Home Workout Tips and Advice!

As with all workout systems, or at least those worth their weight, Hip Hop Abs with Shaun T comes with some bonuses. As if the 4 workout DVDs and the ability to get a flat sculpted midsection without any crunches wasn’t enough, you do get some “Hip Hop Abs extras” with your purchase. Before we get to those bonus items, let me take a second to talk about what’s so great about this program.

Shaun T, celebrity trainer and choreographer leads you through 4 great workouts with this system. You will dance and sweat your way to a slimmer midsection without even realizing how hard you are actually working. Along with great results, that’s what this system offers: FUN!

Hip Hop Abs is as fun as it is effective and it gives you a great way to let loose and get rid of some stress.

With the program you get 4 DVD workouts and a pretty nice list of Hip Hop Abs extras. First, you get some extra workouts. The Hips, Buns, and Thighs workout DVD targets other areas of the body. It is another fun dance workout but this one spends more time on those lower body trouble spots. You also get Last Minute Abs, a 5 minute ab routine that lets you get a quick burn on when you might not have time for a full workout. Do this when you have a spare moment or add it to the Hips, Buns and Thighs workout to get the most of your Hip Hop Abs extras.

One of the most requested Hip Hop Abs extras is the Results on the Run Diet Guide. This little booklet is extremely valuable for us busy adults that often have no choice but to hit a drive through. Shaun T will help you find a healthy option at some of the top fast food joints. You also get the 6 Day Slim Down Plan to get you started on serious weight loss results and a measurement card and tape measure to track your progress.

The Hip Hop Abs workout system is valuable enough without all the bonuses. These great “extras”, however, simply make it one of the best dance workout systems on the market!

While childhood obesity is at all time highs, there are some teens getting into fitness earlier than ever. Whether this is a result of the obesity epidemic or something else, we cannot be certain. What we do know, however, is that when younger people get involved in fitness they must be fully informed on just how a fitness program can affect their body, their confidence, and their growth. On one hand, fitness tips for teens need to take the fact that their bodies are still growing into consideration. On the other, however, teens are young adults that can benefit from many of the same tips we give to our adult clients and readers.

When discussing fitness tips for teens it would be remiss of us not to address some safety concerns. During the teen years, the human body goes through drastic changes. This can be characterized by fluctuations in metabolism and weight gain, or loss, in different areas of the body. Often we see teen girls in particular developing poor self image around these years. A venture into fitness, for these girls, can be self destructive if not approached with a healthy mindset.

Learning how to exercise and how to fuel your body for a fitness lifestyle is key when addressing fitness tips for teens. The more you work out, the more you need to pay attention to your diet. Too much of the wrong foods and you may not see much progress no matter how often you are working out. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, if you eat too little or restrict your calories too much, your body won’t have the fuel necessary to maintain your workouts. Balance is key here and a little trial and error may be necessary.

In general, fitness tips for teens aren’t all that different from fitness tips for adults. When a teen wants to get involved in a fitness program a quick chat with a doctor would be beneficial to lay some groundwork. Aside from that eating well, working out safely, and maintaining a healthy body image will set them on the path to lifelong fitness.

If you are a teen or know a teen who wants to start a new workout program, consider some of the dance workout DVD programs we have. Hip Hop Abs and Turbo Jam are especially popular with teen girls and are a great way to get started.

In this day and age you can get vitamins anywhere.  Any corner store is going to carry a cheap name brand or you can spend quite a chunk of change on some options.  How do we pick in choose between all of these options.  Are there some that are better for us?

Well, first and foremost the biggest difference in most vitamins is how they are made and what they are made with.  Our bodies are not built to digest synthetic non-food material and a lot of companies are making vitamins that are chemically and synthetically made.  So here people are taking vitamins trying to keep or make themselves more healthy and they aren’t even able to digest and put those vitamins to any use.  These synthetically made vitamins are actually stressors on our bodies because we are trying to digest and break down something that we aren’t built to.  So the first thing to look for are plant based whole food vitamins.  Vitamins made only from foods or our natural products from our environment, nothing synthetic or chemically made.  This way our bodies will actually digest what we are looking to enhance them with.

