Lesley Hawkins

Why the Powerjog is the best self-propelled treadmill in the market and why it is one of the best tools for athletes , first responders , and runners in general. The main reason why someone will use the Powerjog is because the muscle activation you get in the legs is phenomenal . A user can be hours on a flat electric treadmill , but the drive motor helps quite a bit so the muscle activation is not that great. Don't get me wrong , the treadmill is the most popular piece of equipment in any gym but the Powerjog is just fantastic and will give you incredible muscle activation immediately. Often I hear from customers " oh I use to run for 1 hour on the treadmill and now after 15 minutes on the Powerjog I am trashed". There are several self-powered treadmills in the market today but they are all very different. Personally I have tried 15 different models and visited several factories before I came up with the Powerjog in 2018. When I demoed a prototype in a large rec centre in Vancouver Island , the complain I had was , " I can run but cannot walk because the belt jerks" walking up the curve will accelerate and then running in the middle of the curve will slow it down but this jerkiness is a valid point. Often I was saying to customers, you have to try it at least 5-10 times to get use to , but people these days are very impatient , so I decided to add magnetic resistance as I saw personally that adding a bit of resistance with stabilize the treadbelt and give me a very comfortable walk , I saw that this shortened the learning curve quite a bit but also gave users the possibility of using it as a sled ( very interesting exercise for rugby players, specially those playing scrum). Some of the self-powered treadmills I tried in 2016 , well known brands at that time were impossible to use for interval training because the manufacturers puts so much weight on the front and rear rollers that to speed up you have to grab the handrails and push and then what a nightmare to slow down with all that momentum ( it is like trying to stop a spin bike ). The calculation of the weight of the rollers is extremely important and most manufacturers fail on this. Visually the treadmill looks good but you try it and is very bad , the user gets a horrible experience and the product is not used. In my opinion , a self propelled treadmill without resistance is not worth it and you HAVE to try it. Not all self-propelled treadmills are the same , not even close. All information can be seen here : https://lnkd.in/gc6zpyiz You can try the Powerjog at the newly built Canada Games and pool in New Westminster , 65E Six Avenue , New Westminster : https://lnkd.in/gXdA4Gv4 In this public recreational centre they have an older Assault treadmill so you can compare and see what your opinion is and which one is best.

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Why multipurpose benches that are used with dumbbells to exercise are an extremely important category that many ignore or not consider fully. In my opinion multi purpose benches are extremely important category and a very critical piece in any gym. You do not want the bench to collapse when a user is working with heavy dumbbells. I have always supplied good quality commercial multi purpose benches but last year 2023 I made the decision to bring the best of the best , the AB100-3 flat to incline and AB400 decline, flat incline : https://lnkd.in/gCkgevUw these two benches are simply amazing , let me explain ; first they are Gauge 11 so 3 mm of tube thickness but, what is more important, is that they lock in an angle without using a POP pin , second , the foam used is similar to a car seat stiffness , why , because the more it flexes , the upholstery gets damaged , third , the weight of the bench is 121 lbs and gives a lot of stability and it has a handle and wheels to be moved. We supply these benches to RCMP, fire halls , Canadian Forces bases , etc and these entities have something in common , the users are big so the weight of the bench, the width of the pad, the firmness of the foam and the anti sweat vinyl is extremely important and key for them. Although this bench is a bit more expensive than a regular bench, I have adopted the AB100-3 and AB400 as our benches for all customers.

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It's draft time for both the NHL and the NBA. In the NBA, few of us wouldn't be struck by how cool of a story it is to see LeBron James' son, Bronny, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, raising the possibility of a father and son playing on the same team at the same time for the first time in NBA history. Also making history - our great friends at the National Hockey League (NHL), with today's draft happening at Sphere in Las Vegas. I was lucky enough to be at the Super Bowl in Vegas earlier this year. It's arguably becoming the biggest sports hub in North America, with the NFL (Raiders), NHL (Golden Knights), and WNBA (Aces) already there and the MLB (A's) on their way. Easy to imagine an NBA or MLS team finding their way there before too long. Sphere was a huge element of Super Bowl week - you cannot miss it. We talked about it in our 2024 IMG Digital Trends Report, published at the end of 2023, in the chapter about "smart stadia." Although not a sports arena specifically, Sphere is a transformational trailblazer in this trend, showing us that buildings themselves can be content hubs. Therefore it is great to see the NHL bring sports directly to Sphere, with the Draft also the first live televised event from inside this revolutionary building. It's going to look amazing - I hope it goes brilliantly for everyone at the league, all the teams (go San Jose Sharks with the first pick for the first time!) and remember you can follow along via a suite of international social media channels, wherever you may be in Europe or beyond. Huge thanks to our NHL team - led by the brilliant tandem of David Brake and Fie Adolfsen - as they flip from a record-setting Stanley Cup Final to the Draft coverage. Two of our NHL squad - Fie Adolfsen and Milli Thornton - are then going directly to Wimbledon to support the huge IMG operation at SW19. What a life we lead, working in sports!

