You may find that you need to include some cross training into your training.  Among many benefits, cross training can help prevent overuse injuries by using your muscles in different ways.  It can also help you continue to build fitness while recovering from an injury. The rowing machine, also known as an ergometer or “erg” machine to those who row, is an amazing tool for your training and cross training!  Rowing works your legs, back, and upper-body and the impact is low on your joints and body.   Cross training on the rowing machine allows you to keep your legs, back and upper-body strong while further conditioning your cardiorespiratory system.  Because you are engaging so many muscles when you row, your cardio system works hard!  Additionally, one rigorous hour on the rower can burn 800 calories! Learning the proper rowing machine technique is essential in order avoid injury and to maximize your efficiency and calorie burn.  The tendency for beginners is to use their upper-body too much while their legs follow.  When you are using correct form, majority of your power or effort will come from driving your legs.  This video clearly describes the three components to the row: the catch, drive, and recovery.  Check it out and definitely give the rowing machine a try!!

Do you use the rowing machine in your training?  Let’s discuss! 

Welcome to our new blog location!  Now our website and blog are living happily side by side .  Speaking of living happily, are you?  Are you achieving your dreams?  Everyone has dreams and desires for their family, loved ones, career, etc., but how much of them can come to fruition by the power of your own mind?  According to Dr. Joesph Murphy, Ph.D., D.D., author of The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, we have the power to make all of our dreams come true!  Perhaps there is something to sayings like “mind over matter” and “you are what you think.”

Dr. Murphy explains the scientific relationship between our conscious and subconscious minds.  Essentially, and I am paraphrasing here, your conscious thoughts control your subconscious, and it is your subconscious that brings your dream(s) into reality.  By picturing your dream and really thinking and feeling as though it is reality, you are making your dream become your reality.

This may sound a little out there, and honestly when I first started reading the book I was skeptical.  But then I thought what have I got to lose?!  So for the last week I have made every effort to choose my conscious thoughts carefully and not only visualize my dreams, but really feel them as reality.  At the very least I have been in a much better mood since I started .  I look forward to writing about my dreams that have become my reality!

How do you make your dreams come true?  Tell us in the comment section!

“I ran a marathon.” A small fraction of the human population can say this.  Lately I have been gaining interest in being able to be one of them!  I am not exactly sure where this interest is coming from.  Perhaps it is all the positive energy in the tweets, blog and facebook posts from so many runners and Ultrarunners (100+ miles) lately!

One of these incredibly motivating and inspirational people is Corinne Ellison. Aside from being ellasport’s sponsored athlete from the UK, Corinne is an aspiring Ironman finisher, success coach and four-time marathoner!  As the Virgin London Marathon grows closer, Corinne took stock in what she has learned during her training for four marathons.

• Pushing boundaries. With each hill, sprint or group interval session, I felt stronger and more in control. The speeds I can now achieve were completely unthinkable several months ago.
• Discipline. Training in the UK, over winter is not an easy task. Fitting in 5 runs a week around a 70-80 hour working week is also challenging but I have enjoyed the experience. Early morning runs, late night runs, snow, wind and rain all make for a disciplined athlete.
• Commitment. Similar to the above but more specifically about sticking to the task. When the going gets tough, injuries or extreme tiredness occurs, commitment is required to keep you going.
• Accepting and seeing through a challenge. Commitment is the first step, the second step is action. Seeing through your actions is vital to ensure you succeed.

I hope they inspire you to set a new fitness goal for yourself or re-commit to previously made goals!

See ellasport’s New Power Capris in action!  Fitness trainer extraordinaire, Julie Bobek, is the founder of “all about you” specialty classes at the Reebok Sports Club/NY which have the luxury of individual attention in a group setting.  Her fitness mantra is “aspire, act, achieve.”

In this video she demonstrates how to do lunges with shoulder press rotation.  This is a total body exercise that not only works all the major muscle groups of the body, it will also increase your heart rate helping you burn more calories than cardio or strength training alone!

I have really enjoyed the passionate opinions of those in favor of the Workout Skirt (or running skirt) and those not so in favor if it!  So much so, that we have put our Workout Skirt on sale for this week.   The ellasport Workout Skirt is 30% off through March 14, 2011!  Happy shopping!!

ellasport’s Workout Skirt

ellasport’s athlete across the pond in England is Corinne Ellison.  We are ecstatic to have her represent ellasport as she pursues the ultimate fitness goal: an Ironman! Corinne has recovered from the major heart surgery she underwent just eight months ago.  More about that in this post.

Corinne kicked butt in her first race since surgery a couple of weeks ago, finishing the Brighton half-marathon (in the UK) in 1:57!  Next up is the London Marathon in just one month and twelve days!  See pics below .  Looking fabulous girl!

Corinne Ellison in her new ellasport athletic apparel!

Corinne in the Gramercy Racerback Tank and Power Capris!