Archive for September, 2009

Exercise Bike: For the Fitter You

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Nilakshi Handique


The hugely popular exercise bike evolved from the traditional bicycle which was invented centuries ago. Bicycles were not merely a means of transport but also offered ample scope for physical fitness. Their resourcefulness has been carried through generations and their basic principle finds relevance in the present day exercise cycle.

An exercise bike is today one of the most affordable forms of fitness equipments. The easy construction of exercise bikes have made it less expensive than other gym equipments like treadmills, ab-rollers or elliptical exercisers.



Exercise cycle for distinct body type:


Exercise cycle is distinctively used by people with specific body types. The human body type based on the build can be categorized as hourglass, pear, apple and ruler shaped. The apple and pear shaped personalities require most of the exercising.

‘Pear’ personalities have a heavier hip therefore an upright exercise cycle is ideal. They need to work on the heavy thighs and limbs. On the other hand, ‘apple’ personalities are at a higher risk of heart diseases due to the accumulation of fat in the chest region. An exercise cycle which is upright or recumbent and equipped with higher resistance is apt. The higher resistance ensures more mechanical energy spent, thereby ensuring that cardiovascular workout is optimum. Specific exercise bikes have the handle and pedal attached to one another which enables vigorous exercising of the upper and lower body part.

Exercise bike in therapy:

In addition to catering to a particular type of physical appearance, the exercise bikes are also known to have therapeutic value. Exercise cycle has been used in physiotherapy as they do not have an adverse impact on the body and are safer. The low-impact motion, involved while operating an exercise bike, puts less stress on joints and does not involve sporadic motions seen in other gym equipments. This ensures toning of muscles without adversely affecting the joints.

Disorders like Spinal Stenosis can be treated, with regular workouts on an upright bike rather than the recumbent exercise cycle. For patients suffering from Osteoarthritis, the stationary exercise cycle is the best choice, as it keeps the joints flexed and the muscles strengthened.

Exercise bike for weight loss:

If weight loss is on your mind, rest assured that stationary bikes are the ideal choice. Stationary bikes have innumerable advantages and few of them are as follows:

•    Ideal for excessively overweight people

•    Convenient home gym equipment

•    Different level settings enable vigorous training to develop fitness.

•    Stationary exercise bike is foldable; thereby enabling easy handling.

What’s more, in addition to assisting in weight loss and body toning; the exercise bike is meant to provide support to the back. Regular use of the exercise bike strengthens the leg, thigh muscles and the hamstrings in the back of the thigh. The health benefits of using an exercise bike to keep fit are therefore very significant.

You may ideally buy an exercise cycle best suited for you or hit the nearest gym. Various online marts cater to different fitness equipments and this is by far, the easiest means to shop. If going for a morning jog or walk appears to be a herculean task; then opt for the simple yet resourceful choice- the exercise bike. Get hold of one and kick start your exercise regime.



Ballys Fitness Offers a Road to a Healthier Lifestyle

Monday, September 28th, 2009
Fitness Master


Ballys fitness has a mission to improve the health and quality of life of people through professional help and wellness programs. This goal is achievable through a three part area to wellness called the Bally’s Total Fitness plan.  The program uses exercising, nutrition, and help to build a fitness program to help you get more healthy and stay that way.  Bally fitness centers can help you find the right exercise programs that fit your personal needs and requirements.

A Great Place to Exercise

Exercising is the first step in your fitness program and Bally’s fitness will help provide you with plenty of workout plans to get you in the shape you want to be in and keep you there. Bally’s offers top of line equipment from machines to cardio equipment and strength training options. These centers also offers a variety of classes to teach multiple ways to exercise so it will fit a customers personal needs. You will have the opportunity to create realistic fitness and weight loss goals, and also how to view your progress to meet your goals.  Ballys fitness centers provide a great place to exercise.

Support and Help

Support is a crucial step to Bally’s total fitness plan, and is accomplished in multiple different ways.  You will be able to find a staff of highly trained and qualified personnel to give you information on how to use the equipment, offer workout advice and fitness programs to meet your personal goals.  You will have the opportunity to join some group classes filled with other customers who are seeking very similar goals and a chance to meet new people and making your workout program a fun experience so it is enjoyable to you. Support is crucial to a successful Ballys fitness plan, whether you are a beginner or an advanced fitness fanatic.



Nutrition


Nutrition is another crucial aspect of fitness and it can determine what kind of shape you end up in if you are not careful about what you choose to eat.  Bally’s fitness centers have highly qualified nutrition experts who are there at your convenience to seek advice about how your body works and what you can do to better your physical look and stay there.  Through qualified advice from personnel on what to eat, you can really get some great information on what nutrition plans will work best for you and how it will get you closer to your fitness goals.

