Product Spotlight: FINIS Neptune MP3 Player

Did you think that because you’re swimming under water that you can’t listen to music? Not anymore! With the technology we have today, anything is possible. If you aren’t listening to your favorite music while you’re swimming, you need to be!

Faster Time

By using a swimming mp3 player, like the FINIS Neptune MP3 Player, you will train faster and more efficient. You may already know that your favorite song can motivate you to run faster, but did you know it is the same concept underwater? In a recent study done at Brunel University in the United Kingdom, listening to music cut athletes 200-meter times by 3 seconds. They have found that songs that played 130 beats per minute motivate swimmers.

More Enjoyable

If you easily get bored while swimming your laps, make the time go by faster by listening to music. Fill Neptune’s 4GB storage with relaxing music, or the hottest hits on the radio – the choice is yours! You’ll keep your brain occupied and you may even swim faster!

Why you should check out the FINIS Neptune MP3 Player:

Neptune is a waterproof MP3 player that provides the highest quality sound in the water without the use of ear buds. Neptune uses revolutionary Bone Conduction audio transmission to transmit crystal clear audio through the cheekbone directly into the inner ear. With 4GB of storage, aquatic athletes can listen to music, audio books, podcasts and more, all with incredible sound. The included charging cable also allows for quick song upload to the device. The 3-piece design has 2 side speakers and a high contrast OLED screen that sits comfortably on the back of the head. The screen shows the song, artist and play status for each use. Neptune attaches securely to goggle straps and rests on the cheekbones as to not interfere with swimming technique.

Benefits of Yoga

Are you looking to reduce stress and increase flexibility? Yoga has many great health benefits that can not only relax you, but also strengthen you. If you’re looking to touch your toes, it’s good for that too!

Flexibility

Yoga is primarily the stretching of the muscles. Yoga uses many different positions to lengthen your limbs and muscles. Some may even begin to feel benefits immediately! After 8 weeks of yoga, you can expect to have increased flexibility up to 35%.

Strength

If you aren’t familiar with yoga, you may feel like it wouldn’t exert much energy. Shockingly, yoga is very physical and can help you improve your muscle tone. In yoga you must hold different positions for several long breaths. This often requires strong quads, hamstrings, back and core.

Posture

With a stronger back and core, you will be sitting and standing straighter in no time! With so many different yoga positions, you become more aware of your body. You may quickly notice you are slouching and adjust your posture.

Health

Yoga can be very beneficial for your health. It has been known to lower blood pressure as well as slowing the heart rate. By focusing on your breathing during yoga, it can help calm you to feel more relaxed. On top of this, yoga has also been linked to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Distance Swimmer's Struggles

Whether you enjoy being a distance swimmer (I’m not sure many do) or not, we’ve ALL been there. It feels like it takes a long time, but it also seems like it went by so quick. It’s hard, but reaching your goal is addicting. Nothing beats the adrenaline after a race.

1. Losing Count. No matter how long you’ve been doing this, you ALWAYS seem to lose count. You think about everything and anything possible. "What did I eat for lunch?" "That person in front of me at the store was pretty rude." "Crap! I put the wrong answer for that math problem."
2. Break time. Once your meet is up, no one is watching. It’s taking a long time and you know it doesn’t get exciting until the end. This seems to be the prime opportunity for people to check their phone, go get some food, go check out the new suits, etc.
3. Dreaded outside lane. Not only is it bad enough having everyone watch you, but having your coach watch your EVERY stroke. "Yes, I know I’m off pace. Yes, I can hear you."
4. Finding a counter. Your typical counter is nowhere to be found! I’ve been there, it’s happened! They’re reliable, they know you, and they know when you need a little motivation. Luckily, your teammates all have your back.
5. The “slip”. Ughhh! If it’s not your goggles, it’s most definitely your cap. Worst. Feeling. Ever. 

Tips for Waking Up Early

To some, there is nothing worse than having to wake up each and every morning and hoping straight into the water. They would much rather sleep until noon and then begin the day in the afternoon. Yep, this sounds about right. Unfortunately, it just has to be done. Here are ways to help!

Pack your things. If you have to rise early, it is best to prepare your things the night before. This way everything will be ready for you to just grab and leave! Because everything will be ready, you will save time AKA sleep longer.

