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Running to Get in Shape
2008-05-09 19:20:00
I’m not a huge fan of running. I do understand the benefits of doing it to get in shape but I find there are other things I’d rather do instead. But that is just me. Cycling suits me better. There is nothing wrong with running but if you are just starting out to trying to get in shape then I would caution you not to simply jump off the couch and begin a run. It takes time to build up your stamina and muscles for running. This article explains what I’m talking about: Don’t Take Off Running Just Yet, MU fitness Expert Says It also is a vigorous exercise and isn’t for everyone, according to a University of Missouri Extension state fitness specialist. “It is unrealistic to one day get off the couch and decide to go out and run,” said Steve Ball, … The good thing is most people start off walking to get themselves back into shape and to build up their endurance. This is perfectly fine but I’m not a huge fan of walking either. I think it’s a good...
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Are You Getting Fit? | Can Wii Fit Help?
2008-05-08 16:12:00
I’ve noticed that the gym crowd has slowly started creeping back up. As usual there was huge rush of people, the resolutionists, that hit the gym earlier this year for their requisite one month stay. The lull set in for a couple of months but now everybody is rolling back through to try to develop their bikini body. I’ve noticed a lot of women are asking the fitness class instructors for more arm and thigh work. That stuff is benefiting me too. I hardly ever work out my inner thighs. Or concentrate so heavily on my triceps. These seem to be a big deal to women and since the total body fitness classes I take are predominantly female, that’s what we end up concentrating on. Sure we still do exercises for the major muscle groups like squats and bench presses, but we are targeting smaller muscle groups too. For those of you who play video games, have you thought about the Nintendo Wii fitness game? I don’t have that game system, nor do I intend on purchasing one....

The Benefits of Strength Training Routines
2008-03-31 22:58:00
strength training routines are an important component of fitness and exercise. If you are trying to lose weight then it is essential that you incorporate some muscle building activities into your training. losing weight is about burning calories. It is about burning fat and one way to do that is to build your muscles. Basically the more muscle you develop the more energy you burn, resulting in weight loss success. Strength training routines will help you do this Strength training routines do not have to be a daily grind of lifting weights in the gym. There are many classes or exercise programs you can follow that will help with building your muscles. Most gyms have classes like total body fitness or group power lifting. Typically these types of strength training routines use many types of weight training equipment including barbells, hand weights and resistance bands. The typical class lasts for a hour and works every muscle group in the body from the triceps to the chest down to th...
More About: Training , Benefits , Strength Training

Can Indoor Cycling Classes Get You in Shape?
2008-03-17 16:59:00
I have heard the question: can indoor cycling classes get you in shape? People ask this all the time. They wonder how it’s possible to get in shape while you sit there on a bike simply pedaling around and around. Well most of those people have no respect for the bike in the first place. Whether it’s indoor or or not. Some people think of a bike as a child’s toy and not as one of the most efficient pieces of equipment for getting in shape. Group cycling classes are brutal…or not. It all depends on what you want to get out of the workout. If you follow the instructor you will get in shape and work extremely hard. Indoor cycling classes can be very exhausting. You just have to decide how hard you want to work. A new person going to an indoor cycling class should go at their own pace. Find their own rhyth. At least for the first couple of weeks. And they should not be intimidated because of the speed that the regulars are riding. I was in a class a couple of week...
More About: Cycling , Classes , Shape

