Prevent the Worst: Install a Fire Alarm System in Your Home

By Christopher Williams

Your home should be a place where you feel safe and protected. However, deadly fires caused by faulty wiring, lightning, overheated appliances, or other contributing factors, could turn your safe haven into a pile of wreckage. Home fires are exponentially costly, from the loss of property, irreplaceable mementos, and the potential loss of your life, or the life of a loved one. Safeguarding your home from fire is as easy as installing a fire alarm system.

Depending on your budget, preferences, and specific family needs, home fire alarm systems vary. Some systems come equipped with manual pull stations, voice evacuation panels, or special medical alert services that link to the fire alarm system. Take into consideration all the different kinds of features you need available to you in the event of a fire, and shop around for a fire alarm system that meets these specific needs.

Many home security systems provide fire alarm components as well, with 24-hour monitoring services to supervise key areas of the home such as windows and doors. If a fire breaks out, the system will automatically alert the fire department and local police, ensuring a fast response time. These systems carry the added benefit of providing full coverage should a fire occur when no one is home.

Finding the right fire alarm system for your home depends on your preferences, budget, and specific family needs. Some systems are equipped with special medical alert services that link to the fire alarm, manual pull stations, or voice evacuation panels. When shopping around for a home fire alarm system, consider all the features you would want available to you in the event of a fire, and search for a system that meets all of these specific needs.

If you have small children, disabled, or elderly persons residing in your home, fire alarm systems are particularly important to ensure that everyone is able to make it out of the house. Many fire alarm systems have special features that will allow you to inform the fire department of residents who need extra or special help escaping in the event of the a fire, and therefore need to be rescued first.

The cost of installing a home fire alarm system will vary based on the square footage of your house, the different components of your desired system, and local codes for the area in which you reside. It is generally less expensive to install a fire alarm system in a home that is being built than to add one to an existing home. However, there are many options, such as leasing fire alarm equipment and making payments over a period of time, that make it easier to fit this preventative system into your budget. For fire alarm systems that offer 24-hour a day monitoring of your home, a monthly fee plus the cost of installation is required.

Disaster can strike no matter how precautions you are about fire safety. Rest easy knowing that your family and property is protected at all times by installing a home fire alarm system today.

About the Author:

Employed in a home alarms manufacturing company for thirty years Christopher Williams is seen as an expert in fire safety and home security. If you are searching for fire alarm systems please visit http://www.adt.co.uk.

Airsoft Guns - Get One Today!

By Anthony Carter

Airsoft guns are 3mm or 4mm guns. They are realistic looking but they do not shoot regular bullets. They shoot small bb's that are made of rubber. The use of the airsoft guns are definitely increasing on the battlefield during a war reenactment or in the woods as part of a hunting game.

There are many states across the United States that have regular reenactments of important battles that have once taken place in our history. The men and women that participate in these mock battles are using the airsoft guns to portray the battles.

The Airsoft guns do not expel actual live ammunition but they do look very realistic and make the sounds of an actual gun firing. When the crowds gather to watch the reenactment, they are all stunned at how real it looks and they usually get a feel of the pain and suffering that went on.

Another popular use for the airsoft guns is for an extreme sort of gaming in which people search out and shoot their friends while they are hiding in wooded areas. This is a very popular game among adult and teen aged boys.

While dressed in full camouflage outfits, a group of family and friends get together on the outskirts of a heavily wooded area and make their plans. They set the boundaries as far as where they can hide and then disperse.

They will spread out in different directions and wait until a specific time has passed. Once the time has passed they begin their hunt. At this point the people that went into the woods as friends become the targets.

As a person finds one of their opponents, they shoot them with the Airsoft gun. This person is then out of the game. The last one that is left that has not been hit is deemed to be the winner.

Now do not let the name Airsoft guns fool you. The impact from an airsoft gun is not exactly pleasurable. It does sting when you get hit with it. It can leave a nasty bruise but unless you are shot at an extremely close range it should not break the skin.

The Airsoft guns are a lot more powerful than other toy guns. They should be kept away from children and should only be used by older children with strict supervision. The Airsoft guns can still cause damage and should not be dealt with lightly.

If the rubber bb from the Airsoft gun hits someone in the face and eye area, the chances of long term damage are increased. The bb's, while not able to break the skin, can surely become lodged into someone's eyes if caution is not used when operating them.

The airsoft guns are a less lethal weapon than a gun that shoots bullets. It is used to help demonstrate some important times in the history of our Country and is also used for some adventurous fun in the woods by some people. Check out the airsoft guns and see the compelling differences between them and a real gun.

About the Author:

Author Information: Anthoy Carter enjoys the sport of airsoft and is very knowlegdeable about airsoft guns. Go to this website to find the best place to find an airsoft gun.

Advantages Of The Different Packaging Materials Available

By Dylan McThomas

If you have ever moved house or moved office, or just a general need to transport goods from location to location, then you will have needed to use packaging materials of some description. There are two main constructions of cardboard box, single wall and double wall.

Single wall boxes are constructed with one layer of card and a layer of fluting. They are ideal for transporting objects that may be large, but do not weigh a great deal.

Double wall boxes consist of one cardboard layer, then a layer of fluting, followed by another cardboard layer, another fluting layer, and another cardboard layer. They are ideal for transporting, storing or posting heavier items.

Double walled boxes will support more weight, and consequently last longer than single walled boxes, but they do cost more initially.

If you need to package light items then after choosing a suitable box, they can then be supported inside that box using loosefill or as they're more commonly known wotsits (but they dont taste nearly as good and are white!) Loosefill is ideal for protection of items that do not weight too much, heavier items however should be wrapped with bubble wrap before boxing and loosefilling.

Bubble wrap is cheap to buy and therefore cost effective to use as padding to prevent your items getting damaged. It provides an excellent source of padding and prevents damage not only to your item, but so any surrounding items as well.

Another cost effective method of safely packaging fragile or heavy items is to use corrugated paper, which is sometimes referred to as protection paper or wavy paper. It costs around the same as bubble wrap and comes in a variety of widths to suit whatever you need to pack.

The main thing to remember is that whatever item you need to pack, there is a packaging solution suited to it. As long as the correct packaging method is implemented for your items, they should arrive at their destination completely unharmed, regardless of how heavy or fragile they might be.

About the Author:

For expert advice about what cardboard boxes you will require, please visit Aspak.co.uk for cartons and a complete range of packaging materials.

Want an Intense, Rugged Cardio Workout?

By Hanif Furqan

The Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper is available online both new and refurbished. This is one solution you can use to enjoy a health club cardiovascular workout with a professional stair stepper right in the comfort of your own living room. The StairMaster SC916 Stepper is easy enough for anyone to utilize and will give you the workout that you are accustomed to getting at the health club without having to travel.

If you are trying to get rid of fat or just shape the lower half of your body, the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper can be a great benefit to you. In order for you to lose weight, you must burn up calories. The most effective way to do this is to do cardiovascular exercises. Cardiovascular exercises are those that are done to get your heart pumping and are a simple way to lose weight. They allow you to shed fat and calories from your body.

If you want to make the most use of the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper, you must be willing to use it on every day. Try to put aside a time each day or, preferably, rise up early in the morning hours and go on the stepper before you start the day. You will not only have the upper hand in the battle to lose weight, but you will also give yourself a good start for the day. Your metabolism will get pumped, you will gain more energy, feel brighter, and will soon see that you are burning up calories. If you want to lose calories all during the day, you must give your metabolism the edge it needs, and the earlier the better. That is the reason folks are supposed to eat breakfast when they are taking part in a diet plan. You are required to start up your metabolism in the early hours of the day to get rid of the most calories.

You may also use the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper when you get in from work. You must avoid using a cardiovascular machine like the stepper immediately following your meal or before you turn in for bed, as this does your energy level and can end up keeping you awake all night. If you exercise on it after a meal, you could end up with a cramp. You need to use the stepper every day to achieve optimal results.

The StairMaster SC916 Stepper will make it easy for you to personalize your workout on the digital screen. You may view how long you have climbed and the number of calories you have lost with this stair stepper. Once you get familiar with using the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper each day, you will start to enjoy this routine and will be happy with the results. After only 2 weeks, you will come to notice a positive change in your muscle tone that will give you a great sense of accomplishment. When using the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper each day, you should expect optimal results as long as you keep on exercising regularly.

You can lose weight and get toned and fit when you take time to exercise on the Stairmaster 4600CL Stepper.

About the Author:

Hanif Furqan provides information and reviews on fitness equipment. Browse his website to see the StairMaster SC916 Stepper.

Do You Know What Cholesterol Is?

