lundi 28 octobre 2013

Training Hard Requires an Aggressive Attitude!

I know you find that hard to believe. Some people don't like my attitude; guess what? Tough training requires an aggressive attitude.
If you walk through life worrying about who you will offend or what others think you will just be like the majority, that being a person trying to fit in with no mind of their own.
When it comes to training I can care less about being a circus performer and doing exercises that take too long to get good at. All I need to do is walk outside or to my garage gym and get psychotic!
With all the information out there no one knows what to do or can't make a decision. So what do they do? People turn to training forums for advice and it reads more like a discussion group of who their favorite fitness super hero is.
People need to decide and not be afraid to train hard and get to know their bodies, if you want to get good at something work at what you want to be good at.
The secret is constant training for years, and the problem is most aren't willing to put this amount of time in, it's almost like an apprenticeship of training. Read all the programs, follow all of your super heroes and still be physically and mentally weak if you don't do anything.
I do study certain people I can identify with, some with the type of back ground I grew up with, people that learned from doing, people that train with a basic tough type of mind set. The mind set is the key to anything we decide to take on and if we go in with a failing mind set we will fail almost every single time. The tougher the mind set the better the result.
I hate to say it, but warm and fuzzy doesn't work in my world and I don't say it to sound like a tough guy, but it's the way I am. I grew up aggressive and I approach most of my life the same way aggressive.
Today I did a tough labor style workout I used an 80lb heavy bag. I shoulder the bag 250 times in 43 minutes I grabbed it like I was doing a "Gut Wrench Suplex" and would swing it to the opposite shoulder. Slam down continue 250 times. Tougher than it sounds it is a total body builder!
Johnny Grube B.C.S. is the holder of 13 bodyweight world records in physical fitness is an expert on the subject of Building Physical and Mental Toughness through bodyweight training. He has 30 years of training experience and is the author of "Ultimate Physical Fitness in 5 Minutes" on amazon.com also the author of other training manuals sold world wide http://www.wildmantraining.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Grube

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8087571

Xtend Scivation - A Lean, Complete Muscle Building and Recovery Supplement

It's worth it to spend a few more extra bucks for your comfort and convenience. I've grown to become a real fitness buff. Working out just hypes me. I love the release of adrenaline and other feel- good hormones when I do my reps and lift weights. But along with pumping my muscles, there's pain. Awful pain. And it was a big problem when I was a beginner. The brainy health and fitness supplement industry did something to fix this problem, and created recovery supplements. A good quality recovery supplement is something I need and will make my life as a trainer better, so I didn't mind adding it in my regular expenses. One of the most popular recovery supplements today is Xtend Scivation. A lot of athletes were impressed with the earlier formulation, so there was quite a rave when the new formulation came out, Xtend Scivation with BCAAs.
What Is BCAA in Xtend Scivation?
Xtend BCAA is an intra workout catalyst. The special ingredient is Branch Chain Amino Acid comprised of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L- Valine. These are the most important amino acids for muscle building and repair. Xtend BCAA is an advanced formulation without sugar, carbs or calories and it is perfect for fasted workouts. L-Leucine is the most critical amino acid in Xtend because it is a self- sustaining muscle protein synthesis catalyst. Nonetheless, all three BCAAs complement each other and should be taken as a complete recovery supplement. It's a 2:1:1 ratio of these BCAAs in Xtend, actually, a "whole" formula for optimum muscle repair and recovery efficacy.
How is Xtend taken? As an intra- workout supplement prior to, during and after training. Mix the powder with water in a shaker. Flavors come in apple, grape, watermelon, raspberry and orange (with explosive extreme names on the label, by the way). Tasty powdered supplement drink taken after working out takes away muscle pain the sweet and easier way.
Ingredient Profile:
  • BCAAs (7000 mg)- 2:1:1 ratio; the supplement contains 3500 mg L- Leucine
  • Glutamine (2500 mg) - the most abundant free amino acid in the body that enhances recovery; important for the synthesis of other amino acids in the body and energy source next to glucose.
  • Citrulline Malate (1000 mg)- performance enhancing and reduces fatigue. Promotes healthy blood vessels and allows better transportation of amino acids to the muscles for repair and recovery.
  • Electrolytes (1171 mg)- the new formulation has potassium, chloride and sodium electrolytes to induce hydration and replace minerals lost when sweating during activity.
  • Vitamin B6 (640 mcg)- an enzyme that works with other enzymes to improve amino acid metabolism.
  • Xtend Scivation has no sugar or carbohydrates.
Xtend Scivation is a lean recovery and repair supplement. It does not contain anything that you don't need for your intended purpose. It simply has what is best and what you need. Anything else that shouldn't be there in your supplement is going to be extra baggage after all, right?
If you're looking for a lean, complete formulation for muscle building, repair and recovery, it's BCAA Xtend Scivation.
Be fit, healthy and buff. Build muscles without straining your wallet. Buy Xtend Scivation BCAA with amazing discount at Nutrition Warehouse.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendon_I_Boid

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8088168

samedi 26 octobre 2013

How To Choose A Gym - 5 Tips To Get Started

If you're not already a member, how to choose a gym may be a question you're asking yourself. Gyms and fitness centers seem to be on every city block these days, but not all are created equal! Just as you should have goals in mind for individual workouts, you should consider what qualities you're looking for in a gym or fitness center.
1. Location, location, location. I always recommend trying to choose a gym that's closest to your home, work, or a place you frequent on a daily basis. You eliminate the amount of effort needed to get to the gym! Don't make it difficult to get there, because you may try to turn that into an excuse for not going!
2. What are your goals? With workouts I always advise clients to set big goals but have realistic expectations. For example you may want to lose weight and that's great. Having a gym membership isn't going to accomplish that, doing the work will! Are you using the gym for group exercise like taking spin class, or are you more interested in weightlifting? Choose a gym that suits your needs.
3. You get what you pay for isn't always true! Don't be fooled by forking over a ton of money each month for a spa like gym facility if you're not going to actually use all the amenities. Some of the small independently owned gyms are much more reasonable. Sure they may not have all the bells and whistles, but they get the job done!
4. Take if for a test drive! You wouldn't by a car without taking it for a spin. All gyms offer free or very inexpensive passes to try out their facilities. I suggest getting a week long pass and going on different days at different times. You'll be able to see just how crowded the busy times are as well as keep an eye out for cleanliness of the facility. They all look clean and in perfect working order when no one is in there, but when it's busy some places tend to lack attention to cleanliness.
5. Are they trying to take your money, or help you reach your goals? Every gym needs to sell memberships to stay in business. The dirty little secret is that they rely on most new gym members to NOT use their facilities after a short time period. This is why they try to sell you year or two year long plans. Ask what free services they may offer if you sign up. Most gyms I've seen offer free fitness consultations and one or two personal training sessions. Again, the gym expects that you'll never actually use them, but you should! Have questions in hand and use this personal training advice as the motivation you need to get bigger biceps or just get you going off to a good start!
Riley Daye is a Certified Personal Trainer and Weight Management Consultant. He is a member of the GymPaws Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7339017

