Arlington, Virginia Travel Guide

For most, Arlington Virginia brings to mind historic treasures like the Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, and the Marine Corps War Memorial. Arlington is also known for its unrivaled views of the nation’s capital just across the Potomac River. Originally part of the District of Columbia, today’s Arlington is a vibrant urban destination packed with its own exciting local flavor. Just minutes from Washington, Arlington’s lively neighborhoods including Crystal City, Roslyn, Ballston, Pentagon city, Clarendon, and Shirlington offer visitors countless choices.

In Arlington, you will find a unique combination of National History, local culture, and unexpected fun. The more than 40 hotels offer convenience and affordable options ranging from luxurious boutique properties to major meeting and convention venues. And wherever you stay, you will be within easy reach of first-class shopping, diverse dining, and an eclectic local arts and entertainment scene. From favorite brands to funky boutiques, major malls to charming Main Street shots, Arlington’s hundreds of stores have something to satisfy every taste.

One of the must-see attractions in Arlington is the National Cemetery especially if you are a fan of patriotism and history. As the final resting place to over 400,000 American servicemen, this cemetery hosts memorial events and regular graveside services and has more than 600 acres to explore.

When it comes time to dine, you can savor an amazing array of international cuisines or enjoy classic American flavor. And when the sun goes down the curtain goes up in this city. Dubbed a hotbed of cultural abandon by the Washington Post, Arlington has Tony award-winning theater, nationally recognized dance companies, and cool live music venues. Whether or not you take in a show, lively pubs, lounges, and sports bars abound.

Even with all there is to see and do in Arlington, you are just minutes from the nation’s capital and all its attractions. From Arlington’s 11 metro stations, it’s a quick ride to the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, Georgetown, and much more. Named one of America’s most walkable communities, Arlington is as easy to get around as it is to get to.

Home to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with easy access to Dulles in Baltimore, and Washington International Airports, Arlington also has an abundance of environmentally-friendly public and private transportation. Once you are here, the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service wants to make sure you have the ultimate DC Arlington experience. Come to Arlington soon and experience national history and local flavor near the nation’s capital.

 

 

 

The Best Adjustable Weight Benches

It’s sport season, and you want to get that body of yours looking like your favorite football, basketball, or hockey player. You don’t have time for the gym, or you are not into all of that frontin and flossin. Or, to be perfectly honest, your body is not “gym ready.”

I have got the perfect answer for you: a weight bench. Whether you want to tone your arms, abs, or a whole body workout, this is the item for you. The great thing about adjustable benches is you don’t need multiple benches. You can decline, flat, and incline with a quickness. Regardless of what level or type of exercise you are in the mood for, you can get it all done with this one piece of equipment. My only word of advice – if you live in Sherwood Park, make sure you get Sherwood Park Carpet Cleaning on standby to come in and clean up all the sweat that will surely be left on your carpet.

If you are wondering about which adjustable weight benches are the best, we have done all the work for you (you’re welcome). I have put together this really cool review to get you the information you need to get that six-pack…or as close to it as you’re going to get.

XMark FID Weight Bench

If you are one of those people who like to workout for two or three hours straight (go on, with your bad self), the XMark FID (XM-7604 ) is the ideal product for you. This adjustable weight bench boasts to having an ultra-thick 3” bench cushion that keeps your cushion nice and comfortable.

Also, if you get a little cray-cray with your workout, the bench is tear-resistant, thanks to the durable Duraguard vinyl. The weight capacity for this item is 1,500 lbs. The metal frame is protected by a scratch-resistant coating. We did notice that this weight bench is not as small and compact as the others in our review, which is something to consider if you are concerned about space.

So when you have someone over that you are trying to impress, your equipment (the weight bench….get your mind out of the gutter) won’t look tore up from the floor up. To keep your knees and feet comfortable while getting your exercise groove on, the rollers are oversized, vinyl-covered, and cushioned.

Ironmaster Super Bench Adjustable Weight-Lifting Bench

The first thing I noticed about the Ironmaster Super Bench Adjustable Weight-Lifting Bench is that it doesn’t look as comfortable as the previous one. Priced a little bit lower, this product also lets you change into one of 11 positions swiftly, like flat to incline. If you are into working out with your dumbells, you might want to consider this one.

A nice feature of this adjustable weight bench is that there are attachments available to give your workout more resistance. Moreover, the height of the seat can be changed to make you more comfortable, whether you are 5’6” or 6’5”.

You don’t have to worry about the seat moving around while you are working out, thanks to the adjustable ring that locks your position into place. Heavy duty padding gets you exercising in comfort. How great is that?

Into the Outdoors? Don’t Forget the Cooler!

I love camping, and it isn’t just the idea of camping, but I am really into outdoor activities, like whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. But whenever I am outside, I always bring a cooler with me filled with energy food and drinks, as well as plenty of water. The thing about it is that you need a good cooler if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Also it is good to note and not find out the hard way like I did early on, if you plan on camping or whatever in an remote area, you definitely need a cooler that will hold everything you need.

What are Camping Coolers?

If you are only camping for a day or two, save money and get the small one. Even you buy a small one, you need to make sure that it can stand up to any type of weather (snow, rain, wind). In addition, you want to look for a one that is portable, and if you are camping by yourself, you can move it around easily.

Remember when shopping for a cooler:

  • A small one is ideal if you are going on a camping trip by yourself for one or two days.
  • A medium one is if you are going on a camping trip by yourself for three to four days. If you are bringing one other person along, go with this one.
  • A large one is the one for the family outdoor adventure.

