Sportswear: Style or Functionality?

Do you need to sacrifice style for functionality with sportswear?

Who said that function needs to outrun style? When it comes to getting the proper sport equipment some people put functionality over style and aesthetics while others do the exact opposite. It all comes down to what matters the most to you and what you actually need depending on the type of exercise you’re about to do.

If you’re going to ride a bicycle, for example, you need to wear tight clothes in order to reduce the wind resistance and be able to go faster. Not everybody looks good wearing tights but they are the proper gear. Depending on where you are and your local climate you may have to wear more clothes than usual to protect yourself from the temperature.

In most cases, people would agree that function overweighs style and the most practical sense they’d be right. But most sportswear manufacturers have begun to take into account the aesthetic aspect of their designs and are now creating items that cover both sides of the arguments. Most brands have created a unique look to their designs in order to give them a special personality and make them stand out from the competition.

The style of shoes made by each major brand can be easily recognizable to the eye of an expert. It has become a phenomenon known by some as sports fashion. A branch of fashion design that focuses on sportswear. They take into consideration both function and style.

The idea is to create articles of clothing and accessories that not only feel good but also looks good. They wish to provide consumers with the possibility to express their tastes and personality at any given moment, even when working out. It’s the perfect balance between usefulness and sheer looks.

Most companies like to incorporate bright colors in their designs. Multiple studies suggest that bright colors create a sense of activity and excitement in people which is what they want to transmit. Some like to contrast bright colors with dark colors; maybe a black shoe with bright green details.

Then there’s people like those in Lightbug Sports that take function to the next level but not forgetting about style. Their products have the advantage of being made from highly reflective materials in order to provide an extra level of safety to their consumers. Athletes that go out at night wearing Lightbug products can be visible from over a hundred feet away by reflecting the light of incoming traffic, thus reducing accidents.

Stay fit and stylish!

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

The Risks of not Stretching Before Exercising

Warming up and stretching before exercising is crucial!

Stretching is to exercise what proposing is to marriage, a ritual to be performed before the latter. We’ve all been warned about the importance of stretching before exercising, but few of us really understand the importance of it. There’s recent research that suggests that stretching before exercising may not actually help you reduce the possibility of injury or that it may help improve your overall performance. However, there is no evidence that suggests that it might reduce your performance or cause you any harm either.

The truth is that stretching has become something of a second nature to athletes and, whether it actually works or it simply has a placebo effect, it’s often has a positive effect on the mind of the runner.Stretching before engaging in any kind of physical activity serves as a way to warm up the body, it increases the flexibility of our joints and prepares our muscles for what’s coming. It’s not uncommon to see Olympic athletes running around stretching right before they’re up. Some activities require more flexibility and put more stress on our bodies than others, that is why it is advisable to stretch and warm up accordingly.

From a scientific point of view, injuries occur during exercise not because the muscles are not flexible enough but rather when they are put under too much stress and they’re not able to support themselves. This can be prevented with proper warm ups before exercising. This is done to simulate the stress the muscles are going to be put under in a more controlled and light way. It stimulates the flow of blood and oxygenation of blood vessels, and the release of adrenaline and other related chemicals through the body.

So, should you stretch or warm up before exercising? It depends on you. Take into consideration the type of activity you’re about to do. A gymnast or a ballerina have to stretch before in order to achieve the flexibility they need. But a weightlifter doesn’t need to stretch since their muscles should be as strong and tense as possible to resist the huge weights.

Warming up is surely recommended by most physicians for the reasons mentioned above. A good warm up session shouldn’t take more than ten minutes and it should consist of light aerobic movements. Increasing the range of movements as the warm up goes on helps prepare the body. It all comes down to what you feel comfortable doing. If you feel the need of stretching before exercising and, you don’t think it might be inhibiting your performance, then there really isn’t any reason not to do it. As you take care of your muscles you should also make sure you have the best equipment. You can count on the sports gear made by LightBug Sports to take care of your body. All of their products are made to withstand all the stress your activity may put on your body. They’re also made of reflective materials which makes them perfect for working out at night in a safe way.

Not warming up properly can case muscle tearing.

