Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

Debunking 4 Persistent Cardio Myths

Sunday, April 22nd, 2018

When it comes to cardio, there’s one thing no one can deny: cardio is the ideal stress relief after a hard day of work and stress. Whether you prefer riding the stationary bike or running on the treadmill, cardio can make all your worries go away, at least for some time.

Cardio workout

Cardio is also great for your heart, which is how it got its name in the first place. But the reason people most frequently turn to cardio is to burn those pesky calories and excess weight. And while most of the benefits of cardio exercise cannot be denied, there are a lot of myths and false truths that if you believe too blindly might lead to disappointment in the end.

The thing is, there are a variety of different classes and exercises you can enroll in at your local gym, and the best one is usually the one that makes you feel most comfortable. That said, even if you enjoy doing cardio the most, you need to know the truth about these 5 persistent myths if nothing just to adjust your expectations accordingly. (more…)

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The Importance of Balancing Workouts with Periods of Rest

Monday, April 16th, 2018

rest and recovery
It’s been a long cold winter and you’ve noticed you’ve gained a few inches, all in the wrong places. When the days are warm and sunny you’re out there running daily, hitting the gym and going to extremes trying to compensate for those lazy days where you didn’t feel like braving the cold.

Even a trip to the gym in below freezing temperatures keeps you indoors and unfortunately, overdoing it to compensate could be (and probably is) doing more harm than good. Here is some of what you need to know about the importance of periods of rest between workouts – strenuous exercise of any kind.
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How to Maintain Your Motivation for Workouts

Sunday, April 15th, 2018

People decide to hit the gym for various reasons. The majority do it to keep fit and healthy, others try to lose weight, and others for personal reasons which include health reasons. After you set your goals, such as aiming to shed a specific number of pounds of weight or achieving certain levels of body strength, you may feel highly motivated, but the motivation may be short-lived. To achieve your goals, you must be consistent doing workouts and check your diet. 

Motivation

Getting yourself to the gym or your working-out place is the most difficult part of exercising. So, what is the secret to get yourself motivated to go for the workout?

The following are some steps to keep your motivation alive: (more…)

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What are the Real Benefits of Nugenix?

Sunday, April 8th, 2018

Nugenix is a supplement that boosts testosterone production, increases muscle mass, and improves sexual stamina in males including libido and sexual desire, performance, and confidence. It has also been reported to improve energy levels thereby enhancing the quality and length of exercise, improve endurance and increase the ability to exercise for longer periods of time.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone (more…)

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Lesser Known Benefits of Weight Lifting

Friday, April 6th, 2018

Crossfit girlWeightlifting requires an exceptional amount of motivation, endurance, and discipline. Pushing through the pain and sweat requires a lot of mental strength in addition to physical strength. As such, the things you learn by lifting weights can be translated into other important areas of your life. Think about creating and sticking to a budget or even writing your first novel (the best stories come from personal experiences after all). Having the discipline, endurance, and strength it takes to train your body and mind are invaluable skills you can implement into your daily life.

Here are a few lesser-known ways weightlifting can benefit your life:
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The Importance of Proper Recovery From Your Workout

Thursday, March 29th, 2018

While getting in enough exercise is essential to keeping healthy and in shape, the same is true of making sure you take time to fully and properly recover from your workouts. It might not always feel like it, but your muscles grow and your body’s health improves while you aren’t running, doing push-ups or lifting weights. It’s important to understand the specifics about what you have to gain by allowing your body to bounce back between workouts.

post workout recovery

Understanding What Happens While You’re Recovering

When you stop working out, what happens is that your body starts to adapt to the rigors of your exercise routine. Recovering properly ensures your body is able to build up your energy reserves so that the next time you exercise, you’ll be able to finish your desired workout rather than feel worn out 10 minutes into your routine. You might also damage tissue as you’re exercising, and taking enough time off allows your body to repair those tissues.
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Ideas for Balancing Your Workout via Flexibility & Mind-Body Exercises

Wednesday, March 21st, 2018

balance sports flexibility
Weight lifters often put themselves at risk of injury by overdoing extreme sets. Likewise, runners are more prone to injury if they are constantly pounding the pavement but fail to strength train and build lean muscle mass.

We all have different ideas on what constitutes a fun form of fitness. We’re dedicated to what we find most enjoyable, but without finding a good balance and functional fitness, it can all fall apart.

 

So, what is your workout routine missing? Here are a few suggestions for balancing your workout more naturally by paying attention to flexibility … of the body AND mind.
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How to Build your Muscle Naturally

Monday, March 12th, 2018

Fitness WomanIf you are interested in bulking up, you probably are worried the only way this is possible is through consuming steroids and other drugs that help to accelerate the process. But this is not necessarily how you gain muscles. You can pursue a natural muscle development process, which calls for dedication and a bit of patience. In a few months, you can begin to see changes if consistency is upheld. While doing it, note that age is a factor that affects the process, so make sure to embrace exercises that are right for your age.

