First Class Fitness Products
With 2012 coming to an end, Sportsmith is looking to gear up for the new year. As a leading provider of innovative strength and personal training products we are constantly expanding our line of quality fitness equipment. Listed below is some new gear to help kick start those resolutions.
SPORTSMITH Soft Medicine Ball
We can't help make wall balls easier, but we can supply you with a better ball. Tired of a lopsided wall balls with center weights that don't stay in the center?? We were too. Our new Sportsmith Soft Medicine Balls are made with a perfect-grip, cushioned cover featuring 14 raised panels that create added grip and softness at the seams.The larger 14” uniform diameter is easier to throw, track, and catch for safe handling during the most intense workouts. Superior reinforcement and higher quality filling material ensure better shape retention and consistent weight displacement than lower-quality traditional balls. Long-lasting seams reinforced with threads that won’t stretch or wear out. View all Sportsmith Soft Medicine balls
Sportsmith Wrist Wraps, Pair, Grey
It's time to grip it and rip it with our Sportsmith Strength Wraps. Whether you are setting WODs on fire or smashing OLY PRs these wraps are for you. Strength Wraps tighten down to provide stability for your wrist joints yet allow for full range of motion of movements. Our light weight fabric is made of 100% cotton. Designed with an exclusive liner to provide maximum joint support with minimum bulk. Cloth wrist wraps designed to tighten down on themselves, functioning as a tightening mechanism for wrist support with full range of motion. Sportsmith wrist wraps are specifically designed for strength training, power lifting, and Olympic weight lifting. View Wrist Wraps
Leather Hand Grips, Large, Black, Pair
I've never heard of anyone bragging about how great washing their hair felt after shredding their hands on pull ups. So train smart and train for tomorrow with Sportsmith Gymnastic Grips.
Our grips come in 3 sizes and have adjustable velcro straps. View All Leather Gymnastic grips
Programmable Interval Timer
Get a variety of functions with our new Programmable Interval Timer.
- Programmable Timer can be programmed with specific count up to and down from times
- Completely programmable interval timer
- Number of rounds, length of rest and length of work can all be set up by the user for total custom intervals
- Timer can save up to 8 custom programs
- Dynamic display shows time in red while displaying the number of rounds in electric blue, 4 3/8" tall numbers
- Timer Functions:
- Stop Watch to hundredths of a second
- Several preprogrammed intervals(Fight Gone Bad!)
- Clock display
View Programmable Interval Timer.
MTape
When You Need a lot of Athletic Trainers Tape with Conformability and Excellent Tackiness, Get a Case of MTAPE in 15 Yard Rolls.
- The white MTAPE® features high tensile strength with excellent tackiness and conformability
- 100% cotton backcloth, zinc oxide athletic trainers tape
- Tape is easy to handle and easy to unwind to the core
- Case contains:
- 32 rolls of tape
- Roll measurements:
- Length: 15 yards
- Width: 1.5"
- 100% Cotton backcloth
- Color: White or black
- Zinc Oxide
View all Athletic Tape.
Olympic Competition Bumper Plates
No more busting out inserts and cracked out plates. Our new competition plates are as tough as they are pretty. Weight and dimensions calibrated to meet the specs of IWF. So go heavy.
- Insert type: Steel disc, chrome coated
- Collar opening: 50.40mm +/- 0.1mm
- Weight tolerance: +/- 5 grams
- Diameter: 450mm
- Thickness: 2"
View all Competition Bumper Plates.
Family Health & Fitness Day
Family Health & Fitness Day Starts Sept 29
Saturday, September 29 2012 is an important day for America. It’s not an anniversary of a battle, although it could be seen as a day to engage in battle against the so-called Obesity Epidemic that is sweeping America and the developed world. Family Health and Fitness Day USA aims to promote health and fitness across America by keeping it in the family.
According to the US Surgeon General’s report on physical activity and health, more than 60 per cent of American adults and almost half of the nation’s children do not engage in enough physical activity to maintain health. Family Health and Fitness Day USA aims to encourage parents and children to enjoy activities together and learn how to live a more healthy lifestyle.
Organized by the Health Information Resource Centre (HIRC), 2012’s event is the sixteenth of its kind. It’s a national and local initiative, with organizations such as schools, hospitals, parks, malls, health clubs and Christian groups such as the YMCA and YWCA hosting non-competitive health and fitness functions for all the family to enjoy.
Family Health and Fitness Day USA is a national wake-up call, aimed at getting families together to learn about nutrition, health and fitness and participate in fun events across the country. It’s a day for families to focus on fitness and make a dent in the frightening statistics relating to obesity and poor health.
