Product Review: RockTape OCR Arm and Calf Sleeves

 RockGuards Arm Protection -

 

RockGuard Arm Protection sleeves are designed for OCR, cross-training, mountain biking, and other high-impact sports. Made from Lycra® spandex, they offer abrasion protection with a unique asymmetrical design.

My Review:

Arm Sleeves Comfort and Fit
The RockTape Arm Sleeves fit to size based off their sizing chart on the website. The sleeves are available in three sizes. The sizing chart is included below for reference. My arms were right on the cusp between Medium and Large. I opted for the smaller size. They fit snug with little slack. The sleeves were extremely comfortable and weren’t as noticeable as other compression gear.
 

Arm Sleeves Function
One factor that a lot of racers fail to take into account is how the product deals with water and/or mud. This is important as many races have you constantly in and out of liquid. I have not ran a full OCR with these but from testing during training they do not retain a noticeable amount of liquid. The sleeves were exposed to many elements since I do a lot of workouts out side, the sleeves never gave off a ‘water-logged’ feel.  The bands are tighter than other compression probably to keep unwanted foreign objects from getting into the sleeve and avoided sacrificing comfort.  I am quite impressed with how much protection they provide!

OVERALL RATING: 9.4/10 -  I have worn many different arm sleeves for arm protection while throwing and pitching, these are by far the most comfortable and durable sleeves I have ever worn! They have an unbeatable price as well, and for a limited time come as a free gift when you spend $50 on the RockTape Website!

RockGuards Shin Protection
 
RockGuards are designed for rope climbs, deadlifts, cleans, snatches, box-jumps… really anything that punishes your shins. Tall socks can only go so far – our specially designed RockGuards are made from perforated 5mm neoprene with a mesh backing. Slide them on easily before your WOD and lift with confidence.


Built Tough
The 3rd generation RockGuards are made with durable 5mm neoprene on the shin-side – and a lightweight mesh on the back for easy on-off during your workout. The neoprene is also perforated for breathability and will not retain water during obstacle course racing.

Not Just the Gym
RockGuards are absolutely fantastic for a variety of collision sports – including mountain biking, obstacle course racing, and trail-running.


I had the same great experience with the calf sleeves. Actually, I was able to use my calf sleeves in more ways than I ever expected.  However, with my RockTape Rock Guards Shin they literally melt into my skin, and I can wear them post recovery for as long as I want!

Similar Comfort, Fit, Function, and Durability as the arm sleeves above!  However the calf sleeves come with a couple extra features such as a 2" Zipper for secure fit and easy removal,  Footstrap to keep in place during functional training and running, and finally a 5mm Neoprene Shin Guard pad to protect you from rope burn, deadlift bruises and double under lashes!

Overall, I highly recommend these Calf sleeves  to anyone looking for active support for endurance, protection from the elements during a race, or even for all day post recovery.

OVERALL RATING: 9.2/10 -  Once again RockTape's Protection sleeves do not disappoint!  

Head on over to their website via my Referral link to get a pair of your own!

https://shop.rocktape.com/?rfsn=508285.03f8c

Basics of Gait Training (Walking)

 Phases of Walking:

Summary of Muscle Function in Level Walking

Muscle Group	Main Function	Abnormalities if Weak
Hip Flexors	Acceleration of Swing	Backward lurch and pelvic tilt to initiate swing as seen in hemiplegia
Hip Abductors	Stabilize pelvis in stance Control drop of pelvis	Trendelenburg or contralateral hip drop
Hip Extensor	Stabilize pelvis, and stance	Backward lurch, or jacknife with quick step on contralateral side
Quadriceps	Absorb shock at heel strike and support knee at stance	Lock knee during stance and tendency to hyperextend
Hamstrings	Deceleration of swing phase	May overshoot at end of swing and "slam into extension"
Ankle DF & Toe Extensors	Control foot hitting the ground "slap" and lift the foot during swing	Steppage gait, toe-heel gait, vault up on opposite leg or circumduct around
Ankle PF & Toe Flexors	Push off at the end of stance phase	Absence of push off and small steps with poor balance and slow speed

• Hip Flexors start the swing
• Hip Extensors, especially hamstrings, decelerate the leg at the end of swing
• Knee extensors contract eccentrically at heel-strike to prevent buckling of knee
• Dorsiflexors act to hold toe off floor during swing, and to prevent foot slap at heel strike (act to slow plantar flexion), another eccentric contraction
• Plantar flexors act during push off

Product Review: GymNext Flex Timer Gym Edition

 Product Details

This is the timer your coaches and members have been asking for!

