With 2 stores in Canada, Icebreaker has active parents covered.  Reflective logos, athletic detailing and the signature soft wool make these pieces some of our absolute favs.  The guy’s picks, sporting bright colours with hits of colour inside reminded me of perennial favourite Ted Baker for suits.  Stripes and prints on typically boring athletic attire add to the funk factor.  In the active lines, wool cycling shorts feature built-in padding, and shirts boast a secure pocket as well as gripper tape on the lower back to keep the back from riding up.  Love smart stuff.  Read more

Exercise is important. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American adults exercise at least five hours per week. For those just starting out, the guide says to begin with medium-intensity exercises for two hours each week, and increase the time spent exercising as they are able, until they reach the five-hour goal. Sometimes, however, things can get in the way of you getting in shape. One of those things that often gets in the way is the weather. For those of us who do not have a convenient gym nearby, and no access to a home gym, we need a solution that allows us to work out in an indoor space without a lot of equipment that is expensive and can cause clutter. Follow this simple exercise program and get in shape in your own living room; the only thing it will cost you is your effort. Read more

Sure, you look at the bodybuilders with their bulging necks and think to yourself, “Wow.” Many people think a strong neck is pretty insignificant, or that it’s something only athletes or weight lifters that should bother with neck strengthening. However, being a desk jockey and sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time (guilty!) can also put a major strain on the neck, shoulders, and spine–therefore, you need a strong neck. Also, strengthening and stretching your neck is vital for good posture and for avoiding back pain. How to do it? You’d be surprised! Here are some basic tools for strengthening your neck by stretching your arms. Read more

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. Not only does is keep your body strong, trim, flexible, and with better endurance, exercise improves cardiovascular help, speeds digestion, strengthens the immune system, improves the mood and concentration…the list goes on. Most of us are tempted to think that any exercise will do, however, fitness and sports professionals now know that there is a wrong way to exercise. Some exercises put unnecessary strain on certain parts of the body, waste your time by being ineffective, or are even dangerous. What are the ten worst exercises/techniques, and why are they all wrong for you? Read more

Most guys, when you mention a jump rope, will envision two things: the little girls doing double-Dutch in grade school…and the scene in Rocky, where Rocky is jump-roping like mad, his visage steely-eyed and his body rock-hard. For the sake of exercise, let’s think more Rocky and less double-Dutch. The jump rope, long relegated to recess by the majority of sports and exercise trainers, has undergone a Renaissance. What’s the deal with jumping rope–why is it such an awesome workout, what benefits does it have for us Urban Daddies in need of some whipping in shape, and how is it best done? Read more