Bosu Exercises For a Full Body Workout
2008-02-29 16:13:00
Bosu exercises are not easy. That ball will absolutely work you if you let. Most people are familiar with using the bosu to firm up your belly. It is one of the best pieces of exercise equipment for shaping your abdominal muscles. But it’s amazing what else you can use the bosu for. In the group exercise classes I take we do quite a few bosu exercises for a total body workout. I find it grueling. Core Workout Obviously the first bosu exercise that you would be aware of is the abdominal workout. Sitting on the bosu and trying to get your balance while doing scissor kicks or crunches. Other core workouts include using a medicine ball and having someone throw it to you as you are seated on the bosu. You catch it, go back slightly, rotate side to side, then throw it back. That’s a killer. Or they throw to either side and you catch it. That bosu exercise really works the oblique muscles. Chest and Shoulder Workout In class we flip the bosu over and grip the edge of the ball, ...
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Best Squat Workouts for Your Lower Body
2008-02-21 15:17:00
The best squat workouts will do wonders for your legs, buttocks, thighs and quadriceps. The group exercise classes I’ve been going to concentrate heavily on the squat as a means for toning and building the legs. I’ve mentioned before that the classes I attend are predominantly filled with women. It’s rather interesting that when guys hit the gym their focus is on arms and chest. Women hit the gym and their focus tends to be on the legs and buttocks. I prefer a full body approach but since most of the activities I enjoy outside of the gym involve my legs (i.e. cycling) these fitness classes suit me just fine. Anyway, given that the classes are taught by women and they are filled mostly with women it stands to reason the exercises focus heavily on the areas that they deem important. And frankly I’m getting the best leg workout I’ve ever gotten. The first batch of exercises (following a warmup) is the standard squat. Simply put the weight behind your neck...
More About: Body , Lower , Squat

Wanting to Get Fit By May
2008-02-14 15:34:00
Went to group power lift class night. The crowds are beginning to dwindle as usual. I was in fact the only male in the class this time. The instructor said something about that and I replied that the ratio was perfectly fine. A couple of women were standing around before class discussing working out and getting fit and what was motivating them to be in the class. They said that they wanted to get into their swimsuits by May. They jokingly figured that wasn’t what was motivating me, and I said it wasn’t, but I had other goals that involved bike riding and such. So the topic of the night seemed to be getting in shape by May so they could wear summer clothes and swimsuits. I felt like a fly on the wall. But I thought it was interesting what motivated this group of women to workout. The thing is having a goal will help you continue to stay motivated to workout. These women know exactly what they wanted to achieve with their workout. Good for them. Some women in these exercis...

The 20 Minute Workout is Crap
2008-02-11 17:36:00
I believe the 20 minute workout is virtually worthless. How do I know this? I don’t really but common sense tells me it’s simply not enough time to get in shape. That it is just another gimmick to try to push people into working out when they would rather spend time doing other things. There are a ton of books, DVDs and articles written about how to make the most of your workout time when you don’t have any time. To me one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to keep your body in good shape. So find adequate time. Don’t simply fit a workout in. Your body needs more than a daily 20 minute workout. How many gyms have a 20 minute workout class? Not many I suspect. Aren’t most of them 45 minutes to an hour? When you join some sort of health fitness challenge at your gym, don’t they always require you do some sort of physical fitness for at least 45 minutes? There is a reason for this. Rigorous exercise should be performed for over 4...
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What Gyms Have to Offer
2008-02-07 17:28:00
I have a few friends and acquaintances who do not share my enthusiasm over what gyms have to offer for getting fit. Now, they do understand the value of getting fit and being healthy, but they do not see the value of paying to go to a gym to exercise. And it’s a valid point. One which I disagree with. What gyms have to offer is motivation. You may think that is a small concern, one which good money might not need to be spent for. But, sometimes I need a pat on the back. It’s nice to get to know the instructors or trainers. They are always helpful and friendly. Encouraging. Yes you can simply exercise in front of your TV, but what is the fun in that? Who are you going to meet that shares the same fitness goals you do. I think it’s great to see a friendly face at the gym and see how they are doing. They always ask how I’m doing and that’s a nice feeling. So you don’t care for the humanity of going to a gym. What else does gyms have to offer? Diversi...
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How Long Does it Take to Get in Shape?
2008-01-30 22:43:00
The question always comes up: how long does it take to get in shape? Hard to say. If you have never exercised before it may in fact take quite a while. But usually I would give myself 6 weeks to really find your way in getting that exercise workout to become effective. Yes I know there are books on how to get in shape in 10 days and how to lose weight in 24 hours, etc., etc. But the reality is it takes time for your body to adjust to working out. Let’s say you have been pregnant for 9 long months. You may not have felt well enough to exercise. That’s understandable. But you end up holding on to more pregnancy weight than you’d like, have a stretch mark removal problem and realize that exercise could help you a little with these issues. Well, you need to take your time and start slowly and work into your fitness program. You’re starting from the bottom. We all want fast results but it just simply does not work that way. Get motivated and stay motivated, 4 days...
More About: Shape , Long