The GymNext Flex Timer combines a large, crystal-clear LED display with an easy to use interval timer app creating the best, most powerful gym timer ever made.

The 4.0" LED digits (same as the Rogue Echo or MDUSA No Limits timer) in blue/red are visible from hundreds of feet away and the 95db buzzer is extremely loud. With bluetooth range of over 100 feet, you aren't tethered to the clock. Move throughout the facility and easily control and setup the timer from our convenient and FREE mobile app.

You can save an unlimited number of custom workouts spanning 6 different timer modes: Standard, Round, Interval, Tabata, EMOM and Laps. Configurable prelude times, round warnings, and a 3-second segue between rounds are just the beginning of the options available to create the most customized experience ever.

The audio sync feature allows you to use a wired or bluetooth speaker to augment or replace the timer's built in buzzer. Play your music from your phone and now you can listen to your music as loud as you want. The app will automatically fade the music in and out at the end of each round so that you never miss an indicator again.

Large gyms will love the ability to link multiple timers together and have them display the same workout or run the timers separately to easily manage different workouts or heats. And the included wall brackets make mounting your clock a breeze.

For the utmost convenience, go hands-free with a Pebble timepiece or Apple Watch. You'll enjoy the natural feeling you get from initiating the timer from your wrist just like a stopwatch.

For the data lovers and elite athletes, integrate heart rate monitoring into your workouts and have your heart rate periodically or permanently display on the clock so you know how hard you're working and can set a proper pace.

When not in use for timing purposes, the Flex Timer reverts back to a 12h or 24h clock.

But there's even more...

The Flex Timer app is updated all the time unlocking new features and functionality so that your timer actually gets even better with age.


My Review:
I avoided purchasing a clock for my gym too long. Didn't think it was necessary. I was constantly using my phone timer, an app, a stop watch, or even a stop watch website on my computer.  But after using my GymNext clock I can't imagine a workout without it. It is easy to use, not a distraction, and infinite programming possibilities for any type of workout.

I like that you can set up a custom welcome message and that the timer automatically takes local time from your phone. Be aware that the timer will only connect with one phone at a time. This means that if someone was using the timer and you go to connect with your phone, you won't be able to connect. In a big gym setting this would mean you have to reboot the timer or hunt down the person who retains control.

I researched a number of cheaper alternatives but what makes this worth the price is the app. The timer easily connects to your phone and then you can create whatever type of timer you need. Plus the built in timers make it easy to quickly get started, or you can edit them if need be.

The app works flawlessly with the GymNext Flex Timer application. Connection to the timer is so simple a monkey could do it. Everytime I open the app, it connects immediately with zero lag. It's programmable to every interval training mode known to man and has loud audible beeping that can also be programmed to discretion. It does not interfere with music and once the timer is going, you can still use your phone normally as long as the app is running in the background. It connects to a heart rate monitor and can display your heart rate periodically to your discretion. This is extremely helpful especially when you're trying to maintain a certain heart rate zone.

Bottom line, this timer is outstanding in value, usability, build quality and customer service. I've contacted their friendly customer service to tell them how impressed I am with their product and you can tell they are a Just as excited as you will be once you get your hands on it.

- Very bright numbers (I actually use the reduced brightness setting)
- LOUD (I put tape over the buzzer and it is still highly audible)
- App supports any imagineable interval combination
- Kid-safe as there is no remote to play with, damage, or hide
- Robust construction with top and bottom aluminum profiles / extrusions
- Wide-range input power supply for worldwide use

No more fumbling with an awkward remote control. Competitive price superior functionality = unbelievable value. If you're on the fence about this one, do yourself a favor and pull the trigger on the purchase, you won't be disappointed.