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🚫🏴‍☠️ Integrity in Sports 🏅🇯🇲 Last week thru me for a loop. The drone issue that emerged with Canada and their coaches (2 of which I know personally very well). has not only tarnished their program (I’m gutted for the players) but opened up a proverbial “can of worms” with regards to leadership and potentially entrenched ethical issues. Having worked in a similar role with Jamaica (men and women) close to 10 years now, I can say with certainty that A) analysts and assistant coaches NEVER do anything without senior leadership direction and/or knowledge. It’s simply not how cohesive, unified staff work, especially during major competitions. B) all staff are aware of where everyone is at all times during competitions. You usually get sequestered in your hotel and at most are traveling to training and back or stadium and back. Each hour of every day is planned and coordinated. Meetings with staff, players, meals, message, medical, etc … all planned. Even down time is built in. So again, not being aware when someone leaves the hotel to go to another teams training session, for whatever reason, would be known to senior leadership. Recent claims from some Canadian coaches and media suggesting that such practices are common everywhere are simply not true. It’s not common place and absolutely WRONG. I have been responsible for scouting opponents for both women and men during World Cup qualifying, Concacaf qualifying and the last 2 Womens World Cups and can truthfully say that we have NEVER engaged in or witnessed any form of spying on opponents thru the use of drones or sneaking into training sessions. Hard work, video analysis, data analysis, …. watching 5-10 games from the opponent is how we draw our conclusions. To lump all the other countries into this to justify actions is poor. Finally, I feel very bad for my 2 Canadian friends (staffers sent home) who, imho …have been made to suffer the most. Both are “good people” that made poor decisions and will now have to pay for it. That being said, I don’t believe for one minute they acted rogue in their actions. Let's uphold the integrity of the game! ⚽️ #FairPlay #Integrity #Sportsmanship

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𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 💎💰 Our friends at MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership) have listed some unique items on their Marketplace, Real Sports Auction, proving that even the most unusual pieces can be repurposed into something extraordinary. Imagine owning a BBQ set crafted from game-used hockey sticks used by Toronto Maple Leafs stars like Mitch Marner and Matthew Kneis. Or picture having coasters, skate sharpeners, and bottle openers made from repurposed sticks. How about a cooler that once served the team at Scotiabank Arena? And yes, even garbage cans used by the Toronto Marlies in their locker room have found new life as coveted collector's items! These items are fantastic examples of how 'trash' can become 'treasure' for fans and collectors. It’s all about seeing potential where others see discard. So, next time you think an item has reached the end of its life, think again. With a bit of creativity, it could become something truly special. Ready to transform your trash into treasure?

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Sports offer valuable life lessons for kids—teamwork, resilience, respect, and accountability. But as parents, we play a crucial role in shaping those experiences. What message are we sending when we lose our cool in the heat of the moment? At a recent youth hockey game, I witnessed a situation where a parent’s behavior overshadowed what should have been a teaching moment. While emotions run high in competitive sports, it’s essential for us to remember that our actions set an example for our children. When we resort to shouting or intimidating behavior, we’re teaching kids that yelling is the way to resolve conflicts, and that’s not the lesson they need to learn. Instead, let's model good sportsmanship—both on and off the ice. It’s okay to be passionate, but we must also be respectful, showing young athletes how to handle challenges with grace. By doing so, we’ll ensure that their time in sports helps them grow, not just as players, but as people. #YouthSports #Leadership #RoleModels #Sportsmanship #LeadByExample Check out this video as a reminder: https://lnkd.in/eNZ5a789

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🚀 Let's talk lululemon ! 💬 What's your take on CEO Calvin McDonald's insights into the brand's growth challenges and opportunities? Share your thoughts in the comments! #Lululemon #CEOInsights #EngageWithUs

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Our Voice of the Consumer—Canadian insights is here! Explore how consumers' mindsets are evolving in 2024 and the imperatives for retailers to build consumer trust. #ConsumerInsights #ConsumerTrends

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One of the greats! When I heard Nick Saban discuss going from transactional to transformational leadership, I knew it was gold. Read more on my latest blog -> https://lnkd.in/e_ftjPkA

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"Hockey is brutal" Are you an aspiring elite hockey player or coach? If so you need to understand, and quickly, that hockey is something the body needs to be physically prepared for & protected from. I hear those voices already - "Oh another S&C coach saying we have to reduce hockey & go into the gym!" The opposite is true. When you physically train elite hockey players you are INCREASING the amount of hockey they can play. You are INCREASING the intensity they can play at & for longer. You are DECREASING the injuries & time off pitch spent recovering because the coach pushed underprepared players or the players failed to prepare themselves properly. But if you think you can reach those levels of intensity without doing the correct physical preparation you are mistaken. Hockey itself cannot be used to physically prepare the body in the way it needs to be more robust & perform at ever increasing levels of intensity & volume. Kate Richardson-Walsh OLY OBE knows exactly what it took to win gold at the Olympics & European Championships & it includes physical preparation from experts. If you would like access to this sort of information as a coach or like the training required as a player then reach out to us & find out how we can help take your game to the highest possible level Tom Drowley

