Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Exercise To Keep Fit

Physical exercise helps you in developing and maintaining physical fitness. It also improves alertness and overall health. It gives strength to your muscles, and helps in maintaining a healthy weight. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts up your immune System and helps to prevent various diseases, such as, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, bone diseases, etc. Moreover, exercising prevents depression and improves mental health by relieving stress and anxiety. Doing exercise keeps you flexible and agile; it also increases your strength and stamina. You can also enjoy sound sleep by exercising regularly.

Types of Exercises
There are various types of exercises, and we can choose from them according to our purpose, age and health. For example, Aerobic exercises, which are also called cardiovascular exercises, help to prevent heart and lungs diseases. Aerobic dance, bicycling & swimming are few of the examples of aerobic exercises. Another kind of exercise is weight-bearing exercise. It works against the force of gravity, and is important for building strong muscles and bones. Examples of weight-bearing exercises are walking, jogging, hiking & climbing stairs. Weight training or strength training exercise is done to build strength and muscles; its examples are push-ups, lifting weights, etc.

Individual Choice of Exercise
Every individual is different, so the need & purpose of the exercise differs from individual to individual. But it is suggested that on an average, person should exercise 4-6 times a week for around 30-45 min. Exercise has so many health benefits that if not much, any amount of exercise done is better than none at all. You can consult your doctor, especially if you have any health problems, or if you are pregnant or old. It is recommended to consult a doctor regarding the kind of exercise which is best for you depending on your current health condition. Especially in case of pregnancy, you should never try any exercise without the advice of your doctor; else it may create complications.

Daily Routine Exercise
Exercise does not mean spending hours working out in a gym. Certain day-to-day activities can help you attain all that which different exercise machines can provide. Such day to day exercises include taking the stairs instead of elevator, short walk after lunch or dinner, doing housework like gardening, sweeping, floor mopping, etc. To reduce our body weight, we should restrict the use of remote controls and intercoms, also avoid using cars or bikes and prefer walking to nearby places. Walking is considered one of the best choices because it needs no training and can be done anywhere at anytime. It only requires a good pair of shoes; so, put on those shoes and keep walking.

Teen Body Build

The rise in the number of gym and fitness clubs opening at every nook and corner is a glaring example of the increased consciousness for a heavy build body type, teenagers being the most affected lot. Lured by their fancy and the desire to be in sync with the vogue, youngsters join these health clubs to build up their body muscles, which they can flaunt to their friends. While some flock the gyms to enhance their self-esteem and confidence level, there are others who want to impress ladies and gain attention, yet others who want to be fit and active.

Though there is no definite age for starting bodybuilding, it would be ideal to begin when your body is ready for some rigorous workout. For those of you, who are already involved in performing some fitness exercises, body building will prove to be just a step ahead in terms of fitness quotient. It will also prove to be easier for you than those who are naïve to the subject of fitness. This is because your body is already accustomed to exercising and also your stamina would be good enough to get on to a higher intensity workout. However, you would require a lot of determination and dedication to carry out the body building process.

Do's & Don'ts Of Teen Body Building

Do's
  • It is very important to be consistent in your workout. You need to stick to your body building program and work give in your best.
  • The best bet would be to stick to the basics - remember dead lifts, dumbbell presses, chins, squats, military presses and heavy bicep curls will never fail.
  • Give your body enough time to recover between workouts.
  • High nutritious diet is a must. The meal should include rice, pasta, oatmeal, vegetables, chicken, lean beef, tuna and other staple foods that bodybuilders indulge in.
  • A good sleep of 8 hours is a must. This would give you time to recover and also boost your energy levels.
Don'ts
  • Do not perform the same exercise day after day. A change in program is advised; otherwise you would not make a progress.
  • Do not substitute good food with supplements.
  • Do not ignore injuries or signs of overtraining.
  • Lastly, do not stress out and let negativity preside over your mind.

Natural Bodybuilding Secrets

These days, innumerable varieties and brands of body building supplements are hitting the market and are gaining popularity among the youth. But it is always advisable to try out natural bodybuilding secrets that can enable you to get the desired muscles in a natural manner, without depending upon unhealthy muscle enhancing drugs, which can lead to several health hazards. Read further to explore information about bodybuilding natural nutrition…

Natural body building and fitness are directly proportional to each other, in the sense, if you choose the path of natural body building, it will also ensure your health fitness. If you wish to have the muscular body that attracts attention, then it's like a must to follow a strict regimen of carrying out regular bodybuilding workout and consuming muscle enhancing natural food supplements like whey proteins.

