After months of anticipation, ChaLEAN Extreme has officially arrived on the scene. A brand new, highly effective, and seriously intense system, ChaLEAN Extreme will transform your body and your life. With this new program, you will burn fat, build muscle, and create the body you have always wanted. Chalene Johnson created a following with the Turbo Jam program, motivating people and changing lives with her infectious positive attitude and serious fitness know-how. She is doing it again, Extreme-style, with ChaLEAN Extreme. Applying the basic principle that “Muscle Burns Fat”, she has created the ultimate in strength training-centered workout programs.

Because muscle does burn more calories than fat, the simple premise of this program is to seriously increase your strength, thereby ramping up your metabolism. Because muscle requires more fuel for survival, more muscle means a significantly higher metabolism. When you have more muscles, your body will be burning fat, even while you sleep. ChaLEAN Extreme capitalizes on this science to bring you the body of your dreams.

By switching the focus of this system from cardio to strength training, ChaLEAN Extreme burns fat from a more logical approach. Cardio fitness is important and does burn calories, but only increased muscle will increase your metabolism and have your body burning fat even when at rest.

ChaLEAN Extreme shatters a common misconception that lifting heavier weights will bulk you up. Lifting heavier weights does build muscle, but you are not going to complete the ChaLEAN Extreme workout system looking bulky or wider. As a matter of fact, every woman in the test group who completed the program, lost inches and gained a long lean athletic form.

This is a no-fail system. If you follow the guidelines you WILL transform your body. Chalene created this program out of what works for her in her personal life. She knows that not all of us have the metabolism of a teenage athlete, but works with ChaLEAN Extreme to ensure we have a fat-burning, hard working metabolism, leading to a transformed physique and better quality of life.

Be one of the first to get on the ChaLEAN Extreme program! Check out the system and accessories we have here to get you fit, strong, and rockin’ a killer new body!

There are very few tools that are necessary with a home workout routine. Typically (like in the case of P90X), you can get good results with little to no equipment. Some resistance bands, a yoga mat, a pull-up bar, and a few supplements will have you well on your way to a lean, strong body. One optional tool that should be a staple of everyone trying to get healthy is a sport heart rate monitor.

A sport heart rate monitor is a great tool for tracking your exertion and even tracking your transformation. By keeping an eye on your heart rate during workouts, you can make sure that you are in your target zone, making the most out of every workout.

Your target heart rate is typically 50 to 85% of your maximum heart rate. (Find your target heart rate here).If you stay within the target zone during a workout you can ensure that you are working hard enough to see results, but not so hard to overexert your system. A sport heart rate monitor like the Reebok monitor offered here is a great measuring stick on the go.

If you’ve ever tried taking your pulse during a workout, it can be more than a little distracting. You have to stop, find your pulse and count. This system works but causes a big interruption to your workout. The minute you stop moving, your pulse begins to drop meaning that the conventional method of taking your pulse during a workout may not be as accurate as the one from a sport heart rate monitor.

A large display, lighted background, and well known name are all important in ensuring you get a high quality sport heart rate monitor. This model from Reebok provides all of that from a trusted name in the fitness world.

Slim Series Express, often mistakenly referred to as Slim In 6 Express, gives you great workouts in 30 minutes. If you’re short on time and have had difficulty finding a workout program to fit nicely in your hectic schedule, Slim In 6 Express could be just what you need.

From Debbie Siebers who brought you the wildly successful Slim In 6 program, comes Slim In 6 Express, designed to give you similar results in 30 minute increments. New music and fun choreography combine to make this program a very popular and maintainable workout system. Slim In 6 Express was designed for busy people who want real results.

Three very different and effective workouts make up the Slim In 6 Express system. A 30-minute Cardio Core Express DVD works your core and gets your heart pumping, a great formula for fat loss. Cardio Sculpt Express again combines light strength training with cardio, hitting your body with two approaches for maximum results. Finally, the Cool It Off Express is designed to keep you limber, giving you a relaxing stretching workout, something that too many systems fail to include.

The Slim In 6 Express system is one that just about anyone can fit into their schedule. Even if you have to get out of bed 30 minutes earlier, you won’t be disappointed when you begin to see results. Your body will get leaner, more toned, and healthier overall. You won’t just look better, you will feel better too!

Check out the Slim Series Express (Slim In 6 Express) system and get 2 free gifts!