A camping cooler that costs a little more might seem expensive, but if you plan on going camping for more than two weeks, I would suggest you go ahead and spend the money on a top-quality cooler.  Believe me when I say that you would rather spend the money now and not have to wait until you are out on the terrain and your cooler breaks. So, let me repeat: buy quality now.

You can thank me later.

Protecting Your Shoes Against the Elements

I don’t know about other men, but I invest in good quality footwear, and I want to keep my shoes looking good for a long time. So, I buy good shoe care products as well.

A stylish and elegant pair of leather shoes is the foundation of every man’s wardrobe, making any outfit look smart. When you spend a nice amount of money on a pair of shoes, you want a return on your investment. That said, it is imperative to take care of your shoes if you want them to retain their shape and remain sharp-looking for many years.

Why it is Necessary

It is necessary to remove dirt, mud, and stains immediately, which prevents them from settling into your shoes.   The truth of the matter is leather absorbs water. As with anything made of substance, your shoes need to be treated with care.

Mink Oil Protector for Shoes

For your natural or synthetic leather shoes, there isn’t a better product than mink oil protector. It not only protects your shoes, it delivers an incredible shine. There are other benefits to using this item, such as:

  • It repels the water
  • It moisturizes the leather
  • It conditions and preserves the leather

How to Use Mink Oil Protector

  • Clean your shoes thoroughly, removing all the dirt and stains
  • Allow them to completely dry for at least four hours
  • With the provided sponge, rub the mink oil gently until the sponge is absorbed
  • In a gentle circular motion, apply the mink oil until the leather feels smooth and gives a bit of a shine
  • Apply the mink oil on a regular basis

If you invest in a pair of great shoes, you want them to last for a long time. The key to protecting your shoes against adverse weather is to keep them clean them on a regular basis, as well as apply products that serve as protection. Don’t wait until they get rain soaked or dirt stains to act. Simply put, waterproofing your shoes saves you money and gives you years of wear, keeping you sharply dressed for any occasion.

Buying Home Gym Flooring: What You Need to Know

For men, what home gym would be complete without a good, high-quality floor mat? Whether you love to do 200 stomach crunches every morning (seriously?), or you are into yoga (flexibility is very important….we’ll leave it at that), a mat to protect you and your floor is a necessity. You want one that is thick, comfortable, and will not slide from one side of the room to the other.

A good gym mat also protects your exercise equipment. You have paid all that money for a weight bench or elliptical trainer. You make one wrong move, not focusing on your workout, and you roll right off the machine (we aren’t laughing…we promise we aren’t). To save yourself from injury, you need a mat.

If you want information on which ones are the best, lucky for you, here is a review of the top home gym flooring. Curious? Then you should read on. You’ll thank me later.

XMark Fitness XMat Ultra Thick Gym Flooring

Right off, what we loved about the XMark Fitness XMat Ultra Thick Gym Flooring is that it possesses .5-inches of thickness. With the length being six feet and the width being four feet, you have more than enough room to put this gym mat under any type of home exercise equipment.

The bottom contains non-skid material, so this baby isn’t going anywhere once you place it on your floor. If you are looking for gym flooring that is heavy, strong, and thick, look no further than XMark Fitness XMat Ultra Thick Gym Flooring.

IncStores ¼”Tough Rubber Roll (4’ x 10’)

If you like your home décor to match, you will be happy to know that the IncStores ¼” Tough Rubber Roll comes in black with specks in stylish colors, like blue, green, tan, and red. Unlike the previous one, the length is 10 feet long. You’ve got plenty of room to do whatever you feel like it. This baby is portable and easy to clean, thanks to high-quality rubber.

We need to let you know that these gym flooring mats aren’t lightweight. For instance, this mat weights 60 lbs. Additionally, unlike the previous one, there is no non-skid material on the bottom. Therefore, you will have to use double-sided carpet tape to keep this bad boy in place.

If you want to set up your home gym in your garage or on your back patio, this mat works outside as well as inside. When you need to trim it, just pull out your utility knife and get to trimming. It really is a simple piece of equipment that does so much. If you are looking for gym flooring that is eco-friendly? Good, because this gym flooring is made from recyclable rubber.

Tactical Folding Knife

I have been thinking about getting myself one of those tactical folding knives. Not only is it cool (well, to me), but it is for protection as well. When I told my mother about getting one, she told me to tell her what I find out because she wants one too (go figure). Well, here’s what I learned.

Tactical Folding Knife

A tactical folding knife is one that has a good blade and stability.

What is a Tactical Folding Knife?

Outfitted with army features, a tactical folding knife is utilized in severe circumstances. This contradicts that the basic function of a tactical folding blade is as a utility tool. This theory is supported by a variety of military experts who agree that needing  to “unfold” a knife makes it less valuable in a battle than a fixed-blade.

While tactical folding blades are not developed as tools, several military organizations have provided them to soldiers since they have tactical features that are useful. On the other hand, tactical folding knives are rarely developed as combat blades. This isn’t to say you cannot utilize it if you ever feel threatened. Tactical folding knives are made for adaptability.

How is it Utilized?

Tactical folding blades are generally used by civilians and the armed forces as a general utility knife. Besides such tasks as cutting rope, tactical folding blades are used for cutting bands, harnesses, and rigging. For example, if you are planning an outdoor camping trip, you may want to take into consideration buying a tactical folding knife.

For everyday individuals, tactical folding knives are not just great as an utility knife, but for protection because they are compact and can go into a pocket or handbag. Many tactical folding knives are easy-to-use and could be open with one hand. Whether for personal or business use, you might want to consider getting one.