Prep breakfast. In order to save more time in the early mornings, make sure to have your breakfast prepared and ready. You will thank yourself later when you can sleep longer and not dirty 5 things for breakfast each day.

Hydrate. By drinking 16oz of water immediately upon waking, it’s a surefire way to you rev up your metabolism. Not only that but it also re-hydrates you after fasting and helps flush out any toxins.

Log Off. Before hitting the sheets the night before an early day, refrain from using devices such as cell phone, tablet, or even watching TV. Electrical activity increase resulting in our neurons to race, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.

What are your tips for waking up for early workouts?

Getting over a Bad Race

Bad races are bound to happen. Sometimes they are completely out of your control, even though you have trained day after day for this big day. You have woken up before the sun rises, you have put in time after school, and you have made goals and put in the work in order to achieve them. The inevitable happens. You fail. Now what?

1.    Move Forward. Unfortunately you are unable to go back in time and change how you performed. Sure you can dwell on your performance and let it eat you up, but that will only leave you distraught. Do your best to put this behind you and move forward in your training.

2.   Acknowledge it. Instead of letting it bother you, use that for fuel. What happened? What went wrong? Once you determine your trouble areas, you will be able to create a strategy accordingly. Do you need to work on your flips, your breathing, etc? Work on your weaknesses and make them your strengths.

3.     No one is perfect. Everyone faces different troubles and failures at some point in their lives, it is how you overcome those that matter. One race will not make or break your entire year. It won’t take you back in progress. No one is perfect. As soon as you realize that everyone fails, the less you allow it to control you.

Olympic Swimmer's 2016 Resolutions

Along with the New Year also comes many promises to better ourselves in one way or another. It's great that so many people use this time of year to set goals for themselves. It turns out that 40% of Americans make New Year's resolutions each and every year. Check out some of the resolutions Olympic swimmers hope to endure -

“Let's start small. I'll try to swim once a month in 2016. That's up from 0 times in 2015. Wait, not true, I was thrown out of the Atlantic Ocean when that first hurricane came near Florida. Lifeguards weren't too thrilled. So I'll try to swim 11 more times in 2016 than I did this year.” - Eric Wunderlich 

“My NYR (New Year’s Revolution) is to continue to live with less clutter. One in, one out… something comes into my space, something of equal or greater value that no longer serves me leaves. Keeps that equilibrium! And, also, to finish my adult coloring book.” - Caroline Burckle

“My New Year’s resolutions are to always strive to stay healthy, take care of myself and be a good role model for my kids. Also, continue to provide opportunities for thousands of kids to learn how to swim and be water safe.” - Lenny Krayzelburg

“My resolution for the New Year is to champion the swimmers and parents in the summer swimming community!” - Charlie Houchin

“I have been swimming with TBAY masters team in Tampa and I love it! It helps keep me in shape, but more importantly, I feel like it reminds me of how fortunate I am for the life lessons swimming has taught me...not just the exercise part but the nutrition and everything else. Which brings me to my New Year’s resolution of finding balance to eat and exercise in a healthy and appropriate way for my lifestyle – not the world-class-athlete way anymore – now that I'm a ‘swammer’ (past tense).” - Chelsea Nauta Colwill

“Remove Facebook from my smart phone, only checking in on my laptop.” - Gary Hall Jr.

“My New Year’s resolution is to work on getting more sleep. Being a busy college student-athlete, I struggle to sleep enough every night. So in 2016, I really would like to be able to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep more often.” - Courtney Bartholomew

“Get back in the pool more! Post-swimming careers can create lots of time and travel constraints, but it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” - Tyler Harris

“My resolution this year is to take each day, each practice one at a time. Don't get caught up in what the future may bring, but instead, just focus on today.” - Rachel Bootsma

“I have a couple of resolutions this year. I want to get more toned over the next few months. I also want to volunteer more or give back in some way. I just need to find the right organization.” - Lindsay Vrooman

“My resolution this year is to pay attention to the fine details with everything, not just swimming but with everything I do. I think it's so important to remember the small things to succeed both in swimming and life.” - Arthur Frayler

“My resolutions are the stuff of norm: 1. Exercise more consistently (including adding in some swimming); 2. Eat a little better; and 3. Do more out-of-the-house activities with the family.” - Jeff Rouse

“My resolution for 2016 is to journal every day. Typically in the morning, I'll write down three things I'm grateful for and my intention for the day, and at the end of the day, I write down three amazing things that happened that day.” - Ariana Kukors