By Kim Bailey

There are many experts discussing cholesterol today however something not always mentioned is that out bodies need cholesterol to function properly. Cholesterol help our bodies build the cell walls that in return help with hormone and bile production. The amount you need however is not much and when the excess starts to build up it causes a great deal of problems for the cardiovascular system in particular.

A Good Thing In Small Amounts

High cholesterol becomes a problem when our bodies are unable to get rid of the excess cholesterol from our body. These excesses of cholesterol stays in our bloodstream and begin to form plaque in our arteries, clogging it and hindering blood flow.

By interfering with the flow of blood through the body, high cholesterol places a strain on the heart by causing it to have to work much harder to keep blood flowing through the body and it is this strain on the heart that increase our risk of heart attack.

It is indeed the strain on the heart that makes it so important that you monitor your cholesterol on a regular basis. Once an individual is diagnosed with high cholesterol he and his doctor can work together using exercise, diet and medication to lower cholesterol to allow the heart to return to normal. Make sure you check your cholesterol levels on a regular basis as early diagnosis leads to early intervention.

Cholesterol Types

The two types of cholesterol in our bodies are LDL and HDL cholesterol. HDL or high density lipoproteins helps to remove cholesterol from our bodies and LDL or low density lipoproteins delivers cholesterol to the body.

Needless to say that a higher HDL will therefore mean lower cholesterol and a healthier cardiovascular system. Experts figure the two numbers together to work out what an overall healthy cholesterol reading is.

This understanding of cholesterol and how it can be both good and bad for your heart is a very important step towards a healthy cardiovascular system. Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels on a regular basis is a great step towards heart health.

You can talk to your doctor about what good cholesterol levels are and how you can achieve or maintain them.

About the Author:

Aaron Black is a health expert and blogger. If you have ever asked the question how do I lower my cholesterol or would like more information on natural cures for high cholesterol you can find more information on Cholesterol Natural Remedies.com

A Review Of Battle Ready Swords

By Ferdinand Emy

Battle ready swords likewise known as functional swords are considered to be the best swords for sword collectors and practitioners of sword arts, alike. An authentic battle ready sword is created of high-carbon steel. However, most of these swords available today are of poor quality and its a huge irony that they're named so.

The quality of a battle ready sword depends on the craftsmanship and the materials used in its making. If you have decided to buy one of these swords, you must have good knowledge as regards them so that you can get the optimal out of the fake swords that are obtainable in abundance.

Factors to consider before purchasing an authentic battle ready sword:

* Quality of steel: A good quality battle ready sword is created of properly treated extreme carbon steel. This steel is strong enough to withstand the impact of strong strokes. Never choose a stainless steel sword as they tend to get brittle with length over 12 inches. So if you wish a functional sword, then stainless steel blades are not the best choice.

* Handle or tang: Secondly, Regularly think of the swords handle or tang (a piece of metal employed to attach the sword with the handle). Authentic battle ready swords have a full tang, which means that the connecting metal is been forged as part of the sword and not nailed on later.

* Weight and balance: If you are looking for a operational sword, then the overall weight is very essential. It is commonly believed that heavy swords are good swords; all the same, it is not true. In ancient times, warriors utilized to utilise light weight swords which gave them agility in striking powerful blows as well as they were well balanced. So purchase swords which are not more than 3 lbs.

It trying to find out these factors by a mere look at these swords, therefore you must have good knowledge on battle ready swords or operational swords. Its Always good to ask the seller with reference to its make, what kind of steel is used, how was it treated, what kind of tang it has and its weight before purchasing the sword.

If you do not want to end up with fake battle ready swords, then think of all these factors before purchasing them, or else you'll have a sword that will break into two halves even if you swing it in the air or try to hack a roll of paper.

About the Author:

Drop a visit now and learn more about Swords

MMA Flashback: Trigg, Ludwig Win At Strikeforce: Payback

By Ross Everett

Frank Trigg dominated tough veteran Falaniko Vitale wire to wire en route to a unanimous decision victory at Strikeforce: Payback. Trigg essentially dictated where and when the fight occurred, and Vitale had no response whatsoever. The CompuStrike stats clearly underscored Triggs superiority in the fight, giving him a lopsided 41 to 7 edge in strikes landed.

In the co-main event, Duane Bang Ludwig earned an explosive TKO win over Sam Morgan. After an evenly contested first minute, Ludwig quickly took control with a series of Muay Thai knee strikes which set up a perfectly placed bodyshot to the liver that floored his opponent. Ludwig quickly pressed his advantage and never gave Morgan a chance to recover. Still feeling the effects of the liver shot, Morgan ate another hard punch to the solar plexus and gasping for breath was forced to tap out under the barrage of strikes. The victory gave Ludwig some redemption for an embarrassing TKO loss to Morgan in 2005 when he was simply overwhelmed within the first minute of the fight.

In perhaps the most entertaining bout on the card, highly touted Billy Evangelista survived his second big scare in as many fights to remain undefeated. After a split decision victory over Nam Phan in June, Evangelista found himself in grave danger of a TKO loss early in his bout with tough veteran Luke Caudillo. Caudillo"who goes by the nickname Lil Hulk"opened the fight with a flurry, knocking Evangelista to the canvas three times in the opening minute. Via some combination of wits and toughness, Evangelista managed to survive the barrage and began to take over the fight late in the round with his superior technical striking.

As the rest of the fight unfolded, Caudillo made the mistake of becoming a headhunter looking for a KO punch which allowed Evangelista to take over the fight. Evangelista continued to score with crisp combinations and as the bout progressed demonstrated his superior conditioning. Evangelista would eventually earn a unanimous decision victory though the 30-27 score awarded by one judge was questionable considering that he spent the first half of round one being bounced around the cage like a beach ball. Good display of toughness and resolve by up-and-comer Evangelista.

A highly anticipated womens match took place early in the evening, with former Hooters waitress Michelle The Karate Hottie Watterson easily defeating an overmatched opponent in Tyra Parker. Parker, whod lost her pro debut six weeks ago, may have been rushed back into action too quickly but she came out fighting gamely swinging for the fences with wild, powerful punch attempts. Watterson easily figured out her opponent, however, and The Karate Hottie quickly took over with her more disciplined striking approach.

The event marked Strikeforces first visit to Colorado, and another in a series of very entertaining fight cards. Scott Coker and his team deserve a lot of credit for their matchmaking"even in the lower card fights they have a knack for putting together bouts that more often than not are exciting and competitive.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sportswriter specializing in fight sports including boxing and MMA. He contributes UFC news to a number of online and broadcast media outlets. He is a frequent sports radio guest and UFC blog contributor. He's currently working on a biography of pro wrestling announcer Gordon Solie.

Spy Cameras - Don't Leave Your Home Unprotected

By Mike Ward

It is becoming more and more popular for people to buy spy cameras to protect their home. Many feel that home surveillance will keep them safer. You can videotape anyone that is taking care of your kids or loved ones and make sure they are doing what they are suppose to. You can even make sure your home is safe.

Spy cameras are hidden video surveillance systems. There are many types that you can buy depending on your needs. If you need to videotape someone near you then you should get the World's Smallest DVR Camera or the Pen Camera with DVR. Both of these can be easily concealed on your body so you can record without anyone realizing it.

It is a growing trend to keep surveillance on your home to make sure it is safe. Some great cameras for this situation are the Air Ionizer Hidden Camera DVR or the Looker Security DVR. These are great for your home since they are motion activated, which means they will only record if someone is present, and they have built-in recorders.

Sometimes you need more options and longer recording times. This is where a wired spy camera with pinhole lens and separate recorder are best used. A pinhole spy camera only needs about 1/16" hole to see out from and at 1" or less square they can be hidden in various household or office items. You will need to run a cable from the camera to a recording device for power and video but with a little care the wires can be easily hidden.

Wireless spy cameras should also be considered. They transmit the signal wirelessly to a receiver in another location, usually another room or nearby building. The output of the receiver is plugged into a recording device such as a DVR or VCR which can have much longer recoding time. By recording the video in another location the evidence will not be lost if the camera is discovered and taken or destroyed.

Wireless spy cameras are another option. They transmit the signal wirelessly to another location. Their transmitting distance is limited so the signal is usually sent to a receiver and recorder in another room or a building nearby. This reduces the risk of evidence being lost if the camera is discovered since the video is recorded elsewhere and not in the camera itself.

Spy cameras are easy to use and will also help to give you peace of mind. Anyone that is lurking around your home will get picked up by the spy camera. The recorded images will also serve as great evidence if someone does end up breaking into your home.

You should protect your family today with a spy camera. Search online for the cameras mentioned in this article. You will be glad you did. Make sure you and your family are protected and safe.

About the Author:

About the Author: Mike Ward is a technical advisor for Security Cams, a leading online provider of spy cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about spy cameras, please visit Security Cams.