Group Exercise Classes for Muscle Endurance
2008-01-24 22:36:00
For the last couple of months I have been pushing myself pretty hard with my exercise workouts. I have been attending two to four exercise classes a week for cardio work and/or muscle endurance. And I love it. About two years ago I was doing the typical heavy lifting. Three sets of 10 repetitions. It was getting boring and I realized that the last thing I really wanted to be doing was getting bigger. I mean it’s not like I’m a football player or boxer or body builder. Adding bulk seemed stupid. Not that my skinny frame would increase that much, but still, I’m not getting any younger and it just seemed pointless to bulk up like that. So I was in the gym one day and a buddy suggested I go lighter and do more reps. Go for muscle endurance. It made sense. I mean, I’m far more likely to need muscle endurance than muscle strength. I bicycle. I snowboard. My muscles are pretty strong but they tend to tire. I needed endurance. So I started busting out 20 reps at a li...
More About: Exercise , Classes , Group , Muscle , Endurance

Another Fitness List
2008-01-20 16:56:00
I must have come across hundreds of websites stating that one of your goals for the New Year should be to get fit and lose weight. Apparently people have been hammered with this knowledge so much that they are immune to the suggestion. To this day only 48 percent of people surveyed bother to workout regularly. I find that sad, knowing how much better I feel physically and emotionally during and after I workout. Yahoo has an article they posted that suggests ways to get yourself on track to exercise. It all well and good but I doubt it’s going to get 2 people to give exercising a try. The article lists the following steps to get started if you’re interested: If you aren’t exercising, figure out what is holding you back. (TV mostly) Pick something you enjoy doing. (If you want to really get in shape, it might be something you don’t like but learn to tolerate. Sorry, sometimes that’s just the way it is.) Start with modest exercise goals. (Make your goals ...
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Teens Should Exercise to Avoid Obesity Later in Life
2008-01-14 19:09:00
Here’s a shocker: a study by John Hopkins has concluded that, Participating in physical activities in and out of school more than two times a week protects adolescents from becoming overweight young adults, according to new research. Basically the study determined that if a kid was active rollerblading or playing basketball or whatever, the chances of being overweight as an adult was reduced by 48 percent. Common sense tells me that the likelihood of a kid being active when they are young, the chances are great that they will continue to want to be active when they get older. Johns Hopkins didn’t need to commission a study and waste their money on that. But I guess somebody had to spend some grant money.
More About: Life , Teens , Exercise , Obesity , Avoid

Change Your Lifestyle and Live Longer
2008-01-10 00:00:00
People with four healthy lifestyle behaviors — not smoking, physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and eating five servings of fruit or vegetables a day — live an average of 14 years longer than people with none of those behaviors, a new British study contends. This was reported in U.S. News and World Report. Pretty much says ...
More About: Lifestyle , Change , Live

Resistance Band Exercises Are No Joke
2008-01-04 00:00:00
You know those resistance bands, looks like big rubber bands with handles on them? Used to be those things weren’t taken very seriously for working out. Probably still aren’t. But let me tell you, we’ve been using them in fitness class, and when used properly they can kick your butt. I work out with weights. So ...
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Get Yourself to a Fitness Class for Muscle Endurance
2008-01-04 00:00:00
My workout at the gym involves a couple of main activities. A couple of days a week I lift weights. Upper one day. Lower the next. I’m not a bodybuilder, nor do I care to be. I lift to stay toned and strong. On other days I go to full body conditioning or boot camp ...
More About: Fitness , Class , Muscle , Endurance

New Year’s Workout Blues Have Begun
2008-01-04 00:00:00
Went to the gym today since I had the day off work. Appears that everybody else had the same idea. Except you could tell a lot of resolutionists had gotten a head start and was hitting the gym as well. Good for them. Seriously. I hope they stick with it. Statistics probably say otherwise. My ...
More About: New Year , Blues , Workout , Year

New Year’s Resolutions Approaches
2007-12-28 00:00:00
Hate crowded workout days. Today everybody apparently descended on the cycling class. Thought I would get up and hit the 8:30 class. I usually get there 15 minutes early and start my ride so I’ll get in a full hour. So I get to the Y early. Went to get my badge scanned and asked ...
More About: New Year , Year , Resolutions , Resolution

Fit for the New Year
2007-12-28 00:00:00
Today is the day every website from here to Yahoo is going to be telling you how to get in shape and lose weight. It is just a few days until the New Year , like that is the only time worthy of starting an exercise and healthy diet routine. The good thing is you can ...

