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« Back to blog main page Michael Nystrom

Michael Nystrom

Michael Nystrom is a Los Angeles-based fitness writer, two-time IRONMAN triathlon finisher and breakfast burrito connoisseur. When not swimming, cycling or running (or writing about swimming, cycling or running), he’s catching some waves or chasing his dog, Dingo.

Related posts

MTB riders

Mountain Biking Tips: Overcoming Fear And Other Challenges

What’s triathlete Sebastian Kienle got to do with mountain biking? Read on to find out and check out his mountain biking tips for triathletes and runners.
Running Cross-Training Cycling

How To Start Mountain Biking – And Why Would You?

Mountain biking is a fun and challenging form of cross-training for runners. Read on to learn more about how to start mountain biking.

Running Cross-Training Cycling

A Simple Home Workout Routine For All Fitness Levels

This simple 20-30-minute home workout routine will elevate your heart rate while lowering your stress levels and producing feel-good hormones.
Workout At-Home Workouts Videos
Doing guided breathing exercises

How To Use Breathing To Reduce Stress and Boost Recovery

Breathing comes with many benefits, but only if done “right”. Here’s what kind of breathing is optimal for relieving stress and boosting recovery.

Sleep and Recovery Recovery From Exercise Stress Relief
Trail running training - trail runner outdoors

Low-Key Trail Running Training WIth Ultrarunner David Kilgore

Here’s ultrarunner David Kilgore’s ‘secret sauce’ to trail running training. His approach is all about enjoying the process.
Running Trail Running
Outdoor cross-training

3 Popular Outdoor Sports For Cross-Training

Three popular outdoor sports — hiking, trail running and mountain biking — unpacked with the benefits, problems and how they complement each other.
Running Cross-Training Trail Running

The Ins and Outs of Mobility Training

Here’s why everyone needs mobility training to keep movin’ and groovin’ and how you can improve your mobility with varied activities and exercises.
Workout Cross-Training
Champions of Kona – Battle to Podium at 2019 Ironman World Championship

Champions Of Kona – Battle To Podium at 2019 IRONMAN World Championship

Here’s how Sebastian Kienle and Lucy Charles-Barclay made their way around the iconic 140.6-mile course all the way to the podium at the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship.

Polar News Polar Athletes
ways to prevent stress

4 Ways To Prevent Stress Affecting Sports Performance

Here are four key ways pro triathlete Patrik Nilsson has found helpul in preventing stress getting in the way of his sports performance.

Sleep and Recovery Stress Relief
how to prepare for race day

How To Prepare For Race Day – Case: 2019 IRONMAN World Championship With Sebastian Kienle

Polar Athlete Sebastian Kienle discusses his preparation for the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship. Read on to find out what he’s changed during the season.

Polar News Polar Athletes

Ironman Kona Pre-race Vibes With Bart Aernouts, the Not-so-underdog Underdog

“Everybody else is playing checkers out there, and he’s playing chess.” That’s a description of Bart Aernouts, who is recovered and ready to make his move…

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Recovery Before Race – IRONMAN Record Smasher’s Recipe For Recovery

As the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship looms just around the corner, Polar Athlete Tim Don shares some his special “sauce” for recovery before race.
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Running with HR

Low Heart Rate Training – Why Running With Low HR Works

Learn it from pros who prefer low heart rate training over high-intensity workouts and tell us why and how they do most of their training in HR zone 2.
Running
how to prevent running injuries

How to Prevent Running Injuries – Pro Triathlete Kaisa Sali Shares Her Experience

“Do as I say, not what I did” and other pro tips on how to prevent running injuries from triathlete Kaisa Sali.
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A swimming workout

Recovery After Workout – The IRONMAN Champion Style

Recovery after workout is key if you want to see results. Here’s how to recover like a champion with tips from IRONMAN Lucy Charles-Barclay.

Sleep and Recovery Recovery From Exercise

Pro Secrets For Triathlon Swim From IRONMAN Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay

Pro triathlete Lucy Charles-Barclay, whose dedication and raw talent are beyond compare, shares her tips for the triathlon swim and how to prepare for race day.
Polar News Polar Athletes Strong Women Swimming
Pro triathlete Kienle on the bike

Pro Secrets For The Triathlon Bike Leg From IRONMAN World Champion Sebastian Kienle

IRONMAN World Champion, uber-biker Sebastian Kienle shares his bike training rituals and his #1 secret for the triathlon bike leg on race day.

Polar News Polar Athletes
Exerciser checking sleep data

The Doctor Prescribes: Sleep And Exercise – Here’s Why And How Much

Long story short, counting sheep should be prescribed daily on every athlete’s and exerciser’s training calendar. Here are Dr. Meeta Singh’s go-to tips to improve your sleep.

Sleep and Recovery Sleep
Swimming workout - 9 Freestyle Swimming Tips to Save Energy

9 Freestyle Swimming Tips to Save Energy

Coach Greg Mueller provides actionable tips for freestyle swimming for both pool and open water with sample drills and workouts.
Workout Swimming

Dawn Patrol: Here’s How To Enjoy Running In The Morning

Let’s face it, not all runners are early risers, but here’s pro triathlete Jocelyn McCauley’s tips on how you can learn to enjoy running in the morning.
Running

How To Combine Strength Training With Running Workouts

Endurance expert Alex Hutchinson shares his thoughts on combining strength training and running workouts to build a more well-rounded training plan.
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freestyle swimming technique

Polish Your Freestyle Swimming Technique – Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes

Coach Sandy Ziya unpacks five of the most common freestyle swimming mistakes and provides quick-and-dirty tips on how to improve your freestyle swimming technique.

