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Getting Fit with Pokémon Go!

August 10, 2016/0 Comments/in Health & Fitness /by TheJerd

In two weeks, Nintendo has done more for fitness than anyone else in the last few years.

Somehow they have turned walking into a game everyone, not just nerds, enjoys.

Take a minute and think about that. Somehow, with nothing but a simple app and some cute digital creatures, Niantic has taken this Nintendo property and magically convinced people that walking around their neighborhood, or through local parks, is fun!

With Pokémon Go, life has become some sort of giant RPG-like scavenger hunt that everyone is playing.

In a month, Pokémon Go has become the number one mobile game in the world with over 75 million downloads worldwide.

I’m going to let that number sink in a minute.

That’s more than the population of Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Cuba, Finland and Denmark combined!

So for the three of you out there not onboard the Pokémon train, here’s what it is all about:

Players use their phones to hunt and search for digital creatures (Pokémon) by getting out, and walking around, to find these creatures and capture them by throwing devices called Pokéballs at them. Players are rewarded for exploring new areas (as different Pokémon appear in different locations so finding all 151 types is a massive under-taking) as well for capturing and holding landmarks designated as Poké Gyms.

And if you are one of those people proudly proclaiming on the Internet how you are somehow above a harmless game that is getting people out of the house and being more social than you ~~can go #$%@ yourself~~ should read on.

An Interview With Ming Chen

July 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Health & Fitness, Interviews, Keys to Running /by TheJerd

Loyal readers of the site know that, whenever possible, I sharing other people’s philosophies on fitness (and if you aren’t a loyal reader, come on… get with the program!)

I do this for three distinct reasons:

My views on fitness are just that, my views. I want to share as much positive stuff as I can
Sometimes an occasional break from my ~~awesome~~ sarcastic ramblings is good for you all
Because I am selfish, and sometimes I want to hear what someone else has to say…

I say this because this last month I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ming Chen, from AMC’s Comic Book Men and the I Sell Comics podcast.

We met in Washington, D.C. at Awesome-Con 2016, and he graciously agreed to sit down with me for a chat about his passion for running, what it was like growing up a geek, and his love of comic books.

So sit back and enjoy!

(Also, if you just want to listen, the podcast version is embedded all the way at the end of the article…)

A Guide To Proper Gym Etiquette

June 10, 2016/0 Comments/in Health & Fitness /by TheJerd

aka How Not To Suck At The Gym

I recently asked a bunch of people on Twitter what some of their biggest hurdles were in their desire to get in shape. The number one answer?

Being afraid of the gym.

I get it; new things can be scary. In no way do I want to discount your trepidation about stepping into a potentially intimidating environment.

But while at-home workouts are great to get you moving, get you on a regular exercise schedule, and preparing your muscles for the rigors of strength training, they will only get you so far.

Eventually, if you want to shed serious pounds and build muscle, you are going to have to get on a strength training program.

And more than likely, that is going to require joining a gym.

So let us take a minute and talk about the realities of going to the gym for the first time, proper gym etiquette, and getting over some of your fears.

Sound good?