The Obesity Epidemic in America
According to the Get America Fit Foundation (GAFF), more than 60 million adults are obese, while 9 million 6 – 19 year olds are overweight. The presentation of hypertension, diabetes and other obesity-related conditions in children is on the rise. As these life-threatening diseases are normally associated with obesity in adulthood, there is a real danger that the current generation of America’s children may not make it into old age.
The statistics make for sobering reading. In the space of around thirty years, childhood obesity has effectively trebled, with almost one third of America’s youngsters either overweight or obese – that’s around 23 million kids.
Why the big rise? Children are now eating around 1,000 calories a day more than they need, and spending up to 6 hours a day in front of the television, computer or games console. Back in the 1960s, almost half of all children cycled to school, but fear of crime, changing weather and increased affluence mean that these days, kids are either taken to school or drive themselves there. In addition, physical education is no longer a priority on the school curriculum.
Why it’s important to be fit and healthy
In purely monetary terms, overall fitness and health benefits both individuals and the government. Work days lost through illness affect both the employee who loses out on income, and the government, which loses out on income-related taxation. Then there’s the burden on the health service, medical insurers and the social security system.
On a more personal level, maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit reduces the risk of contracting obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, some forms of cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Avoiding these potentially life-threatening conditions makes for a longer life, which means you get to see your children – and probably your grandchildren – grow up. Currently, the average lifespan for Americans is 78.2 years, which is low compared to other developed, relatively prosperous countries.
Just 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five times a week can help maintain physical and emotional health, yet only31% of Americans take enough exercise to obtain those health benefits. Exercise can also boost your immune system, making you less prone to sickness and disease. It's also an acknowledged mood lifter - people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from depression.
Involving your organisation in Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012
Local organizations across America can register to host an event by filling in the registration form on the official website. On receipt of the registration form, organizations will receive a resource pack with ideas and information, and access to the official website. Registration costs $30, and includes a license to use the official logo in publicity material for your event. Small organizations running a single event may qualify for free registration.
Participating in Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012
Check out the local press for details of events in your area. Local schools, churches, hospitals, medical centres, gyms and sports centres may also be hosting events, so ask around. Available events will depend on the organizations hosting them and local interests. Typically, these events may include workshops, health screenings, games, organized walks and exercise sessions. Email [email protected] for more information on events in your area.
Family Health and Fitness Day USA 2012 is an ideal opportunity to learn more about health and fitness, while enjoying a great day out with the family. Exercise doesn’t have to be an ordeal – when the whole family have fun together, getting fit and healthy can actually be a pleasure. Remember, the family that plays together can look forward to staying together for much longer.
What events are you or your facility planning?
(Leave your answer in the comments)
Some fun items to include in your event
Jump Ropes
Medicine Balls
KettleBells
Resistance Tubes
Power Bands
AbMats
Maintaining your Olympic Bars
Regardless of what you spent on your Olympic bars, they are an investment. And, if you operate a gym, health club or high intensity training facility, you know those bars are definitely a popular piece of equipment, subject to a lot of wear and tear. Ask yourself, “What do we do to maintain our Olympic Bars?” You’ll probably end up shrugging. Many tend to not really maintain their bars despite their importance and usually manufacturers don’t offer up any care and maintenance tips beyond: Don’t drop or overload the bars.
So, what should fitness facility owners and managers as well as home gym enthusiasts bear in mind when it comes to keeping their Olympic bars at their best? Cleaning, rust prevention, and storage are top considerations.
Combating Rust
Fact 1: Bars are made of steel and steel rusts when wet. Fact 2: When people workout, they sweat. So… when sweat gets on the bars, you can end up with rust. Bar manufacturers try to avert this by placing a coating on the bars. Common coatings include black oxide (the least expensive), chrome, zinc, and fabricating bars out of stainless steel, which is the most expensive option. However, regardless of coatings, gyms must still maintain their bars.
Don’t Chalk it Up
If your gym provides chalk, clean off the knurling on your bars on a regular basis. Depending on how much chalk gets used, this task could be performed daily. (Also remind members who bring their own chalk to clean it off as a courtesy to others.) Think about it… Chalk is used to dry sweaty palms by absorbing moisture, so when chalk remains on the bar, it’s absorbing moisture too. That means any moisture, including humidity in the air. When the chalk absorbs this and holds it on the steel bar, it’s going to be susceptible to rust. So, to keep those bars of yours from rusting, it’s essential to clean off the chalk. A small stiff nylon bristle brush will do the trick: Simply go over the knurling with the brush to remove caked-in dirt and prevent future rust.