I know another big difference is the measurement of how much of each nutrient the vitamins contain.  Just remember that more isn’t necessarily better.  It goes back to again the plant/food based vitamins or the synthetically made ones.  If you choose a synthetically made vitamin then it can contain a very high amount of nutrients but because your body isn’t able to digest them you really aren’t doing yourself a favor.  It is much better to have a low amount of those nutrients that your body can acutally put to use and not stress itself over trying to digest.

So when buying your vitamins do a little research, read the lables, see what they are made of, if there are any additives.  It’s important!  Why spend the money on things with good intentions  when they can’t be put to use.

Sometimes when you reach a lull in your workout routines, you need a bit of motivation. Nothing motivates me more than thinking of all of the reasons for maintaining my health. There are countless reasons you should partake in a regular workout program. Listed here you will find some that I consider to be the top ten reasons to exercise.

1. Longer Life. If this isn’t the most motivating factor, than I don’t know what is. Optimal health leads to a longer life, period. Work out, live longer.

2. Self Confidence. For me, this definitely deserves a place in the top ten reasons to exercise. The better you feel about yourself, the better your whole outlook on life is.

3. Decreased Stress. If you’ve ever skipped several days in a row of working out you will really see just how much exercise does for your stress level.

4. Increased Immune Health. Recent studies show that regular exercise encourages your immune system, making it easier to fight off illnesses when they attack.

5. Increased Flexibility. As you age, making exercise part of your daily plans will decrease stiff muscles and maintain your ability to reach and bend properly.

6. Better Cardiovascular Health. With cardiovascular disease at an all time high, exercise is a crucial aspect of keeping your heart and lungs functioning as they are designed to.

7. Keep Up With the Kids. There’s nothing more depressing than watching your kids grow and not being able to play with them like you’d like to. Regular exercise means a game of family softball or tag is always an option.

8. Lower Healthcare Costs. Better health equals less doctor’s visits and fewer prescription drugs. By keeping yourself fit you are keeping your bank account in shape too.

9. Improved Sleep Quality. When you regularly exercise it is easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, making you ready to go when the alarm goes off in the morning.

10. Appearance. While some people might put this as #1 in the top ten reasons to exercise, the fact is that if a leaner you is the only goal in your exercise maintenance, you will find it harder to stick with the program long term. While fitting into those jeans is a great feeling, don’t forget the other 9 reasons!

The top ten reasons to exercise may vary for you. Perhaps the hour of solitude you get each day when you are working out deserves a spot on the list. Whatever reasons make your top ten, remember them when you are feeling down about your workout.

If you are looking for extra reason to enjoy your fitness plan, consider shaking things up with a new DVD workout system. The Hip Hop Abs Dance Party Series is a fun and effective way to get fit. We also have the P90X Special Package for those people who are ready to step up their fitness game and get serious about looking and feeling their best.

Strong legs are a great asset. Not only do they look good in shorts or a skirt, they can dramatically improve your athletic performance. Thigh exercises are those that work the major muscles of the legs, including the hamstrings and the quadriceps. Many thigh exercises simultaneously work the calves and the glutes too, making them great lower body work. Whether you are looking to add a “leg day” to your workout schedule or simply want a few moves that focus on the gams, I have some great thigh exercises for you.

The #1 of all thigh exercise, in my opinion, is the lunge. Some people prefer to step forward into a lunge, while others step back. Some even prefer the “walking lunge”. When you find the lunge that suits you best, start out with 3 sets of 15. As those get easier add more or consider holding weights.

