Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 31, 2009
Strength training with free weights is a great addition to any fitness program. Because a good training program relies on both strength training and cardio exercise, free weight workouts are a great option. Similar to resistance bands, free weight workouts help you to build muscle and get toned. They allow a great amount of flexibility in options as you are only limited by the free weights in your home gym.
Using free weights to build muscle is nothing new. Before all of the fancy weight machines were in gyms, everyone used free weights. They are back to basics and give a seriously good opportunity for getting fit. Free weight workouts allow you to choose the level of resistance right for you and the move you are doing and progress to heavier weights as you gain strength and abilities.
Free weight workouts are commonly found on fitness DVD’s. One only needs to watch one of the P90X workouts to know that free weights can be used in a variety of ways. Similarly, ChaLEAN Extreme uses free weights to build muscle and burn fat.
One problem with free weights, and there aren’t many, is their bulkiness and cost. Not many people have a room in their home to dedicate solely to fitness. Free weights do take up a lot of room. As you gain strength you have to expand your collection to match your abilities. This negative attribute of free weight workouts may lead some people to look at other options.
When considering a free weight workout, you may want to look at resistance bands as another option. You can do the same moves but with much better portability and at a lower cost. While free weight workouts are the original strength training solution, resistance bands offer a good choice for people looking for something a little smaller and easier managed.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 31, 2009
So you want fitness tips that will keep your motivation on high? Fitness advice is a great way to stay motivated and keep your eyes on the prize. Getting fit isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve got a long way to go. Little things make all the difference in propelling you towards your goals. There are several ways to get fitness tips to work for you.
Subscribe to fitness magazines. If you like to read magazines, this is a great way to learn about your fitness journey and keep your mind on getting fit. A monthly magazine that you enjoy packed with fitness tips and good health news can be a great way to stay in the zone. Plus, it makes it hard to fall off the fitness wagon when you have the literature of a fitness buff in your living room.
Use sticky notes. Short fitness tips posted around the house are another excellent motivator. “Are you really hungry?” is a great one for the frig. Try putting a “Talk a walk” note on your closet door or a “Can you walk there” where you hang your car keys. These little notes only take a second but can be that little voice in your head when the real little voice isn’t paying attention.
Use technology. Some of us are in front of the computer all day long. Use the first 10 minutes when you get to the officer or right before your lunch break to catch up on your favorite fitness blogs and website. Again, these provide a great source of information and can simply remind you what you are working toward. Also, use a motivating screen saver.
Peruse the literature you already have around the house for great fitness tips and use them! Workout systems like P90X come with a fitness guide chocked full of information. Hip Hop Abs has a great resource “Results on the Run”. This booklet of fitness tips is a great piece of information to keep in your car or pocketbook.
Keep fitness tips around you at all times. By immersing yourself in a healthy lifestyle, you are more likely to adjust to that lifestyle and continue living it.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 31, 2009
The real workout for getting the body you have always dreamed of is here. ChaLEAN Extreme is the newest addition to our supply of workout programs and this one is as serious as ever. Chalene Johnson uses the concept of building muscle to reduce fat in this seriously intense workout program designed to give you great muscle tone and less fat.
“Muscle Burns Fat!” and the more muscle you have, the leaner you will be. Women don’t have to worry about getting bulky; their hormones simply won’t allow it. Whether you are male or female, this system is the real workout for maximum body transformation results.
By lifting slow and lifting heavy, the ChaLEAN Extreme workouts focus on isolating the muscles and getting maximum burn per set. Think about how many times you have seen people lifting weights and speeding through sets, swinging their limbs through the reps. They are often using more momentum than muscle. With this program people will experience the real workout for getting ripped.
The introductory DVD in this program will teach you all about lifting correctly and how to get maximum benefits from your ChaLEAN Extreme workouts. Then, you are ready to move onto the real workout. The ChaLEAN Extreme system comes with 3 phases of strength training workouts, cardio workouts, and a core workout specifically designed to firm up the muscles in the middle.