Lose Weight Fast Without Exercise - Breaking The Myth

Americans are obsessed with "quick fixes." Whether it's get rich quick schemes or trying to lose weight fast without exercise. The reality is that if any of these quick fixes actually worked everyone would be a millionaire with a ripped up swimsuit model body!
We've all tried the latest and greatest fad diet to try to lose weight without exercise, and some have even seen modest success. The problem is that the 10 pounds that were lost, seem to creep back on with another 5 extra pounds! Let's just break face reality here and break the myth, fad diets don't work!
Not that any health and fitness professional would endorse it, but the only way you're going to lose weight fast without exercise is simply to reduce your caloric intake. Many of the fad diets are not nutritionally sound and some can be downright unhealthy. The human body evolved to rely on a variety of nutrients for optimal health. Variety is key and a healthy diet includes a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats to name a few. By going on a fad diet, you excluded important nutrients that your body requires and can even put yourself at risk of getting sick!
Practicing portion control is a skill you should learn to master to help you lose those unwanted extra pounds. Most health and fitness professionals would agree that the current obesity epidemic facing the US today has more to do with the amounts of foods that we are consuming vs the actual food themselves. Portions have grown larger and larger in the past few years at ALL restaurants (not just fast food). However, we can't blame it all on the super sized value meals or jumbo soft drinks, you have a responsibility as well! How often do you polish off a bag of potatoes chips while watching a movie and TV show without any thought? We've all done it! Try looking at the nutritional breakdown on that bag afterwards... it's likely you consumed 1,000's of calories with a second thought! It might be helpful to read our other article about lifestyle changes to lose weight as well.
Here's a couple great tips to help you be more conscious of portion sizes and hopefully lose weight "fast" without exercise!
- Serve your meals on salad or smaller plates instead of large dinner plates.
- A cup of fruit should be no bigger than your fist.
- When ordering out, ask for a smaller size or share your entrée with a friend.
- Store snack foods in sandwich bags so you never eat more than one portion.
- One ounce of meat or cheese is about the same size of your thumb.
- Three ounces of meat, fish, or poultry is about the size of your palm.
- Fill up on salads, fruit, and veggies instead of breads, pasta, and high fatty foods.
Keep these tips in mind to help you become more conscious of exactly how much you're eating. When you achieve this mind body connection, you'll be less likely to pig out or go overboard!
Los Angeles Personal Trainer Riley Daye is part of the GymPaws Workout Gloves Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7862998

Calves Exercises for Mass - Don't Forget Leg Day!

Why do calves seem to be the most neglected body part when training the lower body. Ever notice the guys at the gym that are wearing the "barely there" cut up muscle t's and wearing big baggy sweatpants? Chances are they're hiding their weakness.. skinny legs! What are the best calves exercises for mass? As with any muscle group, genetics plays a big role in determining how big you can naturally get. Here are some basics you should be trying if your goal is to build bigger calves.
The muscles of the upper legs have many functions of course and one being that they support your core muscles and body-weight when lifting or for movement in general. The smaller calf muscles of the lower leg are the stabilizers if you will. They don't have the size or strength to push big loads themselves, however they act as the little brother for the massive muscles of the upper legs that have more brawn.
Aside from functionality tho let's be honest... skinny legs make a guy who's otherwise very muscular, look a bit dis-proportioned.
We should mention that relying solely on squats and deadlifts along won't help you build bigger calves. That may seem like a no-brainer to some, but it warrants being said. Train your calves like you would any other muscle group, with a specific game plan and strategy when you hit the gym. Here are 4 calves exercises for mass - they are the basics you should master if your goal is thick powerful calves!
1) Standing Calf Raises - For this exercise, you can use the calf machine or a block. Slowly raise yourself up on the balls of your feet as high as you're able to and contract your calf muscles as you reach the top. Hold for a moment, and slowly lower to the starting position and repeat.
2) Seated Calf Raises - This is very similar to the standing calf raises, but the seated calf raise will target the lower muscles of the calf.
3) Leg Press Calf Raises - Take a seat on the le press machine and hold the base with only your toes and the balls of your feat. Do not move with your hips and knees, instead use the movement of your ankles. This will put all the work on your calf muscles!
4) Box Jumps - This exercise will provide you with that explosive strength in your legs. It will train your calves to react and contract very quickly in various exercises and really help tone the calf muscle. Stand on the balls of your feet and toes in front of a box (select a box height that is appropriate to how high you can jump) and jump onto the box. Jump back down to the floor and perform about 10 reps.
These four calves exercises for mass are some of the basic lower leg or calf exercises you should master whether you're a beginner or gymrat!
Los Angeles Personal Trainer Riley Daye is part of the GymPaws Workout Gloves Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7868627

What Is High Intensity Interval Training?

If you've ever busted your butt in a bootcamp or crossfit style workout you're already familiar with HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training. It's a knock out, drag down, push till you puke kinda workout if I'm being honest. While it seems to be a favorite fat burning workout of choice of many personal trainers, it has a lot of merits other than just making you sweat! If you have no idea what I'm talking about and still asking "what is high intensity interval training" then let's start from the beginning.
HIIT is also referred to as high intensity intermittent exercise or even sprint interval training. By definition it is a workout strategy when one alternates short intense segments of anaerobic exercise with less intense and active recovery periods. In comparison, most endurance workouts like rowing, stair-climbing or running keep your heart rate and exertion level at a moderate intensity.
What are the benefits of High Intensity Interval Training?
Well aside from the cardiovascular benefits, it's one of the most effective fat burning workouts you can do! HIIT workouts tend to decrease fasting insulin and increase insulin sensitivity which is related to that nasty belly fat or (subcutaneous fat) that we all want to get rid of!
What does a HIIT workout consist of?
Generally speaking the high intensity part of the workout is sustained for anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. I say generally because there is no exact definition, but the higher the intensity the shorter the speed. The recovery part of the interval training is usually equal to the "intense" part. HIIT workouts can also incorporate weights or just simply using your own body weight. Most bootcamp or crossfit workouts follow this type of interval training. (so you might want to grab a pair of crossfit gloves to protect your hands)
What is a sample High Intensity Interval Training Workout look like?
It can really be as simple as a combination of Sprints and recovery periods - which most people may be familiar with from their personal training sessions. If you're still asking "what is high intensity interval training" get off your bum and try this:
60 second sprint or fast jog followed by
60 second slow jog or walk
Now do that a couple more times without rest and voila... you're now a fan of a HIIT workout! Regardless of what exercises the workout itself involves it is sure to be your go to workout for leaning up and stripping off that last pesky 10 pounds!
Los Angeles Personal Trainer Riley Daye is part of the GymPaws Workout Gloves Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7886917