P90X workouts take a lot out of you. You may be struggling to finish some of the workouts, especially in the first few weeks. It’s this time, right after your workout, that the P90X recovery drink can work its nutritional magic. You may need some serious recovery help after your P90X workouts and the P90X recovery drink was designed with these intense workouts in mind.

Immediately following an intense workout like P90X, your body is ready to be replenished. You have worked hard and depleted your glycogen stores. Your muscles have experienced trauma and are ripe for the healing and growth power of perfectly proportioned nutrients. After these workouts, your body needs a lot more than to be hydrated with water (although that’s good too!)

The P90X recovery drink contains the perfect formula of carbohydrates and proteins to help replenish your energy and heal your tissues. It also contains a great balance of vitamins and antioxidants to encourage overall health. It is said that the hour following a workout is the hour you should pump these nutrients into your body because your body is most prepared to absorb them and make them work for you, helping you achieve your fitness goals.

All of these benefits in a shake that actually tastes good! The P90X recovery drink does what only the best post-workout formula can. It helps to repair and grown muscles, replenish your energy and glycogen stores, and washes over your body with vitamins and antioxidants to promote serious overall health. The P90X recovery drink is recommended for everyone beginning the P90X program as its formula is unmatched and designed specifically for this intense program.

Some stress is good for us, exercising puts our bodies under stress and we know it is positive stress. Other stressors, however, are not so good for us. Big stressors like catastrophes and smaller ones like lack of sleep can all have negative side effects. Being conscious of how does stress affect health can help you deal with negative stressors in your life and avoid the elevated risks that stress can cause. Think about the things that stress you out on a daily basis. It may be relationships with people at work or perhaps even people in your home. Maybe you are worried about your finances or your job security in these uncertain times. Everything from your diet to your children can affect your stress levels. Elevated stress, though, can have disastrous long term effects on your overall health. So, how does stress affect health? In many ways.

Stress can lead to a variety of health issues. Stress can make it easier for us to get sick as our bodies are preoccupied. Stress can also lead to insomnia and we know that lack of sleep can have long term negative health consequences. Stress can also play a role in headaches, ulcers, acne, hives, weight gain, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, elevated asthma risk, irritable bowel syndrome, fertility problems, neck and back pain, and lack of sexual desire. The list of how does stress affect health could go on and on, but you get the idea.

When you attempt to address how does stress affect health, it is important you realize that stress is different for all of us. What may cause you many sleepless nights might be taken in stride by someone else. Making a list of stressors in your life can help you recognize what the controllable factors are in your life affecting your life.

Once you recognize your stressors you can address them one by one. Reducing the affect of these stressors on your life will help you prevent negative health effects. Also, learning how to effectively deal with stress through stress relieving activities like meditation and exercise can decrease your chances of suffering from stress related illness.

When beginning a fitness program motivation is a serious issue. While it may come and go, getting yourself into small related habits can help make the actual workouts easier. For instance, changing into your workout clothes right when you roll out of bed or getting your post workout snack ready before the workout are both small routines that can help you succeed in a fitness plan. Another good strategy is tracking your progress with a free printable exercise log.

Free printable exercise logs do several things. By knowing what you did and the weights and reps you used, you are certain to make steady progress. If you are unsure of which weight you used last time you may spend a few unnecessary minutes adjusting and finding the right resistance. With a free printable exercise log, you just look and grab, knowing that what you were able to do last time is a good indicator of what you can handle today.

Another good use of a free printable exercise log is tracking how you felt during your workout. Perhaps on Monday your energy was low and motivation was lacking. Tracking which days are “good” workout days and which are “bad” you may be able to pinpoint what is causing you trouble in your workouts and adjust accordingly.

Tracking tools like a free printable exercise log are an excellent way of keeping tabs on your progress. As you increase weight, reps, and minutes spent on your workouts you will see your body change and your attitude towards the workouts change as well.

Check out these sites for some good examples of free printable exercise logs. Better yet, create your own with the columns and topics you want and need.

• Bodybuiding.com
• FitWatch.com

Laughter makes us feel good. Cracking up for even a minute or two can alter our attitude for the entire day. A little laughter goes a long way in how we feel but what about the benefits of laughing and health? While there is still research to be done, initial reports show that laughter has potentially wonderful health effects. 

 
There are a few things that are for certain about laughing and health effects. When we laugh, we breathe deeper, our pulse raises, and our blood pressure drops. This means that laughter is an excellent stress reliever, helping to deliver more oxygen to the brain and relax tense muscles. Laughter has been called a “mild workout” because of the slight raise in pulse and deeper breathing that occurs. It definitely isn’t a substitute for an exercise plan, but it definitely keeps you active.

