Hiking Boot Care - Make Them Sparkle

Why spend time on hiking boot care?

Because your lightweight hiking and work boots are the most important part of your hiking equipment and deserve looking after!

Caring for your boots, though not the most fun part of a hike, will be worthwhile over the long term. Not only will you extend the life of your boots (and pay out less frequently for new ones) but you will also help in keeping water out of them.

So, after a muddy walk brush off all the mud, sheep poo, cow dung and everything else and give them a good wipe down but do not use detergents.

If your boots get saturated after prolonged walking in the rain and/or in wet conditions, or just damp from perspiration stuff them with dry newspaper and leave them overnight preferably in a warm place. Newspaper really does work well.

Boots need to be treated from time to time with a good leather care type product such as Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather whether you hike in dry hot conditions or in wet wintry conditions. We use Nikwax as it dries into boots quite easily and makes them look cared for.

Once a year take the laces out and wash them in a cloth bag in the washing machine. Check them for damage etc. Always carry at least one spare boot lace in your rucksack even if it has been used.

Always carry plasters and compeed or equivalent for blisters – just in case someone else needs them!

If you feel your boot rubbing deal with it straightaway by putting on a plaster or compeed. Do not wait another 5 miles by which time your foot will be well sore and blistered and incapable of recovery for tomorrow’s walk!

Guide to Table Tennis Rackets

A table tennis paddle is also called a racket, and there are different models of rackets built for recreation and higher skilled players.

Recreational tennis rackets are usually made of a combination of wood and rubber that is significantly lower in speed and spin-producing capability than higher performance paddles.

The higher skilled tennis rackets are made of specialized, high performance rubber covering the wooden blade. This paddle will allow you to play with more speed and spin than recreational paddles. Custom paddles can be purchased by selecting specific specialized wood (or wood/graphite), along with high performance rubber. Users of this type of tennis paddle hold an advantage against opponents playing with recreational paddles.


A recreational paddle comes with the rubber sheets and wood blade already glued together. This style of paddle is suitable for good to moderately skilled players, but isn't comparable to a high performance tennis paddle. Table tennis is the only racket sport that allows different surfaces on each side of the paddle, with over 300 different types of surfaces to pick from.

The most serious table tennis players order the blade separately from the rubber and change the rubber after about 50 hours of play. High performance tennis racket models allow you to do this. The rubber sheets usually range from 1.0 to 2.5-millemeters in thickness, and are designed for various styles of play (defensive, attack etc.) to allow you to put different types of spin (dead spin, topspin etc.) on the ball.

When the ball hits the rubber coating it causes the underlying sponge to compress to an optimum point. This creates extra grip on the ball and results in greater spin. When the sponge compresses it creates a rebound force which shoots the ball off the racket with optimum speed and spin.

The blades of tennis paddles are made of thin layers (plies) of wood and some of them even incorporate carbon or titanium in them, even though the rules state that 85 per cent of the blade must consist of wood. The type of wood used in the table tennis racket blade determines the overall amount of speed and spin the blade will help to manufacture, along with the rubber and sapping. It will also determine the feel of the paddle.

When choosing a table tennis paddle, you need to make sure you are comfortable with the paddle handle (a very personal choice). The types of handles are: straight, flared, concave or anatomic. Penholders usually choose from Chinese or Japanese styles. Make sure the tennis paddle handle fits comfortably and balanced in your hand.
Tennis table paddles come in various shapes and sizes and usually weigh between 75 and 150-grams.

Top of the line paddles cost approximately $75 to $200, and moderate paddles cost between $30 and $75. There are also children's tennis table paddles, some of which are made of plastic and can be bought for as little as $5.

Interest in Ping Pong History? You can read through the link.

Ping Pong Rules

1. Choose who serves first

When you are deciding who will serve first, you can do it one of two ways.  You can decide it by the winner of a volley, or you can toss a coin.  Either way is acceptable to determine the person who serves.


2. Singles and doubles matches

When you are playing one on one, your serve can hit anywhere on your opponents side of the table to count. If you are playing doubles, you must hit your serve diagonally to your opponent.


