Maybe you have been running your whole life and you love it. Then again, maybe you are one of those people who only runs if something is chasing them. Chances are, even if you love to run you have probably experienced a wide range of challenges related to your running routine from time to time. Whether you are aiming to get off the couch and run around the block, run your first 5k, or are training for the Boston Marathon, we have some practical, honest, and motivational tips that we have compiled from our team of experts here at SmartCells USA.

Why should everyone be running, you ask? Well, it has a lot to do with science. Statistics from the American Journal of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the National Osteoporosis Foundation tell us that running regularly improves our overall health. If you don’t believe us, here are some of the numbers to consider. Running regularly reduces the risk of breast cancer by 25%, cataracts by 35%, depression by 19%, and serious heart attack by 50%. Running for even 5 minutes a day can cut your risk of cardiovascular disease by 45% and increases your life expectancy by three full years. Wow! Need we say more? Basically, running seems to be good for you. Even if you aren’t a runner, no need to stress, as 30-minutes of high-impact exercise a day is all you need to build strong bones. Walking also burns calories, but running burns those same calories twice as fast!

Over the next 8 weeks we will be exploring everything from the best stretches and body position for running, to how to stay motivated and find a running schedule that works for your fitness and activity level. We will also discuss options available related to finding the right gear to support your body properly while you run, to tips from our CEO who recently ran a half-marathon. We hope you will consider joining us for this fun look into the world of running. Our goal is to help you get started, or stay motivated, and keep going in a pattern of health that fits your particular lifestyle needs.

Do More. Feel Good being active. With SmartCells Cushioning Technology.

Being your best begins with the basics. At SmartCells Cushioning Technology we believe life should be enjoyed from the ground up. Get out there and live your dreams. We will be here supporting you every step of the way with ergonomically engineered cushioning technology in the form of mats, flooring, and insoles. Learn more today! www.smartcellsusa.com

So, you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to live a healthier lifestyle and workout more. Are you ready to kick your workout routine into high gear? With the new year upon us we thought it would be helpful to share some tips to help you improve your athletic performance and nail your New Year’s resolution, no matter what your favorite sport or activity is.

1. Stretch it Out & Activate those Muscles.

Having overly tight muscles and knots can hinder your ability to move properly. Be sure to stretch out your target muscle groups to avoid hindering your movement when you are actively engaging in your activity. Tissue release with a roller or ball can also prove to be very helpful in releasing tight spots prior to your workout. Bands can also help you activate and release muscles. Doing this after your stretching routine can be a great way to activate the muscle groups you will be engaging in your workout.

2. Rest and Recovery. Get Good Sleep. 

Recovery between workouts is critical. You will do yourself harm if you work out too often and at high intensity levels. Be sure to rest between sets, and between workout sessions. Based on your chosen sport or activity, this will vary as to the exact recovery time necessary. This is important: don’t forget to sleep! When you are asleep your body is in an optimal state for muscle growth and recovery. Aim for a minimum of 7 hours of sleep to get the most out of your zzz’s.

3. Get More Water.

Drinking enough water is critical for your muscles to function optimally during exercise and sports. For high-performance athletes, multiply your body weight times 0.6 to get the number of ounces you should drink in a day. Example: 150 lbs. x 0.6 = 90 oz.

4. Buddy Up!

Training with a partner or in a group facilitates a “get it done” attitude, and it helps you stay accountable. When you commit to training with others it is harder to skip your workout. It can also foster friendly competition, which pushes you to train with more intensity.

5. Gear Up.

Be prepared for your workout with the right tools. Something as simple as buying new workout clothing or a new SmartCells Cushioning Technology performance mat can improve your confidence and help you achieve your fitness goals. SmartCells also offers performance insoles that cushion and support your every step, jump or run from the ground up.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Gray) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH, Inc. offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms, and aerobics flooring.

Want to enjoy SmartCells Cushioning on-the-go?

Check out our all-new line of Zelus Insoles. Our insoles come in two styles (Simply SmartCells Cushioning and SmartCells Cushioning with arch support), and are biomechanically designed to reduce pain, improve performance and prevent future injuries. You can learn more about them at www.zelusinsoles.com.

Although several studies cite the holiday season as being one of the most stressful parts of the year, most would argue that tax season is a close second. Therefore, it is no coincidence that April is nationally recognized as Stress Awareness Month.