Wipe Out
Regularly wipe down all your bars with 3-in-1 Oil or a light coat of WD-40. How often you do this depends on how often a bar is used. If you work out at home, twice a month should suffice. If you’re responsible for a gym, then once a week would be good. If there is high humidity at your location and bars are used often, you may need to wipe them down on a more frequent basis. WD-40 is a good choice because it displaces water and dries quickly. Just spray some on a rag and wipe down the entire bar with a good even coat. If you use 3-in-1 Oil, wipe a thin coating on the entire bar, have it sit on the bar overnight, and then wipe it down once again. While 3-in-1 Oil does a great job, it will leave the bars feeling a bit greasier than WD-40.
Since today’s bars are crafted to be mostly maintenance-free, there’s usually no need to oil the sleeves as these often have oil-impregnated bushings or bearings. Some high-end bars feature small oil holes in their sleeves so you can drop in a little bit of 3-in 1 Oil allowing it to work into the sleeve. (Note: Never use WD-40 for this particular of application.) Do this after use, then check the bar before using it again to see if excess oil may have leaked out and just wipe it up.
Storage Matters
Bars should never be stored with any weight on them. NEVER! If you or your club members leave weight on a bar, you’re asking for a bent bar -- especially if the bar is on a rack. While bars are designed to withstand weight, they aren’t designed to permanently hold this weight. You’ve got to strip your bars, and in the case of gyms, encourage members to do this. Also be prepared to do some work over the course of the day, removing any weights that may have been left on and put the plates away. Besides protecting the bars, it keeps gym members happy if they don’t have to keep stripping weights others left behind.
Your unloaded bars may be stored on a rack or bar stand. Horizontal storage is preferred, however, its best not to not store your needle bearing bars in a horizontal bar holder. This can cause damage to the needle bearings when the bar is dropped into the holder. A majority of gyms using needle-bearing bars for Olympic lifts avoid damage by utilizing wall racks for storing this type of bar.
It’s relatively simple to maintain your Olympic bars with just a little bit of time and effort. It’s worth it to protect your investment in this equipment and keep it useful for years to come. If you have any tips on maintaining Olympic bars, feel free to share them with us at [email protected].
RUMBLE AND ROLL
For quite a while now, both therapists and athletes have used foam rollers to relieve pain and stress on their muscles. It's a known scientific fact that muscle compression and manipulation can help with blood flow and relieve pain and fatigue. Most of the foam rollers that have been produced have flat surfaces. While this will help some, it's not as efficient as it could be. Enter the Rumble Roller. It's like having your own massage therapist on hand 24/7!
The difference between the Rumble Roller and other foam rollers is the multitude of "fingers", or bumps that cover it's surface. It's these bumps that produce the more pronounced effects that standard rollers can't do. Instead of merely compressing the muscle tissue, the bumps actually manipulate the muscle, similar to how a real massage therapist or D.O. would do. It's this deep massage manipulation that increases the efficiency of the roller. These bumps are soft and flexible, so you can use the roller on your entire body without worrying about damaging bone or muscle, and two firmness levels are offered as well.
SPORTSMITH currently carries the Rumble Roller in two sizes. The Compact version is only twelve inches long, and can be tossed into a gym bag or suitcase easily. The Full Size model is significantly larger, at thirty-one inches. It's designed for use in the home, or as a permanent piece in a gym setting. We carry the Extra Firm model and in an easy to maintain black color. Both are economically priced and will ship the same day you order them (Monday through Friday). Just call our toll free number or log on to our website and order one today!
How to Assemble a Sportsmith Wooden Plyo Box
Instructional Video about How to Assemble a Wooden Plyo Box by Sportsmith
- In this video we show you how to to assemble a Sportsmith wooden plyo box
- The first step is to unpack the plyo box and make sure you have:
- (4) Side Panels that include two marked "A" and two marked "B"
- (1) Bag of Hardware that includes 16 Screws
- (1) Top Panel
- Note: Though wood glue is not included, it is highly recommended
- Take caution when assembling parts
- Using one panel "A" and one panel "B" lean them against each other as shown
- Using one of the included screws, install a screw into one of the pre-drilled pilot holes
- Once you have assembled one panel "A" to one panel "B", set it aside and assemble the other half of the plyo box
- Now that you have both "halves" assembled place them together as seen in the video and start the six screws that will attach the two halves together
Be sure you have not tightened any of the hardware completely before the next step
- NOTE: Though wood glue is not included, it is highly recommended for assembly of this Plyo Box
- Set the top piece in place. Then align one edge and install a screw through the top panel using one of the pre-drilled holes
- Now move to the opposite edge and make sure the top panel is aligned before installing the screw
- Make any final adjustments to the alignment and install the last two screws into the top panel
- Make sure all alignment is correct and then tighten all hardware
Click here to view Sportsmith Wooden Plyo Boxes.