How To Build Muscle And Make Sure Your Body Looks Attractive

Many men around the world workout to build muscle, but it's only a certain percentage of those men that have a body that look attractive. Sadly, not all guys that are keen on maintaining a fit body get the right look for their physique that attracts women. There are a number of factors one must pay attention to when building muscle to make sure you end up with a body that attracts.
Bodybuilding is the process of modifying the body's musculature to increase muscle size through diet and lifting weights. If you are interested in bodybuilding just to get bigger muscles, then that is possible, but you should be aware that getting a body to look attractive requires a certain approach towards diet and training that that is oftentimes different to a program to get bigger muscles.
In order to increase the size of a muscle the procedure is to eat at a caloric surplus, lift heavy weights to tear the muscle and rest the muscle to repair itself and grow bigger. Once that procedure is maintained in a progressive pattern your muscle should get noticeable bigger over a period of time. However, there are many other variables involved in this process that affects the results that you get from diet and training including the look of your body.
While there are many men who train to get muscles all over their body to be as big as possible, lots of guys on the other hand want a moderately muscular body like fit male models. Male models that lift weights to build muscle do not aim for big bulky muscles like bodybuilders. In fact, it's a critical requirement of their profession to not look overdone with muscles.
The reason male models have to avoid looking overly muscular or getting any outcome at all that doesn't look neat is because their job is to portray an attractive male physique. They are place in magazines, commercials, music videos and other promotional campaigns to be seen as role models of what an attractive male body should look like. So if you want to build muscle to get a body that looks attractive, you need to aim for a body like male models who possess well-built bodies.
Most Hollywood actors these days who get in shape to prepare for film roles usually aim for a male fitness model type physique. They always aim for an average amount of muscle, and they take the right steps to get as lean as possible. Some Hollywood actors who got that look unexpectedly, suddenly got into the fitness spotlight, and women started seeing them as sex symbols when they were never held in that position before. That is how dramatic such body transformation can be in Hollywood.
You may not be a Hollywood actor or a male model, but you may want to do something that can significantly improve your physical appearance so you can feel good about your self, or get a nice girl to notice you. Well, you too can get a nice lean and toned physique to look hot, you just need to use the correct guidelines that will take you there.
Get more info on building muscle correctly to get a body like a male model downloading this this free eBook. Real secrets revealed to get a stunning male physique.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7618025

Best Butt Exercises

What are the best butt exercises for women? What about for men? To be honest there's not much difference. If you want a butt you could bounce quarters off of you gotta build muscle and lose fat. Duh. So what are the best butt exercises?
Dumbbell Walking Lunge
1. Begin standing upright holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.
2. Keeping your abs tight, take a step forward with one leg. Focus on landing on the heel of your foot versus the ball.
3. Naturally lower your body until the knee of the opposite leg is almost touching the floor. The lower leg will provide assistance in moving forward as well the standing leg (you'll feel it in your butt on the side of the standing leg.)
4. The lower leg makes the next move and becomes the standing leg, and so on. Think of a lunge as an exaggerated "walk." If you're new to the exercise it'll be easier to try it without weights to begin.
Bench Butt Raises
1. Lie flat on the floor with your feet on a bench. They're not going to be flat on the bench, you're basically using it to push against.
2. With your arms by your side and abs tight, imagine a string attached to your bellybutton pulling your butt off the floor until your back is straight. Your pelvis should be "pointing" above your head at the top of the move versus straight to the ceiling at the beginning of the move.
3. Keeping your buttocks muscles contracted and abs tight, lower yourself back to the floor. Keep going for a full set before resting.
Pistol Squats - Notice - This is an advanced move that requires great balance and coordination. If you've never tried it before I suggest you hold onto the wall or a chair for support. Not only is it one of the best butt exercises, but it's a great quad exercises as well.
1. Standing upright you'll begin by simultaneously extending your arms and one leg in front of you as you squat to the floor.
2. Lower yourself until the extended leg is about parallel to the floor. Your arms are extended towards your extended leg. Imagine touching your toes.
3. Using the foot that is firmly on the floor, focus on pushing through your heel to an upright position as you bring the extended leg back in to an upright position.
Los Angeles Personal Trainer Riley Daye is part of the GymPaws Workout Gloves Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7982583

Foods That Build Muscle

Do you want to build more muscle? Well if you do then you should know that it is not just lifting weights that will build your muscle it is what you eat as well. Diet as well as weight lifting is what you will need to build up those muscles. So the question is what should you eat if you want to build muscle? Well in this article I will tell you what foods you need to be eating to help your muscles recover quicker and gain muscle mass faster.
You may think that you need fatty foods to bulk up well I am here to tall you that that is not true. Fatty foods will do just that make you fat. Lean meats and fruits and vegetables will actually build muscle. So if looking for a diet and nutrition plan there are many to choose from, but your health care provider, or nutritionist can provide you will one. Or you can just eat a steady diet of vegetables and lean meats to achieve your muscle building goals.
Eating lean meats such as turkey, fish, and chicken is highly recommended when eating foods that build muscle. These lean meats are high in protein and amino acids which we all know are used to build muscle. Did you know that amino acids are needed to break down the protein to heal the muscles after weight training? That is why eating lean meats is so important. The faster you heal your muscles the faster you can gain muscle mass. Also eating foods that are high in potassium can help in the healing of your muscles as well try these foods that are rich in potassium such as strawberries and bananas.
So there you have it the foods that will build muscle, so stay away from all of those fatty foods, try to avoid high fat cuts of meat, make sure it says lean or 98% fat free. Do not eat fried foods because these are bad calories. Eat baked or grilled food and use olive oil to cook it in. Stick to foods that are natural and have not been processed or have a lot of fat and sugar in them. Just use common sense when at the grocery store. Changing your diet now to help build muscle will also help with your over all health now and in the future. Good luck with eating foods that build muscle, along with exercise eating a proper diet will help with building muscle.
Michael Parker invites to visit his foods that build muscle website for ways to build muscle and attract women. Get your free copy of "How Your Physique Affects the Female Mind" right here now. http://www.musclyjerk.com


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Recipes To Build Muscle - Muscle Muffins