Recent studies have found that an average of 75 percent of Americans regularly experience symptoms of stress (73% psychological symptoms and 77% physical symptoms). In addition, in the past five years 48 percent of Americans have reported feeling an increase in stress.

Among the top causes of stress for Americans are: work, money and health. In fact, stress costs Americans nearly $300 billion annually in stress related healthcare and missed work. Not to mention the fact that stressed workers are generally 10 percent less productive than their non-stressed counterparts.

Everyone has their own way of healthily dealing with stress, and our team here at SATECH, Inc. is no different. Instead of giving you a list of typical stress relief activities, we thought it would be fun to share some of our staff’s favorite ways to effectively reduce stress in their lives.

Logan Shupp, Production Manager

There are quite a few things I enjoy doing to help reduce stress. It basically boils down to doing something I enjoy. Getting out for a walk with my wife and daughter are great! As a family, we also like to get out and work in the garden, venture down to the river (even if it’s too cold for a swim), get out to go shooting, rock and mineral hunting, and especially get out and camp as the weather improves. Seems like nothing does better than getting out into the woods with you family and friends! Whether we are just sitting around camp enjoying the fire, creek or river, hiking around different areas for day hikes, or just enjoying the time away from the hustle and bustle and spending time with the people you care about.

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Suzanne Gainey, Online Marketing Manager

My favorite way to reduce stress is to practice Tang Soo Do at a local Martial Arts studio.  As an added bonus, this is also a fun family activity, as we participate in classes as a family with our 10 & 13-year-old daughters.  Tang Soo Do relaxes my mind and body after long hours in front of a computer and helps me reduce stress.

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Jerry Hastings, National Transportation Account Manager

To reduce my stress, I travel on weekends with my 5th wheel.

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Bryce Betteridge, President of SATECH, Inc.

My preferred way to relieve stress is to run/jog and use my SmartCells insoles.  Also, I love to be out in the yard working on landscaping stuff.

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John Macartney, Market Segment Manager

20 minutes on my Everlast body bag. Nearly kills me but the stress melts away.

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Ashley Morris, Admin Manager

When I am stressed or have had a long day I make it a point to put on my headphones, get outside, and go for a run. Something about the music, fresh air, and endorphins can turn my whole mood around.

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Chad Lindstrom, VP of Marketing

For me, a couple of things relieve my stress the best: listening to some good music and breaking a good sweat! I enjoy racquetball and squash in my SmartCells insoles, where I can get the heart rate up and smack the ball – does wonders for any stress! If I can’t get to the gym, then pulling out my guitar or putting on my headphones and jamming is another great stress-melter. You have to maintain some balance to keep life happy and feeling good.

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**Bonus Stress Relief Tip: Use SmartCells**

Over 50% of Americans regularly experience fatigue as a side effect of stress. The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue.

SATECH’s anti-fatigue products are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any room in the house. Our line anti-fatigue mats come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

SmartCells: I feel good!

Despite its convenience and the variety of options, a recent survey found that most people would rather cook their meals at home instead of eating at a restaurant. The survey conducted by ReportLinker found that 98% of Americans prefer to cook at home.

Even though it may be healthier and more cost-efficient, cooking your own meals does have a few downsides including spending extended periods of time on your feet in the kitchen and doing the dishes. Although we can’t do the dishes for you, SmartCells advanced cushioning technology can keep you comfortable while you cook and clean.

If you can’t tell, we love our products and truly believe they help people feel good. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what Gary and Mary had to say about their experience using SmartCells mats in their kitchen:

“We’ve had our SmartCells mats for over a month now, and we are very pleased with the mats and with the customer service we received from SATECH. The mats get a lot of use in our small kitchen area. We prefer home-cooked food to restaurant options, so we spend a lot of time standing on the mats while we prep and cook delicious meals. The SmartCells anti-fatigue technology has made a big difference–no more sore backs after long cooking projects!

The mat in front of the refrigerator has already kept us from breaking several dropped jars, which has saved money, cleanup time, and cut fingers.  I also use a SmartCells Octagonal mat in front of the standing workstation I improvised on the shelf of a tall bookcase. The small mat provides big comfort when I am working, and it easily slides out of the way when not in use.