Walking for Fitness
2007-12-21 00:00:00
I’m not a fan of walking for fitness. You are going to see a ton of articles on the benefits of walking as the new year rolls around. Why am I a walking snob? Because I think most people can do better. Need to do better. Walking is simply too relaxing to provide much benefit. ...
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Use Proper Form When You Workout
2007-12-15 00:00:00
I am a stickler for proper form when working out. Nothing chafes me more that watching someone work out and cheat themselves. I just don’t think people know. From simple pushups to bench presses it seems a lot of people just do not try to achieve the best possible form. Let’s take the push up. I ...
More About: Workout , Form , Prop , Rope

Fitness Goals and Exercise Tips to Build the Body You Want
2007-12-15 00:00:00
Everybody needs a plan if they want to get fit. For the beginner getting in shape seems like such a daunting thing. They see really fit people or look at all the shiny gym equipment and get intimidated. More advanced gym rats are simply spinning their wheels trying to keep motivated or push past whatever ...
More About: Fitness , Body , Exercise , Tips , Goals

Nice But Expensive List of Yoga Gifts
2007-12-01 00:00:00
FitSugar has a quick little list of gifts for the person on your Christmas list who practices Yoga . Shiva Rea: Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga DVD Bamboo Intention Pant Manduka Mat These items aren’t necessary the cheapest things going. The DVD can be found for around $15 but the pants and the mat are pretty expensive. The pant ...
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Exercise Videos for Beginners
2007-11-28 00:00:00
Thanks to WebMD for reviewing and listing what they consider the best 12 workout videos for beginners. They give the buyer tips on what they need to look for when they are shopping for fitness videos. Don’t judge the content by the DVD jacket. Make sure to preview it prior to purchase. Make sure the instructors fitness ...
More About: Videos , Exercise

Pilates Abs Video Workout
2007-11-26 00:00:00
OK your done with Thanksgiving. I’m sure you have gorged yourself silly on all that food. Now is the time that you start thinking that getting in shape and losing weight might not be a bad idea. Why not beat the New Year’s rush and go ahead and get started flattening that tummy. This video ...
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Fattest Cities in America
2007-11-26 00:00:00
Earlier this month Forbes.com ranked the most obese cities in America . They took into account 2006 body mass index data collected by the Center of Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System which did phone interviews with residents regarding health issues. The results indicated that one-third of all Americans are obese. Sobering indeed. The study ...
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Keep the Weight Off With These 4 Tips
2007-11-11 00:00:00
Gabrielle Reece gives a nice pep talk on how to take the weight of and keep it there. Basically it amounts to these four key points: Keep foods out of your house that you don’t want to eat. No junk Find an exercise that will get you moving which you enjoy. Minimize your stress. Go to sleep. You can read ...
More About: Weight , Tips , Weigh

The Importance of Fitness Program Success
2007-11-09 00:00:00
You have to start somewhere. So many times people who want to get fit simply do not start. When they begin their exercise program they may wonder why they did not do this all along. It is all about simply starting. Decide what excercise you think you will like and simply go for it. If ...
More About: Fitness , Success , Program

Choosing the Right Gym Membership
2007-11-09 00:00:00
This time of the year is bittersweet to me. I’m actually glad that fitness awareness begins to rise. People start thinking about exercising. They start thinking about goals and resolutions. But it also starts to fill up the gym. People are outside and the “resolutionists” haven’t descended on the fitness clubs. When the new year ...
More About: Membership , Members

Tips for Beginning That New Fitness Class
2007-10-19 00:00:00
Fit Sugar has some good tips on how to start a new fitness class. Going into something new is not always easy, particularly when you are trying to get into shape. I know a lot of people feel self-conscience like everyone will be looking at you or smirking because you don’t know the moves or ...
More About: Fitness , Tips , Class