Another great one in the world of thigh exercises is the squat. This is an excellent way to firm up the muscles in your thighs as well as your hips and butt. There are many approaches to squats but remember the safest ones don’t allow your knees to go out past your toes when looking down. Sit back into a squat, keeping your upper body as straight as possible for maximum benefits. When straight squats get too easy, add some hand weights.

P90X includes several great options when it comes to lower body work and thigh exercises. The “Legs & Back” DVD offers a great way to firm up the lower half. Tony Horton will walk you through an extreme lower body workout with this one and include the back muscles for some variety and a much needed break.

On the cardio end of things, the Kenpo X DVD provides a different approach to thigh exercises. With all of the kicking and solid stances in this workout, you will definitely have a high energy alternative to the typical thigh exercises.

When working your thighs make certain to keep it safe. Sore muscles are a sign you are making progress. Pain, however, is a sign that you are injured. There’s nothing quite like the soreness after a good thigh workout though to keep you coming back for more.

According to the Mayo Clinic and several other sources, there are several foods that are the ultimate as far as being nutrient dense and at the top of their game. Over the past few years, several sources have published their version of the “10 Healthiest Foods”. While many of these lists contain some of the same foods, there are slight variations. Because of their reputability and visibility online, I tend to like the Mayo Clinic’s 10 Healthiest Foods.

According to their list, those on top include: almonds, apples, blueberries, broccoli, red beans, salmon, spinach, sweet potatoes, vegetable juice, and wheat germ.

The 10 Healthiest Foods as chosen by Mayo Clinic are said to have qualified under 5 standards including being a good source of nutrients, high in phytonutrients and antioxidants, low in calories, readily available, and able to help in the reduction of heart disease and other health conditions.

If this were my 10 Healthiest Food list, I would replace wheat germ with steel cut oatmeal. It is highly available and has numerous health benefits. As a matter of fact, many similar lists include oatmeal in their top ten.

One of the good things about this list is these foods are easily incorporated into your diet. Almonds and blueberries on your oatmeal make a great breakfast. A spinach salad with apples is perfect for lunch and salmon with sweet potatoes and broccoli make a super nutritious and filling dinner. By adding some of these foods into your daily diet, they can take the place of higher calorie, less nutritious things you may be eating.

Small simple changes can make a big difference in your diet. For additional information on healthy foods and good recipes to easily incorporate them into your diet, check out these entries in About.com’s Low Calorie Cooking Blog.

Fun with fitness tests? Yes, that’s what I said. Fitness tests can be a great way to have fun with your workouts. While some at home fitness programs require a fitness test before starting, some people use testing techniques to keep their motivation high and to track their performance progress. For a little fun, consider testing yourself once a month or every other month to see how you are progressing. Depending on the intensity of your training, you may be surprised at just how much progress can be made in a month’s time.

While you can feel free to come up with your own fitness test, there are many tests available online as well. The United States Army uses what they call the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to ensure their soldiers are maintaining a basic level of fitness. This particular test includes sit-ups, push-ups, and a 2 mile run.

Soldiers must get at least a score of 60 on each to pass.The APFT allows for men and women to do as many push-ups as possible in a 2 minute time. A man, aged 27 to 31 must get at least 19 push-ups while a woman of the same age needs to get 17. For sit ups, both men and women need to get 45 for a minimal passing score. Women get 20 minutes and 30 seconds to finish their 2 mile run and men get 17 minutes.

Keep in mind, this is a minimal passing score. The U.S. Army would like people to do better than the minimum. Additional scores can be found online. See how you measure up.

Depending on your fitness goals, you may want to add some additional steps to your test. Check out the fitness test in your P90X Fitness Guide for some ideas or simply use that test as your monthly gauge of progress.

Watch over time how the numbers on your fitness tests change. You will be able to see your hard work pay off if you keep track of the results over the long run. Fitness is hard work but it can also be fun. This is just one way to mix it up and have a little incentive to working out.

