Friday, 29 June 2012

3 Waist Trimming Aerobic Workouts


In this article I want to present you with 3 of the best waist trimming aerobic workouts I know. I hope these will help you to trim and tone your waistline and look and feel better. Do these often to achieve the best results possible.

The purpose of each of these aerobic workouts is to burn off as much body fat as possible. This will also eliminate some of the fat around your waistline and give you that toned look you're seeking.

Here are the 3 workouts:

1. Swimming - I love swimming as it's an excellent aerobic workout that also has a lot of strength elements thrown into it. It works your entire body and helps to tone and build lean muscle tissue as well as burn lots of calories. Swimming is also a low impact sport so it's a great waist trimming workout for you to do.

2. Kickboxing - I happen to love kickboxing classes and other martial arts courses (at least those where I don't get beat up too much). What I love about kickboxing is that this is the type of aerobic workout that will challenge your body even if you're already fit. You may run 6 miles each day but this strains your body in a totally different way and helps to burn lots of fat and reduce inches off your waist.

Kickboxing is also a social activity so you're actually motivated to workout harder until you reach the kind of body that you want most of all.

3. The third aerobic waist trimming exercise that I want you to do is running. The reason why I recommend running is that it's a high intensity workout that really pushes your body into faster fat burning. Try to run at various speeds on each workout and include an up hill running segment during your workout. It will create a more intensive experience for you.

One workout which I don't highly recommend is the elliptical machine. For the most part, this is a low intensity workout and although it does have merit (as it's lower on impact than running), it won't burn nearly as much calories as other aerobic workouts, so you want get quite as fast results with it as you may achieve with other options.

Also, remember that without following a healthy diet, you will not be able to trim your waist regardless of how much you workout.

Thursday, 28 June 2012

3 Exercises To Tone & Reduce Waist Size


3 Exercises To Tone & Reduce Waist Size
Medicine Balls To Help Tone Waist

Everyone wants to lose some fat from around their waist. It's a trouble spot for men and women both, and the smaller it gets, the better clothes sit on you, not to mention that having too much waist fat can signal health risks.

One of the way to reduce waist size is to use specific and targeted waist toning exercises. In this article I'll describe 3 of them for your benefit.

Exercise #1 - Medicine Ball sidways Twist

To do this exercise you need a to have medicine ball. You sit on the floor or mat or stand and hold the medicine ball straight in front of you with both hands. Now, you twist your torso to one side while holding the ball with outstretched hands in front of you (the ball is always straight in front of your eyes even when you twist). You do a few reps of this exercise for both sides of the waist.

Note: You can do a combined killer exercise by doing a lunge and then twisting with a medicine ball, one leg and a twist to one side after the other. This burns a lot of fat.

Exercise #2 - Sideways Torso Bends

You begin this exercise by standing with both feet slightly apart and one hand holding the side of your waist. Now, you gradually bend your torso to the side with your free arm showing the way by going over your head. Make sure not to sway your hips or raise your feet from the floor. Do this for both sides and repeat several times.

Exercise #3 - Sideways crunch

This exercise starts like a regular sit up, but instead of going straight up, you raise your body to one side, lower yourself down slowly, and they raise yourself towards the other side. This works the oblique abs muscles which are related to the appearance of the waist.

By doing these 3 exercises for a smaller waist, you will lose inches from around your waist and look much fitter.

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

The How to Guide For Six Pack Abs


The truth is, for most people getting six pack abs is not an easy task because it requires dedication and motivation... but it is possible! Below is a general 2-step guide that, if followed religiously for 3 months, will improve your abs.

Step 1: Nutrition

This is the single most important part of the puzzle, hands down. You can have the most impressive set of abs, but if they're covered with a layer of fat, you won't see them! Break up your day with 5 or 6 mini-meals because this jump starts your metabolism.

And stop eating the food that is preventing you from seeing your abs:

-white bread
-pasta
-soda
-candy
-dessert
-fast food
-hydrogenated oils
-sugars
-fructose corn syrup

Instead, eat the foods that will help you reach your six pack goal:

-oatmeal
-olive oil
-whole grain breads
-fruits
-vegetables
-nuts
-eggs
-natural peanut butter
-chicken
-fish
-protein
-green tea
-water

Be realistic - you'll slip here and there, but make a conscious effort to improve your eating habits. Without good nutrition, getting a true six pack will be impossible.

