Posts Tagged ‘exercise’
Wednesday, August 8th, 2018
Here is an interesting guest post by a good friend of Project Swole. He wishes to remain mostly nameless (aside from mentioning his name is Andy), but trust in me he is smart and experienced, and I think this piece will really connect with most Swole readers.
“It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.”
“What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?”
“You ask a glass of water.”
– Douglas Adams, British author, and humorist
Human beings like habits, as a rule. It’s like that old phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” So, if we do something, and it works out ok, we’ll do it again.
Good or bad, habits allow us to predict the future – if I do this (exactly as I did yesterday), I know what will happen. Habits equal proven outcomes. Get on this train at this time in the morning, and I’ll be at work on time.
And if those habits are linked to a reward of some description, anything from a hit of dopamine in the brain by achieving a specific goal or, heaven forbid, one of a human being’s primary rewards – either food or sex, we’ll be back same time tomorrow, guaranteed, with our plate in our hand, as it were.
Habits provide routine, and for us, routinely provides security.
Unfortunately for us, some habits don’t sit well with others, and the rewards each brings actually off-set against one another, which kind of defeats the object. Take, for example, the diabetic cake-shop owner. You get my point. In fact, like the rest of our existence, it’s all just one big juggling act, seeing what works, what doesn’t, what affects something else, and so on, and hoping for a happy medium somewhere along the line. (more…)
Tags: bodybuilding, exercise, fitness, gain muscle, muscle gain, physique, progress, strength training, tips, weight lifting, Weight Training, weightlifting
Posted in Fitness Tips | No Comments »
Monday, July 30th, 2018
You have to remember that you can start to really change your life when you are working out and trying to build muscle as fast as possible. Someone who is trying to build muscle needs to have a plan, and it is much easier for you to start following a plan. This plan helps you get the best chance to have the muscles you have always wanted, and you can do this if you are young or old. You look your best, and it all happens in about 90 days.
Follow these steps, make a plan, stick to it, and live healthy for 90 days. When you see what you accomplish and how you feel, you might never stop. (more…)
Tags: build muscle, cardio, Diet, exercise, gain muscle, goals, hiit, muscle gain, workout
Posted in Fitness Tips | No Comments »
Sunday, July 15th, 2018
If you are tired of postponing your workout or finding reasons to skip the gym, you should think about how important it is for you to look good and stay healthy. Even if it’s not easy to find the right gym that goes hand in hand with your busy schedule, you have to make an effort in order to stay in shape. You want to look for a gym local to your home or work, that has adequate equipment, lenient rules, helpful staff, and workable operating hours. (more…)
Tags: exercise, fitness, gym, gym review, health, LA fitness, reviews, workout
Posted in Product Reviews | No Comments »
Sunday, July 8th, 2018
Dexter Jackson, also known by his cool name “The Blade” is a legendary bodybuilder and is known for his perfect body symmetry and conditioning.
Dexter has won multiple titles namely Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and New York Pro. He has also won 28 IFBB professional bodybuilding awards to set a unique world record.
With only about 10 weeks left for Olympia 2018, The Blade has hit the gym hard and has been extensively doing chest workout.
Dexter started with incline bench barbell press and worked up his way to flat bench presses. He also did one other variant of bench presses.
The next exercise was Incline-Bench DB Flyes and Hammer Strength Incline Machine following that. He did some core exercises to finish off the routine and took some supplements to help recovery from the workouts and repair his muscles. (more…)
Tags: bodybuilder, bodybuilding, chest, chest training, chest workout, exercise, fitness, pectorals, routine
Posted in Bodybuilding | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 4th, 2018
Many people who hit the gym tend to concentrate more on the lower body exercises and the body parts with muscles that tend to bulge easily, and they can end up forgetting about the back and shoulder exercises.
You should know that working out your upper body is very important if you want to maintain an all-round fit body. Being well rounded and robust from your back, shoulders and the rest of your body gives you a good posture and an excellent body shape.
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Tags: body weight, bodyweight, exercise, fitness, health, strength, strong
Posted in Best Exercises, Fitness Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 30th, 2018
We all have bad habits that hinder our quality of life. When it comes to weight loss, we need to reconsider our habits and eliminate those that keep us from healthier bodies. Our bad habits might relieve us of stress temporarily but in the long run, it is not the best for us. For example, fast food is convenient after a long workday but it adds to our waistlines gradually.
Here are a few bad habits you must ditch if you want permanent weight loss.
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Tags: choices, eating, exercise, fat loss, fitness, food, habits, health, lifestyle, lose fat, lose weight, nutrition, sleep, weight loss
Posted in Healthy Lifestyle | No Comments »
Friday, May 25th, 2018
All of us would prefer to be in better shape, but in today’s hectic world, it isn’t always easy to find the time to do so. It is much easier to get the necessary exercise and to stay in shape when the equipment you need to is in your home. But with so many options for gym equipment out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. The following are the most essential pieces of gym equipment for any home gym setup.