Workout Swimming
Running training on the stairs

The Dos And Don’ts Of Stair Workouts For Runners

If you’re looking to vary your training, here are two stair workouts for runners you can integrate into your training routine right now.
Running

Are You Over-Exercising? How To Avoid The “Too Much Of A Good Thing” Situation

You know the feeling when you want to work out, but just can’t? Here’s how you can strike a balance between motivation and results.
Workout

Why Your Go-To Core Exercises Don’t Work

Obstacle course racer, CrossFit athlete Christian Jonsson explains how to break the monotony of sit-ups and crunches with effective core exercises.

Workout Strength Training

5 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Stronger

If you practically live at the gym, yet wondering “Why am I not getting stronger?”, here are five reasons that may be hindering your progress.
Workout Strength Training

How Swimming Workouts Can Make You A Better Runner

If you’re a runner, here’s why you should add swimming into your training routine and how to get the most out of your swimming workouts.
Running Cross-Training Swimming
Polar Precision Prime HR technology

How Optical Heart Rate Monitoring Works With Polar Precision Prime™

Here’s how optical heart rate monitoring works and how it compares to other heart rate measurement technology.

Polar News Polar Vantage

The Mental Side of Running: 4 Fundamentals to Reach Your Running Goals

Pro triathlete Tim Don shares four mental elements that will help you build a strong mindset and follow through on your running goals.
Running Motivation Videos

Marathon Recovery – the Hours, Days, and Weeks After the Race

Smart recovery is essential after a marathon or any big race. Follow these tips on how to recover from a race to keep some of the post-race soreness at bay.
Running Sleep and Recovery Marathon Recovery From Exercise
A runner checking running data on running watch

Need Help From A Running Expert? Here’s Why You Probably Do

Need help? Yeah, you do! Here’s how hiring a running expert (coach, PT, physical therapist) can work wonders even for experienced self-taught runners.

Running
Warming up into a run

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Warm-Up Before Running

“What do pros do?” Well, they warm up before running. Here’s why and how pro athlete Will Leer warms up before training and racing.

Running

Should You Stretch Before Running?

Ah, the age-old debate: Should you stretch before running or after your run? Opinions aside, Dr. William Roberts sheds light on when and how runners should stretch.

Running Stretching
Runner training outdoors

How To Build A Running Training Plan

How can you build a running training plan without hiring a coach? Triathlon coach Greg Mueller breaks down how to personalize your plan with helpful tools, resources and metrics.

Running
Runners following their running plan

Ready-Made Or Personalized – What’s The Best Running Plan For You?

A physicist-turned-endurance expert Alex Hutchinson sheds light on how to choose a running plan that matches your needs.
Running Q&A/FAQ

How To Make Your Cardio Workouts More Effective

There’s something about running on the treadmill for an hour that’s not exactly appealing so how to make your cardio workouts not only more effective, but more enjoyable?
Workout Cardio Workouts

Q&A With A Coach: How To Establish A New Fitness Routine

With these insightful tips from Frederik Aegidius, the coach of the ‘Fittest Woman on Earth’, you’ll be sure to create and stick with a new fitness routine.

Workout Q&A/FAQ

Now What? 6 Pro Athletes Share What Happened After Achieving Their Dream

What if you feel empty and directionless after achieving your dream? Read how 6 elite endurance athletes stayed motivated and set new goals after their dream came true.
Workout Motivation

HIIT or Steady-state Cardio – or Both?

To see results, it’s best to mix both steady-state cardio and HIIT. Here’s how obstacle course racer and CrossFit athlete Christian Jonsson combines the two.

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fitness trends 2019

Fitness Trends 2019: Top 10 predictions for the new year

Based on the ACSM’s 2019 fitness trends predictions, HIIT and group training will continue to be popular, but what else does the year 2019 hold for fitness?

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Running on the beach

Chasing a dream: From MS recovery to half marathon finisher

A half marathon always takes some serious training and preparation to complete, but what does it take if you’re diagnosed with a disease like MS?

Running Active Parents Marathon

How to Set Realistic Fitness Goals – According to a Pro

To help you set and hit your fitness goals, CrossFit coach Frederik Aegidius advises how to avoid having your workout plans derailed when life gets in the way.

Workout

Stretching 101: When, What, How?

Stretching isn’t just about flexibility but about posture, symmetry and range of motion. Here’s when, what and how to stretch to have a functional body.
Workout At-Home Workouts Stretching
Tim Don - Workout Motivation

Too Psyched? Is It Possible to Have Too Much Workout Motivation?

Polar athlete Tim Don knows a thing or two about motivation. Here he reveals how he uses performance metrics to limit himself and how he keeps training fresh after all these years as a pro.

Workout Motivation

Why You Need To Do More Than Strength Training

Strength training is key in maintaining a healthy, functional body, but not enough on its own. Here’s why you should balance strength with space in the body.
Workout Strength Training

Get to Know Professional Triathlete Tim Don

Despite facing one of the most horrific accidents in triathlon history, professional triathlete Tim Don, 40, has returned in stride and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Polar News Polar Athletes

Q&A With 2018 Ironman World Championship Runner-up Bart Aernouts

Discussing race strategy and reflecting back on his breakout Ironman World Championship performance with Polar Athlete Bart Aernouts.
Polar News Polar Athletes Q&A/FAQ

Triathlon Q&A With 3x Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae

Polar athlete Mirinda Carfrae answers questions from the Polar community about training three disciplines and balancing triathlon and family life.
Polar News Active Parents Polar Athletes Strong Women Q&A/FAQ

How To Balance Training And Life

Training for an IRONMAN or marathon is a serious time commitment that requires planning, communication and compromises. Here are eight tips to help you navigate the sensitive balance between endurance training and life’s responsibilities.
Running Marathon