A Review Of Anime Sword

By Ferdinand Emy

Animation in Japan is referred to as Anime. It started way back in 1917. Anime along with manga; Japanese comics, is very renowned in Japan. The characters used in Anime are extremely artistic. It's commonly referred to as an art form.

The Anime-Manga combination is receiving very renowned in the rest of the world lately. Their unreal characters with large physical attributes and unusual dialogues are gathering an enormous fan base all over the globe.

The presence of collectibles including swords has grown greatly in Anime because of its international acclaims.

The most renowned Anime sword is the Bleach sword. Bleach is an epic-series which features numerous sword-wielding characters like the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.

Ichigos weapon is known as Zangetsu. It is a Zanpakuto weapon or a soul-cutting sword. It's well-liked all over the world; particularly among children.

The Anime Sword has become a favorite amongst collectors of caroverlyn swords; and the most popular among them is from Bleach. As this series gained acceptance internationally, replicas of the swords of these characters began to be manufactured and sold to the Anime sword enthusiasts.

Another renowned Anime sword is also from the Bleach series, the Toushiro Hitsugayas weapon. It's one of the crucial characters in the series. These Anime swords are widely bought. They are the most acclaimed Anime collectibles.

The Bleach replica swords can be found in two different styles. One comes in a leather-wrapped handle, but these aren't that common. The more renowned one is with a beautiful burgundy cord wrap around the handle. This Anime sword measures 26.75 inches in length and its made of 420-stainless steel. It's factory sharpened with visible machine folds along the edge.

Searching for these Anime swords online may be a bit of a task as they're listed under distinct names such as plum tree sword, Hinamori Momo katana, Soul Reaper sword, burgundy Anime katana, etc.

But if you are an ardent fan of the Bleach series then you would know exactly what these names mean.

Other additional anime swords are Dragonball Zs Trunk sword, InuYashas Tetsusaiga, Narutos Zabuza sword and Rurouni Kenshins reverse blade Sakabato.

For Ninja Gaiden fans, the Ninja katana is a known choice among Anime sword collectors. It's a 42 inch katana which is weapon of the main character Ryu Hayabusa in the Ninja Gaiden game. This sword represents victory and revenge.

Though these swords are renowned among children, it is advised that the children should not play with these swords without adult supervision.

About the Author:

Learn from Anime Sword Collectors everything you need to know about swords today

Airsoft Guns Are Extremely Versatile

By Anthony Carter

Airsoft guns can be used for any activity that you wish to engage in that requires a gun. Some people choose to use their airsoft guns for fun, while others utilize them strictly for hunting. However, determining what airsoft gun is going to be best for you to obtain is all based off of what you plan on utilizing it for.

First you need to distinguish what you primarily plan on utilizing your airsoft guns for. If the gun is going to be utilized to shoot at man made targets then you need a gun that is perfect for aiming at specific things. The prime gun for this job is known as a target gun.

If you want a gun that you do not have to excessively re-cock before you shoot then you are implored to look into obtaining one of the pre-charges airsoft guns to help you in this predicament. With the pre-charged guns you are able to shoot at a faster rate and do not have to cease your shooting to re-cock pellets back into the chamber.

This brings on the subject of the kind of pellets that you wish to utilize in your airsoft guns. If you're trying to determine which pellets will move faster than most, then you need to pay attention to the pellets size on top of everything else.

Pellets that are larger in stature move slower through the air because they can not build up enough wind resistance. You can evaluate what pellets will be best for you to use simply by looking at the pellets size and simply asking a professional what each particular pellet is meant to be used for.

If you're interested in obtaining a target air gun, then the first thing that you should be interested in is the accuracy of the gun. You should first examine the pellets of the gun, paying strict attention to the crown and barrel lip of your gun. The crown and barrel lip of the gun is going to assure that your shot is on target at all times. No one wants to shoot a gun perfectly on a target and then the pellet seamlessly wobbles the other way.

You should also try to ensure that nothing is off balanced when you are aiming your weapon. However, high winds can often be a disturbing thing when you are utilizing one of the airsoft guns. So, before you decide to go hunting with your gun you should try a few practice shots at a target to assure that the wind variation is not enough to set your pellet off course.

Again, the particular airsoft gun that you decide to purchase is all based off of what you will be using the gun for. If you are interested in commencing in target practice or hunting, you may need to obtain two different guns in order to complete the task.

Anytime that you show an avid interest in purchasing an airsoft gun you should always heed the advice of professionals. Some airsoft guns are great to hunt certain types of animals with, while others may be better for a different type of animal. So getting a little bit of help from a professional will help you choose the correct gun for the job.

About the Author:

Author Information: Anthoy Carter is very into the sport of airsoft and is very knowlegdeable about airsoft guns. Visit this website to find the best place to find an airsoft gun.

An Argument Concerning Iron Fist Methods

By Al Case

We've all heard the old legends, guy hits the master and hurts his hand. Knives are blunted when thrust upon the master's body. And, during the Boxer Rebellion, bullets bounced off the bodies of specially trained troops.

And, over the years, most stories have been proven full of the brown and stinky material. Specially trained soldiers fell dead in the Boxer Rebellion, victim to unproven fantasy and bushwah propaganda. And, if there are any fellows out there who would like to offer their bodies to blunt the tip of my Cold Steel, please bring me a release form when you show up on my front porch.

However, all the old bushwah fantasy aside, there are very real gains to be made from developing iron bodies, fists of steel, and so on. We all want blocks and strikes that really work, and some of these methods do have incredible and potent value. The question, of course, is which of the various methods is going to work the best when it comes to toughening up your mitts?

Chinese Kung Fu preach various iron palm potions, if you soak your hands before and after working out, the tissue remains pliable and yet still retains the value of the work out. Thus, you can pound on beans and sand and pellets of iron until your cup runneth over. My only problem with this method is that I believe in methods which don't rely on the body, I prefer methods which use the power of the mind.

Tai Chi, for instance, speaks of a soft and pliable body which whipcracks with iron power, soft on the outside, hard on the inside. I think this is probably preferable to dim mak potions, but one would have to spend a lot of time studying the various schools of Tai Chi Chuan to attain what one is seeking. Be prepared to study the low stances of Chen for power, Yang for technically workable posture, Wu for subtle motions, Sun for twisting effects, and so on.

Now, one thing most people overlook is that just doing karate forms is going to give you an 'iron body.' The problem is that most people do the forms wrong, the actual correct technology of doing karate forms has, for the most part, been lost. But, if you can find the correct way of doing karate forms, then you can, within the space of about a couple of years, learn how to maximize energy within your body to withstand a strike, and concentrate energy into your hands for striking.

The best way of developing iron types of energy, not needing esoteric knowledge or magic potions, is simply to set up a stand which supports a brick, and drop the palm on it. Don't strike too hard, place a folded wash cloth over the brick to protect the palm, and just drop the palm. The trick is to be willing to do it for an hour at a time, so who's got the patience?

I know there will be people who will have other methods, and I am always fascinated by what people prefer in this matter. The things I have said in this article I have formulated over forty years and through a variety of experiences in a number of different arts. So feel free to respond to this article, or to write your own article and offer your own input on this matter.

About the Author:

Al Case has practiced martial arts for 4O+ years. Get his Free Ebook at Monster Martial Arts.

Dance As Exercise A Fun Way to Get Fit

By Kirsten Whittaker

Seeing the viewing figures of dance shows on TV, spending time and energy on the dance floor has become very popular. So, if you want to improve your health, dance as exercise might be the activity that we all needs to stick with the cardio workouts known to be so very good for your health.

Studies, One out of the UK and one from Italy, presented at the most recent annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Seattle suggested that dancing could be the way to go.

The Italian research suggested that salsa dancing boosted cardio fitness, while the UK results showed that the less strenuous fox trot or tango added two thousand steps to our daily total.

Ten thousand steps, it is suggested by experts, are required daily for good health - But every little bit helps, specially as you get older.

The Italian researchers analysed lively salsa dancing, takin heart readings and oxygen levels in dancers who were doing either lessons, dancing at a night club or doing a group dance known as the rueda de casino.

This work involved eleven pairs of dancers, of an average age of 36 years old.

The top heart rate of the subjects went up 58-75% and their oxygen levels shot up 41-56%, subject on where the participants danced.

Dancing at the nightclub was the most aerobic of the three places, though all increased heart rate and oxygen levels.

Gian Pietro Emerenziani, the Study author, from the University of the Studies of Rome in Italy, comments that Salsa is an spirited dance, and all three styles of salsa in the study if practiced regularly, will have a positive affect on wellbeing and fitness.