Most of us don't associate baking with recipes to build muscle. With a little ingenuity you can make healthy high protein recipes at every turn in the kitchen and this is a favorite "muscle muffin" recipe of mine! Everyone loves a delicious treat, and now you can enjoy this protein packed muffin that is actually good for you - just remember one muffin is a serving so don't get crazy eating the whole tray fresh out of the over. For those of you manly muscle heads - there's no need to fear baking! No you don't need to wear grandmas oven mitts and apron to whip up delicious baked goods. In a few easy steps and less than 30 minutes you can whip up some recipes to build muscle and you can start with this high protein Banana Oat Muscle Muffin recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 Banana
- ¾ cup egg whites
- ½ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup oats
- 2 scoops of vanilla WHEY protein powder
- ¼ cup of a sugar substitute (Splenda, Sweet n' low, etc)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 4 tbsp low-fat Greek yogurt
To Make:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray your muffin tray with a cooking spray to prevent your muffins from sticking to the tray.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend all ingredients together until they are smooth and all chunks have been sorted out. No one wants to bite into a chunk of protein powder or a clump of oats! Next, spread evenly into your muffin tray filling all the way up to the top.
3. Throw the tray in the oven for about 17 minutes. In order to tell if they are baked all the way through, try inserting a toothpick or fork into the muffins. Upon removing the toothpick, if no muffin residue sticks onto the toothpick, they are done!
4. Top off your high protein recipe creation with the Greek yogurt as a nice glaze and enjoy! Yields 12 servings. For maximum freshness, store the remaining muffins in your fridge to enjoy throughout your week.
The breakdown: (per individual muffin)
Calories: 70
Protein: 8 grams
Carbs: 7 grams
Fat: 1 gram
Fiber: 1 gram
Total Prep time: 23 minutes
Total Enjoyment: 100%
Tip: Wrap the muffins individually in plastic wrap and keep in the freezer. They're a great snack to take to work to enjoy, or boast about your new ability to master recipes to build muscle!
Los Angeles Personal Trainer Riley Daye is part of the GymPaws Fitness Team. His areas of study include Weight Lifting, Strength Training, Nutrition, Body Building and Sport Specific Training.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7853940

Build Muscle Fast

Build Muscle Fast with the Right Nutrition Program and Best Equipment
Everyone is looking for a magical pill that can make them build muscle fast. While there may not be a magical pill that can help, there are several ways of ensuring you reach your goals. In order to build muscle fast you must eat properly, exercise, and possibly take natural supplements. In today's world it seems that there is little to no time to exercise, with kids, school, work, and all of the other little things that occupy your time. There are many people that wish they could drop the fat and build muscle fast. If you are one of those who wish for a better way, there is. With the proper diet, exercise, and the help of supplements a well toned body is within your grasp!
A proper diet is one of the major stepping stones to developing a well toned, healthy physique. Eating the proper foods will help you to get rid of the layers of fat that are hiding your great body. Kick to the curb fatty junk food like chips, sodas, and candy. A little in moderation is fine, but discontinue eating this sort of junk everyday. This type of food is loaded with sugar, chemicals, and other things that just are not good for anyone. Replace junk food with healthier but still tasty options like water, fruits, vegetables, and other natural goodies. If you have a sweet tooth try drizzling some honey on a tortilla, it can cure any sweet-tooth's craving!
Proper exercise is a must if you want to build muscle fast. Equipment such as the Bowflex gym can help you build muscle fast. The Bowflex gym is easy to use and operate. This at home gym allows the user to preform 30-90 different types of exercises, depending on the model that you get. The Bowflex gym comes with a variety of add on accessories that let the user preform even more exercises. Owning a Bowflex gym is like having a gym at your home without the hidden fees, people staring at you, and hassle of actually driving to the gym. The Bowflex puts less stress on the user so they are left with less sore muscles than users who used free weights. There are a variety of different exercises this gym can do to help you gain muscular fitness. It also folds up to allow for perfect storage. It is important to remember to take at least one day of rest to allow your muscles the time they need to rebuild and replenish their-selves.
Some dietary supplements can help you build muscle fast. Dietary supplements can be a tricky topic. Finding the supplement that works the best for you can be tricky. It is well worth the effort when you do find the right supplement. It can help you curb your craving and help your body absorb the nutrients that your body needs.
Losing fat and gaining muscle does not have to be difficult. If you make smart choices and stick with your routine the pounds will just drop off! Remember to build muscle fast, you must eat the right foods, exercise, and possibly take supplements to truly get the results you want and deserve.
MyReviewsNow.net offers information regarding methods to build muscle fast. For more on workout machines, please visit us at MyReviewsNow.net.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7803458

vendredi 25 octobre 2013

Benefits of BCAA Supplements

If you've been hitting the gym lately, then you know how often fitness junkies discuss the supplements they take and compare notes to find out just how beneficial a particular product is. Lately, a lot of these discussions are centering on BCAA supplements. One serious weightlifter may enthusiastically praise the wonders of Blox, for example, while a runner can go into a running monologue about how Amino1 has increased his endurance and lessened his fatigue. Such talk can lead you to wonder what all the hype is all about.
What does BCAA mean?
First of all, BCAA stands for Branched Chain Amino Acids. This is a term used to refer to three amino acids that are grouped together because of their branched chain structure. These amino acids are Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine.
Leucine plays an important role in building up your muscles and preventing muscle tissue loss. On the other hand, isoleucine is a potent amino acid that increases glucose uptake into your cells. In combination, they play a crucial role in boosting your muscle cell growth. Valine is still somewhat an unknown component, however, and research is still being conducted to ascertain whether it plays an important role in muscle development or if it is just included due to its structure.
Medicinal BCAA
Doctors are now using BCAA to treat many types of serious medical conditions. These include:
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease
  • Various brain conditions caused by liver disease such as latent hepatic encephalopathy and chronic hepatic encephalopathy
  • tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder
  • McArdle's disease, a genetic disease
  • Spinocerebellar degeneration
  • The lack of appetite in elderly cancer patients and kidney failure patients
  • The wasting of the muscle in patients who are bed-ridden
Workout Benefits from BCAA
However, several studies have indicated that BCAA supplements such as Amino1 and Blox can benefit you even if you don't have serious ailment. These supplements can help you build muscle and boost your athletic performance, and the effects are much more dramatic for beginners. Aside from muscle growth, other benefits that have been ascribed to BCAA include greater resistance to fatigue and improved weight loss.
While there has been a lot of anecdotal evidence (you can trust fitness enthusiasts to go on and on about how their supplements have helped them out), initial medical research has actually found some evidence to back these claims.
For example, one double blind study that lasted for 33 hours involved subjects performing offshore sailing while taking BCAA supplements every six hours. The test demonstrated that fatigue improvements are evident by the second day, with less memory errors (memory errors are telltale signs of fatigue) displayed in subsequent tests. Another double blind test involving cyclists revealed that the subjects experienced less physical and mental fatigue which was confirmed by subsequent tests. Just about half of them also reported an improvement in their performance.
All these reasons show why it's important to supplement your diet with BCAA. Not only do these supplements provide the "raw materials" for you to build muscle, but they also enable you to exercise for longer periods of time.
Find the very best pre workout supplement for you that has BCAA's, Creatine, Caffeine, and other essential muscle building compounds.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8080486

Why Amino Acid Supplements Are Important For Building Muscle

When you exercise and workout regularly, then you probably thought about taking supplements at some point. This is especially true when you feel dead tired or you feel as if the workouts aren't really working. Let's get one thing straight once and for all-taking these nutritional supplements isn't cheating. You're not doing an A-Rod or a Barry Bonds. These are nutritional supplements. By definition, they give you the nutrients you need because you're not getting enough of it from your diet. You're making up for some deficiency-not taking steroids!
Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements
Amino acids such as BCAA are great for intra workout supplements, and they often come in refreshing amino acid drinks in various flavors. But what benefits do you get, exactly? Here are some ways in which your body can benefit from your BCAA supplements:
  • BCAA supplements are metabolized mainly by your muscles. This is in stark contrast to other amino acids which are metabolized in the liver. And because it is metabolized by the muscles, BCAA is used as energy by your muscle cells to produce ATP cellular energy. ATP is the main source of fuel for muscle contraction-it's what enables you to lift weights!