Having a healthy lifestyle is a very common and good goal for most of us for multiple different reasons.  A membership at Ballys Fitness will help guide you toward your goals and make your life more healthy and enjoyable.



Where should I get my personal training certification?

Sunday, September 27th, 2009
tdangel30


The University of South Florida offers an online program for personal training and it’s $259 per course (5 course to become certified) Can’t I just order study materials and take the certification exam on my own and it be cheaper? Does anyone know if there are any differences in the two certificates? They look the same to me but doing it on my own would be WAY cheaper. Thanks for any advice in this matter.

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What healthclub/fitness center should one join in the Bellevue Washington area?

Friday, September 25th, 2009
bkm4653


We are considering a move to the Seattle/Bellevue, Washington area. We are currently Lifetime Fitness Center members and are looking for a club that offers the same amenities. I see “24 Hour Fitness” but was wondering if that was the best fit.

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Personal Training Workout Tips & Drills : Bench Press Fitness Exercises

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
expertvillage


Free workout tips. Learn how to do bench press exercises with proper form and techniques in thisfree online personal training video and fitness workout. Expert: Adam Davila Contact: www.crossfitaustin.com Bio: Adam Davila is the owner of Cross Fit Austin. He is a certified personal training and a certified CrossFit instructor.

Photoshop CS4: Virtual Weight Loss (HD)

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
IceflowStudios


www.learnphotoshopnow.com Virtually put someone on a diet in Photoshop! Music: Kevin MacLeod

Golf Fitness Exercises for Women Golfers

Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Sean Cochran


Golf fitness exercises can be beneficial for the woman golfer in terms of improving the foundation of the swing, rotation in the backswing, speed development in the downswing, and a consistent finish position. Learn how golf fitness exercises can benefit the woman golfer. Lowering scores and making the game more enjoyable.

It is well known in professional golf how integral golf fitness exercises are for success at the highest levels. Men on the PGA Tour and women on the LPGA Tour understand the benefits of golf fitness exercises in achieving success. Outside the circles of professional players many questions exist about golf fitness exercises. Questions such as; what are the best exercises to improve golf fitness levels, are flexibility exercises and stretches better than other forms of golf fitness exercises, and what are the benefits of golf fitness exercises for the woman golfer?

These and many questions surround the topic of golf fitness. This article is to provide some answers for you on the topic of golf fitness exercises for woman. It has been well documented in magazines and television how LPGA women such as Annika Sorenstam utilize fitness programs to benefit their play on the course. Is there a difference between the LPGA player and the amateur woman in relation to golf fitness training? The answer is no. Yes, the women on the LPGA Tour are the best women golfers in the world, but the physiology of the LPGA player and amateur are the same. The skeletal, muscular, and neural systems are the same. The professional player has the same number of muscles in their bodies as the amateur. The woman’s professional player has the same skeletal structure as the female amateur, and nervous system as well. Granted the LPGA player has more refined and efficient swing mechanics, but the body is the same.

As a result of the body being the same, the principles and structure of a golf fitness program for any woman is similar. Before discussing the specifics of a program for women it is necessary to understand a few important principles. The first principle to understand about a fitness program is sports specific. Sports specific is a term describing the type of training utilized in a golf fitness program. Sport specific training simply states the program utilized by the woman athlete is geared towards improving them in their chosen sport.

A second principle closely related to sports specific training is cross specificity training. Cross specificity training is the utilization of exercises to develop the woman golfer in the positions, movements, and actions incorporated in the golf swing. The goal of cross specificity training is a transfer of training effect to the field of competition. Simply stated, a transfer of training effect is the ability of exercises utilized to train the female golfer having a direct benefit on their performance on the course.

For example, golf flexibility exercises will attempt to improve the flexibility within the player. As the player improves their flexibility parameters in relation to the swing. She may be able to create a bigger shoulder turn, which may increase the distance of her drives. This benefit is an example of a transfer of training effect onto the golf course. In summary, the three principles that assist in the development of a golf fitness program for women are; sports specific, cross specificity training, and transfer of training effect. Many additional principles exist that are used as guidelines in the development of a fitness program, but these are three essential ones.

Outside of the guidelines governing the development of a golf fitness program for woman. Specific physical components within the body are needed within the body to execute the golf swing correctly. Remember, it is the body performing the biomechanics of the swing. In order for the swing to be executed correctly and efficiently certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required. These are the actual physical components within the golfer a fitness program looks to develop and enhance in relation to the golf swing.

The swing requires the body to move through a long range of motion for an efficient movement to occur. Much of this is contingent upon the ability of the core to coil and uncoil during the swing. In order for these two biomechanical actions to occur efficiently, the development of proper flexibility in the core is necessary.

