Training

No Boundaries is about to begin!!  Train for your 1st 5k with us!
No Boundaries is America’s most popular 5k training program!  Developed by Fleet Feet and New Balance – No Boundaries will enable anyone – regardless of current condition – to get out, get moving and to complete your first 5k.  Runners and Wlkers welcome!  No Boundaries will provide you with expert training, technical gear and the motivation to get out, get active and to have fun.  Join us at Fleet Feet either February 16th or February 17th at 7:00 PM for our no obligation information meetings.   And then – our first workout will be Saturday February 20th at Thomas Worthington High School.    All participants who complete the program will get a New Balance Training Jacket.

Want to get motivated? Go to www.noboundariestraining.com for more details.

No Boundaries will be the official 5k training program of the Commit To Be Fit 5k – to be held May 1st in the Arena district.  Go to www.CapitalCityHalfmarathon.com for details on  the Commit to Be Fit 5k.

The Expert to End All Experts

Many events and sports companies have “coaches”. We have joined forces with the ULTIMATE Coach.  Steven T. Devor is the coach’s coach. He is an exercise physiologist and a professor at The Ohio State University. In each newsletter and in this column he will provide you with answers to your questions and relevant information covering the how and why to your training program what you can to to improve your goal of “living fit” everyday.

Here is a recent newsletter article written by Steve:

FITNESS NOT FATNESS!

Over the past 10 years the use of body mass index (BMI – weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) in order to classify an individual as obese has become very common. During this same time one of the most hotly debated issues among health care professionals has been the relationship between an individuals BMI and their health and fitness. There is no question, compared with normal weight people, numerous studies clearly indicate obese people have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis of the knee, and some forms of cancer. However, how do we know the higher disease and death rates in obese people are due exclusively to obesity, and not the physical inactivity and low fitness levels typically associated with obesity?

Much research now strongly suggests fitness, not fatness, is the more important issue. For example, a landmark study done at the Cooper Aerobics Institute over a twenty year period indicated disease rates were similar for moderate and highly fit individuals, regardless of their BMI category. Further, the death rates for individuals with low fitness levels were also higher regardless of their BMI category. In other words, fitness was a more powerful predictor of disease and death than your BMI. Clearly, fitness, not fatness, is the best predictor for a long and disease free life.

The good news for beginning runners and walkers is that to be fit you do not have to be a super speedy athlete. Increasing your fitness can make a highly important difference to your health and overall well being. The way to become physically fit is to become active. Walking briskly or running for 30 minutes a day, is enough to put people into a moderate fitness category.

For questions or comments to Steve you can reach him at  devor.3@osu.edu. He will begin posting your questions and answers on this page.

Questions and Answers with Steven T. Devor, Ph.D., FACSM – Our Sports Physiologist: