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.

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.

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.

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!

Working out is an exercise in time management as much as it is an exercise in fitness. Finding workout programs that fit your busy life can be tricky. However, finding quick and effective workouts is not entirely impossible. A 10 minute ab workout is long enough to get your midsection toned and ready for summer, but remember to include it as part of a larger fitness plan.

The best 10 minute ab workout is one that is used in conjunction with a total body workout. Chiseled abs are great, if you can see them. However, if your stomach could stand to lose some fat, a 10 minute ab workout won’t be enough if used alone. Finding an ab workout that is both effective and efficient is key.

A 10 minute ab workout is appealing because it is manageable. But imagine if this effective ab workout was part of a workout series that allowed you to get fit in only 10 minute increments. This means you could stack 3 ten minute workouts on weekday mornings, two when you’re busy, and maybe even 4 over the weekend. When you add a ten minute ab workout to that plan, you have a recipe for fitness success.

10 Minute Trainer is just that program. Developed by Tony Horton for people with busy day to day schedules, this system includes several time-conscious workouts, including a highly effective bonus, a 10 minute ab workout.

The 10 minute ab workout included with Ten Minute Trainer is just one bonus you get with this series, a series that allows you to totally customize your workouts based on the time you have available. When you are ready to get fit and want to include a superior ab routine with an efficient workout system, 10 Minute Trainer may be the right fit for you.

There are numerous contenders online for the absolute best in home workout equipment. Here at Extreme Body Workout we know you don’t have to have a giant tower and entire room dedicated to fitness in order to get the results you want. A few well chosen pieces of equipment and the right workout program are all that’s required. When it comes to pull-up bars, there are two main competitors, the Iron Gym Pull Up Bar and the P90X Chin Up Bar.

The Iron Gym Pull Up Bar is largely popular because of its “As Seen On TV” status. What a better way to get a product into the homes of thousands than to advertise it continuously on television? We aren’t knocking this method as it has proven to be a great marketing method for some of the programs we feature. We do, however, think that a slick commercial doesn’t always translate to a high quality product.

Let’s quickly address the design differences between these two products. Both bars can be easily installed in the doorways of your home. Each has some slight requirements on door measurement to make them work. The P90X bar requires a doorway to be 24- 32 inches wide. The Iron Gym Pull Up Bar requires the same size doorway (24-32”) but also requires the doorway be 5.5 to 6 inches thick. While the P90X bar mounts using a small amount of hardware to make it more secure and safe, the Iron Gym Pull Up Bar hangs using leverage.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly on the design front, the P90X Chin Up Bar features 6 different grip positions. Iron Gym? Only 3.

One of the main marketing points for the Iron Gym Pull Up Bar is that it can be taken down and used for dips and crunches. This is a novel idea. It seems, however, through research online of consumer reviews, the dips that this bar advertises are much better done using chairs. The bar simply doesn’t give you the elevation needed for a highly productive dip motion.

According to consumers, one of the major selling point of the Iron Gym Pull Up Bars is the price. Right now, it seems, you can find the Iron Gym Bar for about $30. We see this argument but stand behind the P90X Chin Up Bar quality and the corresponding price. With the extra grip positions, professional grade foam grips, and heavy gauge steel construction, we know that this is definitely a case of “getting what you pay for”. Also, the P90X Chin UP Bar is part of the P90X program, known for being one of the most popular top quality home workout systems in the world.

Ultimately, which piece of home gym equipment you go with is your decision. Make sure to do your research, checking out consumer reviews and the options available with each bar. After you’ve done your checking and are ready to move forward with the P90X Chin Up Bar, come back to Extreme Body Workout where we also offer the bar in a P90X Special Package, giving you the P90X program along with everything you need to get started.

There are sports where your vertical jump is a huge asset. Basketball is the primary example, obviously, when how high you jump often translates into rebounds and points. NBA phenom LeBron James, for example, has a vertical leap of 44 inches! While you may be well below that or even within reach, working on your vertical leap can be quite easy when you know the best exercises to jump higher.

Vertical jumps mostly utilize the leg muscles. As you slightly squat and then spring up, you are engaging everything below your hips. It would make sense, then, that the best exercises to jump higher are those that build up the muscles in your lower body and also increase that springing action. Finding a workout program with a high quality lower body routine is a great place to start.

One of the best exercises to jump higher is the squat. Squats primarily work the thighs and the gluteus muscles, crucial groups when jumping. Proper form is important to ensure you are using the right muscle and preventing injury with squats. Consider using a workout ball and doing your squats against the wall. You want to sit back into the squat and slowly lower until your hips are in line with your knees. If these are easy, add some weights. Do 3 sets of 15 to start.

Lunges are another great group of exercises to jump higher. There are numerous ways to do lunges. You can step back into the lunge or lunge forward. As they are all pretty effective, the method you use is largely personal preference. Maintain good form and don’t extend your front knee over your ankle when lunging.

Another powerhouse when examining the best exercises to jump higher is the step-up. Using a chair and being cautious to maintain your balance, step up on to the chair using one leg; raise the other leg and then slowly step back down. You will definitely feel these in the morning.

Lastly, when working on your vertical, remember your reaction time and that initial spring can be improved with some drills. Plyometric workouts are the way to improve your jump height. Check out the Plyo DVD in the P90X series for some serious work and a great way to get your leaping higher.

While weight loss or muscle tone may be your #1 priority when working out, you cannot neglect the importance of safety. One false move during a workout can cost your months worth of work. Finding ways to maximize the results of your workouts is good but finding ways to keep it safe is even better. Safety doesn’t have to mean reducing the quality of your workout. On the contrary, by keeping your workouts safe you can ensure that your workout routines won’t be interrupted with injury. One good tool in keeping fitness safe is a Manduka Mat.

It may seem like a small addition, and it is. But the Manduka Mat works to cushion your joints and protect you from slipping during some of the most intense P90X workouts.

High impact workouts can be tough on your joints. Things like Plyometrics can really jostle your knees and ankles. While how you land is important, what you are landing on can also make a difference. Proper shoes are a good start in ensuring some of the shock is absorbed, but a Manduka Mat offers extra protection.

The Manduka Plyo Mat we sell here is made with high quality materials. It has a non skid surface to ensure when you land, your feet stay underneath you. In addition, it is ¼ inch thick! This added support helps to absorb some of the shock and momentum of the high powered moves in programs like P90X Plyometrics. It also has a larger surface than most mats, making it easier to land on while executing your jump moves.

Finally, the Manduka mat is a great accessory to have in Yoga. While its uses in Yoga are more about comfort than safety, the mat will ensure that you have proper grounding with each pose, allowing you to go deeper and to push those muscles to their limit.

Safety is too often overlooked when we are striving towards big fitness goals. One injury can put you out of the game for months. The best way to ensure you reach your fitness goals injury-free is to add safety measures like the Manduka to your workout routine.