Don’t overlook the benefits of regular exercise. Adding exercise to your daily routine is a key component for a healthier lifestyle and a stronger heart. It can also help you to achieve your fat loss goals.
In addition to the physical benefits, it will improve mental clarity. When I come back from the gym, I feel energized and focused The problem is that our lives are so busy these days that it can be quite an effort to make room for exercise in our daily routine. However, exercise doesn’t have to take hours a day, in fact a number of shorter training sessions over the course of the week is better for you than one longer session once a week.
As you continue your exercise program, the benefits will include: increased strength, higher endurance and improved bone density. Regular visits to the gym can also lead to improved social interaction. When my wife first suggested that I visit the gym for half an hour every morning, I was reluctant at first, but after a the first week I couldn’t imagine not going.
It’s important to warm up with stretching or cardio, before diving into your full session. This is particularly important if you are inexperienced in the techniques you will be using, as it reduces the possibility of hurting yourself. A good warm up will also increase the impact of the exercise on your muscles. I like to spend a little time on the elliptical to loosen my body up before starting anything more difficult. It’s also important to rest between sets.
The correct rest period is determined by your level of fitness, the relative impact of a particular set and your goal for that exercise. This period will vary as your training progresses. It’s important to mix up your exercises, working on flexibility, endurance and resistance training. Resistance training should focus on one muscle group until the repetition maximum of that group is reached. Believe me, you will know when you get there. Muscles grow stronger the more they’re used and the harder they work. Your heart is a muscle, like any other.
By increasing your heart rate through exercise, you are forcing the heart to work harder. When the heart is stronger it works more efficiently delivering oxygen to your body, which improves strength and endurance. Monitor your heart rate during peak activity and ensure that it doesn’t exceed a maximum of around 150 beats per minute (the recommended maximum will vary depending on age and fitness).
Any exercise that increases heart rate, quickens breathing and increases oxygen flow to muscles is defined as aerobic exercise. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise are not limited to strength, endurance and weight loss. Regular exercise can help with serious conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and insomnia.
I know that I sleep better on days where I have been to the gym than on days where I take a break. The five key components of physical fitness are muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, body composition (fat percentage) and cardio endurance. Regular exercise improves all five of these components, making it easier to enjoy the regular activities of life.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1135653

With all the electronic gadgets that are supposed to make our life easier, it’s nice to get back to nature once in awhile. This is especially true in your quest for health and fitness. Consider these four tips for developing a more “natural” routine.
1. Evaluate your diet. Consider how close the food you are eating is to its natural form. For example, yogurt can be part of a healthy diet, but how natural is the sweetened kind loaded with fruit syrup? Soda doesn’t have many natural ingredients either - other than the water they use. So skip all the sugar and additives and opt for the natural yogurt or water instead.
2. Do yourself a favor by signing up for an outdoor fitness class. Skip the routine of the gym and enjoy the variety the great outdoors has to offer. You’ll feel better breathing all the fresh air. You’ll become exhilarated and you’ll develop a connection to nature.
3. Get the support you need to make exercise a natural routine for you. Consult a fitness coach or sign up for a group exercise class so you have the support and encouragement of others. Find a time that works for you and commit to using that time to further your health and fitness goals.
4. Instead of dining out, cook healthy meals at home. Look for healthy recipes online to add variety to your meal plan. Try to cook with more natural ingredients - vegetables, whole grains, meat and dairy without additives, and fruit. Seasonal fruits and vegetables found at your local market with contain more vitamins and fewer preservatives.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1140773