It is vital to set goals for yourself, because if your goal is there in your mind, it becomes easier to decide as to how much effort has to be put in. To say, for example, if you want to build muscles for participating in some competition, then definitely, there is a need to put in extra efforts. When you feel like skipping your exercise, then remind yourself of your goal and don't allow your heart to overpower your mind.

Eating proper nutrition is of extreme importance, as it helps a great deal in burning your calories on one hand and building your muscles on the other. You should consume about 17-19 calories per lb of body weight for muscle gaining. Your food intake should be such that, 30% of calories should be contributed by proteins, 50% by natural carbohydrates and 20% should come from fats. Processed foods and foods containing high sugar content should be avoided. Make it a point to consume 1 gram of protein per lean pound of body weight per day, at any cost.

As far as natural bodybuilding workout is concerned, carry out the basic exercises, that people have been doing till now and never commit the mistake of over training, because excess of everything is bad, so, go slow and steady. Each muscle needs to be worked, but only once per week. So, if you work on the same muscle again in a week and that too at the expense of some other muscle, then it won't do any good to your body. So, adopt natural bodybuilding and give it your best shot and the success would be undoubtedly yours.

Workout For Every Guy: The Beginner Workout

The Beginner

You're an eternal beginner. You get on a program and fall off just as fast. You skip the gym if it's raining. Your problem, however, may not be a weakness of character, but rather not following the right strategy.
Pry the snooze button off your alarm clock, because with a little effort, you can adopt good exercise and diet habits, thanks to this plan from Brian Grasso, a trainer and life coach in Montreal.

Start Slow

"The body and mind are terribly homeostatic machines," Grasso says. "They constantly search for comfort and consistency," so deciding to make a slew of changes at once often leads to failure.
"Making minor amendments to your daily routine will fly under the radar of your conscious thought and become positive habits." In other words, if you start so gradually that you barely notice the change, you'll be more apt to continue it and make more changes without them ever seeming daunting.

Get off the bench, go gradually, and forge positive habits.

Train Two Days Per Week

This isn't asking a lot, so try to go at the same times every week. Get used to making appointments with yourself and keeping them. But if you don't feel like working out, don't. Just go to the gym, walk in, and leave if you want.
The important thing is that you establish the habit of going. At the very least, change into your workout clothes when you get there - you can change back out of them and leave right away.

Eat One Healthy
Meal Per Day

"I believe in making modest changes to the diet that don't leave people feeling trapped and anxious to return to their old habits," Grasso says.
Choose just one meal to eat that you're sure is healthy. Don't psyche yourself out here-use common sense. Lean meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and raw nuts and seeds are all fine.
Eat what you like the rest of the day. Do this for two weeks and then up it to two healthy meals per day. Continue in that fashion and you'll find you're eating healthy most of the time.

Stand Up Straight

Want an easy way to tell if you're performing your exercises correctly? Check your posture.
The correct starting position for most exercises is shoulders back, chest out, standing (or sitting) tall, with your abs tight.
Good posture, good form.

Day 1

Directions

Frequency
Perform the two workouts (Day 1 and 2) once per week, resting at least a day between each.
Time Needed
35 min.
How to Do It
Perform the exercises marked with letters as a group. Do one set of A, rest, then one set of B, rest (note that some groups have an exercise "C"), and repeat until all sets are complete. Then go on to the next group. Perform three sets of 8-10 reps for each exercise.
Exercise 1A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down as low as you can while keeping an arch in your lower back.
Exercise 1B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 60 sec)

Place your hands on the floor outside shoulder width and tighten your abs. Keeping your body straight, lower yourself until your chest is about an inch off the floor.
Exercise 2A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and step back with one leg. Lower your body until your rear knee nearly touches, and your front thigh is parallel to, the floor.
Exercise 2B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 60 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level. Brace your abs and press the weights straight overhead.
Exercise 3A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Rest the top of one foot behind you on a bench or chair. Lower yourself using your support leg until your rear knee nearly touches the floor.
Exercise 3B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)
Dip

Grab onto the parallel bars of a dip station and lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the floor. If you can't do dips, do a lying triceps extension with an EZ-curl bar.
Exercise 3C// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 60 sec.)

Sit on the floor with a dumbbell or weight plate in both hands and recline your torso to a 45-degree angle. Hold your arms out straight and twist as far as you can in one direction and then to the other side.
Exercise 4//
(12-20 minutes)

Pedal at a moderately hard pace for 12-20 minutes.

