RXL SL Pro Carbon Fiber MTB Bars

Link to bars in video — https://amzn.to/3vOhaWa 

Easy to install.  You will need a 4mm and 5mm Allen wrench.  You will also need a carbon fiber paste, to put in-between the two carbon fiber materials. A Torque wrench is needed to put the final bolts to their spec of 5Nm. 

 

2021 is off to a great start

 

I am starting off working on the basics with my mountain biking. Hitting the weights Mondays and Wednesdays with cardio on the training rollers happening on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Heart rate Zones are key when I am doing cardio. With the weight sessions, it is not as much for max weight yet decent weight with high reps. 

I ventured out on the mountain bike trail for the first time this year, yesterday. Wasn’t a long ride, just over four miles. Feeling good.  With my main goal this year is to hit a 50 mile ride on my 50th birthday, in mid October. I feel it’s an obtainable goal. The weight sessions I am putting in now will be a great foundation for helping in that goal. 

Focusing on strength workout while doing cardio

My training is going well for completing my own, self-supported Ironman distance race in October of this year. Along with my running, swimming and cycling, I have really focused on strength workouts I am doing every other day. The weights I am using are not super heavy. The weight fluctuates, depending on the body part being focused on, from 10 pounds up to 40 pounds. In the almost hour long workout I am working on my legs, shoulders, chest, abs as well as biceps and triceps.  The reps are pretty high for each body part being worked on.  I am looking at continuing this workout for the next few months combined with the regular training workouts. 

My HR averages to about 115 BPM burning just under 500 calories. 

Esky ES-PS01 Backlit LCD Display Electronic Digital Scale

Esky ES-PS01 Backlit LCD Display Electronic Digital Scale

Tape Measure on the side of the scale 

I have been weighing my bikes lately trying to figure out where to get rid of extra weight.  The Esky ES-PS01 Backlit LCD Display Electronic Balance Digital Scale is a great start to first of all figuring out what my bike weighs. It came complete with two AAA batteries.  The maximum weight this scale will read is 110 pounds or 50kg. The backlit blue display is easy to read. With the tare button, it allows you to hook up a strap or a container you are going to put the item you want to weigh and zero the scale, therefore giving you the net weight of the item. Although it can be used for weighing many things, the hook, which stores conveniently on the back of the scale, is very small at just an inch big. It is difficult to attach straps or objects to it. The handle can easily be tucked in the top of the scale, when not in use.  There is also a convenient tape measure built right in the side of the scale. 

#Esky

Taylor Smart Digital Scale

A sample shot of the screen shows in the lower half near the left the BlueTooth symbol showing information is transferring to the smart device it is paired with. 

 The Taylor Smart Digital Scale, model #7222F.  Smart in the name means it connects with the use of Bluetooth to a Smartphone or Bluetooth 4.0 enabled device. In my case I will be explaining it synching with Bluetooth to a Samsung Galaxy S5.  Even without downloading and pairing with a smartphone you are still able to get full use out of the scale and its ability to read your weight, body fat percentage, percentage of water in your body, your muscle mass and cal-max ( this estimates maximum calorie intake to maintain your current weight, so this can be used to set daily calorie goals for weight loss). The scale itself runs off of three AAA batteries. In order for the information to synch with other apps, the Taylor SmarTrack app must be downloaded to your device from either the Google Play Store or Apple iTunes. The scale/app will then link/share information to various fitness apps, like MyFitnessPal, MapMyFitness, RunKeeper etc. This is done by pressing “unit of measure" or "connect button” on the back of the scale for five seconds. When the scale is paired or synched with the smartphone you can input up to eight profiles or people in. Each profile you set up will ask for your gender/athlete as well as your height/weight/age. It will also want your goal weight you want to achieve and an activity level (AC) of one to five, with five being extremely active to one being very sedentary. These can be inputted also manually but with it connected it is a little faster.  To get a good reading on the scales platform it is recommended your feet have a little moisture on them, this helps with the body calculations and readings being taken. When you first step on the scale it will cycle through reading your weight, followed by a moving zero pattern. Next the scale will give the readings of body fat, body water, muscle mass, calorie estimate and goal weight in the smaller numbers below your weight.  A blinking “Bluetooth” icon will blink, letting you know the scale is connected and preparing to send your data to your app on your smartphone. Then a square book like symbol will appear letting you know your information is indeed being transferred. Wait for the book like symbol to disappear as this is when you know if the transition of data was successful. If the book like symbol stays on the screen, wait as data is still being transferred. The maximum weight the scale will read is 400 pounds and auto shuts off in ten seconds. I would highly recommend this scale to anyone already using a fitness app on their Smartphone. The set up is very quick. 

Here are a few screen grabs from the SmarTrack App after being synched with the scale and the information it sends across.

Fat Mass

Muscle Mass

Body Water

Calories to maintain my weight

Another screen in the app that charts your progress and can be viewed showing weekly, monthly and yearly progress on a graph. 

Order your Taylor Smart Scale here on Amazon

#TaylorSmartScale 

Smart Weigh SBS500 Body Fat Digital Precision Scale

Smart Weigh SBS500 Body Fat Digital Precision Scale

Around the first of the year numerous people set out to lose weight or maintain a healthier lifestyle. The Smart Weigh SBS500 Body Fat Digital Precision Scale with tempered glass is more than just a scale. The scale which reads your body fat, muscle mass, body water and bone mass will keep you informed and on track for the new year and beyond. 

The scale is set to go right out of the box with just removing the tab covering the battery.  However, if you want to use the advanced features a little more set up required and simple.  It can track up to eight users.  Input the gender, height and age in one of the eight profiles. Use the scale with bare feet and to get a more accurate reading the feet should be a little moist. 

When first stepping on the scale it calculates your weight.  Stay on the scale, as it will cycle through reading your body fat, percentage of water in your body, your muscle mass and bone mass.  There is a warning on the scale as it should be avoided by pregnant women and children under ten or anyone with an implanted medical device.  The scale used BIA or bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine body fat percentage. There is a small electrical current, that may or may not be felt, used in this calculation along with reading the amount of water as well as the muscle and bone mass. For anyone trying to get on the right track and make a positive change in your body for 2015 this is the scale you need. 

So jump on the scale and get your 2015 off to a great start.