Lots of people want to look intelligent and have a muscular build these days. Everyone dreams of a body that is well built. Now, the question arises as how to built such a body.
Majority of people tend to go to gym for working out on regular basis. As well as using equipment to exercise, people have to use Body building supplements which are the building blocks of a muscular body.
Certain supplements affect bodily functions in their own way. They offer many benefits by firming up the muscles to give the best shape and a perfectly symmetrical figure. Along with this, some dietary cares are indispensably required. Of course you should eat moderate amounts of high quality food along with enough exercise to stay fit.
You can find bodybuilding supplements in many forms including; capsules, tablets, liquid and powder. Typically, these body supplements include proteins, vitamins, hormones and other ingredients that can aide in the growth of body muscles. Most importantly it is necessary to know and understand the way of dose administration. If ingested in a sufficient amount and following the instructions exactly, these pills should begin to make a difference in your body.
One of the most popular muscle building supplements, currently, is creatine. It can be from natural or manufactured sources. In its natural form it is found in red meat. Creatine that has been manufactured can be found in various forms: tablet, liquid, serum, and injection form. All of this provides the necessary energy for your muscles. Cellular dysfunction also benefeits from Creatine.
One thing that has become extremely popular with body builders is Glutamine. Quality muscles are generated from it’s properties. Glutamine, a soluble powder, is a good source of amino acids. Leucine and Glucosamine are amino acids that are well used supplements by body builders. If you have seafood allergies you should stay away from glucosamine because it is an amino sugar.
Multivitamins can also be used to aid muscle building. Multiple multivitamin products that help accelerate the muscle building process are out there. As they bring out all of your carbs, protein, and fat these vitamins are very unique. Being an antioxidant, it aids the body in riding itself of unwanted free radicals.
Muscle building supplements are neccessary for any muscle buildern to accomplish his goal of growing muscles in an efficient manner. For the different training points of your body various supplements are perscribed. Many times all muscle building supplements will be needed simultaneously. Consumers should follow the directions of physical trainers and fitness experts when taking supplements.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1141084

Looking intelligent and muscular is a popular desire. Everyone dream of a well built healthy salubrious body. Deciding on how to complete such body built is the main question.
The majority prefer to do their regular workouts in a gym. The building stones, the body building supplements, of a well built body are required to be taken besides from using exercise equipments.
The body uses these supplements and their mechanism in its own way. Muscle toning to achieve a symmetrical body and increased stamina are both benefits of the product. Along with this, some dietary cares are indispensably required. You should reduce your intake and eat only quailty food and after you have exercised enough to keep your body fit and healthy.
Supplements for bodybuilding come in different forms including capsules, tablets, liquids and powder. Body muscles are boosted by proteins, vitamins,carbohydrates,fats, hormones and other such things which are basically present in body supplement. Most importantly it is necessary to know and understand the way of dose administration. If these supplements are taken appropriately, and in the correct amounts, results will appear quickly.
Creatine is one of the most famous contributing muscle building supplement present these days. It can be from natural or manufactured sources. In its natural form it is found in red meat. Creatine can be taken in tablet form, liquid form, serums, and injection. The muscles gain much needed energy from these sources. Cellular dysfunction can be assisted by creatine.
Glutamine is growing in popularity in recent times with bodly builders. You can get quality muscles thanks to it’s properties. To stock up on amino acids use a soluble powder called Glutamine. Leucine and Glucosamine are amino acids that are well used supplements by body builders. Glucosamine is an amino sugar and as such can cause problems to people who have a seafood allergy.
To help build muscle you can use a multivitamin. Multivitamins which are readily available helps in accelerating the muscle buiding process. These vitamins are very effective at helping your body access the energy from fat, carbohydrates and protein. It helps rid the body of free radicals because it is an antioxidant.
Taking muscle building supplements will help you grow muscles fast and efficiently. As you contuniue with your body building your system will require different supplements along the way. Many times all muscle building supplements will be needed simultaneously. Those who consume supplements need to make sure they take the supplements only as directed by their physical trainers or fitness experts.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1141086