The Muscle Burns Fat Guidebook and Fat Burning Food Guide will give you all the help and knowledge you need, ensuring your success on the ChaLEAN Extreme workout program.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 30, 2009
With your P90X system, you received a workout schedule in the fitness guide. This P90X calendar will provide you with the detailed plan to get ripped in 90 days. Although some people may be tempted to make up their own schedule, the P90X calendar was designed to work optimally to give you the most dramatic results possible. More than just a suggestion, the P90X calendar is part of what makes the system work.
The P90X calendar was designed to give you maximum results. It takes into consideration how you will mentally handle the workouts and how your body needs to have increasing challenges. Using the concept of muscle confusion, the schedule changes up routines and workouts to keep your body on its toes, so to speak.
Muscle confusion involves constantly switching up your workouts. This works in several different ways but the main concept is that it prevents plateaus and progress stalls. When you are putting forth the effort required in the P90X workouts, you deserve to see the most dramatic results possible. By following the P90X calendar, that’s exactly what you will find.
The P90X calendar gradually increases the intensity of your workouts. It cycles you through 3 stages of the plan, combining new workouts and changing the order of the old ones to keep things fresh. This concept doesn’t just assist your body transformation; it also keeps you from getting bored with the workouts.
When completing a 90 day program, staying motivated is crucial. The P90X calendar manages to do this by changing routines and orders of workouts. From week to week your schedule will change and keep you guessing.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 28, 2009
When doing strength training it is often difficult to remember what weight is right for you. Especially for beginners, learning the appropriate level of resistance can be tricky. Once you have the right weight in hand to successfully complete the perfect number of reps we often drop the weight and move on to the next set. Unfortunately, this means that next time we go to do that same move, we have forgotten how much weight we used and we are stuck using trial and error again. Training log workout logs like those provided with P90X solve this problem by giving you a worksheet to write down each part of your workout.
Training log workout logs are a great tool for any strength training program. Knowing exactly what weight you used last time and the number of reps you did make choosing the appropriate weight this time that much easier. Knowing how to key your training log is another good trick. For instance, if you are able to complete 3 sets of 15 reps at a certain weight with ease, maybe next time you should try increasing the weight. By putting a + mark next to that set you will know that this time you may be able to increase the resistance.
Training log workout logs also allow you to have tangible proof of your progress. Once you have been using them for a few months, looking back over what you have done will surely impress you. We often lose sight of how far we have come. Training log workout logs can be a great source of motivation for this reason.
The P90X workout system comes with its own training log workout logs ready to record your progress during the next 90 days. This is just one of many benefits of the P90X program. You can also create your own training log workout logs for your personal strength training system. Keeping track of your daily progress is beneficial in many ways.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 27, 2009
The links between Omega 3 fatty acids and good health are numerous. We know they assist with cardiovascular health and there are beliefs that their benefits are very far reaching. There are even studies relating Omega 3 consumption to a healthy state of mind. Omega 3 depression studies have been released showing that these connections are far more than a belief, that they may in fact be true.
Omega 3 depression studies like those discussed here at Health.com show a connection between increased fish consumption and decreased occurrence of disorders like bipolar and postpartum depression.
People who suffer from mood disorders know how debilitating they can be. Depression itself is far more serious than having the blues or simply being sad. It is a disease that totally transforms a person and their outlook on life. Suffering from depression leads to changes in behavior like extreme sleeping patterns, overeating or lack of appetite, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies. If Omega 3 depression studies are accurate, Omega 3 supplementation may be able to prevent these common symptoms of depression.
Depression is often treated with prescription medication and behavioral therapy. Often these two components are used in conjunction with one another although occasionally they can be used independently. Many people resist prescription medication for depression symptoms and Omega 3 depression studies could provide answers they may be interested in.
The connection between food and mood definitely exists. Because our bodies use food to fuel all of our functions, it only seems natural that some foods could positively affect our mental outlook. Omega 3 depression studies suggest that people who have diets rich in the essential fatty acids may be less likely to suffer from this affliction. These studies are definitely food for thought.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 27, 2009
We all know that physical fitness is good for us. We know that it reduces stress, increases cardiovascular health, reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and makes us look good. But we all have our own reasons for wanting to be healthy. The importance of physical fitness in my life could be completely different from the significance or priority it holds in yours. How we view our own physical fitness also has a lot to do with how committed we are to it.
