Workouts

Darryl Strawberry, critical of the Dodgers' chemistry when the 1991 season ended, praised Executive Vice President Fred Claire for the new mix of veteran and young players as the Dodgers began three-a-week workouts at Dodger Stadium Wednesday. "It's time for the young players to play, to gain experience," Strawberry said of shortstop Jose Offerman, third baseman Dave Hansen, first baseman Erik Karros and catcher Carlos Hernandez.

Before Deborah Bauer of El Toro got married and became a mother, going to the gym was "one of the social structures that kept me going," she says. But since her daughter, Jennifer, was born two years ago, Bauer's workouts have taken on a different meaning. Now the former aerobics instructor exercises solo, and she can't bear the thought of doing it any other way. What with a husband, a daughter and a full-time job in software sales, Bauer says she can manage "one hour--if that--to spend on me."

People who do aerobic exercises in short, intense bursts showed a significant improvement in fitness over people who do long workouts, a new study says. Nonstop workouts are the norm in aerobic dance classes, but the study at the University of Miami Human Performance Laboratory indicates that short rest periods during heavy aerobic exercise are more beneficial than continuous exercise for improving cardiovascular fitness. Dr.

Some UCLA football players and members of the coaching staff were at odds Sunday after bowl game checks meant to help with living expenses were withheld. Some players did not receive checks for failing to attend what they called voluntary workouts during finals week, according to one parent who asked not to be identified because it could affect his son. The workouts were mandatory, plus those players had not turned in their academic exit forms for the quarter, said UCLA spokesman Nick Ammazzalorso, who added that players were told that the checks would be withheld.

UCLA players won't have to go hungry before playing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. UCLA officials relented Sunday evening after Bruins football players expressed anger over living expense checks being withheld from those who had not completed three workouts and turned in an academic exit form during finals week. But some players were clearly still puzzled by the situation Monday. "We've got bills and stuff and we didn't get it so everybody was upset," center Kai Maiava said.

Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski, saying his team's pursuit of a Super Bowl appearance is too great to resist, has withdrawn from his June 4 undercard boxing match at Staples Center to return to workouts with teammates in Baltimore. Zbikowski was 3-0 in his return to professional boxing this spring. His novel pursuit of the sweet science during the NFL's lockout made him an attractive draw to both a March card in Las Vegas headlined by super-welterweight world champion Miguel Cotto, and to the June 4 HBO date pitting WBC middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik of Germany against Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Zbikowski (4-0, three knockouts)

The NBA isn't officially ready for business, but its doors will open soon. Beginning Thursday, players can use team training facilities for voluntary workouts, according to a league memo to team officials. The facilities will be open to all players who are currently in the NBA, including free agents and players who were selected in the amateur draft last June. Players may use any team's practice facility, but coaches and front-office officials can't be present for workouts.

Reporting from Green Bay -- The NFL opener between New Orleans and Green Bay on Thursday pits not only the past two Super Bowl champions but also two elite quarterbacks — the Saints' Drew Brees and the Packers' Aaron Rodgers — who took vastly different approaches to this unusual off-season. Whereas Brees staged six weeks of player-run workouts at Tulane University — even dipping into his own pocket to help pay for trainers, insurance and accommodations for teammates who needed them — Rodgers opted for a no-huddle offense.

(Editor's note: Writer Mary MacVean tried out trainer Jackie Warner's diet plan from her new book “10 Pounds in 10 Days.” Here's her experience. Read about her previous days too.) Day 9 Jackie Warner writes that the cardio workouts many people do are not as effective as they might be. She cites “one hour-plus treadmill runs.” Oh, dear. I'm a runner, and I run an hour at a time, four days a week. Maybe that's why I can't lose those last 10 or 12 pounds, I think.

Of all of the muscles in the body, the ones in the midsection get an outsized share of attention. They even have their own brand name: "the core. " As in core workouts, core training and core strength. The core is a hot commodity right now because it supports some of the fundamental ideals of our culture: athletic ability, attractiveness and, not least, our birthright as Americans to spend a lot of money on exercise DVDs and workout machines. The core has also become a focal point for baby boomers hoping to hold on to their strength and flexibility.