Taking their cue from the popularity of the dance shows, a team of UK researchers conducted a study of the effects of dancing by offering a 12-week series of ballroom dancing lessons to a group of non-active adults.

The average age of the 27 subjects was 53; most, 22, were females. They attended lessons once a week for two hours, all led by a qualified instructor. The dances the subjects learned and performed included the tango, fox trot and cha-cha.

"Learning to dance can be a fun, social, local and friendly way to enjoy low-intensity physical activity and skill learning", explains the author of the second of the two studies, Stephen Cobley who is a senior lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

This means you dont have to go to the gym or get all hot and sweaty to get the aerobic benefit of a workout.

It helps strengthen bones and muscles without hurting joints, it tones your body, helps with posture and balance, improves your stamina and flexibility, reduces stress, wards off potential problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis and even depression.

As you dance, you want to keep an eye on your heart rate however, so that youre sure the exercise is intense enough.

Also don't take away the benefits of the dance session by consuming high calorie drinks or snacks.

However, before you just straight into it, be sure that you've had a word with you family doctor about what type of activity is right for you, especially if you have been inactive for some while.

If your doctor agrees that being active is safe for you, dance as fitness - square dancing, swing dancing, line dancing, folk dancing, ballroom dancing, belly dancing, salsa, flamenco, jazz, modern, clogging and contra - can be good for your health, and your overall fitness levels, not to mention your social life.

About the Author:

Next - just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more information on using dance as exercise or dance as exercise as an alternative to other exercise, plus for alimited time get 5 free fantastic health reports.

Nick Diaz: MMA's Most Frustrating Fighter

By Ross Everett

Nick Diaz should forever be part of MMA history. Regardless of how his career transpired after February, 2007 he should have been remembered as part of one of the greatest fights ever. His battle against Takanori Gomi should have created a legacy like the first Forrest Griffin/Stephan Bonnar bout, only it was better. It should have been the biggest victory of Diazs career and the centerpiece of his highlight reel.

Unfortunately, Diazs moment of glory lasted only about six weeks. On April 10th, the Nevada Athletic Commission announced that hed failed a drug test. Diaz had tested positive for marijuana, and his THC level was off the charts. The Nevada Athletic Commission considers a THC level over 50 a positive result for marijuana usage. Nick Diazs THC level was an astounding 175 and that led NSAC Chairman Dr. Tony Alamo to speculate that in this situation marijuana was a performance enhancing drug. The rationale was that during the fight Diaz was feeling no pain"literally. Diaz was fined, suspended and the result of his almost certain fight of the year winner with Gomi changed to a no decision.

Diaz had singlehandedly removed the luster from a classic bout. Following an action packed and very close first round Gomi took control in the second. Gomi had opened a cut on Diazs face and it was bleeding a gusher. On several occasions Gomi implored the referee to stop the fight, or at least check on the cut due to the excessive blood flow. With the ref showing no signs of stopping the fight and Diaz hanging tough, Gomi took the fight to the ground and in a matter of seconds found himself forced to tap out to a gogoplata. Looking at the fight now, the action is the same but theres something absent from it on a spiritual level. Had Diaz not tested positive and the result stood it would have become a classic fight. As it turned out, it became more of a case study demonstrating just how much pain a stoned mixed martial artist can withstand.

While Diaz might not be a bad person, hes definitely someone who attracts trouble. While the relative risk pot smoking is debatable and beyond the purview of this article one thing is certain"fighters are prohibited from its use. Sadly, it appears that Diaz places a greater value on his recreational drug use than his legacy as a professional prizefighter. Hes gone so far as to obtain a prescription for medical marijuana in California.

Ironically, Japans notoriously lax oversight of mixed martial arts makes it a perfect fit for Diaz. His workrate, conditioning and versatility as a fighter will be appreciated by the Japanese fans, and offers countless matchup opportunities for the promotion. Most significantly, perhaps, his participation with Japanese promotions DREAM or Sengoku provides Diaz the opportunity to put his missteps behind him and reassert himself as one of the sports most exciting fighters and not one of its biggest enigmas.

About the Author:

Ross Everett covers MMA fights for The Savage Science. He's a noted freelance sportswriter specializing in boxing, martial arts, and feral pig hunting. In addition, he covers UFC fights for several television stations in Singapore.

The Strange Saga of Satoshi Ishii And Dana White

By Ross Everett

It may be a bit of a stretch to call Satoshi Ishii the Michael Phelps of Japan, but not by much. His victory in the heavyweight judo competition at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing was easily the defining moment of the games for his countrymen and was considered by most media outlets the #1 highlight of the year in all of sports.

Ishii himself is also a marketing dream. Hes especially big by Japanese standards with 240 pounds packed on his bulky 511 frame. Not surprisingly, hes tough as nails and a terror on the mat but away from the gym he comes off like an awkwardly cheerful overgrown boy. He definitely seems younger than his 22 years, but gives off the vibe of a nice neighbor boy who youd gladly pay to mow your lawn. Unlike his telegenic American gold medalist counterpart Phelps, who acts as if he spent as much time working on media relations as his backstroke heading up to the Olympic games, Ishiis demeanor is of an athlete who literally spent the bulk of his life in a gym only to emerge and find himself a national hero.

With the ability to offer him the most money and exposure, it seemed almost a fait accompli that Ishii would sign with DREAM and K-1 parent group FEG. Obviously its a good idea to keep your options open in negotiations, so he also reportedly talked to Sengoku parent World Victory Road and Antonio Inoki's Inoki Genome Federation pro wrestling group. As expected, however, FEG reportedly presented Ishii with the most lucrative offer: 500 million yen (roughly $5.5 million US) to fight on DREAM and K-1 cards, with incentive bonuses based on his drawing power and performance. He would very likely become the highest paid mixed martial artist in the world before hed even stepped into the ring for the first time. The tentative plan was for Ishii to appear on the year end K-1/DREAM Fields Dynamite! joint show, if not fighting at least in a heavily hyped opportunity for FEG to unveil their investment.

Ishii then shocked the Japanese fight sport world by categorically rejecting FEGs offer, saying that it was his lifelong dream to fight in the UFC. While this rationale might sound plausible to a US based fan, its akin to a top college baseball player from a SEC school turning down a big offer from the Atlanta Braves saying that its his lifelong dream to play for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan Central League. It frequently comes a shock to US MMA fans when immersed in Japans culture for the first time just how low the UFC ranks in the countrys fight sport pantheon. In MMA, their profile is lower than DREAM and Sengoku, but even smaller groups like Shooto and DEEP. Overall, the interest in and prestige of the UFC is well below not only boxing but even Japanese pro wrestling (puroresu). The UFC is making some progress, and big fights like GSP/Penn and Lesnar/Couture now get higher profile coverage (Lesnar/Couture owed most of its interest in the Japanese press to Brocks run as IWGP pro wrestling champ) but by no means is the #1 US MMA promotion considered on par with any of the major Japanese fighting groups.

Ishii then travelled to Las Vegas for UFC 92, with the Japanese media in tow covering his every move. There were countless photo opportunities with Dana White, who spoke of Ishii in glowing terms, along with top UFC stars. Upon his return to Japan, he was repeatedly photographed wearing UFC t-shirts while speaking enthusiastically about Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and everyone else involved with the promotion.

At age 22, Ishiis got plenty of time to develop as a fighter. His biggest downside risk from signing with Zuffa is financial since hed be lucky to get a fraction of what FEG is willing to pay him. The competitive logic of learning his craft slowly notwithstanding, theres a huge risk in automatically assuming that he can fight for the UFC for a few years and then cash a big check when he returns to Japan as the potential of injury and changing market conditions could seriously impact his market value.

Theres another very realistic scenario that it was all a negotiating ploy by Ishii. The UFC was likely willing to play along, figuring that their investment of a few plane tickets and hotel suites would be worth the resulting PR surge in Japan.

With the recent revelation that Ishii has broken off UFC negotiations to entertain offers from other parties thats starting to look like the plausible explanation for the once hot and heavy courtship between Ishii and Zuffa. Ultimately, the Ishii/UFC affair could simply prove to be a fling that accrued small benefits to each party, but both realized that there was no long term future for the pairing.

As a postscript to the Ishiis relationship with the UFC, it apparently opened the doors for his move to the US for training. That alone is a positive for his future development as a fighter, as hell be training with a whos who of professional fighting. That alone is a career move thats difficult to second guess.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on NFL betting. He's a noted expert on sports handicapping theory, as well as financial investment strategy. He contributes to a number of online media outlets providing insight on how to bet on NFL football, MMA and boxing.

