Archive for the ‘Fitness Tips’ Category

A Few Common-Sense Summer Fitness Training Tips

Sunday, July 23rd, 2017

With the summer in full swing, it’s only natural that more and more people are taking full advantage of the long daylight hours by spending plenty of time outside. A natural source of annual encouragement for an increase in activity is certainly a good thing, especially for those of us who are serious about health and fitness.

summer fitness

On the other hand, those inspired to begin a fitness-training program during the summer months ought to be keenly aware of how to build a proper training foundation to ensure their continued progress while also avoiding deterrents like an injury or training plateau. Dale Parducci, a fitness coach and personal trainer from North Bergen, New Jersey, offered a few common-sense tips for summer fitness training. (more…)

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Tips For Making Sure That You Are Not Over Training

Monday, July 17th, 2017

carbohydrates for recoveryAre you in the gym day in and day out, but feel like you just are not seeing results like you used to? Well, it is completely possible that you might be overtraining, which is a lot more common than you might imagine.

Overtraining means that you are training so hard your body does not have the time to rest and recover, as it normally should. This condition can lead to a slew of negative side effects, like muscle atrophy, motivational loss, and mood swings.

Overtraining can even diminish the results that you worked so hard to earn, so it is imperative that you never let this happen to you. Stick to the following tips and information to ensure that you never over train. (more…)

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Top 5 Benefits of Massage for Weightlifters

Tuesday, March 28th, 2017

Rock Massage

Weight lifting is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the world. Millions of people hit the gym every day to work out in the weight room and strive to achieve their own ideal physique. Rigorous weight lifting results in a lot of stress on muscle fibers – in fact, this is exactly how resistance training works!

When the routine is right, the results are usually impressive. Sometimes the rigors of training can cause lasting tears in muscle tissue. The damage done to muscles in the process can be a serious problem for some. It is highly recommended that weight lifters make regular appointments for massage therapy. (more…)

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Five Exercises to Strengthen your Core

Saturday, March 18th, 2017

Strong CoreSome people have difficulty getting six-packs, and others have trouble believing that abs are made in the kitchen and not the gym, but this doesn’t downplay the importance of exercising and strengthening the core. Having strong muscles in your abs and back make it easier for you to do everyday tasks; from lifting your kids (and pets) to carrying your groceries.

A solid core can also help you to maintain good posture and prevent back pain. As important as exercising the core is, crunches are boring. Keep reading to find out five great exercises you can use to strengthen your core. (more…)

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What Does Sleep Have to Do with Your Muscle Gain?

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017

If you’re looking for muscle gain, you probably think that devoting more hours to the gym is your best bet. But you’re wrong. Your diet is also responsible for a high percentage of your progress, but it is not always the key to getting out of a training rut.

If you’re looking for the real secret to achieving the muscle development you want, it’s simple – get more sleep. That’s right. Sleep is likely the missing piece to your training regimen.

In fact, according to research, it just may be the most important component of your regimen as it helps to increase muscular strength and size and promote efficient recovery

Sleeping girl on a bench (more…)

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Nutrition and Fitness Go Hand in Hand

Wednesday, June 15th, 2016

circuit trainingWhen Fitness is the #1 Goal

If you truly want to become fit, there is more to it than just jogging or doing a few sit up every day. As a matter of fact, the food you eat can also cause you not to be fit. The best way to do this is to hire a personal trainer than will help you get a handle on your diet and what you need to know about nutrition in order to become healthier and fit while losing weight or just toning your body.

A personal trainer will not only help you learn about nutrition, but will start you on a fitness program that will fit your own personal goals. Some people without specialized diet requirements may need to hire a personal nutritionist as well, but many trainers, as I personally did, also receive certifications in sports nutrition and other nutritional disciplines in order to offer the most effective diet advice possible and in some cases even write personalized nutrition plans.

In the majority of cases, you will need to start out slow both with diet and exercise, especially if you have not exercised or followed a health eating plan in a very long time. The good news is that you can choose a private, semi-private or group training session so you can train along with a friend and not feel so alone. On the other hand, if you want to work alone with a trainer that can also be accomplished.

(more…)

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Top 6 Leg Training Mistakes

Friday, July 24th, 2015

Don’t Waste Time Training Legs the Wrong Way!

Leg Training Mistakes
Your legs are the foundation of your physique. With their bulging tear drops, incision-like cuts, and shredded striations, prize leg development can win you a contest. Lagging leg development can also lose you a contest. Additionally, having strong legs makes it that much easier to develop a strong upper body. Here are 6 mistakes most athletes make when training their legs. These tips apply both to active bodybuilders and newbies, so pay attention!

The Top 6 Leg Training Mistakes

  1. Not Training Legs At All

    A lot of people completely avoid leg training. Why? Personally, I find it hard to understand. But there’s obviously a reason why they do; theories are they already have some preconceived notion that their legs are developed beyond what they are in actuality, or they see leg training as “hard”.