Step 2: Exercise

You need to focus on 3 different exercises: cardio, weightlifting and ab exercises. And aim to workout 4 times per week (definitely a minimum of 3 times per week). The cardio you do can be anything: walking, running, biking, swimming...whichever cardio you don't mind doing so you stick with it.

The trick is to do the cardio in bursts because it will burn fat fast. For example, if you're running, walk for one minute and then sprint for 15 seconds and repeat 10 times. Perform this type of interval cardio 2 times per week.

Lifting weights is important because 3 pounds of added muscle burns as many calories as a 1 mile jog...and this is while you're just sitting around! Aim for 30-45 minutes, 2 times per week.

The last exercise you need to add to your workout are ab exercises. Aim to work your abs 3 times per week. There are a lot of different ab exercises you can do so try to find 3 or so that you enjoy doing and mix it up.

Tip: mix up your workout routine every 2 weeks to keep your body guessing and improving. Add or take away different weightlifting or ab exercises, or at the very least, vary the weight and reps you do.

Well, there you have it. Follow the above for 3 months, and while results will vary from person to person, you will see an improvement in your abs. And keep in mind that dedication and motivation will go a long way to helping you reach your goal of having six pack abs.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

4 Essential Rules For A Ripped 6 Pack


4 Essential Rules For A Ripped 6 Pack
How to Get A Ripped 6 Pack

OK, here's how to get a ripped 6 pack. While it's simple to get 6 pack abs, it's not easy. But these tips will give you a great start.

Just follow them and you'll be able to brag and show off your amazing chiseled abs all you want. Though it will take real work.

Lose Fat

The number one factor in getting a ripped 6 pack is how much fat your body has. IF you have too much fat, you just won't be able to see your abs.

So, your first goal should be to diet down and lose fat. Working out and adding muscle can come later - in the beginning, simply focus on losing fat.

I cannot stress losing fat enough. This is the single most important action to take to get 6 pack abs.

Gain Muscle

Once you're dropped enough body fat to see your abs, it's time to build up your muscles. Which will give you these amazing abs you want.

The trick with gaining muscle is that you must eat more to fuel your muscle growth. But if you eat too much you'll put on fat along with the muscle - what to do...

There are several solutions. What most bodybuilders do is have a 'bulking' phase of their training, where they put on muscle and fat, and a 'cutting' phase, when they diet down to lose fat while retaining the muscle they put on.

Another solution is to count your calories and just eat 200 or 400 extra calories a day, so that you're just eating enough to put on muscle. Though this gets to be a pain in the ass, I find. And you have to track yourself to make sure you're in that sweet spot for muscle growth, but not fat growth.

Whichever method you choose, commit to it. And while looking great 24/7 is possible, it's difficult.

Watch What You Eat

Seriously, when you're dieting down to your ripped 6 pack and when you're trying to put on muscle, track what you're eating. And if you've never done it before, count the calories that you're eating.

Counting your calories is the ultimate way of controlling what you eat. And if you've never don't it before, I highly recommend it - you'll learn a ton about how what you eat affects your body, and how common foods that you eat all the time actually have a lot more calories in them than you might think.

If you're not counting calories, at least keep some kind of food journal. If you totally don't track what you eat, it's very easy to eat too much and sabotage any chance of getting a ripped 6 pack.

Sleep!

Why is sleep important? Well, for starters sleep is when you release growth hormone and testosterone (even you ladies), which help you retain and build muscle.

Also, lack of sleep triggers you to be more hungry. And staying up late and not getting enough time also gives you a ton more time to give in to snacking. Just say, "Yes!" to sleep!

Monday, 25 June 2012

5 Tips to Developing Great Abs


5 Tips to Developing Great Abs
5 Tips to Developing Great Abs

Are you in pursuit of a much sought after six pack? Do you want to know how to get great abs? Regardless of your sex or age, a six pack is something that many of us aspire to, but few ever achieve.