3. Paddle rules and regulations

Make certain that your ping pong paddle is the proper size, weight, and shape for ping pong. This way none of the players has an advantage over the other ones.

4. Serving the ball

When a player serves, the serve must touch the server's paddle and the server's court before touching the opponent's court.

5. How a 'net' becomes a let

If a server hits the net on their serve, but the ping pong ball lands on their opponent's side, neither the server nor the opponent score a point.  This is called a let ball and the serve is taken over again.

6. Changing serves

Once a player has served five times, the serve changes to the opponent.

7. Net balls

If the ball hits the net during regular play and falls into an opponent's territory, the shot is a good one.

Points are awarded when: 

1. A server's serve fails to does not make it to their opponent's side.

2. Both players cannot return the ball

3. When a ball is hit before it hits the playing field on your side.

4. If a ball bounces more than once on a player's playing court before they are able to return it.

5. If a player hits the ball more than once before sending it over to their opponent.

6. Touching the net by either player

7. Touching the table with a free hand by either player

8. Moving the playing surface during game play, even if it's by accident, scores a point for opposite side.

Finishing a game

Players play to either eleven or twenty one points, and the players switch sides every game.  Winner can be declared in a three out of five match, or in a four out of seven match.

History of Ping Pong

Ping pong was invented in England back in the 1800's as an amusement for after dinner for the Victorians in the upper-class, The origins of ping pong were lowly, with common everyday objects being used for it's play.  Very often books were set up across the table to act as a net, cigar box lids were used for paddles, and the ball was either a ball of string or a rounded cork from a wine bottle.

Once the popularity of the sport grew, manufacturers decided that they would capitalize on the idea. The first official ping pong bats that were made were made of stretched pieces of parchment on a frame, and that is how the game received one of it's names.  The name ping pong comes from the sound that the ball made when it hit the ping pong bats.


The next big breakthrough in ping pong came in 1901 when James Gibb, who was very fond of ping pong, found balls made of celluloid when he visited the United States.  He discovered that the balls were perfect for ping pong.  It wasn't until two years later that the ping pong bat got an update when EC Goode attached a piece of rubber to a wooden blade.


The popularity of ping pong started growing in leaps and bounds, and in 1901 ping pong tournaments started, books on ping pong were written, and the first unofficial ping pong world championship was held in 1902. In the early 20th century, Russian rulers banned ping pong due to a mistaken belief that the game damaged the eyesight of the players.


The Table Tennis Association was founded in 1922 in England, and four years later the International Table Tennis Associated followed. A year later the first official table tennis world championship was held in London. Ping pong wasn't introduced as an Olympic sport. until 1988.


Since the invention of ping pong there have been plenty more discoveries that have improved the game.  In the 1950s foam padding was added to the table tennis bats, giving the players a greater speed and spin on the balls.  Balls were increased from 38 mm to 40 mm, which slowed down the game by increasing the air resistance of the ball.


There is also a large ball variety of table tennis, which uses a 44mm ping pong ball.  This is favored by players who prefer the more leisurely game of table tennis over the fast paced speed and spin action that the sport now has.


References:

http://www.tabletennisspot.com/brief-table-tennis-history/

Pool Table Conversion Top

A fun game played with friends, family, and can also be made in a new hobby, this game is familiar named pool tables. Potentially you need to think over for playing a game of pool and check out yourself how creativity, determination and strategy could be combined as you have long been searching for your chess and next sophisticated game is not an alternative anymore.  

Mini Pool Table
The pool table top could also make you addicted as you rent it or have it. It is very suitable in case you have a room or place where the wide and large because of the size of this pool table is 7 feet to 9 feet. A pool table top can become a multidimensional, exciting dinner table because it can be easily hidden under flat hardwood table top surfaces. And by displaying some of your best cooking recipes and later enhance their evening by inviting them to a straight friendly pool competition and you could first use to solace people. The options depending on your pool table top in your billiard game selection.

Outdoor Pool Table
In a pocket type of pool that your table will not possess the six holes found as prefer the carom except from the pocket type of game. The pocket pool table top looks like a marked option as you play one-pocket, snooker fun, an 8 ball, 9 ball, or bank pool. Play pool table very unique experience that you have to try at least once in your life, so go online to order your pool table top.