We selected standard black mats because we knew our four large dogs would walk on them and lay on them all the time. It’s easy to clean the SmartCells mats. Unlike other rugs and mats we have tried over the years, the talon-like toenails of our two Weimaraners do not catch on or unravel our SmartCells mats.

Thank you.”

SmartCells In the Kitchen

Built with industrial quality, SmartCells anti-fatigue mats combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in kitchen. The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue.

With an industry-leading 8-year warranty, SmartCells anti-fatigue mats are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

Whether you work in an office, retail or warehouse environment, chances are you have experienced musculoskeletal pain on the job. In retail and warehouse settings, workers generally experience pain and loss of productivity due to pain associated with prolonged standing. In the office, workers often experience musculoskeletal pain due to prolonged sitting. To combat this, a new trend in offices is to utilize a standing desk. However, while standing desks relieve pain from sitting, users now experience discomfort from standing for prolonged periods of time.

Furthermore, the loss of productivity and financial burdens brought on by musculoskeletal pain can be debilitating. According to data collected by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the direct cost of a musculoskeletal claim is $5,625. Based on projections made by Liberty Mutual the total cost (indirect and direct) for a claim can rise to $33,750.

When you take into consideration how fast losses accrue when dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, a quality anti-fatigue mat quickly becomes an investment rather than an expense.

Based on research conducted by the SmartCells Anti-fatigue product team, to find the best anti-fatigue solution, one must ask themselves 9 essential questions. In this article, we explore the third essential question:

Does the surface resist bottoming out?

Many anti-fatigue mats on the market today are made of foam that feels soft and squishy when very little pressure is applied. Since foam breaks down and compresses easily, it can bottom out, rendering it ineffective as an anti-fatigue intervention. To counter this, many foam mats are marketed as the “thickest”, the “plushest” or the “most buoyant”, as they get thicker and thicker. The downside is that the thicker they get, the less stable they are, much like standing on a mattress. This increases fatigue from standing as well as increases the risk of injuries and tripping hazards.

Our research team has found that mats tend to bottom out if there is an imbalance between compressibility and height. A mat that is overly soft acts like it bottoms out as the material compresses too easily. In addition, a mat that is not thick enough may bottom out even if it has the right compressibility. This balance between thickness and compressibility is often referred to as ‘densification strain’. As a rule of thumb, if a material compresses more than 50% of its thickness, it tends to act as though it is bottomed out.

A standing surface that has been optimized to reduce fatigue and injuries and increase productivity will have critical elements that work in collaboration with each other such as compressibility but not too soft, support that allows stability and instability and a low-profile height that will not allow bottoming out.

Through years of careful development based on valid third-party research, the unique SmartCells™ cushioning technology has been ergonomically engineered to resist bottoming out without being too soft while providing an optimized balance of stability and instability.

This advanced cushioning technology consists of a rubber surface layer integrated with an underlying array of cylindrical rubber cells that soften in response to surface pressure to provide maximum fatigue relief.

SmartCells™ Cushioning Technology: It’s not how the mat feels, it’s how YOU feel.

Increase productivity and avoid painful, fatigue-related distractions with SmartCells® Anti-Fatigue Pharmacy floor mats, runners, flooring and insoles.

Our flooring solutions are ideal for standing pharmacists and come in sterile and non-sterile options for various work environments and settings. SmartCells dynamically respond to body movements which help to reduce fatigue and aches caused by prolonged hours of standing.

Manufactured from durable rubber, SmartCells® mats, flooring and insoles consist of a matrix of hollow cylinders that function like springs when compressed, offer secure, stable footing and a unique energizing responsiveness not found in other anti-fatigue products.

Learn more about pharmacist products today at: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/anti-fatigue/pharmacy-lab/

Did you know that volleyball players must limit their jumps to prevent impact injuries?

At SmartCells we like to create solutions. Our volleyball training mats protect players from impact injuries, which allows for longer practice sessions and adds years to their career. Many top NCAA university volleyball teams train on SmartCells performance mats, and here’s what they had to say about using them:

“I wish I was using these mats my entire career.” –Coach

“You can’t put a price on the health and safety of our athletes.” –Coach

You can learn more about SmartCells Volleyball mats, flooring and insoles here: https://www.smartcellsusa.com/training-therapy-solutions/volleyball/.