5 Secrets To Help Get The Most Out Of Your HIIT Workout

 The HIIT workout works and everybody wants to get started with this program but not everyone is in the kind of physical shape that can handle such High intensity, not at first anyway. If you are considering adding this to your current workout schedule and you are not already in great condition the following advice can help you start the program without burning yourself out and becoming discouraged.

#01. 
Keep it slow. It is okay to start at a pace that is not as frantic as other people are. You can do 10-30 seconds of full on high intensity work alternating it with the same or more rest if you need it. it may take a bit of time to build your self up to the point that you can handle it for longer stretches of time. You could also start out with a full 30-40 seconds of work followed by 60-90 seconds of a less intense type of exercise.

#02. 
It is all about the amount of "excess post exercise oxygen consumption", which in weight training circles is simply referred to as EPOC. This is what makes the weight come off so quickly using the HIIT method. The action we are talking about here takes place after you have left the gym and begun to relax. While you are watching television or even while you are napping. The more intense the workout the longer the period of EPOC. The more you put in the more you get out. Go all in.

#03. 
It is important that there be a marked difference in the speed and intensity of the different intervals. The rest interval will make your body better able to sustain the level of intensity needed to get the great results possible with is form of training. You can slow down to a walk if it will help you get the energy back to get back into a very high intensity interval again.

#04. 
Intensity is about power not just speed. If you are using a treadmill and the resistance is low it will be easy to make those intervals but add an incline or other form of resistance and you have just upped the weigh loss ante. When you do this for a sustain period of time you will greatly improve the EPOC intervals of even your simple aerobics workout.

#05. 
If you are of the opinion that eating is wrong before you exercise then you don't know HIIT. Research proves that the level of intensity improves if you eat before your HIIT workout. The fact that you have more fuel to burn could have a lot to do with it. As you have found out the higher the intensity the longer the fat burning will continue after the workout.

These are just a few ideas to help you get the most out of your workouts. Remember easy does it when you first start this program and keep yourself fueled. One last thought is that in addition to fuel you need to also remain well hydrated.

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Gym Routines - What Mistakes Not To Make

What are some mistakes people make in their gym routines which end up costing them muscle growth and strength gains? By looking at what mistakes people make, you can see what you should be doing instead to build a beautifully muscular body.

1. Using Isolation Exercises instead of Compound lifts.

Thanks to the bodybuilding magazine industry, people are convinced that the best way to build muscle is to focus on isolating every single muscle group, and using countless exercise to train them.

This method doesn't work for a very simple reason. Muscle growth is the result of stimulating the most muscle fibres as possible. Isolation by its very nature stimulates very few.

Also, because you are required to spend so long in the gym with isolation, as apposed to compound gym routines, you typically go over the 1 hour deadline of exercise. Once you pass this time limit, the amount of testosterone in your body begins to drop. Because testosterone is so pivotal in muscle growth, you obviously want to ensure the level within your body is at its absolute maximum!

2. Exercising too frequently.

In most activities, the more you do something, the better the results you will receive. In gym routines, this actually isn't true. You do not build muscle while you are exercising; you only build them while you are resting. Exercise is only used to stimulate the growth, you then need to give you body the rest it requires to actually build the muscle.

Anything more than 1 hour of weightlifting gym routines completed 3 times a week is counterproductive and will likely result in you over training.

3. Not getting enough rest.

This is probably the biggest mistake people make. Your gym routine is important, but a solid resting schedule is even more important. The health benefits of getting 8 hours of good quality sleep is well known. Not only is it the only time your body actually builds muscle, but your body releases very important, muscle building hormones while you sleep. You are building muscle and getting growth hormones released at the same time, don't you want to maximise the length of time your body is doing this as much as possible?

4. Using supplements as a basis of diet, instead as a supplement.

Supplements by their very definition are supposed to be used after you have the basics of a good quality diet down pat. If you are not basing your diet around consuming good quality, natural foods that have the nutrients you require then all the supplementation in the world won't help you build muscle. A high quality diet coupled with great gym routines is so important!

Once you have a good quality diet, taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, with perhaps a good quality whey isolate shake will help you get closer to your goal of having a beautiful, muscular body.

Avoiding the above mistakes will ensure your gym routines are the most effective, and get you closer to your goal of building muscle.

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Using the Power of Elastic: 7 Ways on How You Can Train Hard and Effectively Using Resistance Bands

I've used weights to train with for many years and still use them in some instances. Nowadays, I stick with elastic resistance bands for training. There are many benefits as to why each person should be using them as part of their overall workout. One of which is that resistance is continuous throughout each movement. In a sense, it mimics functional strength and fitness movements.

