The Competitive Edge

For many, physical fitness entails nervously sitting through the sales pitch with an annoyingly in shape 20something, joining a gym, jumping on some “cardio” machine for a half-hour (club rules, wipe it down after you’re done), followed by looking at and sometimes using the various weight machines. Maybe a quick bout of crunches, and it’s off to the showers and back to a busy life.

 If this looks like your workout routine, the concept of being an endurance athlete is akin to winning a lottery. It might sound good, but it is an unlikely lifestyle change. Endurance athletes are gluttons for punishment who focus on putting their bodies through new levels of pain in usually extreme conditions each and every day. They are runners, cyclists, swimmers, and, many times, all three. They wake up while it’s dark to work out. They skip lunch to get a run in instead. They find ways to avoid a normal bed time to get one last good sweat.

 Being an endurance athlete is a full time job, and most of us already have one.

 Although the most familiar endurance types fit the competitive model, there are many, many more that never see a starting line, race or finish line. They enjoy the feeling of going a few steps or feet further than last time. They enjoy the solitude. They all enjoy the obvious and important health benefits of endurance training.

 All types of endurance training have a physiological goal: increased cardiovascular strength and increased blood flow. The average human has about 10 pints of blood flowing through their body at any given time. For an endurance level, blood volume can increase as much as 30 percent. The primary reason for this increase is due to creation and extension of the tiniest blood vessels, or capillaries, that grow through endurance training. Sedentary individuals suffer from a higher resting heart beat (bad), poor circulation (worse) and higher blood pressure (worst). A poor diet and a lack of exercise all contribute to higher levels of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The only true way to combat these health evils is embracing a routine fitness routine dedicated to improving and enhancing endurance abilities.

 The simple act of rising from the couch and walking out the door is the first step, literally. From that point, it becomes a bit more difficult

 Committing yourself to an endurance lifestyle is not an easy task. There is time factor. Of course, there is the pain factor as well. The ability to run effectively requires two things: cardiovascular health and core strength. You can get both of these things without even running. And after building these things, when you do run, the experience will be different.

 But in our experience, the biggest obstacle to embracing to an endurance sport is fear. Time and time again, the response is “I’m not a runner. I can’t race. I would come in last if I ever tried.”

 Instead, let’s agree to try.

Welcome to the Competitive Edge by Lionheart Fitness and Performance. In this online environment, you will find a variety of topics and items. Some of them will relate to your fitness experience at Lionheart. Others will relate to the competitive exploits of some of Lionheart’s athletes and trainers. We will also provide with you exclusive, original content that discusses a range of topics in the world of fitness and athletic performance.

Although most people just think of us first as darn good-looking people, we all led interesting lives before forming and becoming part of the Lionheart family. Alternatively a hack journalist, a youthful city worker, and a discipline-problem Marine, we have seen more things in our lives than just a good lunge or a proper bench press. That being said, we promise not to wax on about newspaper deadlines, snow shoveling, or the appropriate cadence for a double-time march in the rain. We do, however, hope to provide some interesting ideas about your fitness, health, and wellness – all from an everyman’s perspective.

If you find yourself reading this and decide to visit again, please provide feedback about our articles and your ideas for topics — or just drop us a note on ways we can improve your fitness experience with Lionheart Fitness and Performance.  As always, through hard work and sweat, all of us are committed to helping you achieve a healthier and happier life.