Top 7 Fitness Myths

Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your knees than running on pavement.
No matter what surface you run on, stress is put on your knees in the same way. The best way to reduce knee impact is to just varying your workout! Mix up your running with an elliptical machine or bike.

Low-intensity exercise burns more fat.
Low-intensity exercises are less stressful on joints, but they burn less fat than high-intensity exercises. The myth is based on the idea that if you exercise too hard, you end up burning carbohydrates instead of fat. There is some truth to that statement because the more intensely you exercise, the higher proportion of carbs you burn. You may burn less fat, but the total amount of calories burned is higher. Isn't that the end goal?

Drinking protein shakes is the best post-workout food.
Protein shakes, powders and bars are good but they're not always the best way to build muscle. If you have time, make a turkey sandwich, or eat some Greek yogurt after a workout. Your body will appreciate less-processed options. It’s better to get a wide array of nutrients, rather than protein only.

 No pain, no gain.

You should never workout so intensely that you think of passing out, or there is a high risk for injury or burnout. Alice Burron, a spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise said, “You want to exercise smarter, not harder. That’s the premise. You don’t have to kill yourself. You just have to be smart about it."

Typical stretching will help prevent injuries.
It's important to dynamically stretch. Movements such as swinging your arms, high knee jogs and walking lunges can all help loosen up your muscles.

Lifting weights will make women look bulky.
When if comes to bulking up, testosterone is key! Men have 20 to 30 times more testosterone than women, which is why men are generally bulkier. Strength training will help women lose weight faster by burning more calories. 

A post-workout hot bath helps prevent muscle soreness.
Colder temperatures are better! Cold temperatures constrict vessels, limiting the amount of lactic acid buildup.

The Neon Vibe in Jacksonville, FL!

On Saturday March 8, 2014, the Neon Vibe made their first showing in Jacksonville, Florida...and what an event it was! The people of Jacksonville packed thousands in the Metropolitan Park just outside downtown. Not only did they show up in droves, they brought energy and excitement. The people of Jacksonville really know how to bring the party!

The Neon Vibe crew arrived in Jacksonville a few days before the run. Preparations for a run of this magnitude is not always easy, but the City of Jacksonville was very helpful. We want to give a special shout out to Laurie Mills, the Special Events Permit Coordinator and Frank Buffolino, the Metro Park Operation Supervisor, and their crews for their help in making our event a success. They were all very professional and their beautiful facilities made our event a hit. Events this large involve many people being in the right place at the right time. The City of Jacksonville and its employees did a great job preparing and organizing their staff.

The Friday before the run, we held our packet pickup at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott off Butler Ave. Thanks to the Sales Manager Jayne and her staff for taking great care of us. Most of the runners showed up to pick up their t-shirts, color packs, and to buy extra glow swag. We have several new merchandise products in the works so be sure to stay tuned!

At each event we work closely with our charity affiliate, the Children's Miracle Network. They help with the marketing of our event and in exchange receive portion of the proceeds. In the Jacksonville market the hospitals represented by CMN are Wolfson Children's Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville. We want to give a special thanks to Kerri Clark, the CMN director , and her staff for all their help at packet pickup and the day of the event. The hospitals helped advertise for the Neon Vibe and invited volunteers to participate. They also invited the miracle families in Jacksonville to be a part of glow zone 2. We were happy to have these special families be a part of our run; it was great to see them doused in color and and throwing out color to the participants from the stage. Thanks for making it out, and we're glad you had a great time!

The day of the run was organized chaos. We arrived early in the morning to set up lighting, push metal barricades and prepare the park for what is the most florescent and color-filled 5K in the country. We had a very hard-working crew in Jacksonville and finished preparations just before the event began. We worked very closely with Captain Jordan from the Jacksonville Fire Department, and Sergeant Grant and Officer Hancock from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, to shut down roads and keep the area safe for the runners. The after party was a hit! DJ Styles of Styles Entertainment did a great job with the music and Emcee-ing the event. He got the crowd rocking and the color was everywhere.

We want to give a special thanks to all the participants! We couldn't have had an event at all without your support. Thank you for coming out, getting involved, and showing the Neon Vibe a little Southern love! Jacksonville is a beautiful city with wonderful people. We loved Jacksonville and     cannot wait to make it back!