As much as we love Personal Training, at the end of the day its still about making a living from it. More than anything we need to make a profit from the services we provide in order to survive.
If your not making the kind of money you deserve, maybe we need to evaluate some of the things you’re doing. Possibly your setting up profit road blocks and don’t even know it!
Here are 3 things to consider:
1. Are you treating your Personal Training like a business or are you just winging it??
2. Are you focusing on getting more certifications than Sales and Marketing?
3. How do you spend your time between clients? Are you making the most out of your time? I mean, are you reading magazines or are you aiming to talk to at least 3 new people about your business?
Let Me Explain…….
I remember when I first started training. I came to the gym, trained clients, collected payment , rinse then repeat. I had no idea how much I made on a given day, I kept poor records, I didn’t have a separate business bank account. When it came time to pay taxes, I had to stay up late and go through tons of bank statements and receipts to figure out how much I made.
I missed out on all the benefits of having my own business and all the wonderful tax write offs that came with it! Today, I’m more focused on treating my Personal Training Business like a business. It has made BIG difference and my income has increased because of it. I recommend you visit a tax consultant and get your business set up ( Incorporated). Get advice on how to get the most from owning your own business. If you don’t.. you will be leaving a lot of money on the table.
When it came to my clients…I didn’t know exactly how many I had. I didn’t have a plan set up for them. I just trained them,…what’s worse I trained all my clients the same way. Between clients I would chit chat with the other trainers or folks at the gym until I had to get back to work.
Looking back it’s no wonder I didn’t keep clients long term and wasn’t making the kind of money I thought I should have been making. I couldn’t figure it out, I had my business cards sitting up at the front desk, I gave great training sessions… but I was broke and surely couldn’t do this full time. My “Training Business” was at the hobby level.
There was one trainer at the gym who seemed to have all the clients. Man! He damn near had every person in the gym as his client! I couldn’t win… so I thought……
This is when I put together my marketing plan! I thought of ways to get known as the best trainer and the person you needed to see to get into shape. I sat down with each client and found out what their goals were. I created files on each one & kick but workouts for them. Even more, I created a website for my clients to give them all the tips and advice needed to keep them on track. Between clients, instead of reading magazines I opted to talk to potential clients. I did everything the other trainers were not doing!
These simple changes led to people referring others to me without even asking. Folks at the gym saw my workouts and inquired about personal training. Folks I had talked to between clients started to set up appointments with me. My client retention went up, they stayed with me longer. I cracked the code! Yes!
Let me tell you… It doesn’t really matter how many certifications you have, if you don’t know how to market your business. A personal trainer with just 1 certification and a huge knowledge of Sales & Marketing will swallow the Trainer with 50 degrees and certifications and no knowledge of how to Market his/her business!
You can know all the fancy muscle names, but if you aren’t good at Sales and Marketing .. you will not make the kind of money you should be. Health & Fitness is Hot right now. If you are not reaping the rewards of this Growing Market…your ability to Market yourself may be the reason. The best Personal Trainers have education, but they are also good at Marketing their business and themselves.
I know I mention the term Sales and Marketing a lot. But don’t let that scare you. I know some folks hate selling! So do I! I never was a salesperson. The secret to Sales is getting the Marketing part right. Market you business right and the “sales” just seem to come naturally!
Much Success!
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1141477

By now, just about everybody should know that if you exercise aerobically (run, walk, cycle, etc) your heart rate goes up and your body burns more calories. It’s just common sense. However, that’s not the whole story.
Tweak This
One way to give your metabolism a jolt upwards is by interval training. Of course, you should check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. If she says jogging is fine, go for it, but start slowly. Walk briskly for a few minutes then jog for a few seconds. There are websites that have interval training resources for runners. Check out the Couch to 5K Running Plan at www.coolrunning.com. You can even download pod casts that match the program from this website: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/page4.html
What Happens During Interval Training
Your body is always trying to be more efficient. It will get used to a certain level of activity and chug along just fine. For example, if you are walking at a good clip, say 3.5-4 miles an hour, your body will get used to providing the energy you need to accomplish this. Then, if you start jogging or out right sprinting for 30-45 seconds at intervals, your body will quickly adjust and pull energy from any available cell (and the easiest targets are fat cells) to provide that energy.
Short intervals are better. Thirty to sixty second bursts are fine. Some experts suggest using interval training for 30-40 minute training periods. Of course, it all depends on your personal fitness level and overall health.
Build Those Muscles
A lot of people, particularly women, don’t or won’t use weight training because they’re afraid of getting “those bulky muscles” like the ones they see on female body builders. Get real. You’d have to spend eight to ten hours a day in a gym and take all kinds of supplements to look like that.
The main benefit to weight training is building muscle and when it’s done in addition to aerobic or interval training, it will boost your metabolism. Why? Because muscle tissue takes more energy (calories) to maintain. Yes, that’s right. A pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat. Muscles have physical work to do. They move your limbs and help with balance and even hold you upright. Fat tissue, on the other hand is just a static storage unit. That’s one reason the body will use energy from fat cells before anything else. If you have more muscle tissue your body will burn more calories. You don’t even have to do anything. It will even burn calories while you sleep! It’s like putting your metabolism on auto-pilot.
Use Both
Talk to your doctor and get started on a program of cardiovascular/aerobic exercise. Get moving. That’s what your body was designed to do. Add some weight training two to three times a week. You don’t have to join a gym. Get an exercise ball and some inexpensive hand weights. Target large muscle groups to start with, like legs, abdominals and back. There is more surface area in these groups and you’ll build muscle faster.
Once you get started, your metabolism won’t have anywhere to go but up!
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1141922