Just about anything you can do with weights; you can do with resistance bands. And that's even more so with certain bands. You can take resistance bands just about anywhere, including vacation spots. Some resistance bands are constructed in such a way that enables one to do more. For example, I use the Gym in a Bag ™ system by Flexsolate™. It's a gripless system of different strengths of bands. One exercise I am able to do are jumping resistance squats, using the ankle straps. This is just one of many systems in the marketplace. Find the one that suits you.

I'm going to describe 7 ways that will enable you to train hard using bands. It's important that you know to get the most out of training. Oh, and before we begin. Make sure you use bands that are new. Using an old set make have cracks on them and may snap. You could end up hurting yourself. So, make you also check for any cracks. Replace, if necessary. It's low cost to do so.

Now on to the 7 ways...

1. Train like a powerlifter. Back in my early days of weight training, I trained using the big three. Those were squats, deadlifts and bench presses. Those three lifts worked every single muscle in my body and built massive strength as well as muscles. With resistance bands, you can emulate those lifts and be safer too. Resistance squats can be done simply by anchoring the bands to your ankles. From there, simply bring the other end around your shoulders and neck down to the other ankle. Now you have resistance. Deadlifts can be done by stepping on the bands and holding on to the grips and then lift up. Resistance pushups can be done by bringing the bands around your back to your hands. Adjust by shortening or lengthening the band(s).

2. Train like an athlete. Resistance bands can be adjusted to simulate each athletic event and make it more sports specific.

3. Train like a bodybuilder. Resistance bands can be used to isolate muscles and focus on building the size of each one. By combining this with the powerlifting training, size will happen fast. Make sure to take in enough protein and carbohydrates.

4. Train to burn fat using circuit training. By using resistance bands, one can do 5-10 different exercises in non-stop sequence to increase their heart rate. This form of high intensity interval training is very effective in burning fat. When doing 2 or more circuits, make sure to rest for 1 minute between them.

5. Train to burn fat using resistance cardio workouts. One example is to anchor one side of the resistance band to a stationary point, such as a doorjamb and the other side to your waist. Then do running in place with resistance.

6. Train like a martial artist. Using resistance bands, you can do kicks as well a punching with added resistance. Not only is this effective for the martial artist or any other fighter, it also is great at burning fat. That's especially true when doing the movements in fast, short burst with a short rest between them.

7. Train with a partner. This one is obvious. Having a good partner will keep you motivated as you both have goals and will push each other. You can use a partner in each of the previous ways discussed. Motivation and consistency are important in any fitness program. Having a partner will make each accountable to the other.

I wish you success as you venture into using resistance bands as part of your overall fitness routine. It's great for all areas and can be done anywhere. Even at your place of work or when you are on an airline. I sure did. Have fun too.

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How To Go To The Weights Gym and Not Be Scared

Don't act tough, just get buff!

If the idea of going to the gym leaves you trembling at the knees you may well have avoided going despite a desire to get buff. The grunt of several large sweaty goliaths, gurning their way to big guns and the clunk of huge piles of iron hitting the floor may have stopped you making the start on those abs you have always wanted.

You will be relieved to hear that this is a common fear among men. They worry about being ridiculed if they can't lift even the smallest weight, they are scared of not knowing what to do, they are scared of bumping into a particularly large fellow and starting a fight with a man shaped bull, but above they are scared of the idea that they are destined to be flabby or weedy their whole life. With this in mind, here are some tips to help you overcome your fear and get yourself on the big gun train!

Clientele

Before you go in, remind yourself that every one of those blokes was standing where you are now at some point. No muscle, scared of going in and not sure what to do. When you enter and some turn to look at your, think of the fact that they are probably all worried that you are judging them. After all you are all obviously conscious enough of your looks to want to go to the gym. Try breaking the ice by asking some advice or by asking someone to spot you. (If you don't know what that is yet don't worry.)

Gym Buddy

A great way to help you overcome this fear is to go with a friend. Ideally someone that can help you get the hang of the machines and other equipment. But if you don't have a friend like that, any friend will do. Once you get into the swing of going to the gym and start to get competitive with yourself it will help to have a friend to bounce off and to help motivate you to keep coming back.

List

If you do go on your own, take two things with you to help you stay focused and to help you forget about being scared. An MP3 player is great for keeping a rhythm when running or when lifting weights and for blocking out the room. The other thing is a small notepad. Use this to note down every exercise you do, how many repetitions you do and how heavy the weight was each time. This way when you come next time you will know what you have to do and what you are aiming to beat so your muscles get bigger.

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Ten Health Benefits Of Cold Showers

When was the last time you were under cold water? Perhaps it was when it started to rain, or your hot water was turned off, and you had no other choice. Civilization has given us comfort, and with it, the many diseases that are caused by poor lifestyle choices. In particular, our body is intolerant to coldness, and we continually strive to get warm in any way possible. But this is all in vain, because cold water is the key to health and vitality!