“I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but I am excited for 2016! Here are some of the things I am looking forward to this year: 1. We are welcoming a new baby into our family in May. A new baby is always an adventure, and I am really excited; 2. The Olympics coming this summer! I wish all those preparing and competing the best! My house is cheering for you! Go team USA; and 3. Another year working with student-athletes broadening identity development and leadership skills. I love my job at the University of Arizona and believe in the impact of player development.” - Lacey Nymeyer-John

“To always stay positive.” - Gil Stovall

“My new year's resolution is to be open to the new experiences and challenges in front of me and to learn and grow as much as possible. Oh and to not always take myself quite so seriously!” - Misty Hyman

“My resolution for 2016 is really more of a mantra: To live in the moment and cultivate appreciation for my friends and family.... Also to eat more vegetables! I just love bacon. So much.” - Kim Vandenberg

“For 2016, I resolve to build and strengthen meaningful relationships with my teammates and loved ones. I realize this is an important year for my swimming career, and I want to keep touch with the people in my life who matter most to me.” - Michael Chadwick

“I'm focusing on three resolutions this year: (1) enjoy the present. It seems like the past several years have flown by, so I really want to soak it all in and live in the moment; (2) travel more. I recently moved to Massachusetts and am looking forward to exploring the East Coast. I also want to travel internationally, particularly to Japan; (3) conquer a 5.11 and V5. I've gotten really into rock climbing and those grades are next on my to-do list.” - Sara Nicponski

“My New Year’s resolution is to not sweat the small stuff and to live more in the moment and enjoy the little things.” - Sarah Henry 

"My New Year's resolution for 2016 is to procrastinate less. Specifically, I am going to set deadlines for a couple of projects that I have put on the back burner." - Adam Ritter

Whether your New Years resolutions include finishing that new adult coloring book you received, or simply just to stay positive - we believe in you!

- USA Swimming

Introducing: Bikini Separates

Vented Top:

Inspired by exhaust vents on the bottom of the swim fins, the vent top got its name because of  the opening between the two cups that allows water to pass through during a workout. The cross tie back allows for adjustability and two layers of fabric are sew in for privacy. The tie straps accommodate varying torso volumes and chest sizes with maximum hold, and can be tightened for performance or loosened for comfort. This top is not padded, but has two layers of fabric sewn in for privacy.

Triangle Top:

The triangle top features a classic triangle bikini look, with high and low elastic lines to provide a superior hold for athletes. The tie straps accommodate varying torso volumes and chest sizes with maximum hold, and can be tightened for performance or loosened for comfort.  This top in not padded, but has two layers of fabric sewn in for privacy. 

Euro Bottom:

This is our popular, low waisted performance bottom. The euro bottom offers a clean diagonal line from the hip across the backside that allows for athletic performance with a medium amount of coverage.  To help with superior hold for workouts, we include a drawstring around the waist, and our stronger construction includes double stitching and securing to prevent unraveling, and two layers of fabric for privacy and durability.

What are you waiting for?

The Lifeguard Store Gives Back

This holiday season The Lifeguard Store chose to give back to those in need. Employees were asked to bring in canned and/or boxed nonperishable goods throughout the month of November. This was a great, rewarding experience which made a difference in our community. All of the donations received were taken to the Midwest Food Bank, located in Bloomington, IL.

"Our hope is to help bridge the gap between prosperity and poverty in our community."

- David Kieser, Midwest Food Bank Founder & President

We encourage anyone who is willing and able to also help out their local food banks this season, as the need rises significantly. We had a little fun while we were at it..

8 Must Have Stocking Stuffers

With Christmas right around the corner, there is no better time than now to get your last minute stocking stuffers for the water lover in your life! Whether they swim recreationally or competitively, lifeguard, or play water polo – The Lifeguard Store has just what they want!

1.       Swim Spray

2.       Goggles

3.       Swim Caps

4.       Snorkels

5.       Bag Tags

6.       Whistle

7.       Ear / Nose Plugs

8.       Sport Energy Chews

BONUS: Gift Cards

Water Polo Needs

Water polo is a fun team water sport that combines swimming, treading water, throwing, catching, and shooting! Whether you’re new to the sport or you need new gear, The Lifeguard Store can equip you with all of your needs! Supposing you don’t need to provide the pool and goals, here is what you’ll need!