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

What to eat Before and After Exercising

Find out what you should eat before jogging!

It’s quite simple! The key to a healthy lifestyle is exercising regularly and a good diet. You could work out like crazy and spend entire days locked in a gym using every single machine they have, or you could run 10 kilometers every day. But the things is that unless you eat properly, and accordingly to the amount of physical strain you’re putting on your body, you’re most likely end up doing more damage than good.

Eating is the way our body gets energy. The energy we obtain from food is consumed and burned with our daily activities. Some activities take up more energy than others, of course. Working out is a sure way to burn away the energy we have. But what happens when we take in more energy than we burn out? It gets transformed into fat and stored all around our bodies. And what happens if we consume more energy than we take in? The body starts taking muscle tissue apart in order to obtain more energy, in the long run this deteriorates our bodies. So it is clear why we need to have a good balance between the food we eat and the energy we burn. To remain in shape and healthy it is essential that you know what to eat before and after working out. You might need to put up a little extra energy before or maybe replace what you’ve lost after. In order to know exactly what you need to eat before and after working out you need to think of the type of workout you’re about to do.

For the sake of making things simple, let’s divide the types of workout you could do in three levels of intensity: light, mild, and hard. Each of these levels require different amounts of energy and thus need particular diets. For a light workout, like an easy jog, one you could talk through, you don’t really need to eat much before. As long as your running session doesn’t exceed 45 minutes, all you would need would be a banana or a small granola bar should do the trick.  Afterwards you don’t really need to eat something right away, but try to have a snack or a meal within two hours, otherwise you’ll find yourself craving sugar later on.

A mild workout needs a little more energy. You’re going to need calories for this. Most physicians recommend chomping down 200 or 400 calories before going out. It really depends on your size and weight but a couple of toasts with jelly should be enough. You’ll want to make sure that the calories you take in come from easily digestible carbs like bread. After your session you shouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes before eating. It is crucial that you replenish your energy levels. You need fluids, carbs, and protein.

Finally, for hard workout sessions you need to have a good meal two to three hours before your go out. Try to find a way to adjust your routine and schedule to this. You’re going to need a lot of calories but also keep it easily digestible. Bananas, peanut butter, and calorie shakes are a great option. Afterwards have a good snack right away. A couple of hours later you should sit down for a good meal and continue snaking every two hours or so for the rest of the day.

Eating the right things is only part of the job when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Taking care of your body is also a crucial part of the job, and while you take care of your diet, the people of LightBug Sports take care of providing you with the best sports gear and wear available. All of their products are especially made to endure and protect your body. They’re also made from reflective materials so you can go out and work out at night and be safe all the time.

Eating correctly is half the job of being healthy.

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

How to Start Jogging

Follow these tips on how to start jogging.

It is a great way to exercise and, it might be, in some ways, the cheapest and easiest type of physical activity you can get. The benefits of staying physically active are quite substantial and overall good for your general health. You can verify this with any person that jogs regularly. Maybe you’ve thought about taking up the habit of running but maybe you just don’t know how to. Here are a few tips on how to get you hooked on jogging:

1.    Find the right shoes: It doesn’t take much equipment to go jogging but the one thing you can’t do without is a good pair of sport shoes. You need shoes that are cushioned and supportive. Keep in mind that, while you’re jogging, each step you take puts two to three times your body weight on each leg so you need shoes that are able to withstand that kind of pressure so you won’t hurt your feet.

2.    Choose Indoors or Outdoors: You can go out running and enjoy the fresh air or you could go to a gym and run on a treadmill. If you choose outdoors, try to keep your local weather in mind. Maybe you live in a very hot place or a place where it snows. If you choose outdoors, make sure that you gear up accordingly to environmental factors.

3.    Walk: You have to walk before you run. It’s a great way to warm up especially if you’re not used to do much physical activity. Before you start jogging, try walking for half an hour at least 3 times for a couple of weeks.

4.    Stretch: Many people skip this crucial step when they start running. Stretching is important in order to prevent pulling muscles.

5.    Start off Easy: You’re new at this and you can’t expect yourself to be running like you’re the Flash right away. Take it easy at first. Run short distances, don’t go too fast, and if you get tired, stop and rest.