Day 2

Exercise 1A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand with the weights against your thighs. Bend your hips back and lower your torso, allowing your knees to bend as needed, until you feel your lower back is beginning to lose its arch. Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings to come back up.
Exercise 1B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 60 sec.)

Grab a dumbbell in one hand, and rest the other hand and knee on a bench. Let your arm hang straight down. Keeping your lower back in its natural arch, row the weight until it touches your side. Perform all your reps with one arm first, and then switch arms and repeat.
Exercise 2A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Lie on your back on the floor and rest your heels on a bench or chair. Brace your abs and push onto your heels to raise your hips off the floor until your body forms a straight line.
Exercise 2B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 60 sec.)

Sit at a lat pull-down station and hold the bar with an outside shoulder-width grip. Pull the bar down to your collarbone.
Exercise 3A// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell with one hand and stand on the opposite leg. Keeping your lower back arched, bend forward at the hips as far as you can and then extend your hips to come back up. Complete all your reps on one side and then switch sides.
Exercise 3B// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and, keeping your upper arms against your sides, curl the weights up to shoulder level.
Exercise 3C// (3 sets of 8-10 reps, rest 30 sec.)

Get on the floor in push-up position, then lower your weight onto your forearms. Brace your abs and hold the position - body completely straight - for 60 seconds, or as long as you can.
Exercise 4// (12-20 minutes)

Pedal at a moderately hard pace for 12-20 minutes.

Workout For Every Guy: The Skinny Guy

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The Skinny Guy

Saying you're a "hard-gainer" is a cop-out. You can gain muscle if you eat more and recover better, and we'll bet anything it's the lack of those two things that holds you back.
These workouts provided by Ben Bruno, a strength coach in North Andover, MA, will send you on your way.

Train Better, Not Harder

You can stimulate muscle growth with very few exercises as long as they're done with heavy weight and they activate as many muscle fibers as possible. The workouts here have only four moves per session, but they'll be anything but easy.
If you're the type who's used to light circuits or bodybuilding routines that try to isolate every muscle, this is just what you need to grow.

Rest

Getting eight hours of sleep per night is crucial for growth-hormone release. "A nap every day in addition is even better if you can get it," Bruno adds.
In between workouts, get massages or use a foam roller to work out knots in your muscles and improve blood flow. Making these part of your routine enhances recovery.

Eat A Lot

Aim for a gram of protein per pound of your body weight every day. So if you weigh 180 pounds, eat 180 grams. Take in starchy carbs like potatoes, rice, and oats; and snack on high-calorie (but healthy) foods like nuts, seeds, and other sources of good fats.
If you don't have the time or energy to commit to anything else, just remember to eat a lot of food every day.
Once a week, weigh yourself in the morning after you've used the toilet and before you eat or drink anything. You should gain about a pound per week. (If you don't, you're not eating enough.)

Rest, eat. Rest, eat. Rest... Eat! Do them at the same time; do them all the time.
 

Day 1

Directions

Frequency
Perform each workout (Day 1, 2, and 3) once per week, resting at least a day between each session.
Time Needed
60 min.
How To Do It
Complete all the sets for one exercise before moving on to the next.

Exercise 1// (4 sets of 5 reps)

Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Bend down and grab the bar so your hands are just outside your knees. Keeping your lower back in its natural arch, drop your hips, and drive your heels into the floor.
Pull the bar up along your shins until you're standing with hips fully extended and the bar is in front of your thighs.
Increase the weight each set until you hit your five-rep max on your fourth (final) set. Do not go to failure.
Exercise 2// (4 sets of 5,5,5, Max reps)
 
Hang from a chin-up bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart. Pull yourself up until your chest is above the bar.
Perform three sets of five reps and then one set of as many as possible.
If you can do three sets of five with your bodyweight, add weight with a belt.
Exercise 3// (4 sets of 8 reps)
Lie on the floor with a dumbbell in each hand, holding the weights over your chest. With palms facing, lower the weights down until your triceps touch the floor.
Pause for a moment then press the dumbbells back up.
Exercise 4// (3 sets of 8 reps)
Hold the handles of an ab wheel and kneel down on the floor behind it. Keeping your abs braced and your torso straight, roll the wheel forward as far as you can before you feel your lower back is about to sag.
Pull yourself back to the starting position.

Day 2

Exercise 1// (4 sets of 6 reps, each leg)
Hold a heavy dumbbell at chest level or two dumbbells at your sides.
Exercise 2// (4 sets of 4 reps)
Hold the bar with an overhand, outside-shoulder width grip. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and arch your back.
Take the bar out of the rack, lower it to just below your sternum, then push your feet hard into the floor to help you press the weight up.