The most obvious item you will need is a swimsuit. Depending on your gender, your choices vary. For females, try the TYR Destroyer Water Polo Swimsuit. It’s made from 100% durable polyester fabric and lasts 20 times longer than traditional suits. Men’s options are very similar, but we recommend the Nike Water Polo Brief. This brief has a brand new fit for easy movement and is made from 100% polyester.

To go with your swimsuit, you’ll need a polocap and a mouth guard. Polo caps are used to protect your head and ears from injury. These Polo Caps show your individual number and helps differentiate you from the goalie and the opposing team. Goalies may find this more important than other players, but a mouth guard is a very good investment too.

For your matches, you’ll want something to go over your swimsuit. The Lifeguard Store has a great selection and we can even customize your items. If you are looking for separates, check out the Speedo Boom Force Warm-Ups! If you are not a fan of warm-up jackets and pants, you need to check out our Team Parka collection!

Everyone likes to have their own equipment right? By having your own waterpolo ball, you can practice on your own time! Water polo balls come in different sizes: 28 inches in circumference for men and 26.5 inches for women. These balls should weigh between 14-16 ounces. The Lifeguard Store carries Mikasa water polo balls that have a great warranty and are USAWP Approved.

Introducing the NEW Adidas AdiZero XVI

adidas worked with biomechanics, physiologists, fabric and pattern experts, plus a global pool of elite athletes to create the game-changing adizero XVI, enabling swimmers to achieve their maximum speed. The ground-breaking technology features three advancements; energy optimisation (X-TRA ENERGY), intelligent materials (X-TRA FLOW) and a stroke-specific biometric fit (X-TRA FIT).

X-TRA ENERGY: The adizero XVI works to optimise the swimmer’s energy, focusing it on propelling them through the water faster. The suit’s fabric, innovative bands and compressive fit work together to support the swimmer’s Kinetic Chain; the body’s series of interlocking joints, where one movement facilitates the next. The pioneering tape material offers 100% recovery, ensuring the swimmer’s expended energy is returned to optimise subsequent movements, for example pushing off the starting block.

X-TRA FLOW: Intelligent material and lightweight construction guarantee enhanced body position in the water. Strategically placed texturing of the fabric, the result of extensive wind tunnel testing, pushes water more smoothly over the swimmer’s body in the right direction so it doesn’t create as much turbulence.

X-TRA FIT: In an industry first, the adizero XVI offers bespoke design for the unique movements of different swimming strokes. Stroke-specific moderations ensure a precision fit, facilitating athletes’ transition through the water. For example, to cater for the unique kick of the breaststroke, adidas bands shaped to support the “insweep” phase, ensure free, non-restricted and supportive movement.

"Elite swimmers know that to create their best race, every millisecond counts. Correct body positioning, water flow and a smooth aerodynamic fit all combine to make the difference between a medal on the world's stage and disappointment", said Deborah Yeomans, Director Future for adidas. "With the adizero XVI we have deconstructed the swimsuit status quo and rebuilt it to optimise the natural movement of the human body. We look forward to seeing the swimsuit propel our athletes onto the podium this summer."

Caring for Rashguards

Just like other items of clothing, we simply think of setting a rashguard aside to get washed with other articles of clothing. It’s often left in a wet, bundled mess and then tossed in the laundry with other clothes. This is NOT how you want to take care of your swim gear. If you want to preserve the life of your rashguards, it needs to be properly washed and cared for.

When you are washing your rashguard, be sure not to use hot water. Hot water can damage the material that rashguards are made out of, resulting in a shorter life span. As a matter of fact, it’s best if you wash your rashguards by hand in cold water. When it’s time to dry your rashguards, never put them in the dryer. It’s recommended to turn your rashguard inside out and let them hang dry away from direct sun or heat.

When your rashguard is dry, it’s time to put it away until your next use. Refrain from using a cheap wire hanger, and opt for a padded hanger instead. In hopes to not weaken the fabric, rashguards should not be folded.

If you want to get the most out of your rashguards, taking proper maintenance can significantly increase its life. By following the tips above, your rashguard will still look new months after it’s been used.

Maximizing Energy

With the stresses that happen in everyday life, our energy levels can slump. Whether its school, work, or personal issues, everyone has times when they have absolutely no motivation. By managing your energy effectively, you will be able to conquer and move forward with your goals and aspirations.