Adjustable Dumbbells
No home gym is really complete without a set of adjustable dumbbells. Whether you are going to be trying to build or maintain your muscle growth, a set of adjustable dumbbells will see you through. Not only are dumbbells an already versatile piece of equipment, by adjusting the weight, you can increase or decrease the difficulty and, therefore, effectiveness, of your workout routine.
Of all the most common pieces of gym equipment found in the home, dumbbells produce the most reliable and consistent improvements. The nature of dumbbell exercises means that they require a significant amount of effort from muscle fibers to maintain stability. A good set of adjustable dumbbells is a worthwhile purchase for any serious bodybuilder.
Olympic Barbell Set
Much like the dumbbells, a barbell will put the same kind of strain (a good kind) on your body and muscles as dumbbells. The barbell is essentially a single long dumbbell, and most of the exercises done with the barbell are two-armed variants on dumbbell exercises. A barbell set is a worthwhile addition to any home gym setup, but if you already have dumbbells, and there are other pieces of equipment you are missing, you might want to invest in another piece of equipment first. (more…)
Tags: equipment, exercise, fitness, home gym, workout
Posted in Exercise Equipment | No Comments »
Friday, May 18th, 2018
We all want to look good, but the inevitability of aging makes maintaining your looks harder with every passing year. With age come wrinkles, sagging, and a whole host of other things nobody wants to think about. In the absence of a fountain of youth, how do you combat the effects of time on your body? (more…)
Tags: exercise, health, lifestyle, skin, sleep, Supplements
Posted in Healthy Lifestyle | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 10th, 2018
Working out without music would be miserable. Workout playlists make time pass faster and help you pump yourself up for the next rep! If you’ve ever tried to workout with the wrong pair of headphones, you know just how frustrating it can be. Whether you hate dealing with a cord in your face or you sweat all over bulky over-the-ear headphones, you know you need something that can handle your level of workout.
It turns out not all headphones are created equal! Some headphones are best used for certain types of workouts, and that’s why you need to learn more about what kind is right for you. Here is a guide to the best headphones for every type of workout! Take your workout to the next level with these tips.
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Tags: cardio, exercise, headphones, music, playlists, running, weight lifting, Weight Training, weightlifting, workout, Yoga
Posted in Motivation | No Comments »
Saturday, May 5th, 2018
We recently published a post at Project Swole about treating many comment mental well-being complaints with Xanax, and of course, we all know how well exercise helps with anxiety.
Here are some additional tips for battling anxiety and other mental health issues, ranging from sleep to meditation to alternative supplements.
Keep your mental health strong and your physical health will follow! (more…)
Tags: anxiety, exercise, fitness, health, mental, mental health, sleep
Posted in Health, Motivation | No Comments »
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 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…)
Tags: cardio, cardiovascular, Conditioning, exercise, fitness, lose weight, myths, weight loss, workout
Posted in Conditioning | No Comments »
Monday, April 16th, 2018
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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Tags: balance, exercise, fitness, gain strength, gains, health, lose weight, recovery, relax, relaxation, rest, sleep, weight loss, workout
Posted in Recovery | No Comments »
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.
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…)
Tags: discipline, exercise, fitness, goals, habits, health, mindset, motivated, Motivation, workout
Posted in Motivation | No Comments »
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.
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Tags: Boost Testosterone, Diet, exercise, fitness, low testosterone, testosterone, testosterone supplement
Posted in Supplements | No Comments »
Friday, April 6th, 2018
Weightlifting 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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Tags: benefits, exercise, fitness, health, healthy, lifting weights, weight lifting, working out, workout
Posted in Healthy Lifestyle | No Comments »
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.
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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Tags: exercise, exercise recovery, fitness, post-workout, recovery, workout, workout recovery
Posted in Recovery | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 21st, 2018
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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Tags: balance, body, exercise, fitness, Flexibility, flexible, health, healthy, mind
Posted in Healthy Lifestyle | No Comments »
Monday, March 12th, 2018
If 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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Tags: build muscle, Diet, exercise, fitness, gain muscle, nutrition, tips
Posted in Fitness Tips | No Comments »
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.
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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Tags: exercise, fitness, Flexibility, flexibility training, health, mobility, mobility training, strength, strength training
Posted in Conditioning | No Comments »
Sunday, February 11th, 2018
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…)
Tags: bodybuilding, exercise, fitness, gain muscle, muscle gain, workout
Posted in Best Exercises | 1 Comment »