Airsoft Guns And BB Guns - Not The Same Thing

By Anthony Carter

Airsoft guns are taking the world of hobby guns by storm. These replicas of the real thing are being used recreationally by people around the world who are fascinated by the world of firearms. Airsoft guns are designed for adults who want to play cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers or tactical war games, just for fun.

Many people are wary of airsoft technology, believing that playing with these types of replica weapons is the same as playing with higher power BB guns. There are some similarities, however, there are several distinct differences between the two types of guns. Here's a quick overview of these two products that both dramatically look like real guns.

Firstly, airsoft guns are a relatively new type of gun having been developed just 30 years ago in Japan. Guns were not allowed in that country, despite the demand. So manufacturers developed a spring-firing type weapon, which evolved into a gas firing device. By the time these realistic guns, used strictly for recreational purposes, arrived in North America about 15 years go, an electric-firing model had been developed. These are also referred to as AEGs.

BB guns have been around for over 100 years. The 1940s western comic Red Ryder popularized the BB gun when it was sold in stores as a tie-in product. Unlike airsoft guns, which are for gaming, BB guns are commonly used for serious target shooting or even for hunting small animals such as gophers, squirrels and pigeons.

Airsoft guns shoot relatively harmless plastic pellets, which are 6mm in size. These pellets don't cause any injuries. A BB, or small metal ball or pellet, fired from a BB gun can definitely do some damage. BB guns fire at 91 to 152. 4 meters per second which is much more powerful than an airsoft gun which fires, at most, 91 meters per second. BB guns are not to be used as a toy. They should be treated as a real weapon.

Similarities of the two guns include the firing mechanisms. Airsoft guns use either compressed gas, electricity or are powered by springs. BB guns are almost exclusively air or gas powered. Real guns use neither of these systems.

Both are manufactured to replicate the look, feel and weight of real weapons. If it wasn't made known that one was handling an airsoft gun, one would never know the difference. Just for that very reason, the U. S. Government, along with along countries such as the U. K., have made it mandatory that all airsoft guns be sold with an orange tip which is illegal to remove. It's this bright orange identifier, referred to as a blaze, which should alert the public to the fact that the gun is nothing more than an elaborate toy.

Airsoft guns are different again from paintball guns, which are designed strictly for war-game purposes. Paintball guns are usually very simple and do not resemble real weapons. They do use compressed air or gas mounted externally on the gun and shoot plastic balls filled with paint. They break up and splatter on the victim upon impact. Shot at close range, paintballs can hurt and even cause bruising. Paintball guns require no identification to distinguish them from real guns.

About the Author:

Author: Anthoy Carter is very into the sport of airsoft and knows alot about airsoft guns.Visit this website to find the best place to find an airsoft gun.

A Review Of Anime Sword

By Ferdinand Emy

Animation in Japan is referred to as Anime. It started way back in 1917. Anime along with manga; Japanese comics, is very popular in Japan. The characters used in Anime are extremely artistic. It is commonly referred to as an art form.

The Anime-Manga combination is receiving very known in the rest of the world lately. Their unreal characters with large physical attributes and unusual dialogues are gathering an enormous fan base all over the globe.

The presence of collectibles including swords has grown greatly in Anime because of its international acclaims.

The most popular Anime sword is the Bleach sword. Bleach is an epic-series which features numerous sword-wielding characters like the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.

Ichigos weapon is known as Zangetsu. It is a Zanpakuto weapon or a soul-cutting sword. It's well-liked all over the world; particularly among children.

The Anime Sword has become a favorite amongst collectors of cartoon swords; and the most known among them is from Bleach. As this series gained acceptance internationally, replicas of the swords of these characters began to be manufactured and sold to the Anime sword enthusiasts.

Another popular Anime sword is similarly from the Bleach series, the Toushiro Hitsugayas weapon. It is one of the required characters in the series. These Anime swords are widely purchased. They're the most acclaimed Anime collectibles.

The Bleach replica swords may be found in two diverse styles. One comes in a leather-wrapped handle, but these are not that common. The more popular one is with a beautiful burgundy cord wrap around the handle. This Anime sword measures 26.75 inches in length and it is made of 420-stainless steel. It's factory sharpened with visible machine folds along the edge.

Searching for these Anime swords online can be a bit of a task as they're listed under diverse names such as plum tree sword, Hinamori Momo katana, Soul Reaper sword, burgundy Anime katana, etc.

But if you are an ardent fan of the Bleach series then you would know exactly what these names mean.

Other additional anime swords are Dragonball Zs Trunk sword, InuYashas Tetsusaiga, Narutos Zabuza sword and Rurouni Kenshins reverse blade Sakabato.

For Ninja Gaiden fans, the Ninja katana is a renowned choice among Anime sword collectors. It is a 42 inch katana which is weapon of the main character Ryu Hayabusa in the Ninja Gaiden game. This sword represents victory and revenge.

Though these swords are known among children, its advised that the children should not play with these swords without adult supervision.

About the Author:

Learn from Anime Sword Collectors everything you need to know about swords today

CCTV Security: It's Everywhere

By Christopher Williams

Big Brother is watching you! Often bandied about in the media, the idea of pervasive surveillance is one many Americans object to, not realizing that it already is a part of the very fabric of our society. Appearing not only in the accepted banking, shopping and travel locations, closed-circuit tv (cctv) security has broadened its scope in recent years to view and record our actions at school, in government and even on the highway.

Improved technology has caused a great increase in the use of cctv security in recent years. Working in a "closed-circuit," cctv allows surveillance that can be viewed on only monitors linked in that circuit, rather than broadcast to unlimited monitors. The Internet, with its IP (Internet Protocol) cameras, has broadened the concept of cctv to allow users with proper login information to view, run, or print higher quality cctv footage at any internet connection.

People are often familiar with the many public uses of cctv security cameras as they've seen them when they shop, when they bank or even when they received that ticket in the mail for running a red light. There are, however, some more obscure uses in places such as factories and laboratories where viewing a dangerous process or experiment could threaten human life.

Although large-scale cctv can be expensive, there are many individual uses of cctv security equipment that the average person can afford and use. With easy Internet access and widespread cctv security availability, homeowners can purchase a system appropriate for their budget and worried parents can check up on their in-home "nannies" if necessary. Quality varies with cost, but each year quality is becoming more affordable and the equipment is becoming less cumbersome.

Big Brother may be watching us, but often we don't care; in fact, we laugh about it. Reality can be entertaining and broadcast companies are sure to try to profit from it if they can. Using cctv equipment to capture footage for a broadcast production is common in the entertainment world as we've seen on the various television shows from the obvious "Big Brother," to "World's Dumbest Criminals" productions.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but is it the truth? With all the internet access and computer knowledge out there, how much can we trust the surveillance footage we get from cctv security. With the ease and prevalence of photo manipulation, we know we must always consider the reliability of the source when viewing a traditional image. The question of validity must be addressed as well when it comes to using cctv technology for its intended purposes, especially legal action.

Is cctv compatible with American democracy? We live with so much surveillance now that it may be time for Americans to consider if the benefits outweigh the cost to their rights as individuals. Closed-circuit security does provide surveillance that is clearer each year and thus more useful in solving, and hopefully preventing, crime. Certainly, it has improved the safety in many manufacturing and experimental processes. And, to say the very least, it has given many of us a little peace mind both in public and in our homes, making us feel at least a little more secure and empowered in our post 9/11 world.

About the Author:

Christopher Williams is an expert in the cctv security industry. With over thirty years experience in cctv security his tips are well respected. If you are after more info on cctv security please visit http://www.adt.co.uk

Burglar Alarm Systems Guide

By Christopher Williams

The unexpected can strike at any moment, disrupting life and presenting potentially dangerous situations. Home theft and burglaries are on the rise, and difficult economic times are driving more and more people to extreme measures. Having protection against an intrusion is important to protection for family and personal possessions. It also can provide the peace of mind in knowing that no victim is alone in a burglary when burglar alarm systems are present.

A variety of alarm systems and expansion packs adorn security stores' shelves, leaving buyers wondering what type of protection is best for themselves. Before running to a store or website to pick out an alarm system, it is important to first decide who will be responsible for monitoring the home or business in which will be protected. Alarm monitoring companies are becoming more advanced, with great offers for buyers. Look for a contract that is both affordable, but also has the credibility of a strong, reliable company behind it.

Many companies want to install their own alarms for monitoring, and will provide a choice of packages for the buyer. They are inexpensive additions and come with several features that can enhance the overall security package. Many times, upon signing a contract, a home or business owner can receive a free alarm and installation. Look for these types of deals online and in print ads. If one cannot be found, often a manager or supervisor will have the authority to make a special deal in order to obtain a new customer's business.

