Under Armour vs. Nike

Nike or Under Armour? Which is the better brand? Everyone has a different opinion on the topic. Factors that contribute to making one brand better than the other probably include price, quality, selection variety and product variety. As far as prices go, there is not much difference between the two competitors, although Nike is slightly more affordable than Under Armour. However, people are willing to pay more if they believe that they are receiving better quality material. In my opinion, the quality of Nike and Under Armour products are really similar. They use the same basic designs and material, I don't think that any single brand can claim that they have better quality than another.

Nike does have an advantage in a couple of different aspects of the competition. People may want to buy from them because they make a larger range of different products, it is possible to get almost anything with a Nike logo on it. They also have much higher revenue in comparison to Under Armour. As of 2014, Nike has revenue of about $27.8 billion while Under Armour is at about $3 billion. With this extra revenue, they are able to take higher risks that will lead to bigger gains. Under Armour on the other hand, doesn't have as high of revenue and therefore cannot spend as much money taking risks, leading to smaller gains. 

Nike vs. Under Armour is a war that is ongoing not only in our lives (which brand should I be buying?) but also between the companies themselves. Even though Nike makes 10 times the revenue of Under Armour, they still struggle to make deals. For these large companies, it is important that they have well-known athletes, teams and coaches wearing their gear. Nike had a contract with the NBA star, Kevin Durant, and when the contract was almost up, Nike was willing to make a $200 million re-endorsement deal. Under Armour took this as their opportunity to make a better deal, to have Durant wear their gear instead. The two companies battled it out and eventually, Nike won the battle with a $350 million deal. Part of what they do is create battles so that their rivals are forced to invest more than originally planned, it is just part of the business. 

So which brand is better? That can only be decided individually. It is obvious that Nike, as of today, is much more successful than Under Armour. It might be because they are slightly more affordable, or because they have better quality materials, either way, only you can truly decide which brand is the best match for you.

The Tradeoffs of Long Distance Running

Long distance running has its benefits and its fall backs. Training for longer distances such as 5Ks, 10Ks, half and full marathons is tough. I am a long distance runner myself and it is a lot of hard work and requires a lot of physical and mental strength. However, the things that you can accomplish with the right amount of training are unbelievable. Also, running for long distances and long periods of time burns a lot of calories. If you enjoy eating high calorie foods but don't want to experience the consequences, going for a run burns the calories you need to eat that small slice of cake or bowl of ice cream. Another benefit to long distance running is the physical shape you will be in. Running uses so many muscles in your body through your arms, stomach and legs, creating a perfectly toned body that you won't mind showing off at the pool or beach. Lastly, running improves your emotional health. Running releases endorphins that put you into a better mood. Start your day off right with a run and you are already in a better mood. There is also a nice feeling of accomplishment every time you finish a long run.

Long distance running is good for you and a great use of time, but it has its tradeoffs. Running is physically straining on your body. After running long, hard races, the following day's people often experience muscle soreness in their hamstrings and shins. Inflammation can occur in any long distance runner and can often take a long period of time to heal. Also, running isn’t always the best workout for someone with heart problems or asthma. There have been people that have died from heart attacks or heart conditions after running full marathons. I know people that run long distances with asthma but it can be more difficult at times if weather conditions aren't right or you are having allergy troubles. It is not impossible to run with asthma, but you need to be prepared by carrying an inhaler on every run, no exceptions. Lastly, running is hard. Running long distances isn't easy, and it is often hard to keep a good pace without motivation. That is why I suggest having a running buddy, you can push each other and long runs seem a little more bearable when you have someone to talk to. It will never be easy to get into shape, or stay in shape, but long distance running has benefits you can't receive any other way.

Why Gluten-Free?

A Gluten- Free diet excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is a natural protein located in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. A gluten-free diet mostly excludes pasta and bread. Gluten is hard for our bodies to digest and for some it is near impossible. People who are completely unable to digest gluten have something called Celiac Disease. This condition is caused by an immune response in the abdomen. Some symptoms of Celiac disease are bone pain, diarrhea, anemia or skin rash, or in some cases no symptoms at all. Because of this, only about 5%-10% of cases are diagnosed in the US. People who have Celiac Disease have no choice but to keep a strict gluten-free diet or it could be dangerous for their health. 

Another reason some people go gluten-free is due to thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto's Disease and Grave's Disease. Many doctors recommend that people who have been diagnosed with thyroid disorders follow a gluten free diet and many of the patients have said that it has worked to lessen some of their symptoms. Why? Researchers are still trying to figure out the connection between thyroid disorders and Celiac Disease, but research shows that people with thyroid disorders have 4-15 times greater of a chance of having Celiac Disease than the rest of the world's population.

However, not all people who follow a gluten-free diet have Celiac Disease or a thyroid disorder. Some people choose to stay gluten free because they believe that it is a healthy choice. Studies say that everyone has at least a small sensitivity to gluten meaning that even if you don't notice a reaction to gluten, it would still be beneficial to follow a gluten-free diet.

A gluten-free diet is hard to follow and it takes getting used to. I personally have a thyroid disorder and follow a strict gluten-free diet myself. It was hard at first to cut out bread and pasta, but finding alternatives isn't as difficult as it may seem. Many businesses are now creating gluten-free foods. This includes gluten-free pasta, bread, granola bars, and even gluten-free breaded chicken. It's not certain why there has been an increase in gluten-free awareness, but it is for the better. It isn't an easy switch but it is possible, and you will feel the benefits to your health. 

You can find gluten-free food and recipes at http://www.celiaccentral.org/Gluten-Free-Food/

Let's Talk Mizuno

Mizuno is a popular fitness brand made exclusively in the USA that creates fitness gear such as tops, bottoms, baseball/softball bats, compression shorts and almost every type of sports shoe. Personally, I will only run in a Mizuno shoe. Their shoes have such great support yet feel light on your feet while running. Many runners have shin splints, knee problems, ankle problems etc. at some point in their running career. During my first year running in 7th grade, I had trouble with my ankles and occasional problems with shin splints. When I was in 8th grade I switched to Mizuno shoes. Ever since, I have never again experienced any type of ankle or shin pain while running, nor any other type of pain. This may be because I outgrew it, some teens outgrow pain that they experience while they're young. It's possible that it wasn't the shoes that stopped the pain, but they also didn't create any more pain. Every person's shoe type differs and Mizuno may not be the type for you, but it is the type for me. 

There are also many other runners that I know who swear by Mizuno running shoes and other products. My sister owns many Mizuno products such as softball cleats, multiple softball bats and softball apparel such as shorts and sliding shorts. My brother has owned baseball bats, baseball bags and cleats as well. Their prices are slightly high but their products are of great quality. I also enjoy running in their fitness apparel such as running tights and dry-fit tops.  I have never experienced any problem or been disappointed with a Mizuno product; and neither have any of my other family members.

Another great thing about Mizuno is that they make products for every sport. If you golf, they make golf shoes, bags for your clubs, gloves and other beneficial products. If you play basketball, they make basketball shoes and socks as well as basketballs. They also make products for baseball and softball players, as I already mentioned, as well as volleyball and soccer players. Mizuno is a brand that I would recommend to all athletes, from fitness attire to sports equipment, you can't go wrong with Mizuno. You can order your own Mizuno gear from their website listed below. They are currently running a sale, if you spend over $75 you receive free shipping.

http://www.mizunousa.com/