P90X is one of the best selling home fitness systems currently on the market. It is popular and highly effective. Its effectiveness is no doubt part of the reason that it has become so popular. People all over the world are seeing major results with the P90X program and talking about it all over the web. Just like any workout program, however, some people have P90X problems. Whether it involves changing the workouts to nurse an injury or having questions about the nutrition plans, we can help.

The first thing we recommend when someone is experiencing P90X problems is that they thoroughly read their Fitness Guide and their Nutrition Guide. All of the answers to P90X questions can be found in these volumes. If the P90X problem you are having is simply due to not receiving your Nutrition Guide or Fitness Guide with your purchase, we may still be able to help.

If you purchased P90X here at ExtremeBody Workout and something was missing with your order, contact customer service immediately for assistance. Have your order number ready so that we can be of the most help.

If your P90X problems are somehow related to your health and/or customizing the workout to work around an injury in some way, you should first consult your physician. P90X is a tough workout system and we wouldn’t want anyone doing it against their doctor’s recommendations. Aside from that, play it safe. If you are injured and uncertain if P90X is right for you, take time to recover before diving in. Working out too early after an injury can cause long lasting problems.

There aren’t many issues that we foresee people having with the P90X program. It was developed by professionals and has been tested again and again by people around the world with intense fitness goals. If, however, you have any questions about the system, get in touch with us and we will do everything we can to help you out.

When you are in pursuit of weight loss or fitness goals, every little bit helps. Every additional pound of fat lost and every pound of muscle gained is a step closer to reaching the body you’ve always wanted. Both exercise and diet play a role in reaching your fitness goals. There is one additional component that can be added to push you even closer: supplements. Workout supplements come formulated for a variety of goals. One of these, boosting metabolism, is great for those of us who want to lose that extra fat.

Metabolism boosting workout supplements like Activit are designed to increase the rate at which your body uses calories for fuel. A faster metabolism means you are burning additional calories throughout your day, even when you are at rest! While gaining muscle is the best natural way to increase your metabolism, adding a workout supplement can only improve your results.

In the past, workout supplements like metabolism boosters were given a bad rap. This is because they often contained components, like Ephedra, that were effective but highly dangerous. In addition, they made people feel bad. The jittery feeling of drinking way too much coffee was a common side effect of these supplements. Now, however, the supplement industry has evolved.

All natural ingredients like Green Tea Extract and Pyruvate have been shown to boost the metabolism without these unpleasant side effects. And best of all: they encourage retention of lean muscle mass.

The best thing about the Activit formula that we sell here is that it doubles as a multivitamin supplement. Proper nutrition is a difficult endeavor and a good multivitamin provides those minerals, vitamins, and nutrients you may otherwise be missing out on. When a product like Activit can include multivitamins and the benefits of a metabolism boosting workout supplement, it’s like getting two high quality products for the cost of one.

Diet and exercise are the primary ways to get fit. Adding a supplement that can boost your metabolism just makes it a little bit easier. You can’t always trust supplements that claim to be a magic pill or the instant solution to quick weight loss. However, a high quality supplement that offers all natural ingredients designed to naturally stoke the fires of your metabolism is a wise investment.

The Turbo Jam series is a fun and seriously popular workout program. The program has helped thousands, maybe even millions of people lose weight, get fit, and feel better about themselves. It blasts a huge amount of calories in a single hour’s work and promotes muscle definition guaranteed to impress. While one of the beauties of this program is that it doesn’t require a lot of equipment, the optional Turbo Jam Gloves are a great addition.

Turbo Jam Gloves are seemingly small. At first glance you may shrug off their necessity and effectiveness. These gloves, however, are small but mighty. Good things come in small packages and the Turbo Jam gloves are no different.

Turbo Jam Gloves can increase your muscle activity by up to 95%!

As with most workout accessories, you are likely wondering if the Turbo Jam Gloves are “required” to be successful on the Turbo Jam workout program. The short answer is no. However, with the level of upgrade these relatively inexpensive gloves add, I can’t think of a reason not to include them. That’s why the Turbo Jam Maximum Results system comes with the gloves.