For me, the importance of physical fitness has a lot to do with my sanity. Exercising makes me happy. Literally. If I go a week without working out I get cranky and moody without even realizing it. Occasionally work and personal life causes these short hiatuses to happen and when they do everyone around me notices. I’ve been caught off guard a few times wondering “what is wrong with me?” only to realize my workouts had fallen by the wayside. For me, even a 20 minute run in the neighborhood or two of the Ten Minute Trainer workouts put be back to contentment.
The importance of physical fitness to many others is their immediate health. For some of these people they have experienced a sudden and dramatic wake up call. Perhaps a negative doctors report or a heart attack has shaken these people into reality, giving them reason to make their physical fitness a priority.
Some of us get fit purely for looks. If this is your only motivation for the importance of physical fitness, you may want to reprioritize. I am guilty of liking how I look when I work out. However, as a sole motivation for getting fit, this one is the least likely to lead to lasting health. For some reason, people who lose weight only to look good or fit in a certain pair of pants are less likely to keep the weight off. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good, there are far deeper reasons for wanting better health.
What is the importance of physical fitness for you? Perhaps you enjoy pushing past your limitations and extreme programs like P90X allow you to do this. Maybe you like the social aspects of it and love being able to talk about physical fitness with others. There are many reasons for people to stay fit. What’s yours?
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 25, 2009
Everyone wants to be fit. Everyone wants to be healthy. Getting there is the hard part. For many of us, healthy eating is where the challenge lies. Working out may come easy but reigning in those eating habits is another story. In an effort to master healthy eating, we may try low carb, high carb, carb cycling, high protein, low fat, or any other combination that promises to be the “answer” to our weight and eating struggles.
When it really comes down to it, these plans may provide success to some, but for many they are just another route to the same result. We try something that could deliver healthy results but we are set up by the restrictive nature of the diet. Healthy eating requires going back to basics and finding what specifically works for you.
Everyone is different and so is every body. We all process foods slightly differently. For some, carbohydrates cause immediate weight gain or sluggishness. For others, a diet low in carbohydrates feels like a diet without any energy source. The fact is, no diet is the perfect diet for everyone. Healthy eating involves figuring out what works for you and your body.
So, how do you know what healthy eating habits work for you? Well, it’s a little bit of trial and error. However, that doesn’t mean go buy a chocolate cake and see how it makes you feel: You Know That’s Unhealthy! Adults know the difference between healthy foods and unhealthy foods. Don’t eat the unhealthy ones! Does this mean you will never have a Big Mac again? No, it means you will regulate your eating and have a Big Mac, when you feel like your body can handle the extra calories and a little treat.
Stick to healthy eating, the foods you know to be good for you. Adjusting your protein, carbs, and fat to an optimal level for you will take practice. As you learn more about your body through working out and eating, how your body feels after certain meals or days will become more apparent and you will be better able to decide what foods are the right ones for your healthy eating plan.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 25, 2009
Remember a few decades ago when getting certain body parts to be made “of Steel” was all the rage? We were bombarded with workouts that focused on one body part at a time and they were extremely popular. These workouts had appeal because we all have problem areas and finding a workout specifically geared toward fixing that spot is very alluring. Now, however, we know the benefits of full body home workouts and are more likely to choose something that works all of our muscle groups, not just those we want slimmed down and toned up.
Full body home workouts are careful to work the entire body within an hour or so. Something like Turbo Jam is a great total body workout that works to firm and tone all of the muscles while giving you great cardio burn.
A newer approach to full body home workouts are those workout systems that may include a workout specific to the arms or back and shoulders, but the system is made up of several of these workouts. The key here is including workouts for the entire body. P90X is one of these systems that works each muscle group but might do it throughout the week rather than all in just one workout.
Spot training doesn’t work. Let me clarify; if you “spot train” , you may develop well developed muscles in that area but won’t lose fat specific to that zone. For instance, sit ups won’t turn a spare tire into a six pack. Sit ups paired with a healthy diet and a range of full body home workouts, however, will likely give you the results you are looking for.