  • BCAA helps you resist fatigue. It's takes you longer to get tired and your performance won't go down easily when you take BCAA supplements. It spares glycogen during your workouts, and this means your workouts can be more intense (and thus more effective) and also allows for a faster recovery.

  • BCAA provides the building blocks for muscle-building. In addition, it also prevents muscle loss when you lose weight.
When Should You Take BCAA Supplements
Before anything else, one word of caution: if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then it may not be a very good idea of you take amino acid drinks as intra workout supplements. It's not that there is evidence that BCAA supplements are dangerous for women in these conditions. It's just that there isn't enough evidence to conclude that it's absolutely safe for you or the baby if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Now that we've got this issue is out of the way, let's discuss dosages and ideal times to take amino acid supplements. Ideally, you should consume these supplements before, during, and then right after your workouts. For maximum results, you should also take some additional supplements during the day.
Your BCAA dosage depends mainly on how much you weigh. For those who weigh 150 pounds or less, it's recommended that you take 3g dosages before, during, and after your workouts. For those who weigh more than 150 pounds, the recommended dosage is 5g.
It's also great if you can take them during the whole day and not just around your workouts. For those who weigh 150 pounds or less, you should take an additional total of 10g spread over your breakfast, in between meals, and right before you go to bed. For heavier folks, an additional 15g should be consumed.
By doing all these, you'll make sure that you can preserve and build your muscles, lose extra fat, and boost your performance during your workouts.
Find the very best pre workout supplement for you that has BCAA's, Creatine, Caffeine, and other essential muscle building compounds at that best supplement review site on the net. Click here: best pre workout drinks


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8082691

Gain 2 Inches on Your Vertical Leap in One Week

Increasing your vertical leap can be achieved in a number of ways. You can do a lot of squats, calf raises and lunges with and without weights. You can also go through 4-8 week plyometric programs to gain 4-6 inches on your vertical. While these methods are proven to be successful you can gain 2 inches on your vertical leap in as little as a week by applying these two simple techniques to your jumping exercises
Technique #1: Emphasize the arm swinging motion.
When you do plyometrics workouts you are primarily doing box jumps, and other body weight dominant jumping drills. In these drills you are using your arms to gain extra height when you jump. Over emphasizing the arm swinging motion will enhance your ability to jump higher instantly due to the weight of your arms pulling you higher into the air. To test this technique, grab a marker and go up to a flat wall that you can make markings on. Stand flat footed in front of the wall then jump up and make a mark at the peak of your jump. Next, do the same exercise, but swing your arms back as far as you can then jump. Make a mark at the peak of that jump. You will notice that the second mark is at least an inch higher than the first one. That's a one inch gain on your vert in under 5 minutes!
Technique #2: Focus on landing
You can only jump as high as the height you can land from. Granted you can jump off a one story building and land without seriously injuring yourself, but this concept applies to landing on your feet only, without any assistance from your hands. When you jump off of something onto the ground your body is heavier. This added weight from gravity causes your muscles to work harder to absorb the impact of the landing. When you land you strengthen your jumping muscles more due to the added weight of gravity pulling you down. This makes jumping a lot easier because the same muscles that absorb your landing only have to push half of the weight off the ground. A technique to strengthening your landing muscles is to jump from higher heights on to the ground and immediately springing back up into the air (depth jumps). The easiest way to incorporate this technique into your jump routine is to jump off of a plyo box during box jumps then focus on landing safely (not landing straight legged, and bending your knees on impact to absorb the landing). Aim to gain as much height as you can handle. Do not jump too high if you are not comfortable with landing from that height. Add this technique in to your routine for a week and you will notice that you can jump higher during box jumps instantly.
Check out the Faster Stronger Wiser: Jump Training Program for a 5 day routine that will help you increase your jumping ability by 4 inches in as little as 3 weeks.
For the best workout programs visit http://www.fasterstrongerwiser.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8068361

mercredi 23 octobre 2013

Legs and Abs Workout

Building stronger legs is the foundation of success, yet something that far too many people overlook entirely. Rather than putting the time and energy they need into working their legs, they start to focus more on 'aesthetic muscle groups' such as the chest, shoulders, and back since this is where many people tend to focus.
But, if you want to build a strong foundation that will help you execute all those upper body exercises you're going to perform, doing a solid leg workout is a must.
Let's walk you through the main points to know about developing a proper leg workout program. Abs are a great muscle to train with the legs, so we'll be adding some core workout in the mix as well.
Focus On Big Two
First and foremost, you must be focusing on doing squats and deadlifts in your program. These are easily the most important movements for any leg workout as they will it so many muscle groups at once.
Squats and deadlifts are great for building power, boosting testosterone levels, and increasing your lean mass development. Yes. They boost testosterone levels. If you're doing these, the benefits will show while you're performing that bench press exercise you love so much.
Vary Your Rep Ranges
Second, don't think that you need to stick with all low rep ranges when doing your leg workouts. Taking the rep range slightly higher can also be beneficial and help to enhance your overall muscular endurance as well.
A combination is good - use lower rep ranges on the two primary exercises mentioned above and a higher rep range on the additional exercises you'll perform.
Don't Neglect Calves
Calves very often go neglected in a leg workout program and this must be avoided as well. While the calves may never grow to the same degree as say your quads or hamstrings will, you still do need to be paying attention to them. The nice thing about working out your calves is, they do not require much working out! They are also very easy to isolate.
Seated and standing calf raise are both a must for success.
Add A Variety Of Core Moves
Finally, no muscle is as fast to adapt as your core, so including a wide variety of core exercise is also going to be a must. If you feel that your workout is getting boring, that's because it is. Change it up.
Make sure to perform core exercises that challenge the muscles from all angles as well as that help to create instability in the body. These are the ones that will best stimulate muscles deep within the core, getting them to sit up and start contracting.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7874882