1.       Listen to Music. It has been proven that listening to music has positive effects such as easing pain, increase workout endurance, reduce stress, etc. Creating a playlist to accompany your swimming can keep you energized as well as increasing your speed.

2.       Think Positive. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and be consumed by stress. Instead of focusing on your hardships, try concentrating on your strengths and the ability to make your future better.

3.       Positive Environment. You tend to be most like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Do you want to be surrounded by negative individuals who do not support your goals in life? Absolutely not. Be around those who want to see you succeed and will help you do so. These are the people you need in your life.

Incorporate these into your daily life and watch your energy increase!

Choosing a Whistle

When you are a lifeguard, you need the proper equipment to effectively do your job. One of the items you need happens to be a whistle! You may think all whistles are alike, but then why would there be so many to choose from? Because each whistle is different, here are things to keep in mind when choosing which one is best for you!

Plastic or Metal?

The first thing you should consider is the material the whistle is made out of: plastic or metal. Plastic whistles tend to be light weight, cheaper, and come in a variety of colors. Because of the plastic material, these whistles are less durable and may often give less timbre. Metal whistles are more common than plastic whistles and offer great durability and quality. Metal is more expensive than plastic making them more costly, as well as heavier. Metal whistles can even be affected by colder weather!

To pea or not to pea?

Peas in whistles allow air to circulate in the whistle producing a trill of sound. While whistles with peas produce the most variety of tones and pitches, it may not be for you. Whistles with peas have more moving parts, meaning more things can go wrong with it. The pea can get stuck or the whistle can even be overblown. In contrast, pea-less whistles have no parts that can stick and its lighter weight.  Pea-less whistles are mono-tone and offer less variety than whistles with peas.

A lot of individuals highly recommend the Fox 40 Classic, which is a pea-less whistle. This whistle came on the market when a Canadian basketball referee was tired of the whistles on the market. His unique design puts it above the competitors.

Checkout our favorites!

1.       Fox40 Cushioned Mouth Grip Whistles

2.       OriginalGuard Infinity Whistle

3.       Acme Thunderer Whistle

Accessories

You can’t just carry your whistle in your pocket or hand all day! Secure your whistle to a lanyard and save yourself the hassle! These come in many different styles including the WovenLifeguard Neck Lanyard or the CustomName Tag Break Away Lanyard. The Lifeguard Store also carries a RubberTip Whistle Guard which adds comfort for metal whistles.

Eating before a Swim Meet

Nutrition plays a very important role for athletes in order to sustain their vigor and perform at their very best. Swimmers need to fuel their body with the proper nutrition so ensure peak performance. We’ve got the secret for what you should eat in order to beat your competition.

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for athletes. A good, hearty, breakfast will give you enough energy to take on your entire day! Your meal should include complex carbohydrates and protein, as well as some healthy fat. Your complex carbs will give you enough energy until afternoon; a good option would be whole-grain toast, English muffin, or oatmeal. Fruit is also a carbohydrate that will not only give you energy, but also many different nutrients your body craves. To add protein and healthy fat to your breakfast, eggs are an egg-cellent choice! One egg is only 70 calories, but packs the protein! If you have an early meet, it’s important to eat a lighter meal. Grab a piece of toast and a tablespoon of natural peanut butter with a large glass of water.

H20

Every individual should try to aim for at least 8 cups of water daily, but athletes typically need more.  Drinking water has many benefits such as regulates body temperature, detoxifies, protects our joints and organs, and it helps our organs absorb nutrients better. As athletes, water helps us achieve maximum performance. It provides us with strength, as well as aiding in recovery. Beware of sugary sports drinks, as they give you an energy spike but then can leave you feeling lethargic.

Snacks

It’s important for swimmers to keep something to snack on at hand. You never know when hunger will strike! After your races, you will have used some of your energy and you’ll need to eat something to get your energy back where it needs to be. Don’t reach for the candy bar or greasy food, as those items will upset your stomach and not allow you to reach optimal performance.  What you should have on hand include fruit, nuts, pretzels and complex carbs like granola. Like breakfast, these choices will give you the energy you need to perform.

Make the right choices nutritionally, and you will set yourself up for success. Stay away from empty calories such as fast food, pre-packaged, sugary items. Always remember it’s important to eat whole, nutritious items before and during a meet for your best performance. If you eat good, you feel good.