THE CURE FOR LOCK JAW!
Ok, so maybe not the cure for the disease (lock jaw is an old term for tetanus), but definitely the cure for some of your weightlifting needs. Olympic bars typically lack any sort of integrated mechanism designed to keep the plates from slipping off. This is by design, as you need to be able to quickly slip plates on and off during actual weightlifting competitions. What you actually use to keep the plates on, however, can be a major factor in your lifting. Traditionally, a metal sleeve was used that had a tension handle screwed into either one or both sides. You’d turn these handles to secure it to the bar. This, however, isn’t ideal (not to mention the screws can potentially damage your lifting bar). For one, during heavy lifting sets, the screws can easily loosen due to the impact of the bar hitting the ground or the cradle.
Enter the Lock Jaw Collar. This is a fairly new product that has been getting rave reviews by weightlifters all over the world. Its simple, easy to use design has made it popular with both amateur and professional lifters alike. It’s incredibly easy to use. Simply pull on the release handle to release it, and push it down firmly to secure it to the bar. Nothing could be easier. The collars are constructed of high-impact nylon resin polymer, so not only are they extremely durable, they’re completely immune to the effects of the environment. No rusting here! The chain like design also fits any barbell out there. The inside surface is a non-slip material, so they won’t slide off, and unlike the heavier metal collars, they only add about 12 ounces to your overall weight. Currently, SPORTSMITH carries them in a matte black color, and you receive a discount when purchasing multiple pairs. Grab some today, and take your weightlifting game to the next level!
DOCTOR RECOMMENDED MEDICINE
Medicine balls (or fitness balls, exercise balls, call them what you will) have been around since ancient times. Hippocrates was one of the first to make use of such a device, using animal bladders sewn together and filled with sand. Today, they come in a myriad of sizes, colors, and types and athletes in just about every sport you can think of make use of them. SPORTSMITH™ carries several different types of medicine balls to meet our customers varied and always-changing needs. Here is a quick rundown of what we carry.
These are the no-frills smooth balls. They are quite “bouncy”, and come in several weights. First, we have the Standard Weight set, which comes in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kilogram weights. Each ball is differently colored depending on it's weight, so there's no confusion as to what ball you're using. Several different styles of storage racks are available for these balls as well. You can purchase these individually, as a set of 5, or as a set of 5 including a storage rack. Made of a super tough rubberized shell with a weighted core, these balls are easily inflated with any standard sports ball pump.
These balls are made of the same tough outer shell and weighted core as the standard balls, but feature two textured handles on each side. The handles are molded directly into the material, so the ball retains a perfect sphere shape. Balls with handles allow you to do different exercises that the standard balls don't allow, and you can even substitute them for actual lifting weights in a pinch. Available in 5 different sizes, like the standard ball, each weight is color coded. Uses the same storage racks as the standard ball, and the same sets are available for purchase.
Soft medicine balls tend to be used somewhat differently than the harder variety. Normally, you would use one as a follow up to strength exercises. They are also well suited to larger athletes due to their much larger 14” diameter. DynaMax balls are some of the best on the market today. The outer covering is incredibly tough while maintaining it's natural softness. They come in a variety of colors and weights, ranging from the light 6-pound ball to much larger sizes, like 20lbs. Mini sizes are also available for those with smaller hands.
Dead Balls, also known as Slam Balls, are for the serious user of medicine balls. They have absolutely no bounce to them, stopping “dead” when they hit the floor, hence the name. Currently, we carry weights ranging from a relatively light 12 pounds all the way up to an absolutely monstrous 100 pound ball. A bright yellow coloration makes them easily visible, and they are constructed of a tough outer shell with a sand filled interior. If you think you know how to use a medicine ball, get yourself one of these and challenge yourself even further.
PLYO BOXES THAT YOU “WOOD” LIKE
Recently, Plyometric Boxes have really taken off as a great way to cross-train, especially with programs like high intensity interval training. SPORTSMITH carries a wide variety of Boxes, ranging from those that are adjustable and made of all-metal frames to fixed ones that come pre-assembled. Recently, we started carrying a new style Box, and it’s really nice!