I must say it's even more impressive than I thought! Easy to use, 110-220V global electricity support, fast connection to iPhone, ample phone-to-LED display connection range even without the need for line of sight, straightforward LED display design, clear/visible display and audible alarm for large gym. The best timer in my opinion all around. My only critiques are not being able to sync multiple phones and not being able to adjust the beep volume.

It was pretty cool to see the time update instantly once I connected my phone to the clock and when I open the app, the response is quick, accurate and makes everything so hands free. The app user interface is easy to use and quick to learn. Additionally, if I have music playing from my phone, the app automatically quiets the music for the 3-2-1 countdown and then cranks back up for the WOD. What I love about this clock is that it doesn't take time away from my workout time. I don't know it's there until I use it, and when I'm done, it's done. Goes right back to clock time until I need it again.

Order your GymNext Flex Timer!

Everything You Need to Know About Barbells

 Knurling

Much of how a lifter classifies knurling seems to depend on what bars he/she has used and his/her barbell sport background. Perhaps someone who has a powerlifting background and lifted with a specialized powerlifting bar for years can have a different opinion of what aggressive knurling is. The best knurl grade for you will be what you are accustomed to in most instances.

A point of marketing that has surfaced recently is the notion that clean, defined borders of knurling is somewhat indicative of higher quality. The reality of these prominent lines is that this effect can be created in such a way that compromises the steel strength of the barbell.

Knurling is cut into the barbell with a CNC Lathe. Some lathes will require more manual handling than others. The borders of the knurling are created where the machine stops and is restarted again. A fully robotic machine can make exact adjustments during this process, whereas a barbell that is hand-crafted by a man must be reset manually. What some barbell manufacturers will do, (even with some IWF certified bars), is they’ll cut the lines after the knurling is done to create a nice, super neat border. This looks great, and internet bloggers will certainly say this “high quality” feature is a positive attribute of the barbell. The main issue is that any physical cut in to steel is an opportunity to weaken it because it creates stress points. Multiple, unnecessary stress points along the barbell shaft are detrimental to steel strength and the higher the tensile strength of the material, the greater the problem this creates.

Many lifters will like the traditional centre knurling featured on many barbells. Some consider the extra grip they feel on the back of their t-shirt ideal because it makes the bar feel more secure when squatting. The actual purpose of the centre knurling on barbells dates back to when one-armed “odd” lifts were part of competitive weightlifting and even included in the inaugural Olympic games in the late 1800's. The one-armed snatch and the one-armed clean and jerk are only a few examples of lifts that required such knurling. You’ll notice that 15 kg barbells don’t feature a centre knurling because women were not included in weightlifting competitions until well after the one-armed lifts were phased out. For most Olympic weightlifters, the centre knurling will be an annoyance so many higher end weightlifting bars will have a recessed centre knurling for this reason. The IWF specifies the centre knurling is still a requirement for 20 kg barbells, so manufacturers produce their bars to meet this requirement.


Barbell Finishes and Their Properties

Here is a list of many barbell finishes and their pros and cons:

Black Zinc: Looks Great. Wears (down) easily. Often times it is difficult to make black zinc appear to be truly black. Typically you will end up with a somewhat charcoal to chocolate finish or somewhat of a dark olive colour.

Black Oxide: Has a matte black appearance. Black oxide is not so much a coating as it is a chemical process of turning steel black. It has very little anti-corrosive properties which means it will rust quickly if not cared for properly. It will scratch, but it does not flake off. The scratches are just a lighter or a different shade of black so they show more. Black oxide does leave the barbell with a raw steel feel without being purely raw steel.

Bright Zinc: Looks great and classic. It can vary from very shiny, almost chrome-like in appearance to a more matte finish. Exhibits a higher resistance to corrosion than black zinc. Bright Zinc will tarnish and turn grey over time. It is considered a sacrificial coating as it oxides itself rather than the steel underneath it. It will eventually develop a patina which makes each bar have its own unique look depending on its use.

Nickel Chrome: Looks great and classic. Chrome will scratch or chip if mistreated, but it typically lasts a lifetime. All higher end weightlifting bars are nickel chrome or hard chrome plated.