Motion detectors are among the most popular upgrades to security systems. The reason this upgrade is the most important is because burglars can slip into a home without opening a window or door. Skylights and glass breaks can occur without tripping the alarm system, giving the burglars free reign of the home, unless there is a motion detector in the home. Motion detecting can be turned off in situations where there is a pet or ceiling fan that could blow items across the room.

Similar to the motion detectors is the use of sound detection. Though it is not as popular, it can be used in combination with burglar alarm systems to detect glass breaks and unusual sounds. As with the motion detecting, this can be bypassed if an animal is prone to barking or making other loud noises.

An added perk to owning a home or business security system can save money and almost pay for then cost of the system itself. Insurance companies will often lower the rates of property protection policies if a security system is in place and being monitored regularly. This makes the alarm system a good financial investment, saving up to twenty percent off of the yearly insurance bill.

There are a variety of add-ons that can be purchased for a home or business security system. In high risk areas, more safety features may be needed than in a suburban neighborhood. Video monitoring is the most popular addition to a burglar alarm, using new wireless technology to record criminals digitally, with no tapes to worry about. Audio recording is available as well, in addition to security lights and driveway alarms. One can find these items at a variety of shops and security websites.

About the Author:

Empolyed as a burglar alarm installer for more than thrity years, Christopher Williams is considered an expert in the home security industry. He writes articles to increase awareness about home security and gives tips on how to protect your family and your home. If you are looking for secure burglar alarm systems please visit http://www.adt.co.uk

Wireless Burglar Alarm Overview

By Todd Cavanaugh

The recession and rising joblessness are taking a toll in many ways in our society. One of those is the rising burglary rate. If a burglary was happening every twelve seconds before the recession, it is hard to imagine what the rate is now. One way to protect yourself and your property is with a wireless burglar alarm.

You don't have to live in a high-crime neighborhood or in a gated mansion to be targeted for robbery. With more than 60% of robberies occurring in the daytime by forcible entry, installing a wireless burglar alarm is just smart.

Wireless Burglar Alarms Are a Good Choice

The fact that wireless burglar alarms are a good choice for any residence is supported by several facts. First, alarms are a deterrent. Homes that have no security are three times more likely to be targeted.

Second, wireless burglar alarms actually make sense for people who live in rental properties " apartments or houses. There are no wires that have to be run through walls, so you don't have to do any damage to install the system. And you can choose a portable system that you can disconnect and take with you when you move.

Third, wireless burglar alarms are quick and easy to install. You can do it yourself in about a hour.

Wireless Burglar Alarm Components

You can actually pick and choose the components you actually need in your home. Whether you are in a tenth floor apartment and need only an alarm on your main door, or you have a large house, you can build the system that's right for you.

The basic components of most systems are a door switch/sensor, a few window switches/sensors, a panic button, a connection to a telephone line (you will probably need a cellular compatible system) to notify the monitoring company or the police, and an alarm or siren. From this basic wireless burglar alarm, you can add more door and window sensors, motion activated outdoor lighting, a glass-break sensor, motion sensors for the interior, and even video monitors.

What Might You Need in A Wireless Burglar Alarm?

The best way to decide what you need in a wireless burglar alarm is to consult a professional. Just call a home security company as ask for a consultation. They will look at your property, ask questions about your family's lifestyle and routine, and tell you where your residence is vulnerable.

Based on their assessment, you will be ready to start looking for the right wireless burglar alarm for your family. For example, if you travel for business, you might want a system that will notify the police and a neighbor. If you live in an apartment or townhouse, you might not need too much more than a very loud siren or alarm that will bring the security guards. If you have children home alone in the afternoon, you might want a system that is easy to operate, but will immediately notify the police if there is an attempted intrusion.

If all you need is a simple wireless burglar alarm on a single door or a few windows, such as an apartment, you might need merely advice on the best alarm. If you are good at following directions, you can probably take the alarm home and install it yourself.

If the right time to install a wireless burglar alarm in your residence is now, carefully evaluate your needs, find the best system for your security needs, get it properly installed, and relax. You can stop worrying about your home.

About the Author:

Todd Cavanaugh is the 10-year owner of Protech Security Systems, a wireless burglar alarm installation company. Protech also designs home and business monitored security systems, fire alarm systems, access control systems and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Visit his business web site for his recommendations on wireless burglar alarms.

The Huntington Beach Bad Boy Returns To The UFC

By Ross Everett

In the 'real world' time heals all wounds. In the fight game, money has the same curative effect. This was vividly illustrated with the recent announcement that Tito Ortiz has patched things up with Dana White and will return to the UFC. Tito left the promotion over a year ago after a highly publicized split with the UFC president. He never found a new promotional home that would give him the money and the high profile status that he craved.

After losing to current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in his last UFC appearance, Ortiz left the company and bounced around doing personal appearances and commentary for a variety of promotions. He had surgery on his back in the process, and now claims that hes back to 100%.

Tito may never regain his championship form as a fighter, but that is of minimal relevance due to one salient fact"people will pay to see him fight. Dana White evoked the same theme in his comments on Ortiz at a Friday press conference in Las Vegas:

"Tito and I have a history that everyone knows. He's still a guy that everyone wants to see fight. He said his back has healed perfectly and he's ready to take a shot at the title. He's one of those guys that people love and people love to hate. We've put all our differences aside, have squashed everything and will move forward, and Tito will retire in the UFC."

In response, Ortiz quipped:

"Time really cures everything. Dana was a man of his word. Dana apologized to me. We're like boyfriend and girlfriend."

Ortiz said that Dana White and UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta came to his home in Huntington Beach, California and made him the proverbial offer he couldnt refuse:

"I'm happy, I'm satisfied, You'll never hear anything about money again.

While both Ortiz and White said that he'd be back in the octagon 'ASAP, neither man gave much in the way of specifics. Sources suggest that he could debut on the UFCs New Years card against Mark Coleman. Coleman is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Stephan Bonnar at UFC 100 in mid July.

Though he may be past his prime as a fighter, Tito Ortiz is a star. Some love him, some hate him but people pay to watch him fight. That dynamic is money in the bank to a fight promoter.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer specializing in combat sports including boxing and MMA. He contributes UFC news to a number of online and broadcast media outlets. He is a frequent sports radio guest and UFC blog contributor. He's currently working on a biography of pro wrestling announcer Gorilla Monsoon.

The Divine Importance of Naming a Grand and Glorious Martial Arts School!

By Al Case

Okay, you've been studying the School of the Upside Down Dragon. Or, maybe you've decided to start your own school, and you are going to call it the Nine Circling Wombats in Spring. The point here is that...what's in a name.

A classical school might have a recognized name, like Shotokan Karate, but that just means the garage of Funakoshi. Or maybe a generic name, like Karate Dojo, which says it is teaching karate in a school, but nothing else. But there is a deeper and more insidious underbelly to this whole scene.

Uechi Ryu is considered hard core classic, but what is this thing called Pan Gai Noon? Pan Gai Noon is a system based on the three original forms taught in a Chinese system. The extra five forms in Uechi Ryu were taught, according to Mattson, for entertainment purposes.

That's right, students needed to be entertained so that they didn't wander away from the, uh, commercial enterprise. This seems like a concept rather shabby in nature, but, apparently, it is a necessary one. And, in truth, while one could fault the school for such curricular changes, and should, one also has to fault the students.

Or, to get back to Shotokan, while it is considered the ultimate legitimate karate school, Gichen Funakoshi apparently passed his authority in matters karate to a school called Shotokai. Apparently he passed his seal and other paraphernalia to shotokai, and Shotokan is (choke) an imposter. Well, one could argue which is legitimate, but both have a right to practice martial arts, and the truth will be found in the individual, not in the school.

But, to continue this profound discourse, kenpo is...not karate. Parker was versed in karate, see his first book, but his teachings ended up being based on Jimmy Woo Kung fu. He called it kenpo karate because nobody knew what kenpo, or kung fu, was.

Commercialism, and other influences, effect the naming of a school or system. Aikido went through a variety of names before being called Aikido. Karate, before being transformed into Tae Kwon Do in Korea, had eight different kwans, or schools.

I suppose the final thought on this is that naming a school can be fun, and it can mean anything. The truth of the art, though, is whether the system is solid, whether the instruct can actually get the student to understand, and whether the student actually has the ability to learn. This is a question beyond names, true to the heart of the matter, and what the student must consider when exploring the morass of grand and glorious names.

About the Author:

Al Case has researched martial arts for 4O years. You can Call Him Names at Monster Martial Arts.

UFC 88 Flashback: Rashad Evans Earns Respect

By Ross Everett

Rashad Evans was fighting for respect. He earned it and then some with a devastating 2nd round TKO of Chuck Liddell in the main event of UFC 88: Breakthrough.