We utilize flexibility exercises that are cross-specific to the movements in the swing to develop flexibility. The majority of these flexibility exercises are rotational and dynamic.

The swing is a dynamic movement, indicating that the body is in constant motion. It is crucial to develop a range of motion in a dynamic rather than a static (not moving) method. The goal of these exercises is to create a range of motion in the core for the golf swing. Flexibility is the first physical component requiring development within the woman golfer.

One needs to maintain, dynamically, a stable body throughout the entire swing. We have all hit balls at the range and know what happens when we do not stay balanced during the swing. Improving the balance and stabilization capabilities of the core translates into a better golf swing. Better Balance equals a Better Swing. Even subtle movements are consistency killers; thus we need to develop and maintain balance for a consistent swing.

Balance is connected to the efficiency of the nervous system and strength of the muscular system working together. The development of greater balance in the core and swing is the result of two types of specific exercise. The first challenges the nervous system creating greater efficiency. The second are exercises that create increased strength in the core. The combination of these two types of exercises permit for the body to maintain posture, promote efficient weight transfer, and create power in the swing. The result is a more consistent, accurate, and powerful swing. This is the second component included with a golf fitness program.

Remember that the golf swing is a repetitive movement. The mechanics of the swing repeat with each stroke. This process can be repeated hundreds of times in a round of golf. Ever go to the range and hit two buckets of balls? At some point the body starts to tire, and shots scatter.

Proper endurance training enables us to repeat a sound swing. We produce this through a series of exercises developing endurance in the entire body. This nets us a consistent swing through eighteen holes. Increasing endurance leads to lower scores. This is the third physical component of the golf fitness program for women.

Club head speed is a function of power. The more power generated by the body, the greater speed at which a club head impacts the ball. More power to the ball equals longer drives. Developing higher levels of power within the muscular system of the body is achieved through the implementation of power exercises. These types of exercise assist in creating higher power outputs of the muscles involved in the golf swing. Power training is the final component found in a golf fitness program for women.

In summary a golf fitness program for the LPGA or amateur woman golfer is relatively the same. Golf exercises for the woman golfer are sports specific. The exercises are cross-specific to the movements, positions, and requirements of the swing. The exercises within a woman’s golf fitness program induce a transfer of training effect onto the course. The swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. A golf fitness program for women will look to enhance these physical components of the body. The end result is an improved swing equating to lower scores and more enjoyment on the course.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notably Masters and PGA Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com



How to use a leading exercise ball

Friday, September 11th, 2009
Bill Nad


?s The Purpose of Leading Exercise Ball? Before looking at the motives of using a leading exercise ball, we need to understand as to what exactly are exercise balls and why are they even used in the first place? Exercise balls are also known by several alternative names such as Swiss balls or fitness balls, the latter term being more prevalent. There are several exercises in yoga, Pilates or other general workout in which the body needs to stay balanced while performing the exercise. It is under these conditions that an exercise or fitness ball is used. Virtually all exercise balls have an outer coating of soft elastic PVC which is completely harmless to the human touch and hence is ideal for contact exercises. The basic principle behind using exercise balls is to increase the effort required for exercising which will eventually help in building more muscles. There are several ways in which exercise balls are used such as by adding balance challenges during exercising or by engaging the scarcely used muscles to provide balance to the entire body which will correspondingly help in strengthening of such muscles. The leading exercise ball is a special kind of exercise ball which was invented jointly by some Swiss medical therapists. Initially, the only purpose of leading exercise ball was to provide support during various exercises and the reason as to why such a need was felt is because a rigid surface, when used for support, can induce unnecessary strain on the contact muscles. It is here that the leading exercise ball provides the solution by replacing a rigid surface with a soft, compressible surface thereby lessening the amount of muscle strain considerably. All the major muscles of the body can be strengthened by working out with the leading exercise ball. Since these balls maintain their strength even while undergoing pressure, they are quite popular even among those engaging in yoga or aerobics. Such balls are also used by several athletes who are engaged in heavy duty workout training. It’s important to note here that leading exercise balls do require some time to get used to in an optimum manner. It is not recommended that you go all out using a leading exercise ball with each and every exercise that you do, while just starting out. In fact, you should limit yourself in using a leading exercise ball with a maximum of two exercises while starting out. Of course, if you have been working out for quite some time, say two months, then you can surely use a leading exercise ball with any exercise which you have mastered during your time in the gym. Again, let me add here that a leading exercise ball should be used with caution and not by throwing caution to the wind. As mentioned earlier, leading exercise ball was originally invented to cure medical conditions but this is no longer the case. Several exercises which are done with a standing position can include a leading exercise ball to simultaneously improve the back muscles as well. Similarly for those exercises which are done in a sitting position, addition of leading exercise ball can dramatically improve the abdominal muscles.