Branched Chain Amino Acids and Supplementation

Branched Chain Amino Acids or BCAAs are big news in the world of sports nutrition and numerous leading manufacturers of nutritional supplements for body builders often proudly state that their products contain BCAAs. But why are branched chain amino-acids so vital and how do they allow bodybuilders and other individuals develop lean muscle mass? Just how can they assist in overall health?
The branched chain amino acids are leucine, isoleucine and valine inspect the ingredients list on some of the protein supplement products in our list if you're unclear if the bodybuilding supplement you want to buy contains BCAAs or not. The main reason these are so important to bodybuilding and sports nutrition is due to the fact that they are beneficial in the metabolic pathway involved in protein synthesis. Based on current research into microbiology and cellular performance, as much as 30 % of the skeletal muscle in the human body (skeletal muscles include all the muscle groups that body builders wish to build up and develop) contains some of these amino acids. This brings about an obvious conclusion: if muscles are mostly comprised of BCAAs, then if you would like to increase lean muscle mass, then you should make certain that your diet regimen is rich in them! BCAAs additionally play a role in metabolizing carbs and in the production of insulin.
Branched chain amino acids perform their good work in developing big muscles after strength exercise (weights workouts). For this reason, protein shakes, protein bars and protein drinks that contain these BCAAs are particularly beneficial if improving muscle bulk is your goal. These dietary supplements work better if taken as a post-workout snack, as this is when the work of producing big muscles starts. Leucine is the fastest-acting of the BCAAs and is the amino acid that is the very first to prompt the production of insulin for metabolizing food consumption in the normal pancreas, and vitamin supplements including this amino acid are especially good for post-workout snacks or shakes.
Improving lean muscle mass is equally important for long-lasting weight loss. Lean muscle mass burns fat more effectively than fat, and it is much less dense, giving you a slimmer, leaner appearance. Increasing lean muscle mass with good diet, mindful supplementation and exercise will ensure that you will look more toned and fit (also you will be more toned and trim!) and you will likely be able to keep the fat off.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7978921

Overtraining and How You Can Deal With It

Overtraining is the increase in training volume as well as intensity of exercise which can result in decreased performance. Recovery can often require many days or even weeks. A shorter or less severe variation of overtraining is referred to as overreaching, which is easily recovered from in just a few days. Overtraining is usually the result of being overzealous in your attempts to improve and feeling the need to continue without taking a break.
Overtraining can create the idea of thinking that your on-stage competition is training hard and you're not; therefore, they will win. It may derive from the belief that if you stop training, you'll lose everything you've worked for. It could also possibly come from becoming addicted to exercise. Regardless of how you come to the point of being overtrained, you have to learn how to recognize the symptoms that lead up to it.
Signs of Overtraining
You get sick often and it takes longer to recover than it should normallyYour immune system may be suffering from the added stress of your overtraining. It's an easy trap to fall into, simply because it's often the natural progression for many accomplished athletes or trainees looking to increase their work or improve their performance: work harder, work longer.
Working out too much may cause muscle wasting and fat deposition. You are "burning calories," probably more than ever before, but it's predominantly glucose/glycogen and precious muscle tissue. Net effect: you're getting less lean. Your hormone balance has been tipped. You've been overtraining, and the all-important testosterone:cortisol ratio is lopsided. Generally speaking, a positive T:C ratio means more muscle and less fat, while a negative ratio means you're either training too much, sleeping too little, or some combination of the two.
  • Constant joint pain, throbbing or other pains.
  • You are getting insomnia, which is difficulty sleeping.
  • A lack of motivation in the gym.
What to do If the symptoms Identify you.
Take time off
You don't lose muscle overnight, It takes quite some time for the actual muscle cells to break down, so let that be the last thing you worry about when you take time off. If anything, not taking time off will cause you the greatest damage to your physique.
Many people out there disagree with the overtraining theory. They say that if you're eating enough and resting enough, then overtraining should not happen. Science has shown otherwise and for those who disagree, it comes down to a mindset they have that has convinced them otherwise. It's always good to take time off and most of the time you will return stronger and more motivated.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7957867

Fitness Should Be A Habit

Are you trying to get healthy? Then fitness should be a habit. Fitness is definitely a critical method to sustain a healthier life-style, nevertheless it calls for a great deal of time and effort. In case you are aiming to get fit, this article has many suggestions to help and educate you on the best techniques to improve your exercise the least amount of time.
Set specific workout goals. An easy way to get this done will be to look up conditioning requirements for certain careers, like the military, police, fire fighters, and martial artist. Setting strong goals will inspire you to keep working towards them. Along with some determination, it is possible to little by little, but certainly, fulfill your objectives.
Reduce force on your muscles and to prevent injuries warming-up before training. Adequately warming-up will unwind stiff muscle tissues and will get the blood flowing to them. Sudden actions on muscles that have not been appropriately warmed-up before workout may result in pulled muscles, stresses, and also tears.
It is advisable to keep track of the calories from fat or calories that you consume every day. By counting your calories you consume every day, it can allow you to slim down. Aim to consume fewer calories to cover your metabolic rate when counteracting additional calories with physical exercise.
If you'd like a flat belly, must you do ab crunches, but you should add cardio. Kickboxing is an excellent aerobic exercise, that helps tone your stomach. These highly effective movements give your abdominal muscles an excellent exercise. Tae kwon do is another excellent cardio and abs workout.
When you physical exercise, make sure that you hydrate your self as much as you can. Normally water is quite critical, because it will aid to restore the fluids that you lost during exercising or lifting weights. In addition, take a shower right away when you return home to eradicate the bacteria in your skin.
Going on hikes is really an excellent method to boost many areas of fitness. Hiking may improve strength throughout ones legs along with enhancing ones heart rate. Hiking also gives the added benefit of being a fantastic tension reliever. Furthermore you can adjust the hike by adding or eliminating weight in a back pack.
As you try to prevent a painful muscle strain warmup and steadily boost the intensity along with duration of your exercise as opposed to moving ideal back into your prior workout routine. Following each and every exercise, apply warm ups towards the injured muscle for half an hour, then do it again with added depth the following day.
Stubborn beer belly? Unfortunately, sit ups and crunches by themselves are not adequate to shed stomach fat. Research has shown that it would take an estimated thousands of crunches to really burn a single pound of belly fat. The best choice will be to combine abdominal workouts using aerobic workouts as well as dietary modifications.
Today, people's lives are so busy and physical exercise is pushed aside. But wellness pros agree how essential fitness should be to cook and eat healthy. When you apply this with the basic recommendations in this short article, ideally you may get in shape with enjoyable and time-saving workouts.
Visit home workouts. for the best workouts online.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7965602