Otherwise, if you would love to play ping pong but don't have extra space to put another table, it is also possible for you to play the game by getting a table tennis conversion top. You may just place the conversion top on the pool table and you will be able to play the game immediately.

Factors Determining The Best Table Tennis Table

Playing table tennis is full of fun, and it also helps in keeping the body fit. It is a great way of relaxing and having fun and enjoyment with family members at home. Due to the economic downturn, people are paying heed to the table tennis table price, and are interested in purchasing those tables which are not so expensive. This table tennis table for sale is both available for the outdoor and indoor models. Table tennis generally is a game meant to be played by people of all ages, and it is also helpful for eye and hand coordination. This game is also alternately called the ping pong, and it helps in bringing the families together without having any tension of who is becoming more successful or becoming better.

Table tennis can be played in places with limited space, and it does not need large spaces to be played. Nowadays, children are mostly engaged in playing video games, computer games or are glued to the TV; a game of table tennis may bring some fun to their life. If there is a provision for playing these games at home, children can very easily play with their friends, and remain busy in it for long hours. However, in order to keep intact the thrill and excitement of the game, it is necessary to adopt certain ways for the same. The normal game can be played, or one may also hold paddles in hands, or may even play with dual players on either side.

The game can continue in this manner for a longer time. To buy table tennis table for playing is an ideal way of cutting loose, relaxing and to have some recreation and enjoyment with whole family. This game will enable one to relax from the stress, fast paced life and burden of responsibilities. This method of relaxation will definitely help one to save money, and enjoy life and interact with people in a better way. These tables are preferred for their quality, price and variety. A table tennis table price may vary in different stores, and can also be purchased online. This game helps to infuse in people and their family, friends, relatives and neighbours wholesome entertainment, fun and enjoyment, which one had not witnesses since a long time. However, it is the budget, necessity and the space which ultimately determines the buying of tables.

Resistance Bands - An Essential Exercise Equipment For Your Health

Can’t resist these bands.

There are a ton of options when it comes to purchasing exercise equipment, but I have yet to find a better purchase than getting a nice set of the best resistance bands. There is always a lot of hype about new equipment in the market place, but bands are still, in my opinion, one of the best investments you can make. Not only can bands be used as a stepping stone for beginners, but they can also be used by fitness pros to stay in shape on the go.

Simplicity is the Key

People like simplicity when using a piece of exercise equipment, because, lets face it, most of us are easily intimidated by things that look like you need a manual to figure out. Bands are great for beginners, I mean it is a piece of stretchy rope with two hand grips – no matter your fitness level, all you need to do is a little research for types of exercises and proper technique to get good use out of them.    A good choice for resistance bands are rubberbanditz which comes from a U.S. based company located in Durham, NC.

Types of workouts is another huge plus for these bands. The main reason being, they can do just about everything dumbbells can do and more. For instance, let’s say your working on your back and shoulders and you want to switch from military style press to lat pull down (push-pull method), this would be impossible with dumbbells alone, but with workout bands and some creativity, you are able to perform both exercises. Another stellar selling point is that bands can work out every part of your body, again, you just need to read-up on how. These bands can do the work of an ab machine, dumbbells and a squat rack.

Don’t get me wrong dumbbells and machines can take workouts to the the next level and are great in a proper gym, but what if you are on the move? What if the hotel your staying at in Nowhere, Nebraska doesn’t have a place to workout?

That’s when these bands really come in handy.

Characteristic of Resistance Bands

They are light weight, very durable, and take up almost no space. They are also adjustable in resistance depending on the tension you put on the band. Best part is that you don’t have to carry around multiple pieces of equipment.

Resistance bands also come with different levels of resistance (based on length and thickness) and depending on what you want to do with them, it might be wise to get a few different bands with different tensions to add variety and make for a more challenging workout.

That being said pull up bands are for everyone. From beginners who just want to tone, to die-hard fitness fanatics away from their gym, these bands are a great low-cost and low-hassle way to tighten and tone.