The eagerly awaited Babolat Pure Drive 2012

The Babolat tennis racquet family is eagerly awaiting its newest member, the Babolat Pure Drive 2012. This new babolat racquet is slated to hit the market early this year with preorders already on the rise. This heavily awaited Babolat racquet has already made a few sneak appearances in professional practice sessions and welded in competition by pros. Receiving nothing but accolades, the anticipation continues to rise. Some rumors state the Babolat Pure Drive Racket 2012 will be in complete circulation by mid-march. Other sources indicate it will be much sooner. I myself have opted to wait patiently for its arrival, forgoing any eagerness to hastily purchase a lesser model tennis racket. Babolat has never let me down and I’m sure 2012 with be no exception.

Babolat Pure Drive rackets are known for their legendary control without sacrificing power. They are designed to give competitive players the edge they need when stepping up their game. This tennis racket is composed of Graphite Tungsten and sports an incredibly lightweight feel. Graphite Tungsten, also known as GT Technology, braids carbon with tungsten creating a truly durable and powerful hybrid frame. This type of frame is known to draw more power from any player from beginner to advanced. Combined with the new vibration elimination technology, this racket will increase feel and ball control immensely. The flashy new look is a welcome addition as well, and won’t take away from court side flair. It is as menacing in sight as it is in performance.

Babolat was founded in 1875 when the company’s creator began developing and producing strings for tennis racquets. The company gradually began adding new products and innovations to the market place for more than a century. In 1994 the first Babolat tennis racquet entered the market. And now in 2012 Babolat tennis rackets have become renowned worldwide, hardly even needing an introduction. Tennis combatants on every continent are choosing the sublime mix between power and control. Tennis pros including Li Na, Andy Roddick, and Kim Clijsters have taken home their fair share of trophies and championships with Babolat PureDrive rackets. I can only hope to achieve the same aspirations for myself.

The Evolution in Women's Running Apparel

Running apparel for women has changed dramatically over the 33 years that I have been running. From simple construction that met basic needs, to eye-popping color-coordination, women s running outfits have truly evolved. Today, running clothes for women are designed not only to be visually appealing, but also to enhance performance.

I have fond memories of my first pair of Nike “waffles”; blue with a yellow swoosh, and very wide soles with nubs on them (hence the nickname). They were effective, simple and stylish, and were most-often accompanied by knee-high athletic socks with wide color bands that very seldom matched my cool shoes. This ensemble was completed by short-shorts, and your typical 70’s t-shirt. Back then, running clothes for women were usually what was required for gym class, or what was worn for a host of other activities. Women s running outfits, such as they were, did not really address variations in climate; you either wore your short-shorts and froze or wore sweats and suffered the opposite effect.

Of course, it has not been proven that dressing in color-coordinated and otherwise stylish running apparel guarantees success in running endeavors. However, it most definitely boosts that can-do feeling. Along with an occasional admiring glance from onlookers, this can lead to better results and an increased desire to get out there and run in the first place!

It was a very cold race day in February, when I learned to truly appreciate the evolution in women’s running apparel. The race took place around a frozen lake. The actual temperature was 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 25-mile-an-hour wind bringing the wind-chill factor to well below zero (or at least that's the way it felt). Yes, I believed that I looked very stylish in my matching lycra running pants with coordinating jacket, gloves, beanie, and shoes. However, it was not the fashionable aspect of my outfit that was its saving grace that day, but the physical aspects of the design. The fabric was relatively light and form fitting, yet surprisingly warm, with the ability to wick perspiration away from the body. This kept me from freezing. The cut and design allowed for uninhibited movement. I didn't come in last.

Of course Under Armour is the leader in climate-based running apparel. Not to mention the fact, that Under Armour running clothes always look great.

Karhu: Best New Running Shoes for Spring

Staying active is an important part of any American's life. After high school, however, staying involved in sports becomes difficult as other obligations get in the way. For this reason running has become one of the most popular ways to relieve stress, stay healthy and keep active. Whether you’re someone who runs during evenings after work or an early bird who runs as the sun rises, many working Americans partake in this sport. In the winter times, the gyms are filled with avid runners and as soon as the sun comes out and temperatures rise, running tracks around lakes, beaches, and parks see runners day in and day out. 

When it comes to running there is nothing more important than having the right running shoes. The right shoes keep both the bones and muscles of runners healthy and strong. Newcomer Karhu has dedicated its company to developing the most comfortable, best designed, and easy on the joints running shoes on the market. 

Karhu running shoes have several advantages over all the other types of running shoes. Firstly, they are designed to not only keep the muscles and bones healthy while running, but also to redirect the energy of every single leap towards moving forward. This forward running system is a revolutionary way to increase endurance, agility and protect the body from the effects of long distance runs. Karhu running shoes reduce energy that is otherwise wasted at every stride. 

Karhu also uses material that guarantees comfort. By studying the shapes of hundreds of different feet, they have designed shoes with angles that minimize contact with the soft, sensitive skin of the feet and ankles. This, with the high quality material used to make the running shoes, makes Karhu shoes some of the most comfortable shoes in today’s market.

To further outfit the running shoes, this active wear company has also designed a sweat reducing sock. With a majority of socks worn by runners, sweat often gets through the socks and into the shoes, thus shortening the life of the shoe. However, with these socks, specifically designed to be worn with the Karhu running shoes, the sweat is soaked up by the fabric itself and does not get transferred into the inner layers of the shoe. This preserves the running shoes, giving the runners not only enhanced performance, safety, and comfort but longevity in their purchase of the shoes. 