Swimming and Arthritis

Today is World Arthritis Day which raises awareness of the condition and ensures that those with arthritis are aware of the help and support available to them.

Exercise greatly increases not only strength and flexibility, but also reduces joint point. This can be very beneficial to those suffering with arthritis. Typical exercises cause pain on the joints that are very unpleasant. But there are still exercises you can do – swimming and water aerobics!

Those with arthritis often experience pain, stiffness, and swelling which can cause extreme discomfort. Typical exercise such as walking or running can be too jolting on the joints. The benefit of using water aerobic activity is that when your under water, it ‘unweights’ your joints. When you are in the water roughly 90% of your body weight is supported by the water. Water aerobics is a great way to tone and strengthen your muscles. What makes it great is that it’s low impact so anyone can do it! 

Tips for Pool Maintenance

If you are lucky enough to own a pool, you will need to make sure you keep your pool clean and ready for use! Sure you may feel like it takes a lot of work and maintenance, but once you hop in there on a hot sizzling day – it’s worth it! Let’s get going!

1.       To reduce buildup, be sure to wipe down the tile often.

2.       Keep an active eye on the level of the pool to guarantee water level.

3.       Cleaning your filters is a MUST! Your filters especially need cleaned after a heavy storm. This is something that doesn’t need to be done often, so it’s easy to forget! Try doing this ever 4-6 months. Make a memo on the calendar if it helps!

4.       Use a Pool Test Kit 2-3 times a week to ensure proper chemistry.

5.       Skimmer basket(s) and pumps should be cleaned out weekly or as needed.

6.       Be sure to check the Deck-Chlor/Inline Chlorinator once per week for any necessary adjustments.

7.       If you have an ozone unit, keep an eye on it and make sure the light is on. Be careful not to break any connections.

8.       Keep all chemicals in a safe, dry place with no direct sunlight.

Chemical Pool Ranges

·         Alkalinity: 80-150

·         Calcium Hardness: 150-300

·         Chlorine Residuals: Per Label

·         Combined Chlorine: 0-.5

·         Cyanuric Acid: 0-50 ppm

·         PH: 7.2-7.6

Now that you pool is sparkling clean, you can get new pool equipment! Who doesn’t love Fun Noodles! These come in a variety of colors including Red, Blue, Green, and Purple! We also offer other items like Surf and Turf Dive Rings, Turtle in Eggs Pool Game, Water Bombs, and much more!

Choosing a Bag

In order for swimmers to compete and go to swim matches, they must carry all of their gear with them. Depending on the event, this could mean a lot of items or just a couple of things. You don’t want to waste your money, so you need to choose a bag that will suit your needs best. There are three types of bags: Mesh Bags, Backpacks, and duffle bags. Each offers different benefits – let’s begin.

Mesh Bags

As you can infer from the name, these bags are made with mesh fabric. The mesh fabric allows the contents in the bag to breathe which offers better ventilation. This is great for swimmers because usually everything gets wet. You don’t want to have your items smelling like mildew! Some mesh bags even include compartments that are enclosed by zippers, keeping your items organized! The TYR Big Mesh Dummy Bag or Speedo’s Deluxe Mesh Equipment Bag are great choices!

Backpacks

If having a see-through mesh bag isn’t your thing, maybe a backpack is! Backpacks like the Speedo Large 35L Teamster Backpack or the RISE Pro Team Backpack offer lots of room for your items. Different bags offer different options such as a wet pocket and ventilated end caps f or wet items. Other bags may even include a goggle saver pocket, suit hanger carabineers, or an iPod zipper! Take the time to see which bag offers the best options for you.

Duffle Bags

If you have a lot of items to carry between practice and swim meets, the duffle bag is the bag for you! With large compartments, wet pocket organizers, and ventilated end caps, you have plenty of room to put your wet items. Most swimming duffle bags have a separate area to store your dry items without getting them wet. Because it’s a bigger bag, you get all of the benefits including a cell phone and goggle pouch! 

To help keep your bags smelling great, toss in a Bagball! The bagball is designed to eliminate athletic bag odor. Natural oil compounds act as the odor neutralizer which release dry vapor in the air. These are so small and compact they won’t leave you fighting for space! Check them out at The Lifeguard Store!