Hard Chrome: Hard chrome is actually an industrial finish. Although it can be polished to high lustre , it will not have the aesthetics of nickel chrome. Hard Chrome has a couple of advantages over Nickel Chrome. It does actually fortify the bar and increases the overall tensile strength. It will easily last 20 years or more. The disadvantage of Hard Chrome is that it can have slight marks in it where the components are suspended by a thin wire during the electroplating. Due to Hard Chrome being so thick, even a small imperfection can be made more noticeable where the material accumulates.

Thin Dense Chrome: It has a matte dark grey appearance that is very unique looking. It has the feel of raw steel without the rust problems of bare steel or some of the other coatings. It adds tensile strength to the barbell just like Hard Chrome does.

Bare/Raw Steel. It looks really great and feels great... for about a week, then it will start to oxidize and rust. If you don't like oiling barbells and meticulously caring for them, or don't mind lifting a rusty bar, a raw piece of steel is ideal for you. With routine oiling, wiping perspiration from the bar after each use, and storing it in a climate controlled environment, the steel will develop a nice bronze/grey coloured patina.


Barbell Rotation Types
Bronze Bushings, Composite Bushings, Needle Bearings

Composite Bushings are made from hard plastic compounds. They are actually harder than bronze and will not break down after extensive use. Over time, the spin of the bar won’t improve (like with the Oilite Bushing), it will remain consistent

Needle bearings provide the smoothest and quickest bar rotation. There are a number of barbell varieties with either 10 or 8 needle bearings being the most common variety. We have found the quality, grade, and fit of the bearings as well of type of lubricant used has more impact on spin than total number of bearings.

Eight (8) bearings can actually take up as much space as Ten (10) bearings, depending on size of the bearings. Bearings are available in different load ratings and widths. Higher load bearings may not spin as easily unloaded and lighter load bearings usually spin much quicker without load, such as spinning with the hand. Once the bar is loaded, there will be no discernible difference in speed of rotation. The higher load rating bearings will last longer and can absorb more impact shock. The reality of weightlifting is that the bar only turns over 180 degrees during a proper lift, and although weightlifting is fast, it's relatively slow as far as revolutions per minute (rpm). Needle bearings are really designed for super high speed applications, meaning thousands of rpm's per minute. Although weightlifting doesn’t push needle bearings to the full capacity of what they are designed to do, utilizing these bearings can still contribute to a successful lift.

How Long Will It Take To Recoup Your Home Gym Investment?

 An idea of a home gym may sound too expensive for you; however, in reality, it’s a great investment. The best part is that you don’t have to wait too long for your return on investment. You can get it as soon as 7 months! Let us break it down, because everyone likes numbers when it comes to savings, right?

If you’re going to a big box gym like Gold’s or similar, the monthly price is around $50 on average! You might get perks like a sauna and swimming pool with that, but how many times you have used the swimming pool? You’re there for a squat rack, weights, and maybe leg press - all of which you often have to wait on. In the meantime, there is an overwhelming amount of people and machines, while you just want to stick to your simple routine. Things that bothered you at your local gym won’t be a problem with a home gym anymore!

On the other hand, if you choose to go to a CrossFit® gym on an unlimited plan, you will spend AT LEAST $150 per month. That is $1800 every year! With your home gym investment of $1,000, you'd make your investment back in less than 7 months. Think about it, you will have everything you need in your garage gym for the price of your membership. You don’t have to be constricted by the class hours, you can have your CrossFit® or cross-training workouts whenever it works best for you. If you were missing motivation, nothing can motivate you more than the convenience of your gym and your new gym toys! Some people like the social aspect of a group training gym, being a part of the team that pushes you, but you can still invite people to your home gym. Moreover, you can now workout with your family.

So, to sum it up, if you spend $1,000 to start your home gym you would make your investment back in less than 7 months if you were going to a CrossFit® gym or 20 months for a big box gym. However, the beauty of a home gym, besides saving a ton of money, is that you get to have your schedule. Whether you are curious about lifting or have been in this game for quite a while, a home gym can be ideal for you! 

What's the Deal with Stretching?

 Stretching is an important part of physical therapy, and many physical therapists will include specific stretches into their sessions. Strength and endurance are both undeniably important; however, stretching is a crucial part of anyone’s exercise regimen, whether you are an athlete or someone coping with aches and pains. Stretching helps in increasing flexibility, which can alleviate pain and make other aspects of treatment easier – even strength and endurance!