Obesity is one of those hot topics constantly receiving in-depth attention from the media. No wonder, with modern-day stress levels rising, and fast food more convenient than ever, especially for people with busy jobs, little free time, and those frequently traveling. Add all the chemicals and growth hormones that are being mixed into some foods and soon you realize that it comes to no surprise that countless people find themselves overweight. They are consuming unhealthy foods with the wrong types of calories per meal, maintain bad eating habits, and spend little or no time on fitness activities.
There are several weight loss diet plans that are designed to assist just about anyone in the uphill battle over excess fat. Be it a high protein or vegetarian diet, or possibly a low GI weight loss program, they all have several elements that overlap. For example, fast weight loss programs all stress exercising regularly and drinking lots of water. They also vigorously urge dieters never to skip meals, which would be absolutely the worst thing anyone trying to lose weight could do. Missing meals can force a body into a ’starvation mode’, causing it to hang on to the weight participants are actually trying to lose.
Practicing portion control and eating the right nutritious foods are imperative keys to a healthy successful diet and a successful weight management. It is important to know what to eat and how much. This is often easier said than done, especially when dining at a restaurant where they serve richly overflowing plates, or offer all-you-can-eat buffets. One way to counter this phenomenon is to find out ahead of time, what a diet plan’s recommended serving sizes are, and for the specific foods that are allowed. Being able to visualize what sensible portions look like, and to stop eating when feeling satisfied, are great ways to overcome these troubling obstacles. If that does not work, try using calorie calculators, which come in easy to use portable devices you can take with you, or can be found as simple programs on the Internet.
Adding more whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes to your simple and easy diet is essential for a healthy weight loss and can optimize any fast diet. These foods are nutrient rich, low in calories and fat, and high in fiber, allowing you to eat lots, more often, yet losing weight, or maintaining a currently preferred body shape. Healthy snacks in between meals will eliminate hunger pains and are recommended in any fast weight loss program. Eating every three to four hours is necessary in order to maintain blood sugar levels and to prevent you from getting famished between meals. If you are too hungry you may start overeating during the actual meals.
Exercising does not mean participating in a Triathlon, or spending every spare minute at the gym. What a fast diet plan recommends is bringing your heart rate up and boosting your metabolism, which can easily be accomplished by taking a brisk 30-minute walk or riding a bike. Also, monitor your progress by using exercise counters.
If you are trying to fit into that special dream-dress, are looking forward to impress your sweetheart at a party, your doctor recommended losing weight because of possible health risks, or for whatever reason that prompts you to shed weight, fast diet plans are definitely the way to go. They are healthy solutions that can bring quick and satisfying results.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1142411

Posted on 20 May 2009 In: Fitness Trainer

Fitness Trainer:Stay Safe When Exercising

It seems that a lot of people really get into the exercise and fitness routine when NBC’s Biggest Loser Show comes on the air, this writer included. Being fit and eating right is so very important to maintain a healthy body, but being safe is just as important.
Going on a walk with friends is safer than going alone, but sometimes friends are not available when you have the time or energy. Protecting yourself when you decide to go it alone is extremely important.
Your Greatest Protection Store offers a unique answer to being better prepared to protect yourself while alone on that walk or jog. It is a product called Hot Walkers. Hot Walkers are two, 1 lb. hand weights that contain pepper spray for your self-defense. Not only do you get the benefits of the extra weight to carry around, not that I don’t have enough of my own, but you get the pepper spray to keep attackers at bay while you get away. They also contain a nifty little storage compartment for your keys and money!
If carrying pepper spray makes you uncomfortable for some reason when jogging, Your Greatest Protection Store also has a good selection of Personal Alarms. These alarms vary in features. I like the ones that have a built-in flashlight. The one main thing they all do is emit an ear piercing 120db alarm. If you find yourself in trouble just activate the alarm and it should help draw attention to your situation and deter the attacker.
I know many of us like to hit the gym when we first get up in the morning or go right after work. Well, with fall and winter approaching, the days are getting shorter and shorter. Most likely it will be dark as you are either entering or exiting your gym. Don’t get into the habit of keeping your head down while walking to and from your car. Before you get out of your car, look around; make sure there is no one that seems out of place or makes you feel uncomfortable. The same thing holds true when leaving your gym. Before you open the gym doors, look outside and keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings as you walk to your car. I always carry a keychain with a small canister of pepper spray on it. Just in case.
I know, you’re saying, but I live in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood. Well maybe so, but I’m not sure attackers want to keep it that way. Everyone is vulnerable when they are out alone, especially women. But now, we can do something about it.
If by chance, you live in an area that is not quite as safe, Your Greatest Protection offers more advanced personal protection products to help you better protect yourself, such as Tasers and Stun Guns.
Now I know you’ve probably heard a lot of this before, but why take chances when there are products available to help keep you safe. Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable knowing that you did all you could to keep yourself out of harms way? I know I do.
I try to do what I can. Yes this includes exercising and eating right, and protecting myself. Who knows, with the muscle I build by using the hand weights, maybe I can give an attacker a run for their money.
Exercise, stay fit, eat right, stay safe and don’t be a “big loser” by becoming a victim.
Wouldn’t Bob & Jillian be proud!
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1143658