Finally, Karhu shoes are the most stylish running shoes out there. They have a bit of a retro feel and tons of fun colors to choose from. These shoes are definitely the entire package: fantastic technology, superior comfort and great looking.

So whether it's for running outside or inside, Karhu shoes are made to make any run better.

Timex GPS Watch & Timex Marathon Watch

Founded in 1854, Timex sports watches have come a long way. Starting out as a clock company, the watch came to be when artillery gunners fighting in World War one needed an easy way to calculate and tell time while still using their gun.

When the watch was created it was tested by every career field possible such as: cliff divers, water skiers and men using jackhammers. The watch was even put on a dolphin to show how strong and durable it was. It was always meant for these watches to stand the test of time, “"Timex – Takes a Licking and keeps on Ticking.” Now, the watch leaders have come up with the Timex GPS, Timex Ironman Watch and Timex Marathon watches. With exercise and fitness so important to everyone today it was only a matter of time that watches to calculate altitude, heart and pulse rates and distance would be made to fit in our life.

The GPS watch, actually called the Timex Ironman Watch is designed for people involved with multiple sports. It is waterproof for swimming and sweat proof for running and cycling. It is very accurate in the calculations of distance and speed using the built-in GPS. Timex GPS can be easily configured to show you the information you want to see. There is special training software that you can sync the watch with in order to keep up with the progress you have made during your training.

The GPS watch is not the only sport watch that has been developed. The Timexmarathon watch has also been introduced to help the sport fanatic keep up with their stats. It has a 24 hour stopwatch to help keep up with the marathon miles you run. Running at night is not a problem, and the watch does not have a problem with it either with its built in night light, that way you can still keep monitoring your results. The Timex marathon watch is very lightweight and is also waterproof.

So, whether you need a GPS watch to keep you from getting lost or confused while hiking or on a nature trip or a marathon watch to keep up with the miles you run, Timex sport watches are the way to go. They offer a lot of features, are reasonably priced, stand up to your sport regimen and will last for a very long time.

Noosa

In just about any sport, it's important to have the right equipment, in order to perform correctly and completely. If you're a football player, then it's obviously important to have the correct footwear and gear, so that you don't get injured. If you are a polo player, then you're going to need the correct headgear, foot gear, bat, and so on. And, if you do long distance running or the like, then you're going to need the right footwear to keep the blisters at bay and the spring in your step. And, for this, the best possible footwear is needed. And, for someone who runs a lot, there are few shoes better than Asics running shoes.

Asics is a Japanese company that provides athletic supplies, including equipment for a great variety of sports. However, they are most reputed for their running shoes. In recent years, Asics running shoes have been recognized as some of the best in the world, and have been endlessly innovated upon. As a result, they have now come out with one of their best productions: the AsicsGEL-Noosa.

The Asics GEL-Noosa running shoes are specially designed with maximum comfort and efficiency in mind. Their lightweight design was produced especially for people who value a smooth, breathing run that is complimented by their shoe. Additionally, the Noosa running shoes are made with a truly unusual color design that should please those who wish to draw attention while they run. The bright colors printed upon will charm anyone who wishes to make their footwear the most visible part of their running experience, not to mention the glow in the dark parts of the shoe so you can be seen no matter where or when you run!

In addition to the color scheme, the newest running technologies have gone into making Noosa running shoes into much, much more than a shoe. Given the inordinate amount of work that Asics have put into making their shoes the best running shoes around, it's no surprise that the Noosa shoes have a lot of improvements and technologies that previous shoes haven't had. For example, the Impact Guidance System, one of the aforementioned technologies, is designed to give the regular gait of the runner an extra boost, in order to aid the speed of the run and the exercise produced by it.

Train Hard With A Garmin

An important part of any athlete's training program is the recording and monitoring of process in order to determine when gains are being made or progress is slipping. A Garmin monitor is one of the best tools for the task. The Garmin 910XT is a GPS monitor that is loaded with enough features to keep even the most particular athlete inundated with workout information. I certainly was not disappointed with my purchase of the latest Garmin 910XT.

As a GPS monitor that is the size of a normal wristwatch, the Garmin monitor is cutting edge in features. One of the most useful features for improving performance is the Virtual Racer tool which plots previous routes. The display will show how far along you were at a particular time in a previous session and where you are at the moment. That allows you to follow your previous best time pace and no when you are lagging behind and need to up the pace some. It is a great feature that really keeps me excited about running and I am always looking forward to setting a new personal best time. Of course, the unit can also be used for other sports such as bicycling or swimming. 

The Garmin heart rate monitor can watch your vitals just as easily as it can monitor the distances covered during a workout. If you get within the range of a Mac or PC the unit is capable of wireless data uploads in order to use software to track and monitor workout performance. The Garmin heart rate monitor Connect software program can plot data points in graphs across various different metrics. Easily document and share your workout data with others.

Bicyclists can train hard with an accessory ANT+ power meter that will interface with the Garmin unit. A pedal-based power meter can be used to calculate the precise output of your biking performance. Using such a power meter can allow one to see the full pedal stroke force profile. This addition allows for monitoring of power and cadence in both legs separately. The Garmin Vector is one such compatible accessory.

There really is no reason for any serious athlete not to own a Garmin monitor as it is certainly one of the best ways to take training to the next level. If you are serious about improvements then the cost of a Garmin is reasonable with respect to the gains that will be made.