Full body home workouts should be a part of any fitness regimen. People who are trying to tone up, slim down, or develop a more muscular physique will benefit from workouts that use their entire body or alternate muscle groups to work them all in a week’s time frame. These types of workouts take into consideration not only the problem areas, but treat the body as the complete machine that it is.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 23, 2009
So many people get very preoccupied with the number on a scale. While weight can be a good indicator of health, there are others as well. When you look specifically for weight loss workouts, you can either be disappointed when the scale doesn’t budge or stop the workouts once the weight is lost. The key is to see your workouts as more than weight loss workouts, see them as a new hobby or a health workout.
Nearly any workout, when paired with the right diet, can help an overweight person lose weight. Simply choosing one that includes cardio and strength training is a good place to start. Weight loss workouts are simply workouts that burn calories or build muscles.
Sure, the best workouts do both, including strength training and cardio. But either one can lead to weight loss. Cardio workouts are great weight loss workouts because they immediately burn calories. Strength training workouts are also good weight loss workouts. As they build muscles, your metabolism increases. This means that you are burning more calories when you are laying around on the couch or sitting at your desk as well.
All of the workouts here at ExtremeBody Workout can be considered weight loss workouts. When you pair a program like P90X with the Nutrition Guide, it becomes far more than a weight loss workout, it becomes a total body transformation system. Similarly, ChaLEAN Extreme is a great weight loss workout, using strength training to help people achieve their weight loss goals.
Remember you aren’t just choosing these workouts to help you lose weight and then abandoning them. Choose something that will help you reach your goals but also something that you can include as a regular feature in your life. Learning to see fitness as more than a means to an end helps make it a more maintainable healthy habit.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 22, 2009
Whether you are someone who likes to stay fit or someone who struggles with it, fitness tips can serve a legitimate purpose for you. A little coaching and motivation goes a long way for anyone who is a fitness fanatic or just getting started with a program. Fitness tips are about more than education and learning something new; they work to keep your eyes on the prize and your actions lined up with your goals.
There are hundreds of sources for good fitness tips on the web. When deciding who to trust with your fitness tips, consider the source. If you like a certain blog on a site selling popular workout programs (ah-hem), chances are the website will provide quality tips relating to their products but also to general health subjects as well.
Personal blogs can also be a great source of tips too, however. Some of the most motivational pieces on the web are from people who struggle with their own weight and work on a daily basis to keep it off and stay healthy. These people know your situation and it is easy to identify with them. Their fitness tips can come in the form of how they overcome cravings or lack of motivation.
Simply reading about fitness advances and new articles can also be a great motivation. Chances are your favorite fitness magazine has an official website. And more than likely, that website contains articles, discussion boards, and even recipes. Fitness tips are everywhere you turn on sites like this.
Use fitness tips to your advantage. Find one or several sources that you like and bookmark them. Check them out in the morning while you drink your coffee or over your lunch break. Allowing your personal time to become an opportunity for motivation will help you stick with the program and continue to see great results.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 20, 2009
Before buying something it is pretty common for people to seek out reviews on the product. This is true for workout systems, supplements, and many other things. You want to be certain you are spending your money on something that is worth your time and effort. This is totally normal and what makes a good shopper! We encourage our customers to check out unbiased Power 90 reviews and reviews of all of our products.
People who have already tried the system are a great source of information. Power 90 reviews provide unbiased information from people who have taken the plunge and tried the product. We like to think that everyone who does the program and follows it correctly will be impressed with their results. We honestly think you will find this to be true.
Power 90 and its predecessor P90X are both excellent systems for transforming your body and getting serious about fitness. Both created by celebrity trainer Tony Horton, these programs are relentless in their energy and progressively difficult workouts. Power 90 reviews may shed some light on just what you can expect from this program.
Many people like to keep blogs when beginning a workout program like these so be sure to look for some of those in your research. These longer more extensive Power 90 reviews will show you reactions to specific workouts and are great for getting real time progress reports from the blogger.
A fitness program should be taken seriously and we understand the need to look for unbiased reviews. I can tell you that Power 90 works or that P90X is a superior home fitness program until I am blue in the face but in all likelihood you will think I am slightly biased. P90X and Power 90 reviews are a great way to know if a workout is the right workout for you. Just remember, at some point you will need to stop researching and try the program yourself!