Adjust your Diet

 

Before you even think about any workout options, you would need to adjust your diet. First thing is to increase calorie intake, but not too much – just enough for your workouts. But while doing this, avoid junk as this will only make you to gain more weight and you don’t need that. Second ensure you are hydrated well. Consume enough water especially during workout sessions. Water keeps your energy levels up and gives you the lubrication you need for your joints.

 

It also supports digestion and absorption so you are able to get essential nutrients. Lastly, consider taking muscle building foods. Take more foods that are rich in omega-3s and omega-6s. Eat proteins, fiber, and carbs in plenty and also consider foods like eggs and nuts, which provide nutrients for muscle build-up.

 

Strength Training Exercises

 

To gain muscles, you need to work out. Nothing gives better results than strength training exercises. You have to be patient as this process might take time. Just do it daily and ensure to rest so you don’t exhaust yourself. Before you go into any training, it is advisable to first warm up so you don’t injure your muscles. Some jog or walk could help to prepare you for the practice. The objective is to get your heart rate up without burning many calories.

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Why Mobility Matters for Strength Training

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

It takes a lot of commitment to strength training to see consistent muscle growth. To be able to fit training into their schedule, people often cut corners. While some neglect to properly warm up before slamming the weight plates on a barbell, most decide to skip their post-workout mobility session when pressed for time.

mobility training

While mobility training can be time-consuming, tedious, and uncomfortable, it is also extremely important to incorporate into your strength training routine. When it comes to hitting the weights, here are a few reasons why mobility matters.

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The Only 7 Exercises You Need To Do If You Want To Get Muscular

Sunday, February 11th, 2018

muscle gains

I don’t know about you, but when I first started working out I was confused as hell. The typical commercial gym has around 100 different machines. How on earth do you know which ones to use, which are more important than others and which are not as important? Or better put, not optimal for your personal goals.

If you are just starting to get your feet wet with exercising, that may be overwhelming. I know it definitely was for me. But worry no more, this article will go right down your alley. I am going to give you a list of just 7 exercises you need to do in order to get muscular.

Yes, you can do it with just 7 basic exercises. It is more efficient, it takes less time, and most importantly, it works.

But let’s start with the very beginning, shall we? (more…)

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Beginner’s Guide to Working Out

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

beginner fitness guide

Everyone desires to be healthy. One way of making sure it happens is by exercising regularly. Once you begin exercising, you’ll start to not only feel healthier but also enjoy the benefits of working out.

Of great importance to note is that sticking to your exercise routine takes plenty of determination and discipline. Are you considering starting to work out? Are you clueless on where to start? Might you be wondering how often you need to exercise or which strategies to employ to get positive results etc? Well, this primer will guide you on everything you need to know about starting a workout routine. (more…)

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The Top 5 Best Hamstring Exercises

Friday, January 26th, 2018

Arnold Deadlifts

Serious fitness enthusiasts and athletes want to be able to lift thousands of pounds off the ground with minimal effort. It makes us feel good to be able to pick up anything we want. Especially when most guys in the world struggle to pick up even 100 lbs off the floor.

The number one way to make all these things happen? Train your hamstrings, lower back, and glutes (your bum) with complex free weight exercises.

Men and women alike should use these training tips. No amount of deadlifts are going to make a woman huge and bulky unless they TRY REALLY HARD to get huge and bulky on purpose. At the same time, no amount of body weight squats or lunges are going to get you big, strong, or conditioned. Train heavy and train hard, no matter who you are. And if you are a woman who is overly concerned about getting “too big” and just doesn’t want to lift weights, check out this mostly non-load bearing leg exercises for women to get an idea of some other exercises to work into a routine.

As I mentioned in my top 5 quad exercises post, your legs are the largest group of muscles in your body. By training your legs hard, you will be setting yourself up to gain the most progress compared to every other muscle group.

Strong hamstrings will allow you to:

  • Pick up anything heavy off the floor or ground.
  • Burn as many calories during training as you would when training quads.
  • Form the foundation of your body’s posterior strength chain.
  • Strengthen your lower back to protect from injury.

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Three Best Practices for Lower-Body Muscle Gain

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Men often have a tendency to overdevelop their upper bodies at the expense of their lower bodies. There are also a few common misunderstandings about weight loss versus fat loss out there in relation to diet and nutrition. Don’t sabotage all your progress — especially if you’re trying to lose weight but gain muscle.

leg press

Gaining muscle is a delicate balance between consuming enough calories (from healthy foods) and routinely working out. In fact, it is difficult to do both at the same time without sabotaging muscle gain. (more…)

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Is Bike Exercise Good Cardio?

Sunday, January 14th, 2018

Exercise bikes, also called stationary bikes, are exercise equipment pieces that function exactly the same way as regular bikes except for the fact that they stay in one place as you pedal them. They are meant to give the user a similar workout as the one provided when riding a regular bike on a road or street.

Mountain Biking

This is achieved by the bike’s design which requires the user to place a lot of pressure on the pedals in order to spin the suspended wheel. This pressure can be adjusted by the user thus allowing them to progress to higher intensity levels as their levels of fitness improve.

