Problem: Article: If you notice that your handle has splits or cracks in the wood after battle, repairing before your next re-enactment. You can add wooden stays or leather straps bolted in place to repair the damage if the area is small enough. Cut wooden slats or thick leather strips a couple of inches wide by a couple of inches long (or however long you need to secure it on both sides of the crack). Bolt these in place on either end. It is important to have a secure handle so that you don't lose hold of your shield during battle. If your handle breaks, you can either grab the shield with both hands (which means putting down your weapon), or put down the shield (which means exposing you to oncoming attacks). Be sure that the handle is on securely before going in to battle. Replace a damaged, split, or frayed leather strap or handle at first sign of wear. Don't wait for it to fall off completely before repairing. Dents and dings in your shield add character and make your shield seem more realistic. If you hate having dents in your shield, you can use sandpaper to try to buff them out. You will need to repaint that area. If your shield is split in half during re-enactments or battle, you will need to build a new one. This time, try making a more advanced shield; you've already practiced once!
Summary: Reinforce splits in the wood. Repair broken handles. Leave dents alone. Build a new shield.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you join a gym that is far away from home, the long commute could potentially stop you from enjoying your workout. You should avoid getting stuck in traffic or enduring long commute on public transportation by finding a gym that is within a reasonable distance from your house. You can find gyms close to you through any online search engine. If possible, join a gym that you can walk or bike to. This will enhance your workout by getting some cardio in beforehand. Scrambling around to find your gear is no fun and could take away from the time you've set aside for your daily workout. Instead, keep your gear in a set location, such as in your gym bag. Pick a designated spot for your gym bag so that it's easy to grab it on your way out of the house. Keep your shoes, gym pass, mat, music, and headphones in your bag. Switch out your clothes and water bottle each day. If you listen to music or podcasts on your phone, then you don't need to keep it in your gym bag. If you are looking for motivation during a workout, load your music player with inspirational, fast-paced music that will keep going when you are tired. Download a podcast or audio book if you are looking for something to take your mind off your workout entirely. Both techniques will make time go by faster and will allow you to enjoy your workout more. If you have the budget, purchase sound canceling headphones. These will eliminate outside noise, keeping you truly focused and free from distractions while you exercise. If you are bored of your typical workout routine, it will be difficult to be motivated and get the most out of your time at the gym. Before taking on a new workout, though, do your research and understand the proper form to avoid injury. If you are used to running on the treadmill, try switching to an elliptical machine for a new challenge. If you enjoy lifting weights but can't find a new workout routine, ask a gym employee to show you something new or book a lesson with a private trainer. As important as it is to find a balanced routine, it is also important to mix up your routine as often as possible. By mixing up your routine you will keep your body guessing and keep plateaus to a minimum. Try changing up your routine every couple weeks, and interchange different work out regimens within each new routine. Listening to your body and not overtraining is an important part of enjoying your workout and staying healthy. Overtraining can seriously damage your body and could become a serious reason why someone would resent going to the gym. Taking a week off after 8 to 10 weeks of training or taking two days out of your week to rest will ensure that you do not get burnt out. Overtraining can result in a series of physical and mental health problems, including pain in the muscles and joints, feeling drained and irritable, and more frequent injuries. Proper nutrition is a key factor in enjoying yourself at the gym. If you do not eat properly, you will not have the energy to complete your workout and your chances of seeing progress will decrease significantly. It is important to eat well before your workout, and eating properly throughout the rest of your day is equally as vital. Fueling your body with carbs and protein before your workout will give you the energy to push yourself and feel accomplished while at the gym. Hydrating and consuming protein after a workout will help your body heal properly as well as helping you see the results you are looking for in the long run. By finding some kind of role model, whether it be someone who exercises consistently and posts their gym routines online or a famous body builder like Arnold Schwarzenegger, you can stay motivated outside of the gym. There are a ton of Instagram accounts online with people posting their progress and daily workouts. Looking up to these hard-working people will help you stay motivated. Once you find a routine and start to attend the gym regularly, reward yourself with something special. Get a massage, try a new hairstyle, or buy a new swimsuit so you can show off your progress. Treating yourself to something nice will keep the motivation flowing and make the hard days at the gym more enjoyable.

SUMMARY: Join a gym close to your home. Be prepared for your daily workout. Listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook. Find an exercise routine you really enjoy. Do not let your routine grow stale. Take as much time off as you need. Eat a proper, healthy diet outside of the gym. Find inspiration through other hard-working gym-goers. Reward yourself after working hard.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Check on your hat within the first hour to make sure the grime is disappearing. Repeat the spot cleaning procedure if you notice any stains that haven't subsided during the soaking process, then let it continue to soak for the remainder of those 2 hours. If you're in a rush, you can shorten your hat's soaking time to about a half hour. Leaving extra soap in your hat could lead to residue and stiffness, both of which will hurt the hat's quality. Rinse the hat off thoroughly under running water until all of the soap is gone. Extra water will make it harder for your hat to dry evenly and completely. Rub the hat dry with a soft towel, and give extra attention to the wettest areas. Dry off the hat with the towel until any dripping has subsided. You can use a mannequin, container of oatmeal, or any object that is tall and round. The idea is to help your hat keep its shape as it dries so it will easily fit on your head later. Roll a soft towel into a ball and stuff it inside your hat to help it keep its shape. This is especially useful for hats that have gone limp after washing, or if you do not have a container on hand to rest your hat on as it dries. The towel will catch any dripping, since you won't be able to get rid of all drippage by toweling the hat off. It may take a few hours for your hat to dry completely. Plug in a blow dryer and turn it on your hat on the lowest/coolest possible setting. This will hasten the drying process if you're short on time. If you don't have a blow dryer on hand, a fan is just as effective. Plug in a pedestal fan and aim the head down at your hat. The air flow will help your hat to dry faster.
Summary:
Soak the hat in the sink for 2 hours. Wash the hat off under a warm faucet. Dab away any excess water with a soft towel. Place your hat on top of a round container. Air dry your hat with a towel placed underneath its container.