Showing posts with label fitness videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness videos. Show all posts

March 7, 2011

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Body weight exercises are very effective!!

Body weight exercises!!



You body is designed to move in some pretty amazing ways. We can push, pull, bend, rotate, twist, jump, and stretch. Unfortunatley during our normal everyday work week we very rarely do any of these simple and or compound movements. Sitting, Walking, Standing, reaching plate to mouth are some of the movenments our body has become accustomed to. Before the computer age we performed much more physical labor and our bodies were in better physical condition as a result of our everyday life and work movements. This day and age with the increase in the amount of work we do sitting behind a computer or some type of machine has caused us to lose that component of fitness and exercise that was mandatory in your daily rountine.

We have to use our bodies in the way that it was originally designed. Take a squatting movement for example. When you squat you use your bodyweight and the force of gravity creates resistance at the bottom of the motion right before you come your back to the upright position. As a general measurement of strength every adult should be able to push, pull and support their own body weight. This is a natural ability and also a survival tactic, it would be helpful in many dangerous situation to be able to move your own weight. Push ups and lunges are two other bodyweight exercises that are very important to help you tone your muscles build strength and improve your body’s overall performance. One of my favorite ways to do cardio is stair climbing or even step aerobics. These movements engage your muscles in the lower body and exercise the Most important muscle YOUR HEART.

These body weight exercises are easily modified so that a beginner can perform the exercises and gradually increase the range of motion to progressively build strength. For example If you cannot do an normal push up you can perform the push up exercise in a kneeling position and work to increase the resistance placed over your hands to having your knees completely off the ground. Once you have gained the strength to perform these movements you can increase and decrease the amount of sets and repetitions. As a general rule beginners should stick to 2 sets of 10 repitions on 3-5 exercises during a workout.
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February 24, 2011

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Get Started With Group Fitness Classes for Weight Loss

Exercise should be about having fun moving your body in the way it was designed to move. It seems that exercise has become a negative word is today's society. Too many times have I been lecturing to a group of students or adults and when I mention exercise they cringe. This should be exciting if I recall in grade school we couldn't wait to go outside for recess it was our favorite part of the day. Now we work, work, work, go home and do more work, then sit down on the couch. We have taken the activity out of our day. Even in schools they are cutting back on physical education at a time when the country is at its worst in terms of disease and sickness related to sedentary lifestyles.




Group Exercise

Group exercise is a fantastic way to get together and have some grown up recess time. Make sure you do your research in your local newspaper, visit the parks and recreation website, or pop in at your local YMCA to get an idea of the classes and times they offer them. Make sure that you chose a class that meet two to three times a week. If you a beginner to fitness make sure the class is not too advanced you can work your way up. The last thing you want to do is take a class that is very difficult and get discouraged. Show up a few minutes before class or hang back a few minutes after class and introduce yourself to the instructor, many times the instructors are also fitness trainers that can give you some great advice one on one.



Be Consistent

The key is to not quit, one way to help when you feel like you are falling off the wagon is to have friends to hold you accountable for your goals. Make friends in the class and make a pact to stay in touch with each other to make sure no one gets left behind. Sometimes things come up; family, work, and sickness happen but don't use these things as repeated excuses. If you do happen to miss a class, make it your business to do a makeup day using another class or going out and doing some exercise on your own. If you are consistent with your exercise and workout program you will get the results.



Con: Monotony

Some group fitness classes like cycling and step aerobics can get a little monotonous doing the same exercises and motions day in and day out won't challenge your body after a long time. You need variety in your workout program, mix it up a little bit. If the instructor in your class isn't changing the routine enough try another class or move onto something with more difficulty. At some point you may experience a plateau with your weight loss it may be that your workout program has gone stale. Get help from one of the personal trainers or switch up your classes to get your body recruiting different muscle groups by using different exercise modalities.

There are many options out there to choose from when we are looking for group exercise programs for weight loss. Make it your goal to try something out of your norm pick up a dance exercise class or a fitness boot camp to add some real fun to your overall wellness program. Don't forget that you have to be conscious of your nutrition if you are serious about weight loss with group exercise programs.



Being healthy should be fun; you should be happy making good lifestyle choices.
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February 14, 2011

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TOP FIVE KICK-ASS EXERCISES

I enjoy keeping my workouts interesting by mixing things up. I like to try things exercise modalities which I am not familiar with like Gyrotonics or Kangaroo Jumps. I find that most of clients enjoy having variety in their workout programs. But the exercises that have been the foundation of my athletic lifestyle, 6 pack physique, and muscle building have stayed the same. I want to share with you what I have found to be the top five kick ass exercises that me and my clients use week in and week out to build muscle fast, burn calories, improve strength/quickness and melt the fat away.

1. Power Cleans- With proper instruction this is the ultimate total body workout be sure that you have a lifting partner or trainer present during this exercise. You can also use dumbells or resistance bands if you need.

2. Lunges- Ahh yes the dreded lunges.  You are guaranteed to feel the burn in your quads, hamstrings, and butt.  Add dumbells to increase the resistance.  Once you are comfortable with the motion try adding some compound movements using you upper body like shoulder raises.

3. 1 mile run-  I use the mile as a guage for being in the best shape. I hardly ever run more that 1 mile at a time.  Not everyone is a sprinter or marathon runner.  1 mile is a great middle distance that will challenge anyone. Use the treadmill or get outside on the local track.  Race against your previous personal best record.  Work on your stride and your breathing pattern.  Push you physical and mental limits with the 1 mile run.

4. Bicycle crunches- I call this exercise the finisher, a great way to end and workout by leaving everything on the floor. Go for 1 minute do 2 to 3 sets and make sure to stretch well afterward.

5. Push Jerks- Looking to improve your upper body strength tone the muscles in your shoulders, chest, back, triceps look no further.  Dial up the weight on this one and roll back the repetitions.  Make sure you have a spotter with you.  You can also use dumbells, kettle bells, or resistance bands when needed.

These are by far my 5 favorite exercises.  If you have had injuries or other related joint problems you may want to consult with your doctor before performing some of these killer exercises.  Be smart about choosing your weight, sets, and reps.  If you have specific questions ask your local personal trainer or shoot me an email.  Now go out there and hit it hard!
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February 2, 2011

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The future of fitness...Gyrotonics?


Gyrokenisis is a fairly new exercise modality that has had a cult like following with Physical Therapists and Chiropracters for rehabilitation.  It had even been endorsed by athletes like Shaq. 


 The exercises are based on  yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai chi. The exercises allow one to work on the entire body through seven natural elements of spinal movement: forward, backward, left side, right side, left twist, right twist and circular, as well as all other joint articulation.  This approach systematically and gently works the joints and muscles through
rhythmic and undulating movements.











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February 1, 2011

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Resistance bands

You can have an amazing workout with resistance bands.  No need to go out to the gym or outdoor track you can get a great muscle toning workout right in the convenience of you own home. Resistance bands are easy to store and transport, bands come in a variety of different levels of difficulty.  Take a look at this short video with trainer Joel Harper to get some great ideas on how to use resistance bands in your daily rountine.
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