Laughter has been used in hospitals as a form of treatment for the terminally ill, including cancer patients. This laughter therapy, as reported in this article from MSNBC, helps cancer sufferers get a little light back in their life. It transforms their attitudes from being depressed and worried to carefree and happy, even if just for a few minutes. Laughing and health benefits go hand in hand.

As this WebMd page suggests, more research needs to be done on the effects of laughing and health, but certain benefits are undeniable. According to them, laughter can help people’s immune systems fight disease, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and encourages relaxation and better quality sleep.

While we are reminded that laughter and health research is hard to come by, it is apparent after spending time cracking jokes and laughing with friends that something like laughter must be good for us. And even when we might not know for certain all of the health benefits, it is obvious that laughter is impacting us in a positive way.

Have you ever seen a gym rat who neglected their legs? More common than you might realize are the people who are mostly concerned with their arms, chest, back, and abs while their legs remain skinny and underdeveloped. It could be because their legs are further away from their eyes and what they don’t see doesn’t get worked. Whatever the reason, a well developed and chiseled body looks best when the definition is equal from head to toe. High quality leg workouts are a must in any fitness program.

We use our legs all day long, to walk, stand and balance us while sitting. When we lift, in order to prevent back injury, we “lift with our legs”. We depend on them for reaching, jumping, and running. In the summer time, we bare our legs for the world to see and hope they are defined and fit like the rest of our bodies. Leg workouts should be a priority not just for aesthetic reasons, but also because of the daily demand we put on our legs.

Good leg workouts should require work from the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. By working all of the major muscles in the legs during your leg workout you can ensure even development. Just as you have probably seen someone with stick legs and a developed upper half, you have probably noticed someone who forgot their calves existed but worked on their bigger thigh muscles. This kind of uneven muscle distribution not only puts unnecessary pressure on the joints attached to those puny muscles but also looks somewhat ridiculous.

Work your legs. Work your entire legs. And work them on a consistent basis. Sure no one asks you to flex your quads when casually checking your fitness progress, but if your goal is deeper than vanity, you will want the even muscle growth and the sense of strength and stability that goes with strong legs. Leg workouts make you stand taller, look fitter, and feel better about your overall progress.

Omega 3 fatty acids are important in the human diet for a variety of things. It has recently been found that these fats are essential in the proper development of a fetus in the womb. Expectant mothers are often concerned about how much of the good fats they should get and what sources of Omega 3 during pregnancy they should use.

The benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids are far reaching. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and actually reduce cholesterol. They are important in joint health and even protect your vision and keep your skin healthy and glowing. Researchers are still studying the links between Omega 3s and cancer prevention and even its effects on brain health.

What are the benefits of Omega 3 during pregnancy?

Studies have shown that children whose mothers got sufficient Omega 3 during pregnancy have a developmental advantage over those who were lacking in the essential fatty acid. In the second year of life, these Omega 3 nurtured children had a better attention span than those who were lacking the fats while in the womb.

While the role of Omega 3 in the brain is not fully understood, DHA (one component of Omega 3s) makes up a large portion of the brain. The development of the brain during pregnancy, therefore, depends on sufficient Omega 3 during pregnancy.

What are the best sources of Omega 3 during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women are concerned about where they get their Omega 3 fatty acids. Being wary of mercury levels in fish and the adverse affects it has on pregnancy, women want to steer clear of fish with high mercury levels as a source of Omega 3 during pregnancy.

Low mercury fish like catfish and occasionally salmon continue to be a good source of Omega 3 during pregnancy. Non-fish sources including Omega 3-enriched eggs and plant sources are good as well. If you are pregnant you may want to discuss taking an Omega 3 supplement like Core Omega-3 with your physician.

Omega 3 fatty acids are important in adult health and vital in the development of unborn babies. Making sure to get all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients, including Omega 3 during pregnancy is a priority for many moms-to-be.

We have all made plans to get fit and not followed through. The New Year is upon us and many will make New Year’s resolutions involving weight loss or fitness. Unfortunately, statistics show that many of those New Year’s resolutions won’t last. Making a lifestyle change involves more than the initial motivation and excitement. In order to make a personal exercise plan that will stand the test of time you must be realistic and realize that results and change take time and persistence.