The Muscle and Fitness Rock Hard Challenge

If you ever read a Muscle and Fitness magazine before, maybe you will find an exercise program that is known as the rock hard challenge. The Muscle & Fitness is a bodybuilding and fitness magazine published by American Media, Inc. besides the Flex Magazine. The challenge itself is a kind of exercise program held by them every year.
The fitness program itself I think is good enough to be performed, especially supported by programs that proved successful sculpt the body, nutrition guides to help maximizing the workout results, lose weight and increase muscle mass.
The Pro's of the Plan
In this plan, all the exercise programs must be done in approximately 3 months / 12 weeks. The idea is to target light exercise and weight training alternately for one week, with the exception of one day for recovery. However, the program is always evolving, so the type of exercises you will encounter will be slightly different from the previous years.
In this program, you will also get information about supplements and eating plans. Like the other fitness programs, the muscle and fitness rock hard challenge also sponsored by a supplement company, the Muscletech, Inc. Some of their products, such as: Phase8, Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite, Push10, and Anotest. All of them have been adjusted to your needs, whether for recovery, boost workout, lose fat or build muscle.
You do not have to worry about the exercises you should do. On the official website of the muscle and fitness, you can find thousands of articles and hundreds of videos about exercises. You can use them as guides in order to build your athletic body. Additionally, the Muscle and Fitness's team also provides a chance for participants to win rewards more than $ 1,100 (prize of the year 2013). That sounds nice, does not it?
The Con's of the Plan
The only problem in this program is the limited time required. I think 12 weeks sounds absurd to transform a fatty / skinny body shape to a muscular one. Unless you are a professional in terms of bodybuilding, so you understand what kind of foods you should consume daily, how many, how often and what kind of exercises that suits to your body. I know that in this program we will be taught how to do it properly, however we really need a proper amount of time for doing that and learn it.
My conclusion
The rock hard challenge is still worth to do, in order to obtain your ideal body shape. I know that this program is not easy for most people, especially those who are busy. However, I hope that you can think this as your first step towards a better living. If you are not successful this year, the next year is still there for you.
Erwin is a sports enthusiast, loves things related to sport, sweat and fight. Sometimes he pours his thoughts in articles. One of them talks about the muscle and fitness.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7959519

Breakthrough Gym Plateaus With This 60-Second Workout

Every weightlifter, bodybuilder and fitness athlete has or will encounter the dreaded plateau at some point in their gym training. You're still showing up regularly, still putting in 110% effort every workout, but progress has STOPPED... So let's take a look at why it happens, then look at a workout you'll want to try to get past this roadblock.
The human body is one of the most complicated, efficient organisms in existence. Your body is constantly evolving and refining itself for maximum efficiency and results. It uses fat for energy when it's not getting the right nutrients at the right time in the right quantities, so it tries to store as much fat as it thinks you may need down the road - all based on what you give it and how much energy you expend daily. (Remember, a calorie is a measure of ENERGY, not weight or mass.)
On the other side of the equation, it knows that muscle consumes more energy than any other element in your body, so it tries to limit the amount of muscle on your body to just exactly enough to get you through the day and no more. This is why the muscles you've built in the gym start to erode as soon as you stop weightlifting, even though fat seems to hang on forever.
So when your weightlifting stalls and you hit that plateau it's almost always because your body believes you've got enough muscle already - or at least enough to handle the stresses you place it under each day. Perhaps you've been using the same routine for too long, or going between routines that are too similar. Or maybe you haven't been increasing the amount of weight you're moving during each workout enough - insufficient increases in total workload placed on the body.
But it can also be a lot more complicated. If you've been lifting weights for years it's going to take that much more to keep adding muscle to your body when it's already carrying more muscle than your frame was designed for. Take a compound lift like squats or deadlifts. There are a dozen or more muscles involved in each rep, ligaments and tendons at every joint that have to participate, plus the bone strength and bone density need to be up to the task of supporting all those forces without breaking. Oh yes - and don't forget the electrical impulses that must run unimpeded between each muscle cell and your central nervous system. Or the hormones your body releases when under stress - try working out with no adrenaline, testosterone or endorphins in your system and see how far you get. And your endurance during workouts is also dependent on stored oxygen - both in the lungs and in every muscle...
A very complex system indeed! And the bad news for weightlifters, bodybuilders and fitness athletes is that your performance is limited by the weakest link in that whole process! Try to push too far past that weak link's limit and you'll learn the displeasure of muscle pulls, muscle tears, hernias, rhabdomyolysis, etc. So it's not as simple as 'work out longer' or 'use heavier weights' - often a plateau is reached because you can't do either right now. So now what?
The 60-Second Workout
Don't get all excited here - 60 seconds isn't the total workout time on this system but rather the length of each set. You already know that everything you've tried so far isn't getting you out of the rut your workouts are in, so give this a try for the next 3 - 4 weeks. Pick ONE exercise per bodypart and do a full-body workout 3 times a week on non-consecutive days - Monday, Wednesday & Friday, for example.
For each exercise you want to do 3 60-second sets with a 30 - 40 second break in between. If you're training with a partner, do your 3 sets then have them do theirs - don't use the usual back & forth sets as the break between your sets would have to be at least the 60 seconds for them to do their set, and you want to keep your breaks under 40 seconds.
Here's where this system is counter-intuitive - don't bother to count reps and don't worry about tempo (as long as you're not breaking form or using momentum to help out). Just pick up the weights and rep out for 60 seconds, rest for 30, rep out for 60, etc. The weight should be light enough you have no trouble getting in the first 60 second set but heavy enough you have to fight to get those last 5 reps in on the 3rd set. You'll know you're doing it right if your muscles are bulging and the pump is creating a really nice burn deep in the muscle you're working.
Even for most gym rats, 60 seconds is longer than your normal set. You'll probably be doing between 20 and 40 reps per set, which is a higher rep scheme than you're probably used to. Each muscle group will have to increase its endurance, yet your overall system gets a bit of a recuperative rest because the entire workout is over in 35 - 40 minutes (up to an hour if you're training with a partner). But if it seems like this would be too easy a workout then try it for a week and get back to me on how easy it was for you... ;-)
How does this help you smash through the plateaus? First, it fills the muscles with far more blood than they're used to holding. Since blood is the transport for both the oxygen, nutrients and hormones feeding the muscles and the waste materials like lactic acid coming out of the muscles, you're creating a nice 'spa bath' environment to give the muscles optimal conditions for health and recovery.
And since the weights will, of necessity, be lighter than you would otherwise be using this cycle will give your ligaments and tendons a bit of a breather, helping them recover fully while still being stretched and moved regularly. The lighter load will also give your nervous system an increased chance of fully recovering from the months or years of hell you've put it through.
Two 'safeguards' are built into this system to minimize the possibility of losing muscle mass during the cycle as well - first, you'll only be doing this for 3 - 4 weeks and second, you're working the full body 3 times per week. Assuming you eat clean with plenty of protein and get sufficient rest each night, by the end of the cycle your body should be back in optimal condition, have reached homeostasis, and be ready for an energetic return to building muscle mass for you.
Oh - and I haven't overlooked your mind-muscle connection either... At the end of each bodypart, or at least the end of each workout, spend a couple of minutes posing in the mirrors. It'll do both your self-confidence and your subconscious good to see you looking so pumped and muscular!
Fitness publisher and certified personal trainer D. Champigny is on a mission to help the aging population get stronger, get fit and live a healthy lifestyle right through their senior years, and help bodybuilders and weightlifters get better results more safely. To stay up-to-date with the health, exercise, nutrition and weight loss tips Champigny shares across his numerous fitness sites and blogs, follow Flirting With Fitness on Facebook and Google+ today!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7960519

Reasons Why Athletes Use Deer Antler Velvet Supplements?