Exercise 3// (4 sets of 6, 6, 6, 20 reps, each side)

Perform three sets of six, then reduce the load by 20% and complete one set of 20 reps per side.
Exercise 4// (3 sets of 20 sec hold, each side)

Lie sideways across a bench and hook your feet under a dumbbell rack or other sturdy object. Only your hips should be supported by the bench. Hold the position.

Day 3

Exercise 1// (4 sets of 5 reps)

Set a barbell on a power rack at shoulder height. Grab the bar with your hands at shoulder width and raise your elbows in front of the bar until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
Take the bar out of the rack, letting it rest on your fingertips and sternum - as long as your elbows stay up, you'll be able to balance the bar.
Squat as low as you can without losing the arch in your lower back.
Exercise 2// (4 sets of 8 reps)

Set a barbell in a power rack (or use a Smith machine) at about hip height. Lie underneath it and grab it with hands about shoulder-width apart.
Hang from the bar so your body forms a straight line. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull yourself up until your sternum touches the bar.
Exercise 3// (4 sets of 8 reps, each side)

Rest your upper back on one side of a bench and sit on the floor. Extend one leg in front of you and plant the other close to your butt.
Drive your foot into the floor and extend your hips up until your body is parallel to the floor.
Exercise 4// (3 sets to failure)
 

Workout For Every Guy: The Heavyweight

The Heavyweight

Your problem is your diet. We know that's the last thing you want to hear, but it's the first thing you need to fix. We'll say this loud and clear: It doesn't matter what kind of training you do, or how much-if you're eating too many calories or the wrong foods, you will not lose fat.

Drink Water

Start the day with at least 16 ounces. Water is filling, and more of it will help you recover from training.

Do More Work

To maximize fat loss in training, "you need to do a lot of work in a short amount of time," Peruo says. Blitzkrieg-style workouts keep your heart racing and burn more calories than conventional weight training.
In the sessions that follow, you'll add reps to the exercises each week, accomplishing more work while being sure to keep your total workout length the same (use a stopwatch to record your time). Rest only as long as you absolutely need between sets.
You'll find you have to rest less over time, even as the reps add up. On days you don't lift, perform high-intensity interval cardio. Try 60 seconds of hard work (jumping rope, fast running, intense cycling) followed by 30 seconds of light activity or rest. Continue this for 15-20 minutes.

Do more to lose more! Low rest equals legit fat loss.

Cheat Only Once Per Week

You should be strict about your diet every day, but you get one meal a week to eat whatever you want. That's it.
If your discipline wavers in any department, don't let it be your nutrition. Did we mention that your problem is really your diet?

Eat Protein At Every Meal

It supports muscle growth, helps keep you full, and increases your metabolism. Lean meat, fish, eggs, and protein powders are the best sources.

Avoid Starchy Carbs

Potatoes, pasta, and bread should be eaten sparingly, if at all, and only around workouts. Most of your carbs should come from a wide spectrum of vegetables and some fruits.

Change Your Life, Change Your Body

Losing fat requires a big shift in your daily habits-in the gym, the kitchen, and nearly every other place.

Day 1

Directions

Frequency
Perform each workout (Day 1, 2, and 3) once per week, resting at least a day between each session.
Time Needed
45 min. or less
How to Do It
Perform the exercises marked with letters as a circuit. Do one set of A, then one set of B, and then C before resting. Repeat until all the prescribed sets are completed for the circuit.
You'll do three sets for each exercise every week, but the reps will vary like so.
Week 1: 8 reps per set
Week 2: 10 reps per set
Week 3: 12 reps per set
Week 4: Repeat the cycle with heavier weights

Exercise 1A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Cross your arms over your chest, step under the bar. Press the bar into your collarbone with your fingers.
Keep your elbows high as you lift the bar off the rack and lower yourself into a squat.
Exercise 1B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Use a pull-up bar with parallel-grip handles or hook a V-grip handle from a cable station over the bar.
Hang with your palms facing each other and then pull yourself up.

Exercise 1C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Attach a rope handle to the high pulley of a cable machine and grasp one end in each hand. Bend your elbows and hold them tight at your sides.
Extend your elbows and pull the handle apart.