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Fitness Forethought – 6 Tips For Preventing and Managing Sports Injuries

Wednesday, December 6th, 2017

If you’re a sports buff, then you know all too well how much an injury to any of your joints, limbs or muscles may affect your game, your fitness and your overall health. The last thing anyone wants is to be struck down by a sports-related injury. This is why educating yourself on ways in which you can avoid and take preventative measures against sports injuries is so crucial.

Gym Injuries Prevention

In this article, we will look at 6 tips for preventing and managing sports injuries. These simple yet effective tips will ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy your fitness and sports routines without having to succumb to any nasty afflictions. Read on to find out more.

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Use Proper Form and Nutrition to Prevent Injury

Friday, November 24th, 2017

Too many times people throw themselves into an exercise routine with the expectation that if they heave as much weight as possible, enough times, they’re going to see the results they want. In reality, the result they’re likely to see is an injury that sets them back significantly in achieving their fitness goals.

gym injuries

Whether you’re just starting out or finessing your current exercise routine, it’s essential that you always take the time to ensure you’re practicing proper form. If you don’t, you are cheating yourself by lessening the positive effects of your workout and opening yourself up to serious injury. Aside from maintaining proper technique as you build strength and flexibility, you should also focus on the nutrition your body needs to function, recover, and grow. (more…)

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Fighting Fit – 6 Health Benefits of Martial Arts

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Martial arts are not just about kicking butt or defending yourself from would-be attackers. There are numerous ways that martial arts practice impacts your physical and mental health. Martial arts can help improve fitness, coordination, self-esteem, discipline, and of course self defense skills. If nothing else, a rigorous kickboxing class is a great cardiovascular addition to your weekly workout schedule.

fitness kickboxing

Here are six ways to improve your life by adding martial arts training to your routine. (more…)

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5 Most Effective Exercises To Prevent a Hernia

Saturday, October 7th, 2017

Hernia: The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it; a rupture. In today’s post we are mostly going to talk about abdominal hernia, how to help prevent it, and how to attempt to cure it when possible.

Your abdomen is the main concern when it comes to a hernia. You need to tighten up, as well as reduce the outward pressure that prevents sagging of the internal organs. One of the leading causes of hernia is the weakening of your muscles which happens when you over pressurize the organs relative to the strength of the abdominal wall. In most cases, surgery is the only solution for a hernia, therefore you need to be a bit cautious.

How to get rid of a hernia without requiring to undergo surgery?

Is this the question that is haunting you? If yes, then you are reading the appropriate article. Here in this article we will let you know the effective exercises to prevent and attempt to get rid of a hernia. All of these are simple to perform and very effective. (more…)

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Leveraging Cross-Training to Avoid Overuse Injuries

Thursday, September 21st, 2017

Overuse injuriesEvery athlete worth their salt has hit a plateau. You all know the feeling — suddenly gym sessions feel less productive, gains slow to a crawl, and you start to feel stuck.

 

Often, the natural response is to train harder and longer, assuming that plateaus can just be powered through, but pushing your body harder when it might actually need to slow down is asking for injury. Injuries aren’t fun for anyone, but if you’re preparing for a competition, race, or big game, it can be a death knell for your training.

Why Am I Hitting a Plateau?

While some plateaus are part of the natural training cycle, others are due to improper training. It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in your own drive and push too hard for too long. The result is a burned-out athlete whose body is breaking down instead of building up.

 

Avoiding bad training habits seems like it should be common sense, but it’s easier said than done. Everyone wants to be the best, and you get there by training, right? So what’s the difference between pushing and pushing too hard? And how do you toe the line without long-jumping over it?

 

Unfortunately, there’s no perfect formula for everyone, but with an updated training strategy, it’s a little easier to navigate the minefield of training fatigue. As with most athletic advice, this comes with a strong dose of “listen to your body.”

 

Plateaus and training fatigue generally stem from overdoing it every time you’re in the gym or under-recovering after you go home. (more…)

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The best arm exercises you probably aren’t doing

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017

Arnold BicepsWho doesn’t want bigger, stronger arms? Almost everyone who lifts weights will, at some point, do exercises for their biceps and triceps. Unfortunately, doing the same old curls and push downs won’t produce the results you want. If you are stuck in an arm-building rut, use the following six exercises to breathe life back into your workouts.

 

Biceps

 

Arguably the most famous muscle in your body, if you ask a child to show you a muscle, they’ll probably throw up an arm and do a biceps pose. Make your biceps something to be proud of by adding these unusual exercises to your arm training program.

 

  1. Weighted pull-ups

 

The biggest drawback of most curling exercises is that the amount of weight you can lift is limited by your ability to keep your body upright. Weighted pull-ups eliminate this problem so you are free to focus on curling your chin up to the bar.

 

Start out by strapping on around ten percent of your body weight, so if you weigh 80 kilos, grab a 7.5-10 kg dumbbell or weight plate. There is no need to be exact; round up or down according to the weights you have available.

 

Grab the pull-up bar with an underhand, shoulder-width grip. Without kicking with your legs, smoothly curl your chin up to touch the bar. Slowly extend your arms and repeat. Sets of 4-6 are ideal with this exercise.

(more…)

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