From the category archives:

Workout hacks

Eight steps to become superhuman

March 8, 2010
Thumbnail image for Eight steps to become superhuman

Our species is wired for quick feedback loops. We’re compelled towards tiny victories. Some fancy-pants professors link this compulsion to pleasure centers in the brain. I prefer the simple explanation: quick achievement is fun.
Quick response and useful targets create stunning results. Take classic biofeedback – watching your pulse rate change as you try to relax. I mastered stress reduction in a [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 6 – great music

February 1, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 6 – great music

The Greeks connected athletics and music in ancient times. Hermes not only played a mean lyre – he watched out for runners. The Olympics were packed with music. And armies were marching to drums well before then.
Music has the power to carry you away from your exertion. The rhythm almost moves your legs for you. [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 5 – catch some rest

January 28, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 5 – catch some rest

Sometimes it’s what you do when you’re not working out. Everyone needs sleep to stay healthy – especially if exercise pushes your body into repairing itself. Thomas Edison claimed to sleep only four hours per night and some people experiment with even less.
Most people need 7-9 hours – including me.
Unfortunately, I’ve been working heaps. Between [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 4 – dilute your efforts

January 27, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 4 – dilute your efforts

The classic advice was to focus, focus, focus. If you’re a cyclist, bike more miles. If you swim, swim more laps.
Many experts now think it’s better to switch activities. A terrific running book from Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, and Ray Moss suggests three runs and two cross-training (maybe biking) days per week.
There are a few good reasons [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 3 – got a light?

January 24, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 3 – got a light?

The best hacks use gear you already own to handle other jobs. One way to keep your life simple is pushing your phone to do more than place calls. Unfortunately, most phones induce an aneurysm by the time you simply take a photo. And each extra annoyance makes that workout one notch less likely. The [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 2 – pick a friend

January 22, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 2 – pick a friend

One of the most powerful workout hacks is to rely on your friends. I built running into a regular habit when I finally tried this one.
Find someone at your level and promise to meet up with them at specific times on scheduled days. The commitment is important – nobody wants to break a promise to [...]

Read the full article →

Workout hack 1 – get a good alarm clock

January 22, 2010
Thumbnail image for Workout hack 1 – get a good alarm clock

The worst part of exercise is getting out the door. Wake up, check the weather, dig around for clothes, lace up. There’s a lot of friction before you’re just doing it.
Workout hacks make it easier to get out there. Here’s a neat one, but it’s subtle.
Most people have complicated lives. This translates into varying workout times [...]

Read the full article →