    It’s true that leg training can be painful, and you generally are sore afterwards, but many bodybuilders grow to love that soreness, as with other muscles. Avoiding leg training is a critical mistake, and you can’t build a house without a foundation.

    (more…)

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Top 6 Arm Training Mistakes

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

Want big arms? Want lean, shredded arms? Then don’t make any of these arm training mistakes. Here are 6 great arm training tips for bodybuilders, fitness athletes, sports athletes, and newbies alike. Forget the myths, stop the mistakes, and train your arms proper!

Arm Training Mistakes

The Top 6 Arm Training Mistakes

(more…)

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How to Gain Lean Muscle Fast

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

Are you in the market to gain muscle?
Lean Muscle Chick
Building some hardcore muscle—without gaining fat along with it—is easier than you might think.

Here are some tips to start building muscle today.

Pump Up With Protein

Because muscle fibers are made up of many different proteins, protein is the #1 necessary ingredient to build muscle.

One study found participants who ate 20 grams protein every 3 hours significantly increased muscle building potential, compared with those who ate 40 g every 6 hours. [1] So, eating good amounts of protein throughout the day feeds muscles and keeps them raring to go.

The ideal daily protein intake is about 1 g protein per pound body weight. [2] So, a 200-pound man should eat about 200 g protein a day. Of course, this differs depending on individual needs.

The best high protein foods to eat are chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, eggs, beans, nuts, milk, and cheese. [2]

Many bodybuilders also use protein supplements, which provide a heavy dose of pure protein. Whey protein powder is generally the best choice because it has high protein content and lots of muscle-building branched chain amino acids. [3]

Be careful, though. Protein shouldn’t make up more than 30% of your caloric intake. Too much protein increases risk of kidney problems, dehydration, and other issues. [4]

(more…)

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5 Tips for Building Muscle With Hypertrophy Training

Thursday, September 19th, 2013

hypertrophyIn the eternal quest to perfect your body, a lot of methods and training regimens will only let you down. However, if you want to build muscle like a pro, hypertrophy training is one of the most effective methods.

When it comes to building muscle mass and strength fast, hypertrophy training can give you results in almost half the time that other strength training regimens take.

This kind of efficiency is what makes hypertrophy training so popular among body builders, but it is important know a few tips and tricks first.

Here are five tips for building muscle with hypertrophy training.

(more…)

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Top 6 Shoulder Training Mistakes

Monday, September 16th, 2013

Having great shoulders really makes you appear sleek and powerful. However, chest and back training does not suffice when attempting to build spectacular shoulders. You must train the shoulders directly, intensely, and often. Be attentive of these 6 common mistakes that people make when training shoulders.

Shoulder Training Mistakes

The Top 6 Shoulder Training Mistakes

(more…)

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Exercise On a Tight Schedule

Thursday, August 8th, 2013

How to Exercise on a Tight Schedule

Desire
We all have hectic schedules. That is just how our modern society is. Finding time to take care of ourselves sometimes takes a backseat.

Of all daily activities, fitness is often the priority that is sacrificed first when the going gets tough. If you have desire to get or stay fit, you can do it. There is always a way if there is a will.

Here are some ideas to help squeeze in some exercise that will not have a light impact on your schedule, but will also help you burn fat throughout the rest of the day.

  • Plan your workout: Write it all down, and know exactly what you are going to do, and how you will get it done.
  • Circuit training: Work the whole body and get the heart rate rocking by doing one set of exercise for each body part with no rest. When you have completed all, rest for one minute and do it again. Twenty minutes is not an unreasonable goal here.
  • High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Sixty minutes on the treadmill will drive anybody mad. Vary your speed every minute, working from a jog (slow/medium intensity) to a full sprint or at least 90% max intensity. A good rule of thumb is to maintain your sprint for 20-30 seconds, then reduce to Every five minutes, drop back down to the slow speed again. Twenty to thirty minutes of this will do the trick.

There is no excuse to slack off on exercise. Project Swole has just given you two workouts that when alternated will whip your body into shape in no time at all. Think about it, if you do this six days per week, you only spent a grand total of three hours out of your busy schedule for the whole week.

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Where to Begin – Bodyweight Exercise

Monday, August 5th, 2013

There are two common comments that I hear from people that want to start on a fitness program. They can not afford to go to a gym. They do not know where to start.
Supergirl Push Up
Probably the best way to start involves no equipment and very little space. In other words, you can do it at home, in the park, whatever. Bodyweight exercises are just what they sound like; exercises that use your own body’s weight for resistance.

When used with no rest from one exercise to the next, not only can you get great resistance training, but fantastic cardio as well.

Below is an example of a workout that involves nothing but your own will and weight (and maybe a watch). If you are a beginner, do this one time through, three times a week.

For instance, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The next week, try doing it two times through on those days.
Then Four times per session.