If Evans needed any more validation of how little respect he was getting, he could have taken a look at the UFCs text message prediction poll of the main event which favored The Iceman by a whopping 81% to 19% margin. Or he could have listened to the UFC announcers, who had all but penciled Liddell in for a return to light heavyweight title contention after his inevitable victory.

From the opening horn, Evans showed no fear of Liddells once legendary power. Instead, he danced and moved (which was dumbly criticized as showboating by the UFC announce team), using his slick footwork and speed to dart in and out of range of Liddells punches.

The end was to come in the 2nd round. Liddell backed Evans up near the cage wall and went to throw an uppercut. Simultaneously, Evans responded with an overhand right that landed quicker, harder and more accurately. The perfectly placed punch knocked Liddell out cold and referee Herb Dean jumped in to cover him up and wave off the fight without taking a second look.

Rashad Evans raised his record to 17-0-1, with the lone blemish a draw against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73. Liddell, meanwhile, saw his record drop to 21-6"with three of those six losses coming in his last 4 fights.

Liddells loss notwithstanding, it was a good night for UFC veterans as Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson won their fights in impressive fashion. Franklin looked particularly sharp in dismantling tough Matt Hamill, eventually prevailing by 3rd round TKO.

This was the UFCs first trip to Atlanta and despite a good attendance the crowd itself was somewhat disappointing. In a marked contrast to the knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans at the Target Center in Minneapolis for UFC 87"arguably the best MMA crowd ever at a US venue"the live crowd at Phillips Arena often acted as if they were at a taping of Georgia Championship Wrestling. Every foreign fighter was booed mercilessly"including South Korean Kim. Perhaps the audience didnt realize that South Korea has been a US ally since its establishment after WW II.

More problematic was the crowds utter lack of respect for the fighters postfight. Poor Dong Hyun Kim was booed during his postfight interview like he was Professor Toru Takana cutting a heel promo on Mr. Wrestling 2 after winning the Georgia Heavyweight Title by throwing salt in his opponents eyes while the referee was distracted. Not quite the respect that a 4th degree judo black belt whod just won a very tough fight deserves. Kims treatment by the fans cant be written off as a reaction to a close split decision victory; Rashad Evans was booed after his victory over Liddell, and short of decapitating The Iceman there was no way his win could have been more decisive.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Sports-1 and an authority on NFL football betting. He's a noted expert on sports handicapping and stock investing theory. He contributes to a number of online media outlets providing insight on how to bet on NFL football, MMA and boxing.

UFC 102: Nogueira Beats Couture In Main Event

By Ross Everett

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira left a lot of questions unanswered in the wake of his UFC 92 loss to Frank Mir. He had been dominated in his defeat to Mir and in the process suffered the first stoppage of his career. At UFC 102 from the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, Big Nog made a compelling case that his loss to Mir was a definite aberration as he dominated a determined Randy Couture over three rounds.

Nogueira entered the arena first to his usual entrance music of Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones. He received a respectful welcome from the Rose City crowd, but nothing like the rousing ovation afforded local hero Couture. Couture lived in suburban Gresham, Oregon for a number of years and trained at Team Quest before leaving to start Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Hes still a beloved figure in the Portland area, and his wide grin during Bruce Buffers introductions give the impression that he still has a lot of affection for his former hometown.

Despite the lopsided outcome of the fight, The Natural gave his fans plenty to cheer about. Though hes no longer able to outwork opponents and earn victories, hes still an amazing physical specimen for a 46 year old man. Furthermore, he still has the amazing toughness and resilience that made him a legend. He was knocked down twice, and came close to being choked out in each of the three rounds.

Couture in no way embarrassed himself, but he never really threatened Nogueira either. After the fight Nogueira expressed his respect for Couture and appreciation for the Portland fans before politely calling out current heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

In the co-main event, Thiago Silva demonstrated why hes considered among the most underrated fighters in mixed martial arts as he dismantled Keith Jardine. Silva perfectly countered one of Jardines kicks with a nasty straight right hand to end the fight early in the first round.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer specializing in fight sports including mixed martial arts, boxing, and pro wrestling. He contributes MMA news to a number of online and broadcast media outlets. He is a frequently sports radio guest, discussing MMA rumors and upcoming fights. He's currently working on a biography of pro wrestling announcer Gorilla Monsoon.

New Bowflex Revolution Home Gym

By John Bear

Bowflex Home Gym

Sure, you will know you're a fitness buff, when you read a Bowflex Revolution comparison and start sweating with excitement. And if you're not sweating now, you will be when you learn about the new, more versatile and easier to use Bowflex Home Gyms.

Bowflex fitness equipment offers numerous types of exercise equipment and several models of home gyms with various levels of versatility. The Bowflex Ultimate 2 has 95 exercise possibilities, the Ultimate XTLU has more than 90 possibilities, Xtreme 2 has more than 70 possibilities, Xtreme has more than 65 possibilities and Bowflex Sport has more than 60 different items.

All these machines have been tested and proven to be effective home gyms and are praised by many owners. The Bowflex website even lists hundreds of testimonial letters from satisfied customers. However, the newly released Revolution may surpass all the older models just with customer satisfaction.

The Revolution, originally developed for astronauts, offers hundreds of workouts and exercise variations. Realizing how well it worked for astronauts, Bowflex modified it for in-home use so that everyone could benefit from it. Its closest cousin, the Bowflex Ultimate 2 model, only has a maximum of 95 exercise variations.

Like any other Bowflex home gym, owning a Bowflex Revolution is like having your own fitness center right in your home. It replaces a variety of different pieces of fitness equipment because you can basically work out every single part of your body and if you're persistent, you can lose weight fast. And it's just one piece of equipment, which offers a large amount of resistance with the new SpiraFlex Technology.

The new Bowflex Revolution is also the quietest and most easy to use exercise equipment ever made by Bowflex.

As with other Bowflex Home Gym machines, the Revolution Home Gym can be folded and simply stored away. And, when they designed it, they knew that many homes have low ceilings, especially in the basement. So, this amazing machine will surely fit in just about any room in your house.

Before the Revolution, the company referred to the Bowflex Ultimate 2 as "top-of-the-line" with the best design among other fitness equipment available. Now the company believes that the "cutting edge" in terms of home gyms belongs to the Bowflex Revolution.

Bowflex has been in business since 1986, successfully selling and improving its products for over 20 years. And they have the experience and the satisfaction guaranteed to back up their quality products. Once you've read a Bowflex Revolution review, you'll realize that this machine is the one you need to make working out a seamless part of your lifestyle.

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The Truth Behind Leadership Training Programs

By Bart Icles

Many organizations have found great value in developing leadership. However, there are some who still fail at understanding the real meaning of leadership training programs. There are still lots of organizations who believe training programs for leadership are exclusively for leaders. These organizations still believe that leadership trainings can only be given to corporate leaders, managers, and supervisors. They fail to realize that programs for training and developing leaders are more than just improving those who are already tasked to lead.

Leadership training programs are designed to help people learn how to become exceptional leaders. They help people understand what leadership really is and they help people identify what good leadership is from the bad, and how good leaders behave. This is important because leadership does not only entail leading leadership is leading by example.

This kind of training programs enables people to discover the leader within them. It enables leaders learn how to develop robust and reliable visions of the future that people find attractive and that people can respect and believe in. It helps leaders learn how to communicate their vision and appreciate the benefits of people working together and to the best of their abilities so that projects can be successfully completed. It also helps leaders build their self-confidence so they can remain calm and graceful in stressful situations and be of inspiration to others.

A training program on leadership is not for leaders alone, it is also for the other members of the organization because it helps build a character for expertise and a track record of success and accomplishment that the whole organization can respect, value, and trust. It also becomes a venue for learning how to make wise decisions under pressure backed by the confidence that the necessary homework has been done so that good decisions can be arrived at.

Simply put, leadership training programs are designed so that organizations can enhance the kind of leadership that they have, and at the same time discover future leaders who will continue the success and reputation that have already been achieved in the past, and at the same time initiate new initiatives that will continue to bring the organization closer to its vision of the future. These programs should be avenues for learning and developing skills that will help people become agents of advancement and promotion. It is therefore recommended that these programs should be part of the continuous development efforts of organizations.

About the Author:

CMOE has been helping companies with business acumen and team building since 1978. By teaching finance for non-financial managers and other innovative business techniques CMOE has established themselves a leader in the business world. Visit www.cmoe.com for more information.

Security Company Tips

By Christoper Williams

Home security is an important topic today, as the number of home invasions and burglaries are on the rise. There are certainly a number of security companies to choose from, but just as in choosing any professional service provider, it is critical to make sure you know how to choose a reliable security company. The security of your home and family should not be left up to chance.