Don’t make a personal exercise plan that is unrealistic for your life or schedule. When we initially begin a new personal exercise plan, we are often ambitious in how many hours a day we can dedicate to it. Sure, in the beginning two hours a day may seem doable, and you might actually keep it up for a week or two. But the reality is that time frame is just not sustainable. When you set your goals, keep them realistic and think far ahead. Realize that your excitement over the new program will probably not last.

Make your plan a priority. A personal exercise plan that stands the test of time is one that you can be accountable for. There will inevitably be days where you don’t want to exercise, where the last thing on your mind is getting fit or active. On those days your resolve is truly tested. Making certain that your personal exercise plan is a mandatory part of your day and not an option can help you see it as something that can’t be neglected.

Write down your goals and progress. Being accountable to yourself is a great way to stay on track with your personal exercise plan. When you see your goals and your progress in black and white, it is cemented not only in your mind but also in a tangible way. Being able to see those first few inches come off (or on, depending on your goals) can be a great motivator.

Keep in mind your personal exercise plan is about being healthier. When you focus too narrowly on goals like “lose ten pounds”, you see a personal exercise plan as a temporary thing. Focusing on your total body health and wellness allows you to see fitness as a lifelong goal.

One of the many intense cardio DVDs in the P90X system, P90X Kenpo will burn calories through powerful karate moves, leaving you feeling stronger and leaner. A fun alternative to typical cardio, P90X Kenpo doubles as self defense and an overall good time.

Started by Hawaiian Ed Parker,Sr., Kenpo karate is influenced by the martial arts of India, China, and Asia. Similar to P90X Kenpo, the authentic Kenpo karate focuses on using the strength of your entire body for moves like kicks, strikes, and blocks.

The first American martial art, Kenpo karate has gained significant popularity since it’s development. Tony Horton saw this self defense approach as a great opportunity for building strength, balance, coordination, and above all, burning calories. P90X Kenpo uses the same traditional kicks, blocks, and strikes to help you get ripped!

The P90X series leaves no time for you to get bored with the workouts. By varying your routines throughout the week and also from week to week, you are able to maintain interest and motivation. P90X Kenpo is a great example of this variety.

Kicking and striking leave you feeling powerful and strong. The P90X Kenpo workout is a great sidestep from the norm and will definitely get your heart rate up.

Calories burned, P90X style, compared to other programs:

Calories burned, P90X – 600 burned on average
Calories burned, Insanity – 1000 burned on average
Calories burned, Turbo Jam – 700 burned on average

When you decide to take your fitness home with you, forgoing the costly dues and inconveniences of the gym for the comfort of your own home gym, you start collecting items. Many of us have spent unwisely on home gym equipment, purchasing something only to use it a few times and then allow it to gather dust. A mounted pull up bar is an affordable and logical addition to any home gym, however, and especially useful with the P90X program.

With a program like P90X you don’t need a hulking gym in your home. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars for a piece of equipment that takes up an entire room. The great thing about P90X is it requires little equipment but is simultaneously some of the hardest workouts you have ever done. Deciding to maximize the system with a mounted pull up bar is an excellent way to get more bang for the workouts without huge expense.

Our mounted pull up bar is made of heavy duty steel and can hold up to 300 pounds. It mounts easily is most door frames and removes quickly in between workouts. It has pro-grade foam grips to allow you up to 6 different grip positions and the versatility to complete all the pull up moves in the P90X workouts.

Adding small but powerful pieces to your home gym can make a big difference. A good set of  resistance bands, yoga blocks, a manduka plyo/yoga mat, and a mounted pull up bar will have you prepared for all of the P90X workouts and beyond.

P90X is a seriously intense program. While the need for a mat is apparent in Yoga, the Plyometrics workout is seriously high impact. The Manduka Black Mat provides cushioning and support for those repetitive landings, protecting your joints and ensuring a solid, non-slip contact with the floor. While other Yoga mats might keep you from slipping during regular workouts, they usually can’t provide the comfort and extra cushioning of the Manduka Black Mat.

The reason for a mat in Yoga is apparent to anyone who has done a Yoga workout before. As you twist, bend, and stretch, you need a surface that will hold you steady and prevent slipping. Many moves require your feet and hands to be on the floor, some distance apart, while you stretch and reach. Carpeting or hardwoods would have you slowly slipping, getting you into an ineffective battle with balance. The Manduka Black Mat prevents slipping even when you are drenched with sweat. If you know Yoga X, then you know how valuable this feature can be!