One of the major problems we all face lies with our modern diet filled with foods that are high in saturated fats and sugars - which tends to cover our perfectly sculpted bodies in a layer of fat. You might not know that, but underneath all the excess weight lies your perfect body - and great abs. So, what do you need to do then to get in shape and have those great abs that you desire? Here are five essential tips for how to get great abs.

1. Diet

What are you putting into your body on a daily basis? Are the foods you eat helping you loose weight or is it adding weight to your body? Excess food tends to accumulate around the abdominal area, which of course, makes your six pack even harder to obtain. By cutting out these fatty foods you will at least stop adding more to it and this will allow your body to use the excess stored fat. Remember that to have great abs you have to get rid of the fat first.

2. Metabolism

Metabolism is nothing but the process through which your body burns calories and turns food into energy. The higher your metabolism the more calories you burn. Exercise is probably the most effective way to increase metabolism, but there are some simple dietary changes that can greatly increase your metabolism and help you burn fat even when you are not exercising. To raise your metabolism, eat more often, but eat smaller amounts at a time and eat only high energy 'natural' foods like fruits and vegetables.

3. Cardio Exercise

If there is one thing that is an extremely important step in how to get great abs, then it the need for cardiovascular exercise. Exercise like swimming, running and cycling will help you shed the extra pounds and since your abdominal muscles are very active during these exercises it will help tone your abdominal muscles. A 45 minute cardio training routine at least 5 days a week will do the trick and in as little as 4 weeks you will start seeing visible results in your abs.

4. Target Exercise

A common misconception amongst most people is that to develop great abs you have to do sit-ups. It's true, but not entirely since cardio training is a vital part of overall weight loss. What targeted exercises like sit-up and crunches do, it to specifically target the abdominal muscles. When you build and work these muscles it increases the muscle activity which raises metabolism and increases weight loss in that target area. The best way to do these target exercises is to combine it with your cardio workout as your muscles will be more active and supple.

5. Posture

It's vitally important to stretch regularly, especially after exercise. By stretching your abdominal area for at least 15 minutes after exercise you improve blood circulation in the muscles and the flexibility of the abdominal muscles. Great abs are not just about having a six pack, but it's about having a well toned upper body. Apart from stretching you have to pay attention to your body posture. Your abs play an important part in keeping your body upright. Most people tend to slouch over when walking which actually relaxes the abdominal muscles. An upright body posture where your abs are extended, will keep your abs active even while walking or sitting.

These five tips for how to get great abs is not about picking one or two. What will do the trick however is a combination of all of them. There are no quick fixes and the sense of pride in doing the hard work is what will give you the real 'feel good' factor. You can have great abs. Just do the hard work and you WILL reap the rewards.

Sunday, 24 June 2012

4 Easy Steps To Get Ripped Six Pack


4 Easy Steps To Get Ripped Six Pack
Easy Steps To Get Great Abs

For many years I spent time doing crunches. I was told that an ab workout was complete by simply doing crunches and chances are you have heard this advice as well. Despite what you may have heard you are about to learn more about getting ripped six pack abs and burn fat the best way.

Every time you look in the mirror and see less than awesome abs you figure you are doing something wrong. Maybe you think that you are not working out hard enough. Maybe you think that you are not targeting your abs the right way and that is why your stomach muscles do not look tight and ripped.

You Can Not Spot Reduce Your Abs

Even though you have been led to believe that the right number of crunches or sit ups will get you better abs this will not work. In order to get a flat stomach you can not do a long series of ab exercises in hopes that they will start looking better.

Imagine yourself trying to get skinnier arms, or you just want to burn fat on your upper arms. No matter how many biceps curls you do the fat will not decrease because fat can not be spot reduced. The same technique applies to ab exercises. Doing sit ups will not burn fat.

You Already Have Abs Beneath The Fat

Although you may think I am joking around or you find it hard to believe but you definitely have six pack abs. Everyone has six pack abs the problem is they are not always visible. Most people assume that some quick exercises will bring out definition when the truth is a layer of fat is what is coming in between abdominal muscle definition and sexy abs.

The Steps To Get Abs To Show

If fat is the primary reason for abs not showing then naturally what you need to do is burn fat around your midsection. If you are serious about losing the fat here are the steps to burn it off.