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Great hire by Canada Soccer. Pressing, transitions and playing forward vertically towards the opposition's goal will fit the players on the team. Canada has young players who can press, have the speed to transition behind an opposition's backline and can maintain this style of play for 90+ minutes. If you analyze every goal that was scored in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022, EVERY single goal was either a set-piece or a transition moment. Canada did not score a single a goal when the opposition was in defensive organisation and when Canada was in attacking organisation. This means that Jesse Marsch's style of play where pressing, winning the ball and progressing forward quickly after regaining possession fits this current squad. In addition, the stats are pretty clear that in open play 80% of goals are scored in transition, with 4 passes or less and in under 10 seconds. This is clear at every senior level of football but is still ignored by many. One-third of goals on average are scored on set-set-pieces. Football, just like any business, is about efficiency. We have to get back to teaching players that the Purpose of the Game is Winning which means scoring is the objective of attacking not passing the ball side to side and keeping possession as the objective. Hopefully his style of play will be transmitted and implemented in the Youth National Teams and adopted more at all levels in our country. Pressing, quick transitions and playing towards the opposition's goal fits Canadian players at every level. A great hire and hopefully an evolution of football in Canada!

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Alignment in Canadian sport is challenging. The perception is that a national sport organization leads at all levels, but the reality is different. Understanding this nuance is crucial for the growth and success of our sports community. #CanadianSport #Collaboration #Leadership

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SummaryIn this episode, Patrick Batty discusses various topics related to pickleball. He introduces a new community called The North, where players can have discussions and share information.   He also highlights notable Canadian players who performed well in recent tournaments and mentions the upcoming Canada's Best Pickleball Club contest.   We talk briefly about a Canadian Pro that had a bit of an embarrassing hot mic incident recently   Patrick does his best provide updates on paddle testing and the different standards set by the USAPA and UPA.   He concludes by sharing a list of upcoming pickleball tournaments in Canada.   00:00 Introduction and Overview 04:40 Introducing The North: A New Community for Canadian Pickleball Players 08:37 Crown Pickleball - Thank You 12:33 Notable Canadian Players Shine in the PPA Tournament 13:40 Six Zero Pickleball - Thank You 16:02 Hot Mic Slip Up - Oops 25:17 Seeking a National Sponsor for Canada's Best Pickleball Club Contest   27:28 Making Sense of Paddle Testing and Approval 31:46 Paddle Testing for Professional Players 37:46 No Need to Worry About Paddle Approval for Regular Players 46:22 Upcoming Pickleball Tournaments in Canada   Takeaways The North - a Pickleball Community is a new free discussion community for pickleball players to have discussions and share information. Several Canadian players performed well in recent tournaments, including Catherine Parenteau and Steve Deakin. One Canadian player had an Embarrassing Hot Mic incident Canada's Best Pickleball Club contest will be held again this year, allowing players to nominate and vote for their favorite clubs. Paddle testing standards differ between the USAPA and UPA, with the USAPA being the standard for amateur players and the UPA for professional players. There are several upcoming pickleball tournaments in Canada, providing opportunities for players to compete and have fun.

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TRUE HOCKEY TRAINING TIPS | Pull Ups Fixed my Shoulders — Powered by True Temper Sports — Upper body strength is not only important for sports performance in Ice Hockey, but it is imperative for anyone that wants to stay healthy while playing a contact sport. — THS Strength Standard: Neutral Grip Pull Ups Goal: 10-Reps We want all our male athletes to be able to do this to be able to endure the rigors of the game. Female athletes should probably be trying to do around 6, but you may as well beat all the boys and do more than 10 too 😁. If this sounds daughnting to you, that’s okay. Every athlete is at a different starting point. You will be surprised at how quickly things get easier with a little bit of consistent training. #trainhockeysmart powered by True Temper Sports 🎧 Music Credit: Awolnation - Sail.

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Spreading the word, one coach, organization and location at a time 😃 CTA: connect with us so you can support coaches they way you’ve always wanted to! #coachesneedcoaches

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The The FMCG Guys and I sure covered a lot in a quick 15 minutes! 🩵 A bit of background on Albertsons Media Collective and how far we’ve come … 🩵 A little slice into our #culture 🩵 A discussion on what Retail Media needs to consider as Google depreciates the 3rd party cookie. 🩵 How Brands and Retail media networks should think about expanding into #awareness channels. 🩵 How AI can be used as a tool for #retailmedia and the importance of data cleanliness and data fidelity. 🩵 Looking to Europe as to how to do in-store well.

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What is Goalie Interference? In latest for Sportsnet I dive into what is considered interference, what is black & white & how the standards change come the Spring! Goalie Interference Challenge Success Rate: Regular Season: 45-55% Playoffs: 22-30% https://lnkd.in/ekp-MUny

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