If Turbo Jam isn’t your thing, consider adding the gloves to other home workouts. These gloves are a great way to help tone your arms and shoulders. If you think you won’t be able to tell the difference when using the Turbo Jam gloves, you are way off.

These gloves are sleek and comfortable. They’re made with a neoprene lining which makes them really comfortable and easy to slide on. Their design makes them flexible enough that you don’t feel like your hands are incapacitated. In addition, they fight tight and close with an easy to manage Velcro panel.

Turbo Jam Gloves are a high quality addition to your workouts. Whether you do Turbo Jam or another at home workout, this small addition makes a big difference in your results.

Finding a workout you like can be hard. When you have a medical condition like a bad back, it can be even harder. Because abdominal workouts often require the same old sit ups and crunches, some people with back problems skip their abs altogether. This isn’t necessary. With your doctor’s blessing, you can “shop around” many of the different abdominal workouts that promise to cause little strain on the back muscles.

The problem with traditional abdominal workouts is their inclusion of sit-ups. While sit ups are the go-to of ab workouts, they can put serious strain on the discs of the spine. Better abdominal workouts for bad backs are those that work the entire core.

Core muscles are those that support the spine and body. They include the abdominal and back muscles. Working one group without the other can lead to problems. For example, in order to get the most out of your ab workout, you have to have developed some sort of tone in your back muscles. The muscles of the body all have complimenting opposite muscles that work to keep them stable and keep you injury free.

Abdominal workouts appropriate for sore backs include those that can be done in a standing position. Hip Hop Abs offers a great alternative to the typical floor workouts we commonly think of when we think of ab workouts. The DVDs with this program focus on getting fit while standing and use dance to get it done.

Additional options include core workouts inspired by yoga. Planks, bird dogs, and similar poses allow for the engagement of abs and back muscles simultaneously. By strengthening these muscles at the same time, you are less likely to get hurt.

When you have a bad back or chronic back pain, it’s important to talk with your doctor before you start any abdominal workout. Once you get the clearance, consider Hip Hop Abs for an alternative to the stand-by sit-up workout.

10 Minute Trainer is one of the hottest selling at home workout programs currently available. Its appeal is obvious: fully customizable workouts designed to fit even the most hectic schedule. However, despite its effectiveness, there are some misunderstandings about the program. So, let’s get one thing out of the way. When it comes to 10 Minute Trainer, the best results will be achieved when you stack workouts. This means that 20, 30, and even 40 minute workout days will result in much better changes than a 10 minute workout.

The main misconception when it comes to the 10 Minute Trainer program is that you can get dramatic and healthy weight loss results by working out for 10 minutes a day. While 10 minutes is better than no workout at all, the real results happen when you are able to combine the 10 minute workouts.

Ten Minute Trainer was created to allow workout customization. Tony Horton wants you to combine the workouts. The program wasn’t made to make you ripped in ten minutes; it was made to give you options.

Like any other effective workout program, 10 Minute Trainer requires hard work to see good results. Also like any other workout program, the best results are worth waiting for. Sure, it’s easy to lose weight fast, but the fact is that extreme diets don’t typically result in lasting weight loss.

If you only have 10 minutes to workout on a particular day, then do it. Do what you can. But make up for the shortcomings on days when time is a little more ample.

10 Minute Trainer is the busy man’s workout (or busy woman). This program doesn’t guarantee effortless transformation but it does deliver an easily implemented high quality total body workout designed by one of the top trainers in the game.

One of the beauties of working out at home is that you don’t need a room full of equipment to make it effective. Home fitness and exercise equipment don’t have to go hand in hand. Sure there are programs out there that require equipment and those that strongly recommend it. We have a few systems here that simply work better with resistance bands or a chin up bar. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are “required”.