  1. Eat fewer calories: I won't ask you to count calories because it really is annoying to do so. If you want to count calories this is fine but you can simply eat less than what you are eating now if you want to see a decrease in caloric intake. Look at your portions in your meal and decrease them or eliminate one item that is considered unhealthy.
  2. Eat less fat or sugar: eating fat and sugar is unavoidable. Every other item of food you eat will be heavy with either one of these substances. The important thing to keep in mind is that high amounts of these unhealthy items are probably contributing to your high fat percentage. Look at what you are eating or drinking; is it soda, chips, junk food, high fat foods that are holding you back? Eliminate them altogether or greatly reduce them and you will see improvements.
  3. Perform interval type cardio: if you hate doing cardio believe me, you are not alone. Nobody likes to do cardio but it is a great way to burn off those extra calories. However, doing long steady state cardio sessions like running for an hour on a treadmill or on the track is not the ideal way of doing this. If you want to make your cardio more effective do intervals for 15 to 30 minutes and you will burn more calories not just during a workout but even after your workout is done.
  4. Do some form of strength training: when someone mentions the words strength and training they picture bodybuilders. Although this is one way of doing strength training, weights is not the only way. Any exercise that puts the muscle under constant tension is strength training. You can do bodyweight exercises, kettle bells, resistance bands or machines. Any of these types of exercises will help you burn more calories and will boost your metabolism.

The only way you will see your abs show is by burning excess fat, especially around the midsection. Put these tips in to practice and you will see that your midsection will begin to show definition. Remember that ab workouts are only a small part of achieving ripped six pack abs.

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Muscle Workout Routines - What You Need To Know...


Muscle Workout Routines
Chest Muscle Workout Routine

Muscle building should be viewed as a marathon, instead of a sprint. The painful truth about gaining muscles is this, you will hardly notice any sort of results even after weeks have gone by training in the gym! If you truly want to be successful in building muscles, you will need determination as well as commitment to stay to your planned muscle workout routines.

Developing a muscle building workout routines can be difficult especially with so many different muscle building tips. Here are some simple and effective ways to help you with developing a muscles workout routines and diet plan.

Muscle Building Diet

It's a known fact to many professional trainers and world fitness experts that in order to increase your muscle mass; you'll need to have a solid stream of proteins in your diet. The most common and accessible proteins source would be red meat, but if your diet only compromises meat, your organs are bound to have complication in the future. Do consider other source of proteins aside from meat, cheese, milk, nuts, fish, eggs are all excellent source of proteins and they contain different form of nutrition such as amino acids, fatty acids, healthy fats.

Using Free Weights in Your Muscles Workout Routine

While it is difficult to get used to the idea and balance initially, free weights offers you the flexibility as well as a wider range of choices for increasing your muscle mass at different part of your body. They are also inexpensive and can be done at home with little space required as compared to a strength training machine. When done right, it will match the form of an exercise performed through strength training machine.

Remember to Train Safely

Most people do not have the discipline to warm up and warm down before and after their workout sessions, and this leave them extremely prone to injuries. You will want to observe this rule as it puts your body in a more optimum and effective state when you start working out, as well as sending a signal for your body to rest when you're done. Another important tip when in the gym is to make sure you do not overstretch your body with weights that you're not ready to lift. It's common to try to outdo your previous lifting session, but keep your feet on the ground and do not get carried away lifting weights that you're not ready.

Advance Training with Alternatives

Once you're starting to complete your workout routines consistently, you might be ready for more advance and intensive training. Access your strengths and check your overall status to make sure that when you're trying a more advance alternatives, you're ready for it. A good way to tell is to make sure that you do not stress your muscles too much to the point that you compromise safety and your form!

Check Your Progress

The only way to tell if your current muscles workout routine are really bringing you closer to your muscle gaining goals is to cross check it with either your trainer or your gym buddy. Write down your progress for every gym session and observe whether your intensity of training has increased and whether you're actually gaining any muscles mass or not. Improvise and improve when necessary and also find out what strengths and weaknesses that you can further improve on.

Be sure that you're ready for the long haul ahead as previously mentioned. Bodybuilding is not a sprint, it is the slow and consistent workout sessions coupled with the right attitude and knowledge that gets you the perfect body you dreamed of.