Posted on 19 May 2009 In: Fitness Trainer

Fitness Trainer:7 Minute Muscle Reviewed

Have you had a chance to watch the report on CNN about living longer?
While the quest for the proverbial Fountain of Youth is endless and typically fruitless, one method known to extend the human lifespan by up to five years has quietly become accepted among leading researchers. The concept is easy: Consume less. Many Experts now say it can add years to your life, not to mention the improved health state.
Is that true? Eat fewer calories. Live longer?
Who would have thought?
Really, can you explain? And of more concern, how come the majority of fitness experts give advice that is different, about eating 6 small meals a day? Are there any commonalities?
There is common ground. Before we get into that, we will take a look at why consuming less can extend your life.
This show continued:
Calorie restriction, as it is called, is as close to a real Fountain of Youth as any known technique comes. Even skeptics of the anti-aging industry admit it really works, by extending the life of the individual cells as well as curbing some diseases by cutting the risk factors that can cause them.
This is just part of the story. As usual, the mainstream media doesn’t always bother to give you the entire picture.
Eating less is a bit over-simplistic. Caloric restriction is based on “quantitative” reduction, not simply eating like a bird or starving yourself. That will never work. You won’t stick to it and your body certainly won’t bother to burn off its spare bodyfat when it thinks you’re in a stone age famine.
Avoiding over training whether in the gym or at home is the key. Like everything overdoing it isn’t a good thing. Training too hard will encourage you to eat more.
The latest system of Jon Benson, the 7 Minute Muscle is great for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much of their like in the gym working out or in the kitchen measuring food. This is REQUIRED READING if you really want to see how great you can look in the least amount of time possible. You will work hard. There are no potions or pills to purchase with 7 Minute Muscle. However it is worth every second… all 420 of them!
7 Minute Muscle <— read more here
More Information on 7 Minute Muscle at: www.FitnessLenz.com
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1143825

The end of the year is quickly approaching and that means holiday crunch time is right around the corner. As time quickly passes, and the holidays close in, higher calorie meals loom ahead. Some people discount the holidays as a time when they know they will gain weight. Others have a strategy for making it through and maintaining their current weight. Those that are dieting try their best not to fall into the traps of holiday parties, potluck lunches at work and family and friends stopping by to drop off desserts. The holidays can definitely be a brutal part of your diet no matter what your situation is. And then there is the beginning of the year gym rush. When those that might have had a hard time during the holidays kick into gear and try to make better choices to go along with the New Year. Often people make a resolution to get into shape or lose weight at the beginning of the year and usually start off pretty strong. Of course as time goes on, many people drop off and by Valentine’s Day, the gyms are back to having their regular customers.
Many of the same people go through this routine year after year, and each year they give up after a few weeks of hard work. The problem is usually taking on too much too fast. In order to be successful, you have to gradually make those important changes. Many people go from not working out at all, to trying to work out an hour or more a day six days a week. That just isn’t going to work and your body will quickly burn out. It helps to set small maintainable goals that you can reach quickly to keep yourself motivated. You might even inquire the services of a personal trainer to help you pace yourself. Personal trainers are everywhere, and growing in popularity. One personal trainer that is known for her results as well as her hard hitting tactics is Jillian Michaels. Having a personal trainer like Jillian Michaels can certainly help you reach your weight loss goals whether you’re looking to drop a few pounds, or completely change your body.
Jillian Michaels achieved her fame as a hard hitting personal trainer on the hit reality TV show The Biggest Loser. Although you may not have reality show aspirations as your fitness goals, having a personal trainer can give you an advantage towards success. You might not have access to Jillian Michaels as your trainer, but most gyms have personal trainers on staff. Personal trainers can be a great resource to help you lose weight and get into the shape you want. Whether you’re trying to tone and tighten up, or drop a lot of weight, soliciting a personal trainer might be just the jump start you need to assure you reach your fitness goals.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1144255