6.    Keep it Up: Once you have started off the hardest thing is going to be keeping up your rhythm. You’ll probably be tempted to stop or skip a day. The best way to avoid this is by setting up a weekly schedule and sticking to it. Eventually, your body will start craving the exercise and going out will become second nature to you. Once you have started and gotten used to running, you will be able to increase the level of difficulty of each session. Try to run longer distances, try to run faster, take it up gradually until you find a pace you’re comfortable with.

The will and attitude you take towards running and exercise are completely up to you and it should come from your desire to live a healthier life. But as for gear and equipment there’s no better choice than LightBug Sports. All of their products are made especially for athletes and can withstand the strain of regular exercise just like you can. They are also made of light-reflecting materials that will make you perfectly visible from over a hundred feet away in low light situations.Don’t put it off any longer and get out there and start running with LightBug!

Take your life and health to the next level!

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

The Health Risks of Jogging

Take it easy when jogging, you don't want to hurt yourself.

Everyone knows that exercising regularly is good for our health. That much has been made abundantly clear. There are plenty of options for people that wish to engage in any kind of physical activity. There are those who go to gyms a couple times a week, those who take up swimming, some hire a personal trainer, and there are some who prefer jogging. With every physical activity that you engage in there is always the risk of suffering some kind of injury. It mostly happens when people don’t take the necessary precautions related to exercising. Even something that seems as harmless as jogging can be detrimental to your health.

Most running-related injuries are quite minor and not something to be too worried about but; nevertheless, they’re something that should be avoided. The most common injuries are:

• ·         Blisters due to the friction between the shoe and the ankle.
• ·         Shin pain because of the tension and stress on the shin muscles.
• ·         Muscle pulling or strained ligaments due to not stretching properly.
• ·         Sunburns due to exposure to the sun without wearing any sunblock.
• ·         Bruises due to falling or other accidents.

All of these things can be treated by a physician and they’re not much of a big deal. But again, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid them. Besides these minor injuries there are factors you should look out for when going out running.

• ·         Overdoing it: This happens when people push it too hard on themselves and try to go beyond their current level of fitness. It can cause damage to your tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
• ·         Doing it wrong: There is such a thing as running the wrong way. If not done properly, running can cause even small muscle tears.
• ·         Different surfaces: Running on concrete is not the same as running on dirt. The harder the surface the more strain you put on your legs and feet.
• ·         Incorrect gear: Not wearing the proper shoes or clothes can cause injuries sunburns, cold related conditions, blisters, or shin pain.

We urge you to take the necessary precautions when you go out running, the last thing you want is something to throw you off your game. To that end you should check out the sports clothes and accessories that Lightbug Sports has available. All of their products are especially made to withstand all the stress of whatever exercise you do. They’re designed to prevent any kind of gear related injuries and they’re also made of reflective material to make to perfectly visible when you go out at night.

You can hurt yourself if you push it too far.

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

Reflective Jackets for Joggers and Why You Need Them

Don't let the cold night stop you from jogging with LightBugSport reflective jackets.

These winter nights feel great for going out for a good run. The air is fresh and cool and who doesn’t love a nice breeze in their faces when they’re out running. If you’re a runner then you would know how great it feels to go outside at night and enjoy some outdoor time. There are few things as satisfying as the sense of running and exercising during a cool night. But there are a few things that you have to consider whenever you decide to go out at night in winter. The cool breeze may feel great against your skin but cold air mixed with sweat in your skin can cause a cold. It’s easy to see the irony of getting sick while trying to get healthy.

Cold season is right around the corner and you need to take precautions to avoid losing your pace during the winter. That’s why it is highly recommended that, whenever you go out jogging during winter, you take a jacket with you. Even if it doesn’t feel as cold as it really is, you’re going to sweat while you run, that’s just a biological function of your body.And if you’re used to go running at night, we urge you to take some extra precautions. Statistically, winter nights are more prone to car accidents. Foggy nights and snow are usually a dreadful combination. Snow plays a key factor on lowering the visibility of cars and that’s what shoots accident rates skywards.