Choosing a Snorkel

Are you planning your next vacation to a tropical destination? Snorkeling is a great activity for both adults and children to do in clear water! Snorkels use a clear plastic mask as well as a tube to breathe through while floating on the water. Snorkeling equipment is typically using them to see beautiful tropical fish and to observe coral reef. With so many options, there are some things to consider before purchasing.

Since you will be face down into water, it’s important to find snorkeling equipment that best fits! Masks that leak do not work well in water. Seal is one of the most important aspects of choosing snorkeling equipment. After firmly pressing the mask onto your face, the mask should remain unsupported.  Once you have found a mask that properly seals, be sure to check out the field of vision. Some masks allow more to be seen to the sides than others. The better the vision, the more costly the mask will be.

There are some options with the snorkel tube as well. There are typically 3 different designs: Purge snorkels, Semi-dry snorkels, and dry snorkels. Purge snorkels are the generic tubes for snorkeling which may leave you with a mouth full of water. Inferred by the name, you may be purging the snorkel often. Semi-dry snorkels still need the occasional purging, but have a deflector cap at the end to discourage water from entering. The more costly snorkel, dry snorkels, have a cap that automatically closes when submerged. Upon breaking the surface, the cap will reopen as well. These snorkels should not need purged.

When you are ready to use your equipment, you will need to prep your mask. You don’t want your mask fogging up, so you will need to spit on the inside of your mask and smear it around the optical surface. Give the mask a plunge into the water before putting it on, and your set!

Fins are also a great add-on for any snorkeling adventure! Fins cover more area, allowing you to push more water to move quickly in the water. In return, you will see more of the breathtaking underwater life! While large fins have a larger fin area, they are also heavier and harder to maneuver. Keep this in mind when shopping for fins!

The Lifeguard Store has many great options for Snorkels including this Adult Combo Set! This set is equipped with a non-return purge valve for quick expulsion, large barrel for easy breathing and clearing, double-feathered silicone seal, and a PVC mouthpiece. For Fins, check out the MAO Elite Power Fins, which has shorter blades, no-slip footpad, and ergonomic foot pockets.

Benefits of Lifting Weights

Both men and women alike benefit from lifting weights. That’s right; it’s not only a man’s thing! Weight training has shown to yield better results than cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercises, including running, elliptical, or biking, can actually harm your joints. Many runners are known to have knee issues and if you are continuously straining, you could harm your hips as well. In fact, cardio is not doing much in regards to changing your body composition. The more cardio you do, the more muscle you lose. This can leave your bones at risk for joint damage. However, cardio is good for your heart which is why we suggest doing HIIT 2-3 times week.

Benefits:

·         Gain Strength – The most common reason people lift weights is to be strong. Feeling weak is not a good feeling, but once you’re in the gym moving weight you never imagined – it’s a wonderful feeling! You will see your strength increase, along with your confidence.

·         Burns Fat – The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn by doing nothing. For example, someone who has a significant amount of muscle to someone who doesn’t would be burning more calories sitting on the couch watching TV. That’s great, right?!

·         Change in Body Composition – Lifting weights allows you’re to change your body composition. You will be gaining muscle and losing fat (with the help of your diet), which alters the way you look. Muscle takes up less room and is much more compact than fat which is why the change is so dramatic. In some cases, you may lose inches but gain weight. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that – you’re doing something right!

·         Prevents Metabolic Decline – If you are over 30, you might have suffered from a decline in your metabolism causing you to gain weight. Lifting weights is known to naturally reverse this, allowing you to eat what you like and keep you in shape.

·         Bone Strength – Lifting weights not only helps you increase your muscle strength, but also your bone strength. This is very important for women as they are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis.

·         Posture – Are you always slouching in your chair? Do you stand with your shoulders hunched? Weight training can help with your posture by building a strong back, shoulders, and core. Say goodbye to lower back pain!

·         Release Endorphins – Endorphins are known to significantly improve mood. These are also release when you experience excitement or eat spicy food. If you are feeling stressed or in a bad mood, go work out and get those endorphins pumping! Have you every regretting a workout? I didn’t think so!

·         Confidence – There is no better feeling than pushing yourself to become a better you. By lifting weights, you will transform your body and become a stronger version of yourself. Your confidence with radiate and you’ll be happy with how you look and feel!

There is no better time than now to start working toward your goal and achieving it! Try incorporating these great exercises into your routine!