FitDiver^® Featured Exercise: Basic Crunch

Posted on June 25, 2012 by admin

Exercise: Basic Crunch with Feet on Wall
Level: Beginner to Advanced

Performing the basic crunch in this fashion reduces recruitment of the hip flexors and allows more focus on the anterior abdominals. Begin with a natural position of the spine. If needed a small folded towel or pad may be placed under the low back for added support. Contract the abdominals (pull the belly button toward the spine), place hands behind the head for gentle support, lift the chin upward and inhale deeply through the nose. Exhale while continuing to pull the belly button toward the spine and lifting the upper body as shown until the curve of the low back flattens against the floor or pad. Increasing the lift of the upper body any further would involve enough other muscles to become less efficient and increase risk of injury. Inhale while maintaining the abdominal contraction and lowering the upper body to the starting position and repeat.

FitDiver Featured Exercise: Basic Crunch

Modification: Divers with precluding conditions of the upper spine, neck and shoulders may perform the abdominal contraction portion of this exercise for repetitions without raising the upper body and with a pad under the neck.

FitDiver^® Mobile App for Scuba Diver Fitness

Posted on March 23, 2012 by admin

FitDiver Mobile App: A Treasured Chest

“Navigating the waters of fitness for scuba diving may seem daunting however, these tried and true exercises for the major muscles of the upper body are as certain as the tides to develop A Treasured Chest.”

ScubaFit^® debuts the first in a series of mobile fitness applications for scuba divers. To purchase the application click here. Available now in the Android Market, and soon in the Apple market, search for it by “fitdiver” or locate it in “scuba diving” or “fitness”. Link to the application through the website at www.fit-diver.com. Divers may also find FitDiver^® on Facebook and Twitter.

“It is the only fitness application for scuba divers you’ll find, but we have more on the way,” says Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, NBFE, and founder of ScubaFit^®. This project compliments the PADI ScubaFit^® Diver Distinctive Specialty Course, co-authored by Ashton. Gretchen explains, “While all divers now have access to our specialized workouts, the exercises will be most meaningful for divers who have completed the ScubaFit^® Diver Distinctive Specialty. Both instructors and students have the greatest understanding of the benefits of physical fitness for divers and the applications function as an extension of the certification. The workouts encourage all divers to embrace a healthy, fit and active lifestyle.”

FitDiver^® Workouts are based on sound research including a health profile of the diving community and the unique physiological demands of the underwater environment. Scuba diving is often considered moderate-intensity activity. Yet, there are differences in the physical requirements for diving depending on the type of diving and the conditions. Diving may be recreational, technical, industrial or military. Conditions vary greatly in water temperature, visibility, currents and surf. Further, other stresses on human physiology must be considered in an underwater environment. Along with the proper gear, divers must also prepare with proper training, including physical fitness, for safety and performance. The ultimate physical fitness recommendation for scuba divers is to be in excellent health; free from disease, medical conditions and injury. As we go through life, we often have difficulty maintaining this clean slate. It is important for divers to know how to become and remain physically fit, prevent illness and injury, and rehabilitate and manage conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, and obesity.

In addition to improving health and quality of life, physical fitness for scuba diving:

Improves transportation of oxygen to muscles
Reduces amount of air used
Extends bottom time
Increases physical endurance and reduces fatigue
Facilitates carrying less weight
Improves mental acuity
Reduces the risk of decompressions sickness (DCS)
Improves agility on boats and uneven terrain
Improves comfort and movement on the surface and underwater
Improves fin-kick efficiency and diving performance

Certain to capture the interest of scuba divers, the featured exercises were photographed at the Ponto Beach Overlook in Carlsbad, California, with the beautiful Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. This location is an excellent site for running stairs with the spectacular view as a reward.

The application(s) are developed, designed and marketed with the expertise of Phrogger Interactive, Designs by Brie, jb design, and Loren Kurz, Fitness Model. For more information contact: gretchen@fit-diver.com.

Volunteers needed to “Dive The Coast” for ocean organizations

Posted on March 9, 2012 by admin

CALIFORNIA – Divers along the 1000 miles of California coastline are gearing up for the largest mass scuba dive in the history of diving. Test dives are being done to gauge dive distance, depth and air, all of which will be formulated for diving longer distances during Dive the Coast scheduled for June 2013. Dive teams will first perform calibration dives to determine distance. Additional dives are relay dives where one team dives a distance then hands a flag to another team and so forth.

Volunteer divers and organizers to help with promotion, planning, and future dives are still needed. Dive the Coast Chapters have been formed in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo,Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties. Visit www.divethecoast.com to contact the coordinator for each county. San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Monterey counties also have FaceBook pages. Coordinators are still needed for Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Contact kim@divethecoast.com to become a coordinator and/or supporter.

Upcoming events and news statewide include:

March 17, 2012, Los Angeles: Join divers in Los Angeles for a series of dives with the goal of covering the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula. Day one divers will cover at least three miles, from Malaga Cove to Rocky Point, with possibly another four miles added on to reach Old Marineland Cobblestone Beach. For more information, call or email Brian at 661-270-6072, brian@hardcorediveteam.com.

La Jolla Cove, California

May 5-6, 2012. Orange County: Coastkeeper and OC-DTC will be promoting Dive the Coast at the Scuba Show in Long Beach. OC-DTC participated in the 31st Annual Avalon Harbor Clean Up at Catalina Island on February 24th, 2012. Participants were interviewed by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli who was at the event filming his new Lonely Planet adventure roadtrip airing on BBC America in a few months.

June 8-10, 2012 – Dive the Bay, Monterey: Join divers from across the state for a weekend of camaraderie and diving in beautiful Monterey, home to some of the best diving in the state! The event begins with a social gathering Friday night, then two days diving the entire Monterey Bay as a prelude to the statewide event. “Dive the Bay” is really just an opportunity for everyone to meet, swap stories, play with any sea lions and harbor seals that might be hanging around – but mostly, to build excitement about, and support for, 2013! For more information, call or email Chris at 408-694-7483, chris.presley@rocketmail.com.

The goal of Dive the Coast is to bring divers across the state together for a common goal and to raise money for ocean conservation and education organizations. It will also provide an opportunity for divers to explore areas of the state where they would otherwise not go, and gives exposure to the sport as a whole. Organizers are coordinated by county and each of the 15 counties select deserving organizations to benefit from their fundraising efforts.

Kimberly White, founder of Dive the Coast, originated the idea in Santa Cruz in August 2011, and participants have since been conducting outreach to dive clubs, dive shops and non-profit organizations, as well as forming partnerships to help accomplish this epic endeavor.

Supporters of Dive the Coast throughout the state are: Silver Prince, California Diver Magazine, Aquarium of the Bay, Seven Seas Scuba, 80 Proof Divers, Channel Islands Dive Adventures, Orange County and San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, Save Our Shores, O’Neill Sea Odyssey, MAKODIVER, Ocean Adventures Dive Company, California Ships to Reefs, Waterhorse Charters, Fin Forward, Hardcore Dive Team, ScubaFit, Oceanic, Leisure Pro, Darkfin, Subseries, Beachopper II, E-Diving.com, Sharkys Eco Dive, Team Sharkys, Addicted Dive Gear, PlayHard Sports, and Pacific Wilderness Dive Team.