Keep in mind that choosing a home security company should not be taken lightly. You should never select a home security company based solely on a yellow pages ad. This could leave you in grave danger. Instead, there are many steps that should be followed to choose a home security company you can rely upon.

Always make sure you compare the services of more than one home security company. This will provide you with a good idea of the types of services the companies provide. A good way to begin is by asking friends and family members for the names of security companies they trust. You can then schedule an appointment with these security companies so you can discuss their services in person.

During your meeting with each home security company, be certain you obtain several important pieces of information. For example, you should always find out how long each company has actually been in business. The key is to look for a company that has a history that is long and established. You want to avoid fly by night home security companies that may be here one day and gone the next.

Additionally, take the time to find out the types of security systems offered by the company. You will find there are many different types of security alarms you can choose from. This means that you should be able to choose a security alarm that will meet your home's needs.

Furthermore, find out from the security company whether they offer monitoring or not. Many home security companies today do offering monitoring, which is a great benefit because it means that the security company will notify law enforcement in the event of a break-in. If you are not home or a neighbor does not report the break-in, you can still be assured that your home is completely secured.

Also, ask the security company whether their security alarms have other forms of detection services. Many security companies carry alarms that will detect other dangers such as carbon monoxide, flooding or fire. With such services you can be completely sure of your home's security from a range of threats.

Finally, ask for references from satisfied customers and then follow up on these references to ensure that the security company really does provide the service they claim. This is one of the best ways to make sure that you will be satisfied with the security company you choose.

As you can see, there are many different questions to ask when choosing a security company. Obtaining this information can help you to choose the best security company for the needs of your home and your family. Never settle for simply choosing a security company based on a television commercial or selecting a name from the yellow pages.

About the Author:

Employed as a security alarm manager for over thrity years, Christopher Williams is considered an expert in the home security industry. He writes articles to spread awareness about home security and gives advice on how to protect your family and your home. If you are searching for a well known security company please visit http://www.adt.co.uk

How to Buy a Video Security System

By Todd Cavanaugh

Whether you are thinking about your home or your office, a home video security system might be what you have decided you need. There are two main types of security you might want to consider. First, there is exterior surveillance. These cameras which are often clearly visible, allow you to record or watch what is happening on your property outside your home or in certain parts of the interior. The second type is the interior spy camera. This would be invisible and would provide a record of what happens within the range of the camera. This might be used to monitor caregivers in the home.

It is possible to purchase a video security system in almost any price range. But the clearest pictures, the most reliable recordings, and the most secure storage will cost more. Chances are that if you feel the need for video security, it will be worth the cost to get the best equipment.

The first decision you will need to make about video security system options is whether you need surveillance outside, inside, or some combination of both. Are you trying to keep an eye on what is happening on your property outside your home? Do you want to know how a babysitter is caring for your child or a caregiver for your parent?

The next decisions about your video security system will determine the kind of cameras and lenses you will need. Cameras, often with interchangeable lenses, are available in a wide range of prices, styles, and types. Do you want a spy camera hidden in a clock? Do you want a surveillance camera that allows you to see who is at the door? Do you want your system hard-wired or wireless? Do you need fixed angles of vision, or do you want to be able to scan and move the lens?

The images captured by the cameras in your video security system will be captured on video tape (VCR) or on a DVD (DVR technology). Some systems are equipped with sensors that actually record images only when a sensor is activated (by motion, for example). This saves recording time and wasted recording. The system might connect cameras to a DVR device or it might connect them to your PC's hard drive.

In choosing indoor cameras for your video security system, you will again need to decide whether the cameras need to be hidden or visible. Should the lens rotate with movement in the room, or be stationary. These cameras can be remarkably small and they can be hidden almost anywhere in a room. If you are trying to ensure the safety of a loved one while in the care of another person, you might want to invest in the best camera and recording equipment you can afford.

Choosing a video security system will need to consider your needs, your budget, and installation and connection issues. Keep in mind that the system as a whole is only as good as the lowest quality component.

Installation is as important as the equipment. If it is important to have video surveillance, it will probably be worth the cost to you to know that the system is properly installed.

About the Author:

Todd Cavanaugh is the 10-year owner of Protech Security Systems, a video security system installation company. His company also specializes in pre-wired and wireless monitored security systems, fire alarm systems, access control systems and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Visit his business web site for his recommendations on video security systems.

Home Security Maintenance

By Christopher Williams

Increasing home security can be relatively cheap and easy. In many cases, simply looking at your home from an outside viewpoint, and considering how you would break into it were you a burglar or intruder can identify weak points and easy entry areas. Once these areas have been pinpointed, you can take steps to minimize the risk of your home security being breached.

Even the littlest things that you might take for granted each day can act to dissuade potential home invaders. Making sure you lock windows and doors before leaving, ensuring the grounds surrounding your home are cleared of obstacles that might create easy hiding spots for intruders, leaving lights on inside the home or having motion sensing lights outdoors, and having a dog are all great ways to improve home security.

But what about when you're on vacation or out of town for several days? There are things to do in these instances as well, like having someone pick up your mail for you, check the interior of your home occasionally, or having neighbors keep an eye on and report suspicious activity around your home. Consider leaving a car parked in your driveway, and if it is snowing, have someone shovel the walks or at least make tracks (car or foot) in the snow.

Many people wonder if having a security system is necessary for proper home security. In many cases, just having the security system decal in your window is enough to ward off criminals. The effectiveness of any system is greatly diminished if you don't advertise that you have it. A burglar or intruder is more likely to search for another target that he believes doesn't have a security system, rather than risking it with a house that he either knows or believes might have one.

Still, there are times when even a security system might not be a strong enough deterrent. Unfortunately, the ineffectiveness of many systems is often due to the owner's own carelessness. When having the system installed, ensure the keypad is positioned away from a window or door where it might be visible from the outside. In addition, it is necessary that you make arming your system a habit, just as you would with locking or closing the door.

For many homeowners though, the time of most concern regarding home security risk, occurs when they are away for extended periods. Maintaining the appearance of activity around your home, even when away, is once of the best ways to increase home security. Having friends or neighbors keep an eye on your home, remove excess mail, leaflets, or newspapers, and turning lights on and off inside your home, can all make your home look like it's being lived in even when it's not.

In many cases, home security is something you don't have to spend a bundle to have. Using your brain, often provides better security than any fancy system, steel doors, or iron bars could provide. Moreover, even the best home security system won't be effective if you don't use it properly and take regular precautions around your home to ensure safety and efficiency.

About the Author:

Employed as a fire alarm installer for more than thirty years Christopher Williams is an expert in home security. If you are looking to upgrade your home security please visit http://www.adt.co.uk

Use Practice Martial Arts Weapons Because They Are Safer

By Sandy Hsu

Martial arts weapons can be really fun sometimes but they can also be incredibly dangerous. If you don't want to injure yourself and others by practicing with these implements of war but still wish to learn the ancient ways of the martial arts it is a good idea to start your training using some practice martial arts weapons.

I know you may be thinking to yourself: What are you talking about? I don't need practice martial arts weapons! I'm a kung fu master at the age of fifteen! But believe me, you just aren't that good enough yet to use real martial arts weapons. Martial arts weapons are designed with one purpose in mind: Kill the opponent. These things are dangerous and you're liable to hurt someone if you mishandle them. Play it safe and use practice martial arts weapons until you feel comfortable enough to pick up a really sharp sword.

Taking the proper safety measures is important in any extra curricular activity. Unfortunately for us, most things that are incredibly fun are also incredibly dangerous. We have to design methods and equipment to protect ourselves enough but allow us the freedom and mobility to participate. Just like boxing gloves and mouth guards, practice martial arts weapons are padded enough to allow us to deliver blow after blow to our opponent without actually seriously injuring them.

If you're in it for the long haul and are really serious about becoming a martial arts weapons master you need to understand that if you start out with the practice weapons the real ones will feel much better. Baseball players and gymnasts will weigh down their equipment so that during the real game they feel lighter and freer. Same thing goes for practice martial arts weapons. If they are heavier you will become stronger by practicing with them.

We're all in this thing to have fun aren't we? And what's more fun than beating your best friend over the head with a giant bo staff or katana sword? I can't think of anything. But if you use the actual martial arts weapon to do that you are going to seriously hurt someone, hell you could even kill someone. Pick up some safe practice martial arts weapons that are properly padded and then go to town and spar with your peers.

Believe me, you won't regret picking up a few practice martial arts weapons to add into your martial arts weapons training. You'll feel safer and have more fun and best of all you'll really develop those weapons skills so that you can wow the judges on your certification nights.

About the Author:

Sandy loves talking about ancient martial arts weapons and has all sorts of information on Japanese martial arts weapons.