(more…)

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5 Ways for Swimmers to Build Upper Body Strength

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Swimming and Strength

Female Swimmers
If you want long, lean muscles, swimming is one activity that is almost certain to deliver, especially if you like doing laps rather than, say, water aerobics. But you’re going to have a much harder time bulking and building upper body strength beyond a certain point if you rely solely on aquatic sports for your physical fitness.

If you’re into competitive swimming (like triathlons or swimming the English Channel) or you simply want to improve your performance for your own benefit, building upper body strength is a good way to accomplish your goals.

A regimen that includes a variety of cross-training options is likely to provide the best solution.

Here are just a few extra exercises that are sure to deliver the upper body strength you need to take your water-based fitness to the next level.

(more…)

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Top 5 Beginner Tips for Building Muscle

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

5 Weight Lifting Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner

Jumprope Girl
If you’ve grown tired of your flabby countenance, not to mention feeling awful all the time because you fill yourself with junk food and live a sedentary lifestyle, then perhaps you’re finally ready to lay down the remote, pick up some weights, and start turning your excess baggage into toned, tightened muscle mass. Of course, you’re not going to snap your fingers and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger circa his Mr. Olympia years.

It’s going to take time, effort, and probably money to trim down and bulk up. And you’re going to need some help along the way. Luckily, there are plenty of trainers, forums, and even body builders at your local gym that can offer you pointers along the way.

Here are just a few basic tips to get you started on your journey to a muscular physique.

(more…)

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Improving Quality Of Life Through Regular Exercises

Friday, June 28th, 2013

Using Exercise to Improve Your Life
Healthy Woman
Proper and regular exercises are quite important in maintaining general well being, exercises come in different forms each having its benefits and demerits.

Regular exercises which include basic physical training such as jogging or brisk walking as well as extreme physical exercises such as weight lifting, aerobics, gymnastics and field sports ensure that all functions of the body are in tip top condition.

Exercises and nutrition go hand in hand hence the necessity to balance both aspects, too much or lack of exercises or proper nutrition will lead to unfavorable conditions.

Lack of adequate exercises leads to many adverse effects such as laziness, obesity, poor metabolism as well as disability. Regular exercises and proper body fitness ensures that disabilities are minimized due to the following:

(more…)

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6 Secrets to Fitness Success

Thursday, June 20th, 2013

6 Secrets to Fitness Success
Fitness Success

  1. Set Goals
    If you want to succeed with your fitness you need good goals.

    Good goals are SMART. Smart goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed.

    Without well thought out goals, you are unlikely to achieve them. 

    The more specific you can be with your goal, the better. You can create several goals around your fitness and lifestyle.

    An example of an effective goal: “To lose 3 stone of weight before November 2013 by training 3-4 times a week for one hour each time at the gym”

    An example of an ineffective goal: “To lose weight”

    “Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” Fitzhugh Dobson

    (more…)

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How to Get a Bigger Chest (Infographic)

Monday, June 17th, 2013

Here’s a pretty cool infographic about building a bigger chest. I really enjoy infographics and I’m hoping you do too.

How to Get a Bigger Chest

It’s a dream for every men to have a good looking chest and there are wide range of exercises that can performed in order to grow your chest. The infographic shares data about different exercises for bigger chest along with few workout tips.

For an additional list of best chest exercises, also check out my post about the top 5 best chest exercises.

(more…)

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5 Squatting Mistakes

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

How NOT to Squat

Chick Squatting
8-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman said it best: “shut up and squat.” [1] After all, there’s nothing better for building lower body mass. Squats force you to use numerous stabilizing muscles and exhaust hamstrings, quads, and glutes.

To get the most out of squats, however, they must be executed with correct form. Avoiding these common squat mistakes will take both your performance and physique to the next level.

Mistake #1: Not Engaging Your Core

The core is the body’s center of gravity and is where movement originates. [2]If you have a weak core, it will be much harder to keep the weight stable. It also places you at a greater risk for hip or lower back injury.
To properly engage your core when performing a squat, concentrate on sucking your belly button towards your spine. A strong core will be able to maintain this posture throughout the exercise. If you have a weak core, using a weight belt around the waist protects the spine and keeps you from relaxing the core.

(more…)

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5 Tips for Maintaining Your Fitness Routine in College

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

More Tips to Avoid the Freshman 15

College Fitness
As a college student you might scoff at the mere mention of any kind of physical fitness routine.

With all the studying, late night cramming sessions, paper writing and exams, you might find it difficult to even walk to the other end of your apartment or dorm. However, physical fitness is crucial in college, because research shows that it will better regulate your sleeping habits, help you retain more information for studying and even give you more energy.

As a college student you might scoff at first, but as soon as you start experiencing the benefits you will realize what you’ve been missing all those groggy mornings and afternoons where all you want to do is crash.

(more…)

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