What does stretching do?


Stretching has a lot of benefits that we don’t always think about. Some of these benefits include:


Improving range of motion.
Range of motion consists of how well your joints can move in all directions. This influences every movement you make! If you have a constricting condition, such as arthritis or an injury, your range of motion can be hindered. Whether it’s turning your head to see behind you while driving, or bending your knee freely while running, range of motion is crucial for both daily life and for fitness pursuits. Stretching can help reduce stiffness and increase flexibility, therefore improving your range of motion.


Finding relief in unexpected places. Sometimes we forget how interconnected our bodies are. It is obvious that if we experience back pain, we should stretch out our backs. However, sometimes stretching your legs during physical therapy can provide unexpected relief to your back, as well. In fact, your hamstrings, upper thighs, and hips can all play a big part in creating lower back pain relief. Likewise, improving your posture through stretching your torso can provide the kind of support you need to keep your spine from compressing, which helps you avoid shoulder and neck pain. Essentially, stretching different parts of your body can provide relief to places you may not have considered!


Enhancing performance.
This point is especially true for athletes. The more you condition your muscles, joints, and ligaments, the greater advantage you’ll have in your sport. For example, bodybuilders recover from their reps much quicker when they stretch as a cool-down. Golfers can achieve a longer reach by increasing their range of motion in their hips and shoulders. Swimmers can even out their strokes by perfecting their balance through stretching. If you are an athlete, stretching can play a crucial role in your performance.


Preventing injuries.   

When muscles are tight or tense, the likelihood of injury increases. This occurs because that particular part of your body isn’t working at its peak performance, even though you might be. When you stretch, you’re loosening up your muscles, in addition to increasing range of motion and improving balance, which all factor into injury prevention. All of these factors can prevent you from making the types of moves that lead to injury, whether it’s coming down too hard on one foot, twisting your back further than you should, or taking a fall due to lack of balance.


Improving circulation.  

Stretching can reduce stress, but that isn’t the only reason it’s good for your heart and your musculoskeletal system. In fact, stretching plays a key role in almost every aspect of your physical abilities. Tight muscles constrict available oxygen supply, essentially robbing themselves of the nutrients they need. Stretches help reverse the process. When you stretch frequently, you’ll also get the benefit of increased blood flow to your joints and throughout the body.

Why Should I Take CBD?

 How CBD Functions in Your Body

When we take CBD, it interacts with a regulatory system within our bodies called the “Endocannabinoid System”. This system is pivotal in regulating all sorts of processes that affect our day-to-day experience from boosting the immune system, regulating everything from mood to blood pressure to even how we experience pain or hunger! While we can’t always control the variables that cause us stress in our bodies, we can use CBD daily to make the most of our endocannabinoid system. Give this amazing regulatory body the best chance to succeed!

“So... What does it feel like?”
We get asked this all the time. Simply put, CBD feels different to everyone because everyone is unique. The day-to-day needs of each person’s body are unique. This is one reason why you’ll see one person swearing by CBD to help them sleep while another is praising it as an anti-inflammatory. Because their individual endocannabinoid systems are working to help them with their own unique issues, they’ll each “feel” CBD in their own way!


Using CBD Daily
In our many years of working with CBD and our customers, we’ve seen a pattern emerge. While folks often come to us with a specific need in the beginning that they want CBD to address, many find themselves eventually taking it each day and become very used to the routine. When the product runs out and that daily routine is no longer happening, people tell us they really get an idea for how CBD was helping them. It might seem subtle at first, but the continual effect of CBD in our lives can really make a difference!


Find the Method that’s Right for You!
We make a wide variety of products to keep up with the wide variety of people that use them. Do you prefer the tried and true method of a dropper-full of CBD oil? Our Full Spectrum Daily line of oils should fit you perfectly. Do you like to take your CBD on the go in your vitamin caddy? Check out both of our lines of softgels! Maybe you would prefer to add CBD to your beverage of choice instead of taking it straight? We formulated our Water-Soluble Rapid Delivery 150 just for you. No matter the person, we can find the CBD product that’s right for you!