Plyometrics sends you soaring into the sky and landing lightly like a gazelle. Okay, most of us can’t land silently. But as we work on perfecting our soft landings and easy take-offs, our joints need the extra cushioning of the Manduka Black Mat. The mat is a nice quarter-inch thick and helps to keep your ankles, knees, back, and hips injury free.

Finally, you can use your Manduka Black Mat anytime you hit the floor. Ab Ripper X and the push-ups in your Chest & Back DVD can both benefit from the surface of the Manduka Black Mat. No one wants their carpet to get sweaty or to get up from crunches with carpet fibers stuck to their back, the Manduka Black Mat provides the smooth workout surface perfect for getting on the floor and getting ripped.

High quality durable materials make the P90X Manduka Plyo/Yoga Mat a great investment for anyone doing the P90X program.

Push-ups are a classic exercise. Along with chin ups and sit ups, they make up three moves that haven’t gone anywhere in decades. You want to know why? Because they are super effective! Push-ups use the weight of your body to give your shoulders, back, and chest an amazing workout. If you can maximize the results of this move through the best push up workout, you will be on your way to a slammin’ upper body!

Good form is imperative to get the most out of any push-up workout. For a basic push-up it’s important to have your hands placed directly below and just slightly outside of your shoulders. As you raise and lower your body, it should remain in a solid, straight plane, being careful not to sag or poke your rear end up. Depending on who you ask, exact “proper” push-up form varies. The main thing is keeping your body injury free and your form straight and level. The best push up workout, however, will have you doing much more than the “basic” push-up.

The P90X “Chest & Back” workout is definitely the best push up workout on the market. This nearly 60 minute DVD will have you begging for mercy as you sculpt and chisel your back, shoulders, and chest with extreme push-ups and chin-up moves.

 P90X offers the best push up workout because it was developed by trainer Tony Horton who knows a thing or two about extreme muscle building. You will master standard push-ups, military push-ups, wide fly push-ups, decline push-ups, diamond push-ups, and dive bomber push-ups all in this single workout.

Adding push-up stands to this amazing workout just makes the best push up workout even better. You will perfect your form, and get maximum results with these tools designed specifically with the P90X program in mind. They are durable and help prevent injuries while encouraging deeper moves and perfect form.

The best push up workout is one that takes practice to complete. If you rip through a push up workout and hardly miss a beat, it was too easy. The best workouts of all push you to your limits. P90X does this with nearly every DVD, causing you to continually get better and stronger.

Everyone has different exercise needs and goals. It’s hard to come up with the “best at home workout” because we all have different criteria. One person may be seeking an intense workout while another needs something no-impact or even one that provides for flexible scheduling. Because we all have different needs, one at home workout system can’t possibly fit everyone’s needs. The perfect workout for me might not satisfy you at all. And what the perfect workout for me is right now, might change next year when my needs and goals develop.

Best at Home Workout For Busy Adults

If you are a busy, over-scheduled person and are looking to fit fitness in your life, the best at home workout for you is one that allows for flexible scheduling and easy to deal with workout lengths. Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer is perfect for those of us with unpredictable and ever changing schedules. Thanks to Horton’s Super Stacking technique you can stack 10 minute workouts however you want to fit your needs. On a day with a little extra time, you can fit in 4 of the customized 10 minute workouts, while on busy weekdays you may be lucky to fit in two. This workout system is perfect for busy people who still want to make fitness a priority.

Best at Home Workout For Fun!

Some of us need to have fun in our workouts to keep up motivated. We want something that will work our bodies and give us results but also let us unwind and have a good time. Turbo Jam with Chalene Johnson is definitely some of the most fun you can have with a workout. Turbo Jam uses great music and fun choreography to get you moving, burning calories, and toning muscles. By combining kick boxing, capoeira and dance she gives you plenty of moves to keep your interest and your workout on high.

Best at Home Workout For Total Body Transformation

If you are looking for intensity and dramatic results, P90X is the best at home workout for you. Definitely not for the faint of heart, P90X will push your body to its limits and transform it into an athletic masterpiece. Hard work leads to amazing results with this workout system and you will know you are going to get serious results even after you complete the first week. Cardio workouts alternate with strength training to ensure that you are burning fat as you build muscle, creating the amazingly sleek and toned body you’ve only dreamed of.

What works for one might not work for another. What makes your best at home workout may be unique to you. Finding the best workout for your needs shouldn’t be challenging. If you have unique needs and are wondering which system is right for you, do the research or ask!