Exercise 2A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and lie back on a flat bench. Extend your arms over your chest.
Keep a slight bend in your elbows as you open your arms wide and lower the weights until your hands are in line with your shoulders.
Exercise 2B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Mount a back extension apparatus and brace your legs and upper thighs. Bend your hips and lower your body until you feel your lower back is about to lose its arch.
Squeeze your glutes and pull yourself back up.
Exercise 2C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Get into pushup position and rest your feet on a Swiss (exercise) ball. Keep your arms straight and bring your knees toward your chest without losing the arch in your lower back.

Day 2

Exercise 1A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Set an adjustable bench to about a 40-degree incline and lie back on it. Grab the bar with a grip slightly wider than shoulder width and lower it to your upper chest.
Squeeze your glutes and press your heels into the floor as you press it back up.
Exercise 1B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Hold the bar with an overhand grip as wide as you can. Keeping your lower back arched, bend your hips back until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings.
Pull yourself back up to the starting position.
Exercise 1C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Use a calf raise machine, or stand on a low box or step with a dumbbell in each hand.
Lower your heels until you feel a stretch in your calves and then raise yourself up onto the balls of your feet.
Exercise 2A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)
Hold a heavy dumbbell at chest height with both hands. Keep your lower back arched as you squat down.
Exercise 2B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)


Exercise 2C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Sit on an adjustable bench set to a 20-degree decline, arms crossed in front of you. Pull yourself off the bench and into a seated position using only your core.

Day 3

Exercise 1A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell by your side. Bend your hips back and lower your body as far as you can without losing the arch in your back.
Exercise 1B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Lie back on a flat bench with am dumbbell in each hand and palms facing each other. Press the weights up over your chest.
Exercise 1C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)
Each curl on both sides is one rep.
Exercise 2A// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Attach a rope handle to a cable station and sit with your knees slightly bent, back straight, and chest out. Grasp one end of the rope in each hand and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull the handle toward your chest.
Exercise 2B// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Complete your reps and then switch arms and repeat.
Exercise 2C// (3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Perform the roll out as described for the ab wheel.



Natural Bodybuilding – Raw Organic Maca Powder

It’s the craze now. The foods labeled as super. The Goji Berries, the Raw Cocoa beans, etc. And they are all exactly that, but being a lifter, and an athlete, aside from Raw cocoa beans, I had not found a Superfood that gave me that boost in energy, and stamina. Sure I felt good and all, but what was it helping as a lifter. That all changed when I found the Incan super root, a.k.a. Peruvian Ginseng, a.k.a. Raw Organic Maca Powder.

What Is Maca Powder


This Superfood has a reputation as a powerful enhancer of strength and stamina, but also as a Libido/fertility enhancing herb as well. For over 500 years it’s been recognized as such, dating from the ancient Incan civilization, all the way to modern day. With such a small amount of powder mixed with your beverage of choice the energy comes at you like a speeding train!
Live Superfoods Raw Organic Maca Powder is rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals all of which are detrimental in a natural bodybuilders diet. Especially when you weigh in against the chemicals developed in a lab somewhere that the other “athletes” are injecting, or taking, this root provided by mother nature herself is more than enough to equal the playing field.
maca powder
This Raw Organic Maca consists of a collection of roots dried at a lower temperature, and then ground into a powder. The powder in which you can add to anything. Add it to a faux milk for the vegan diet, add it to protein bars for a boost of energy along with your protein intake, add it to tea with cinnamon, add it to coffee, or just the next thing you cook to add that bit of sweetness, yet spiciness. Not only does it serve you as a Superfood but as a cooking ingredient as well!
The Raw Organic Maca Powder also serves as  a way of reducing chronic fatigue as well, and in some cases helps promote a healthy endocrine and immune system functioning, as well as adrenal functioning.
Raw Organic Maca Powder in rich in essential sugars, proteins, starches, and important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. It also provides numerous minerals in trace amounts such as: B vitamins, linoleic and oleic oils (essential fatty acids), and 18 amino acids, including 7 of the 9 essential amino acids.

Maca Powder Conclusion


So all in all Live Superfoods Raw Organic Maca Powder is exactly what the medical field has labeled it as… a SUPERFOOD! Not only in the aspect of it being great for your mind, body, and body function, but as a tool for more than efficient energy levels for those long strenuous Bodybuilder workouts. It gives you the endurance to outlast those chemical inducing fiends you’ll be competing against and shows that not everyone must put there health in harms way with some man made liquid, and/or pill to get that lean, mean body. You can say you did it the Natural bodybuilders way!
  • More energy, stamina and increased endurance
  • More energetic libido, as well as a mode for fertility increase
  • Stimulates fertility in men and women
  • Supports the immune system and adrenal function
  • helps reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue
  • Regulates/supports the endocrine system