The best way you can prevent being involved in a car accident is by making yourself as visible as possible during the nights you go out running. And the best way for you to do that is by wearing one of LightBug’s reflective jackets.The concept behind the product is simple: These jackets are made of special materials designed to reflect light from over a hundred feet away thus making you perfectly noticeable to incoming traffic. The design is meant to keep you warm and safe during these cold nights so they’re the perfect item for the late night runner. LightBug Sport products, your best choice!

With LightBugSport reflective jackets you can jog even during winter nights.

LightBug Sports

Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425

Email: info@lightbugsport.com

http://www.lightbugsport.com/

At the Speed of Light: Reflective Shirts for Cyclers

Maybe you do it solely for the sake of exercise and fitness, maybe it’s your chosen method of transportation, or maybe just because you think it is fun, but if you’re reading this, it is most likely because you consider yourself a cycler. You enjoy getting on your bike and going out for a ride.And why wouldn’t you? It’s a great way to stay in shape and to get around. It is the most efficient method of transportation when it comes to environmental impact. Bikes are eco-friendly, they don’t cost a lot of money, and they’re easy to maintain.

A lot of cities around the world have begun to include bikes into their normal traffic and have created lanes especially for them. Its advantages and growing popularity have made bikes a great method of transportation for many. But people need to get around at all times, that means that there are bound to be people riding bikes at night.

Bike lanes usually run parallel to roads and car lanes, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happens when a car runs into a cycler. The problem is that bikes don’t usually come with headlights and brake lights. They lack the battery that cars have to power their lights, and, even when they do, the lights are often too small to be really noticed by cars.

Being anything less than perfectly visible is simply an unnecessary risk to take, that is why Lightbug came up with a line of clothing for people that go out at night on their bikes. These clothes are specially made to reflect light from cars from over a hundred feet away in order to make you clearly visible and reduce the possibility of any accidents happening.

By wearing LightBug Sport t-shirt for cyclers you can go as fast as you want and feel nothing but the breeze in your face because you will be sure that cars and other moving vehicles can see you even in low light places.

LightBug Sports
Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425
Email: info@lightbugsport.com
http://www.lightbugsport.com/

Reflective Shirts: Not Just for Late Workers

If you do your jogging at night, you might want one of these LightBugSport reflective shirts.

Have you ever gone out at night in your car and noticed from how far you can see construction workers? You can see them from quite a distance thanks to the special vests they wear and how they reflect the light from your car from around a hundred feet away. Most of the time, they also have reflective signs and fences around where they are working, so they are pretty much hard to miss.

They do this to prevent accidents. The rate of workers being run over at night by cars was extremely high before the invention of reflective vests. And that was when cars weren’t even nearly as fast as they are now. So it is clear how useful these vests are, they protect the lives of late workers by making them extremely visible to oncoming traffic.

The very same principle can be applied to reflective clothes. Statistics show that most crashes and accidents involving pedestrians happen at intersections, and half of the fatal cases occur at night with lack of visibility being one of the main factors involved.

Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or a small town, whenever you go out at night you’re in one way or another putting yourself at risk of being hit by a car. I’m not saying it will happen for sure, but it could. Accidents happen, that much is a part of life but I believe the best thing one can do about accidents is preventing them. To that end is that I want to recommend wearing reflective clothes while you’re out at night.

You can go out and do various activities like jogging, walking your dog, or maybe just taking a stroll in the park, but when you’re out at night you put yourself at risk. By wearing reflective gear you’re drastically reducing the risk of being in an accident by making yourself noticeable to cars.

But you’re not a late night worker, you don’t want to go out wearing a dorky vest. You want to maintain a certain sense of style while at the same time being safe. And that is why the people of Lightbug have created a unique line of products of reflective gears. Made with the best materials and with safety and style in mind Lightbug t-shirts are the perfect fit for anyone that goes out at night. They come in all sizes and with great designs for either gender. Lightbug t-shirts are the solution and the perfect mix of style and safety.

Use LightBugSport shirts for joggers at night and be an eye turner.

LightBug Sports
Phone: +1 (877) 586.7425
Email: info@lightbugsport.com
http://www.lightbugsport.com/