Home fitness and exercise equipment can act independently. It’s obvious you don’t need a complete weight set or a home gym to get fit at home. Part of the reason why you chose to do your workouts here is to simplify; the last thing you need is big equipment requirements.

When working out at home, a few well chosen pieces of equipment are all you need. In a pinch, you can often find things around the house to serve the same purposes. Water bottles or milk jugs filled with sand become great hand weights and chairs are a great place to get dips done. Be creative and you will see that home fitness and exercise equipment can really be managed together with little cost or effort.

Now, if you aren’t completely opposed to owning some high quality equipment, you can really make a big difference in your workouts with a small number of items. Resistance bands and a good chin up bar are probably the best small home gym equipment you can invest in. These two items can be used in many home workout programs and the resistance bands can even go with you on the road.

It doesn’t take a weight tower or elliptical machine to get fit at home. Superior home fitness systems can get you fit with minimal equipment needs. If you have any questions about the equipment we sell here, just ask!

Getting the right soundtrack for your workout is a continual job. In order for that playlist to stay effective, you want to find new music on a fairly regular basis. While classics are okay, hearing the same songs day after day during your workouts can get old pretty darn fast. When you update your ipod, your workout takes on a new energy and your motivation is kept on high. Finding good Top 40 workout music is a good way to keep your playlist fresh day after day.

Workout music is essential for some people. The energy simply isn’t there without it. Others can take it or leave it but for those who like to rock out while they workout, the right music is crucial. If you’ve ever been to a class or done an at home workout where the music didn’t fit, you know how bad music or bad choreography can totally screw up your workout. Top 40 workout music might not always have your favorites, but it does ensure something new each week.

When loading up your MP3 player, check online for good ideas when it comes to your playlist. Sites like Marie Claire feature several playlists that are updated to include Top 40 workout music on a fairly consistent basis. You can always just check the Billboard charts for other good ideas.

If finding a workout DVD program that already has hot jams is your goal, be sure to check out the Hip Hop Abs section of our site. There you will find several dance inspired workout programs that meld good music with workout choreography that will both get you fit and keep you motivated.

Top 40 workout music is about finding new songs for your playlist on a regular basis. If you have hit repeat on your workout DVD too many times, consider muting it and turning on your own music. Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Keeping fitness fun helps to keep it effective!

I know “healthy foods” and “Super Bowl” go together like black socks and sandals but when you are trying to do right by your body you have to realize that healthy foods can go with any occasion, holiday, or major sports event. The playoffs are here and the Super Bowl is right around the corner. You may want to skip the BBQ pork ribs and nachos this year, but there are several healthy snack items that you can replace them with.

Homemade Guacamole Homemade guac is a simple treat and fairly healthy. Yes, it is pretty loaded with fat and even though it is considered a “good fat”, you may want to take it easy. Mash a few avocados, some onion, cumin, cayenne, fresh cilantro, and lime juice and you have the perfect dip for veggies and even a few baked corn chips.

Turkey Brats Bratwurst is a must have with big sporting events. Choose a lower fat turkey brat and grill it. Skip the bun and top with mustard and onions for a meaty snack.

Chili Chili can be an excellent health food. Switch out the ground beef with ground turkey breast. Add plenty of veggies and consider using vegetable broth as the base. A lower sodium broth is a good choice. Serve with hot sauce and crumble some of those baked corn chips on top to get the crunch of the crackers without the processed carbs.

Crudités (aka the veggie tray) Despite it being chocked full of veggies everyone, even those who don’t care about their waist line, will devour a tray of these. Put some light ranch out for dipping or try some hummus for something different.

The Super Bowl, just like Christmas, doesn’t have to be a huge road bump in your healthy eating. Simply incorporate some of these healthy foods and you can still have fun while keeping your calorie consumption at a somewhat reasonable level. However, like other holidays and special events, have fun. Drink a few beers and don’t feel guilty. Tomorrow will be business as usual and time to get back on track with those fitness goals.