1. Immunity

A cold shower is an excellent way to prevent influenza and other viral and bacterial diseases. Czech researchers tested the effect of cold water on the immune system of athletes. For two months, three times a week, athletes were immersed in cold water (14 degrees Celsius). The scientists found that during the experiment, two types of immune cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) had an increased presence in the blood.

2. Increased blood circulation

One of the most effective ways to improve blood circulation is by alternating between cold and hot water during a shower. When the body gets cold, the blood vessels constrict. This phenomenon is called vasoconstriction. In this state, the lumen of blood vessels is reduced, and the blood circulates more rapidly.

Good blood circulation is necessary to prevent serious diseases such as hypertension, varicose veins, and a variety of other vascular disorders.

3. Thermotaxis

A cold shower can help people who have chronically cold extremities, or heavy sweating.

4. Weight loss, improvement of metabolism

Canadian scientists have found that exposure to cold (eg cold shower) activates the so-called brown fat. The brown color comes from the large quantity of mitochondria. Heat production from brown adipose tissue is activated when the body is cold. This contributes to the burning of calories, which leads to weight-loss.

5. Helps with depression

A cold shower can even help combat depression. Researchers from the State of Virginia show that cold water stimulates the "blue spot" of the brain, which in turn leads to the development of norepinephrine - a hormone that helps to cope with depression.

6. Improves lymphatic circulation

Since the lymphatic system does not have a heart to pump it, its upward movement depends on the motions of the muscle and joint pumps. Cold shower improves muscle contraction, which then has a positive effect on lymphatic circulation.

7. Deeper breathing

If you are regularly taking a cold shower, you will notice how your breathing becomes much deeper. This is to combat the stress of the shock, the vasoconstriction and the overall need for oxygen to respire and keep yourself warm.

8. Healthy skin and hair

It is known that hot water dries the skin and hair. While cold water makes our hair shine and makes skin healthier. This healing effect is due to exposure to cold water which shrinks pores.

9. Spirits and good health

A quick cold shower during the morning awakens and energizes you for the whole day. This is due to enhanced circulation, which gives the body a lot of energy.

10. Increased hormone levels

Studies conducted in different countries show that there is a positive effect on the testicles from swimming in cold water. Noting that regular cold shower promotes enhanced production of testosterone, which increases libido, and increases the chance of fertilization.

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4 Common Myths About Your Abs

Virtually everyone who starts going to the gym wants a perfect set of defined abs; however, what they don't realize is that getting a nice six pack is harder than it seems. Many people associate having great abs with fitness obsessed individuals who spend more time in the gym than they do on anything else. That's simply not true because everyone has a set of abs underneath all that fat covering them. To help you along your journey, I have complied 4 common myths that you can do away with in order to be better focused on building stronger and better abs.

Myth 1: Avoid Crunches

Recently, a lot of people started avoiding crunches due to fitness experts and rehab professionals speaking out against the exercise. The theory is that crunches require you to flex and bend your spine which could negatively impact your spinal discs by pushing them too far out and causing herniated discs. However, the truth is that this issue is still highly debated. Others researchers state that your body position does not have any responsibility in putting pressure on your spinal discs, but the fact of how tightly you compress your muscles that impacts it. In addition, others note that a person's spinal discs can actually realign themselves during crunches instead of pushing them too far out. In the end, if you do have any spinal injuries, you should not be doing crunches. Otherwise, doing a couple of proper sets can only benefit you in the end.

Myth 2: Your Abs Serve No Purpose Outside Of Looking Good

This one I hear a lot from my various clients. However, saying that their only purpose is for looking good is ignorant. Firstly, your abs are great stabilizers. When you contract your abs it helps you stiffen you mid section and stabilize the entire body, especially when doing exercises such as deadlifts and squats. If you don't have a strong core, you will never be able to deadlift or squat a lot of weight. Secondly, the abs allows us to slow down rotations around your body and for hyperextension of the back.

Myth 3: You Have To Do Only "Abs Exercises" To Build Your Abs

Popular to contrary belief, you don't necessarily have to do abs specific exercises in order to build your abs. Exercises such as deadlifts and squats still work your abs due to them being engaged in order to stabilize the muscles during the lift. In addition to these exercises, even something as simple as a push up can force your abs to work indirectly. Think of the push ups as a plank position except made more difficult by the motion of pushing up and down and you'll get the idea. Therefore, you do not have to directly do abs exercises for your abdominal muscles to still get a solid workout.

Myth 4: You Don't Need To Do Any "Abs Exercises" To Build Your Abs

As I stated above, you don't necessarily just have to focus on doing abs exercises in order to get a nice set of six pack abs, but you still have to do abs specific exercises in order to strengthen your midsection completely. While doing deadlifts and squats will help in improving core strength and stability indirectly, doing exercises such as the Swiss - Ball Pike Rollouts can effectively and directly hit your upper abs, lower abs, and oblique's all at once.

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