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 19, 2009
A high quality personal workout plan is something that anyone who wants to be fit needs. You can’t always find someone whose physique you admire and do what they do. First of all, we are all made differently and their workouts might not be right for you. Also, your time constraints, level of dedication, and fitness goals could be totally different from the next person. What makes a good personal workout plan is you! The “personal” in a personal workout plan is what makes it work. Face it, if you apply a workout plan that just doesn’t fit your lifestyle, it won’t be effective. Finding a system that works specifically for you is half the battle in finding one that works period.
A superior personal workout plan is one that you develop or find that takes what you need into consideration. In order to know what to look for, you have to know what you want from a fitness program.
As yourself questions like, how long are you willing to dedicate to this workout system on a daily basis? What kind of results do you want? Are there any programs or exercise types that simply won’t work for you? What kind of exercise do you enjoy?
Too often we see great results on someone else and try their program, knowing deep down it isn’t the right system for us. You have to find or create a personal workout plan that is personal in order for it to be effective in the long term. We put more effort into the things we enjoy and those things that fit our lifestyle. Likewise, you will see better results if you find the perfect fit in a workout for yourself.
Don’t choose a workout based solely on before and after photos. There are many programs out there and more than likely, they is one that is perfect for you. So, evaluate your priorities and then evaluate your options.
The best personal workout plan is one that you will enjoy, because the more you enjoy it, the greater potential it has to change your life.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 18, 2009
Many people come to this site seeking a time saving workout routine. They automatically gravitate to Tony Horton’s Ten Minute Trainer. 10 Minute Trainer is an excellent time saving choice but certainly not the only one offered here at ExtremeBody Workout. Slim In 6 is another option available for those people who have the determination for a great fitness program but simply lack the time to spend hours a day working out.
The Slim In 6 program is designed to transform your body in 6 weeks. Two out of the three workouts are under 60 minutes, making them easy to fit into your daily schedule. Getting up a half hour earlier to improve your health should be quite easy. Trainer Debbie Siebers instructs these fun workouts to ensure you see maximum results in minimal time.
Slim In 6 uses the concept of Slim Training to maximize results. This means that you will use strength training to define and sculpt while doing cardio to torch maximum fat. Three workouts ensure a variety of fitness routines so you won’t get bored.
The Slim In 6 workouts get progressively longer. With Start It Up you will spend 30 minutes learning the moves and getting your body ready for maximum changes. In Ramp It Up you will maximize the effort and really start to see changes. The longest workout, Burn It Up will seal the deal in transforming your body and attitude towards your fitness level.
True, these workouts are longer than 10 minutes. Slim In 6 provides doable fitness in a reasonable timeframe. But, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to rearrange your schedule to fit it in. Fitness should be a priority in your life not a chore.
Making the commitment to a program like Slim In 6 can be difficult but is rewarded with great results.
Posted by Elizabeth Renter on
May 18, 2009
A recent article from WebMd asks the question, “Could pushups be the perfect exercise?” Their answer: quite possibly. In the fitness world we see many exercise fads come and go. There are many choices one must make when deciding what workout program is right for them, let alone which particular move is the best. The pushup is one of those moves that simply never gets old. Pushup workouts effectively work many muscle groups in a convenient way, something that not every workout can.
Pushup workouts require no equipment and no money. It doesn’t matter how the weather is or if your DVD player is working. A pushup is quite simply one of the most convenient workout moves available. Better than convenience, however, is how well it works your body.
A proper form push up engages all of the muscles, from your neck to your toes. In order to have a straight back while raising and lowering, the core muscles must be engaged. In addition, the arms are carrying the majority of your body weight, making this a great move for the arm muscles, chest, and shoulders.
Pushup workouts are very simple and extremely effective. Nearly anyone can do them and adjustments can be made to make them easier for beginners or more challenging for experienced people. Knowing how to do a variety of pushup workouts ensures the move doesn’t get boring for you.
Many fitness fads come and go but the pushup has stood the test of time. It is no wonder that everyone from elementary school students to the most elite military units use pushups in their training regimen. Making pushups part of your routine is a no brainer. Daily pushups can be done anywhere and will give you visible results.
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