Athletes from around the world are always looking out for products, which will help them increase their strength, endurance and give them the ability to recover faster. It is this endeavor that makes them choose products that are banned by athletic federations. It can be said that physiotherapists that manage these people also play a role in making their wards use substances that are banned for the small moment of glory that can be achieved. They often forget that they can be trapped into a cycle, which will bring heaps of ignominy upon them.
With the world anti-doping agency becoming even more stringent than before athletes had to look for alternatives that could provide them all the benefits without the fear of being embarrassed. It is for this reason that they have chosen to use deer antler velvet supplements, which have been defined, as natural. They were earlier considered as a performance enhancer and some sporting federations had even banned the product. The instance of a world-famous golfer being victimized is one after the biggest examples that can be spoken about. Athletes have today realized that they will have to be extra careful or face embarrassments that are today heaped on two Olympic champions.
Supplements of deer antler velvet can provide them with all the benefits that are required to work normally without feeling any effects of the product or the fear of getting caught. People working in such activities need a product, which can help them, gain and maintain lean muscle. There should also be free from joint pain and recover from injuries to these areas. The profession that they work in requires them to recover fast after a strenuous session of training. These are factors, which cannot be overlooked by athletes. At the same time, they cannot depend on steroids or drugs to achieve the results they want. It is this realization that as prompted these people to use supplements made from deer antler velvet.
This is a natural supplement and has been acknowledged as one that is totally free from steroids. It is safe to use and increase muscle mass. IGF-1 that is present in the supplement helps to increase muscle mass along with speeding up recovery time. Moreover, the body absorbs the product without leaving any traces behind. It is for this reason that most people in this profession are beginning to withhold themselves from using steroids and moving over to supplements instead.
John S. Farmer is a food technologist and has been involved in the development of quality food and high grade supplements for more than 10 years. Click here to learn more about John's latest discovery and the benefits of MX Deer Antler Velvet from New Zealand


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7955649

Eating, Drinking and Getting a Six Pack

A Guide to Getting the Best Abs and Six Pack.
Did you know that there are a variety of foods and drinks that you can consume that on the surface you may think are bad for you (but can actually aid muscle growth and definition).
For example: Did you know that:
Red Wine drunk in moderation (maximum 1-2 glasses a day) can have a beneficial effect on the gut. This is actually based on a research study based on a study of people who drank this amount. The study by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2012 found that people who had been drinking Red Wine had large amounts of good bacteria in their gut and lower amounts of bad bacteria in their gut.
By drinking safe amounts of Red Wine people can also get a positive response in relation to slowing down and moderating the blood sugar levels produced after a meal. By doing this the body's insulin levels are controlled, the appetite is reduced and it enables the body to stay lean and healthy.
What other foods can help you to get a six pack? There is growing evidence to suggest that not only do people eat too much but we need to return to the diet that are paleolithic ancestors enjoyed i.e. eating and enjoying natural food that were found in their environment, such as.
  1. Fruits
  2. Vegetables
  3. Wild Fish (such as Salmon).
  4. Eggs
  5. Nuts
  6. Seeds
  7. Potatoes (yes this is a Carbohydrate - but some carbs can be good for a six pack).
Considering that our ancestors ate this diet for thousands of years research now suggests that this is a diet that we are programmed to eat (and should still be eating). This is called the Paleo diet (now a popular diet used to get lean). The only problem that we currently find with this diet is that food manufacturers and growers tend to modify the food i.e. genetically change the sweetness, appearance, the speed they grow and other key characteristics. For example did you know that wild blueberries have been found to have double the amount of antioxidants than cultivated blueberries.
So with this in mind it's important to take notice of what you eat as much as how much exercise you do. If you don't have a healthy diet then you are very unlikely to ever get a six pack and the kind of body that you ultimately want.
Tobias Charles writes on all aspects of fitness and nutrition but specializes in providing information on how to get a six pack. For more information visit us at http://www.thetruthaboutsixpackabs.net.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7957645

Do This Trick And Boost Your Workout Effectiveness In Minutes

Ever wonder what's the perfect workout for you? After researching various health, wellness, and fitness trainers and experimenting with their suggestions and my self made methods, unfortunately I can't say I found one yet. However I found something that may be close.
Here's a little background so you understand where I'm coming from. In my school's Biology classes, we learned that muscles grow by repairing themselves. Or, the more you strain and hurt them, the better they grow. When I did further research, I found that you need to get proper nutrition in order to have the building blocks for growth.
Nutrition is another topic, but the question that we may have is, "How do we best strain our muscles?" Over the years I tried numerous methods to break my muscles past their point of failure. I've gone from endurance to weight training, but those lasted only one day. But one day I came across multiple trainers who suggested that I use muscles other than the main ones in my workouts and to extend the range of motion. So I decided to try it on something I was familiar with; hip flexors. For those who may not know, that's the machine where you sit down, bend you knees to 90 degrees, and move your legs in an inward or outward motion. The main muscle set would be the inside and outside of your thighs, but I considered what other muscles I could add.
Even though my feet couldn't move since they were locked in position, I could still exert a force on them in a new direction other than inward/outward. I knew that I didn't try extending my knees or contracting them like I would if I were to kick something, but I thought it would be worth a shot to bring in some extra muscles. What I found out surprised me. Instead of being able to max out the machine like I normally do, I struggled while in complete pain all over my thighs as I tried this workout with just half the maximum weight. Eventually I got to the maximum weight again but by that time I couldn't walk properly anymore.
How did this happen? Besides that I overextended my muscles, I redirected part of my muscles to work in the secondary direction, in this case the kicking motion. This forced the muscles in the main direction, inward/outward, to work much harder to make up for the muscles working in the secondary direction. In the case of overextending my muscles, that stretched and contracted my muscles beyond what they originally familiar with, thus straining them more than if I were to not include the secondary direction.
I thought this was a fluke at first until I went to the lateral fly machine. That one you extend your arms and pull some levers to your side parallel to the ground, arms straight in the process. I tried seeing what would happen if I turned my palms outward, inward, and down in each set. I could barely move half my original maximum weight in that workout too. When my palm faced inward, it forced my laterals to work (mid back), when down, a bit more of my shoulder, when facing outward, my whole shoulder plus a bit of my neck. In the few minutes I stayed there, I felt the effect of a half hour workout. It wasn't as painful as my leg workout, but I'm sure if I stayed as long as I did for my legs, my whole backside would be in pain and I wouldn't be able to breathe without hurting myself.
Lesson of the story? It may not be how much weight you move, but how much you can utilize other muscle groups to work in a secondary direction as well as the weight machine's primary direction. I never got beyond 1 day worth of pain with the repeated pull ups and even that 1310 lb leg press. As of this time I write this entry, it's been close to three days and my legs are still in pain even though I haven't worked them since.
This is still a recent development in my workout adventures, so stay tuned for what other mishaps I will come across. Until next time, God Bless.
For more health and wellness tips and suggestions, visit http://www.minutesfitness.com/ or contact us at http://support.minutesfitness.com/contact-us for a free consultation.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7947416