These Wooden Plyo Boxes are made of super sturdy plywood, and have a landing surface that is entirely covered in a non-slip, high grip surface. The non-slip surface is very handy when trying to quickly knock out high repetitions ob box jumps. All of these new Boxes feature beveled edges for extra safety, and are angled like a pyramid for maximum stability. So no need to worry about coming down on a sharp edge. They’re also perfectly designed for heavier athletes, as they have hardwood support slates secured inside them. This not only makes them extremely sturdy, but also allows you to stack them for storage. Being able to stack these bad boys is huge! No need to worry about the boxes getting stuck on top of another one. Plus, stacking is a great space saver. Pre-cut hand holes allow for easy transportation, as well.
SPORTSMITH offers these new Boxes in three sizes. Sixteen inch, twenty inch, and twenty-four inch. They also come either assembled or unassembled. The unassembled ones can be put together very easily will save you a bundle on shipping costs. Lastly, we also offer a Box that has a really handsome red mahogany finish (pre-assembled only). You’ll be the envy of your gym when you bring in one of these! Get yours today!
D-BALL – THE BALL OF THE FUTURE!
Ok, so not really, but D-Balls are pretty nifty, and can help add a unique aspect to your normal workouts that you wouldn’t normally get. They help work your core in ways that traditional medicine balls could never do.
So what is a D-Ball? It’s essentially just a medicine ball, but instead of a solid core of rubber or polymer, it’s filled with sand. This is why it’s termed a “dead ball”, or a “slam ball”. It doesn’t bounce, at all. Standard medicine balls have at least some bounce to them, but D-Balls literally drop “dead” once they hit the ground. This offers a “dead weight” type of scenario, which when used in specific workout routines, challenges you to use muscles that rarely get used, especially in your abdominal core. These balls have become incredibly popular with the rapidly expanding high intensity interval training exercise programs across the world.
One advantage to not having a solid core is that a D-Ball can be far heavier than a standard medicine ball. SPORTSMITH currently carries balls in various sizes, all the way up to the massive 100lb. ball which is twelve inches in diameter. Standard solid core medicine balls simply cannot be made this heavy, due to their design.
Once again, SPORTSMITH is proud to offer our customers the latest and greatest in sports and exercise equipment. Go to our website at www.sportsmith.net or give our toll-free number a call to place an order today! It’s easy, fast, and we offer same day shipping on all orders. We also ship internationally, so what are you waiting for? Get to clickin’!
Adjustable Plyo Box
Check out the new Adjustable Pyramidal Plyometric Boxes (Plyo Boxes). Notice the word “adjustable” in there, too. These boxes can be set to three different heights; 16, 20, and 24 inches, all easily done with no tools required. Most Plyo Boxes are set at a fixed height. Not these! Now you don’t have to buy multiple boxes to suit your needs, not to mention lugging them with you if you want to use them someplace other than your own home.
The new adjustable Plyo Boxes are extremely portable. It weighs less than 25lbs. total, and will easily fit in the back seat of your car. They also come unassembled, which means the parts fit flatly in a shipping box. That means more savings for you, as a huge shipping box isn’t required. Therfore big savings on shipping these bad boys! While you do have to assemble it, it’s quite easy and only takes a few minutes. All that’s needed are a screwdriver, a socket and socket driver, and an electric drill to tighten everything up nicely. Once it’s assembled, you’ll find that the adjustable legs make it somewhat sturdier than traditional boxes, especially if you find your workout area uneven. The top surface of the box is also very tactile, and you will have superior traction even if it gets wet or is set at an odd angle.
SPORTSMITHä strives to provide our customers with the newest, best products on the market to day. These new adjustable Plyo Boxes are some of the best available, and with the double bonus of less expensive shipping and portability/adjustability, you simply cannot go wrong purchasing one of these.
- Adjustable heights of 16", 20" and 24"
- Based on the geometry of its design, the plyo box gets more stable as the height increases
- Height adjusts in 4" increments
- Portable enough for easy travel to any workout location
- Compact size fits in the trunk or backseat of your car
- Weighs less than 25lbs
Durable Plyo Box is Designed for Serious Use and Looks Incredible
- Anti-skid top
- Measures 15 1/2" x 15 1/2"
- Zinc plated metal legs
- HDPE sides
- Assembly required
For more information about the adjustable plyo box click here.
How to Assemble the Adjustable Plyo Box.
Adjustable Plyo Box Demo
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