The Future of the Personal Training Business

Sunday, September 6th, 2009
Bedros Keuilian


The personal training industry is quickly changing and the biggest changes are yet to come.

In the next 12 months we’ll see major changes that will alter how you make your money, how you attract your clients, and how business gets done.

Here are my fitness industry predictions for the next year

*Death of the 60 minute session

I’ve been preaching this since 2001 but all good things take time to catch on and in the past year or so more and more trainers have FINALLY come to grips with it. If you’re going to offer one-on-one sessions they should be 30 minute sessions only. 60 minute session are dead - people value their time more than ever - and you stand to make a lot more by offering 30 minutes sessions.

*Small group sessions

I may get a lot of flak for this but I’m going to say it anyway. Personal training will no longer mean one-one-one in the future. The new personal training will be one-on-many. I’m not just talking about boot camps either. I’m talking about small groups of 3-6 clients at a time will be the norm. It’s the ultimate way to leverage your time.

*You - an info-preneur

More and more fitness professionals will have multiple income streams and one of those streams will be information products. With the technology available today it’s easier than ever to create and market information products such as Ebook, audio, video and multi-media products as well as micro niche membership sites.

*Insurance will pay

Already insurance companies are starting to recognize the need for preventative measure and some are already starting to pay for limited amounts of personal training and health club memberships. But in the future things will change quickly and insurance companies will begin paying regularly for your services.

*Corporate wellness programs

Business owners and entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to cut health insurance costs, improve employee satisfaction and productivity and corporate wellness programs directly address all three of these issues. This untapped market will flourish in the next year.

*EFT (electronic fund transfer)

This is something I’ve been teaching for years in my PT Business Course and I’m always surprised when I realize how many trainers are still doing business the old way.

The most successful personal trainers will be those who are generating ongoing, recurring income. They’ll have more security, reliability, and capital to grow their business. If you’re still selling blocks of sessions or time then you’ll be left in the stone ages. Recurring EFT is king and will dominate in 2009.

*Online client generation

Google, social media sites, blogging, you tube, and email marketing will generate more qualified personal training leads in the future than ever before. As more consumers turn to the web it’s easier than ever for you to position yourself as a micro-celebrity and get found by your target audience. Best of all this new type of marketing is often low cost or no cost. You can’t beat that!



Maximum Muscle Building Through Personal Training

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Bernice Eker


Personal training done with a professional fitness trainer is a very convenient and beneficial when one wants aims of building lots of muscles for growth, strength and maximum fitness.

Oftentimes, time and duration of exercises are debatable and choosing the appropriate and most effective modification of exercise combinations and programmes and fitness needs cause problems, especially when you go to the gym where there are many other customers who can’t wait to go run to that treadmill or any other gym equipment.

However, if you don’t want to worry about going to the gym and race against other fitness enthusiasts, hiring a personal trainer who will concentrate on your fitness needs and will be available at your free time and schedule, you will most likely be able to achieve your fitness goals whenever you want and as soon as you need to.

Fitness trainers, whether in the gym or for personal hire, are now required to have certifications and credentials that prove their knowledge and specialization in the field of fitness education programmes or what is now known as sports or physical science for physiology or muscle development. They should have the sufficient knowledge to be able to design exercises that would fit the client’s body built and lifestyle.

Personal trainers can formulate and design the appropriate program that will make you build lots of muscles with combinations of exercises that will focus on the different muscle parts that you want to develop. There is no worry since the personal trainer will be able to guide you in every move you make for the trainer will be watching your every move and directing you to the right position and ensuring that you are performing the exercise properly to avoid muscle cramps, sprains or any other injury. Compared with performing exercises alone, personal training avoids several problems that include improper execution of exercise and inappropriate progression that may lead to more serious problems and abnormalities in muscle growth.

Though quite expensive, personal training is the most reliable and expedient means to know and execute the best set of exercises to building lots of muscles especially if you are expecting dramatic results. If the price is too costly, there are options offered by personal trainers that may cost less but still provide you with the sufficient time, attention and focus that you require to get the results that you want. Some offer exercise sessions for off-peak hours with discounts from the original prices. Sessions range from private, semi-private to different times such as mornings, afternoons or evenings, whichever coincides with your schedule.

Depending on your fitness goals, you can choose from the variety of choices for the availability of fitness trainers that give personal training services. It is important for you to also make sure that the personal trainer you will hire has a certification that will prove his or her knowledge and specialization for you to avoid wasting money, effort, time and energy investing for exercises you will be made to perform.