Lean Arm Workout For Women
Everyone has something they are self-conscious about! For some, it's their legs, for others their stomach and for some of us, it's our arms! Even though we try to foster body positivity, sometimes we stray from our fitness goals or dream body with our hectic schedules. It takes a lot of time and dedication for you to be able to smash UR fitness goals. It's going to take much more effort if you're continually distracted, but that doesn't mean you can't give working out a try! So, what are the best arm workouts for women you ask? Read on to know how you can make UR arms lean! If you've noticed women tend to pack a lot of fat around the tricep area, and it is one of the most common problems faced by women, as we don't consciously concentrate on push movement in our everyday life. Triceps are made of three parts: the long head, lateral head and the medial head. While exercising, we tend to push ourselves because we want to become a better version of ourselves. But at the same time, it's also essential to stay away from injuries, by being mindful of UR form, exercise and breathing technique! Working on the long head/length of UR arm provides maximum strength for UR triceps. Thumb Rules To Follow Before & After UR Workout Sessions ● To avoid injuries ● Stretch before you work out ● Stick to UR form ● Get the right technique ● Don't use momentum to work out ● Remember to cool down post workouts As I work out with compound exercises, I engage my triceps and biceps in two parts: ● Push day: Chest, shoulders and triceps (chest press or shoulder press) ● Pull day: Back and biceps (pull-ups or rowing workouts) It is more beneficial to work out UR arms with these exercises as the muscle is already warmed- up. I generally recommend women to focus more on the long head of the triceps, as opposed to lateral movements like the cable curl and cable push down. A single hand unilateral dumbbell extension • Place UR left hand on the right-side of UR rib cage • Now hold the dumbbell high with UR right hand and curl it over UR head by bringing the dumbbell behind UR neck •Make sure to maintain UR form, range of motion and UR breath This exercise helps you focus on the form of both UR arms individually, which also allows you to work on every part of UR tricep. A single dumbbell extension • Holding a single dumbbell with both UR hands • Slowly bring both ur arms up at the same time • Continue this exercise for 10 - 15 reps A single dumbbell extension is a compound exercise where the back and posterior part of UR body is stable, and all the concentration is on the long head of your triceps. Any workout that requires a shoulder flex and extends your arms beyond your head and pushes forward targets your long head triceps. The cable exercise gives you tension even when your triceps are engaged. Dumbbell kickback • Lie down on a bench • Keep UR lower back straight while you keep UR body horizontal to the ground • First raise UR shoulder and fix your elbows • The only movement from this point is UR elbow to the back and curl • Squeeze when you come up and move the dumbbell away from UR body; then come back down in a controlled manner • Whenever you contract your muscles, breathe out • Kickback majorly works on the lateral head of UR triceps UR arm placement is shorter with the close grip bench press or a diamond push-up on the ground, or a V bar pushdown exercise. The shorter the distance between UR hands, the better UR triceps are recruited. Tricep close grip dips ● Be seated on a ball and keep UR hands on both sides ● Stretch UR knees out while you keep UR legs flat on the ground ● Lift yourself completely off the ball and support your body with your feet and palms ● Keep UR shoulders turned back and core engaged ● Slowly lower UR body towards the ground and just as soon as you nearly touch the ground, push upwards and get back to UR starting position ● Be sure UR elbows are aiming backwards Diamond/triangle push-ups ● Get down on all fours and elevate yourself using UR arms, palms down like how you do in a push-up, but while you keep UR palms closer to each other making a diamond shape ● Keep UR back flat and control UR elbows from sliding to the side while UR lowering UR chest towards UR hands ● Right before UR chest touches the floor rise back up to the starting position and repeat Diamond push-up or triangular push-ups and close grip dips are the best finisher exercises for triceps. I like to do failure repetitions, and it is usually bodyweight exercises. Beginners can go for a bent knee triangular push-up. Those at advanced and intermittent levels can do a standard push-up with their toes landing on the ground. I personally try to push for training to failure as it is exhausting and leaves me without an ounce of energy! Instead of focusing on the number of reps or variations, it is even more beneficial to focus on UR form, breathing technique and posture as they are collectively significant, especially in arm training. It's also essential to get the right posture, maintain form and use the complete range of motion while performing the exercise. If you have a wrist injury, use a wrist band for support and avoid putting too much pressure or stress on UR injured wrist. Better yet, consult a physiotherapist before you exercise to avoid injuring yourself even further. I've often noticed that when people do overhead triceps extension, they don't do the full range straining their joint, not muscle. If you don't use the complete stretch and squeeze the muscle, it will cause an injury. Lastly, try to get the most out of every workout session by following the basic rules and foundation of exercise!
Everyone has something they are self-conscious about! For some, it’s their legs, for others their stomach and for some of…
Solid Arm Workout For Men
To keep our body fit and in shape, we often undermine the importance of arm workouts. If we are smart about our workout, we can make the most of our workout regime through our daily routine. Also, we need to be careful of not overworking our arms as this could stunt their development. There is no specific arm workout that yields different results for men and women as their muscle and tissue structure is the same. But the stage of the workout plays a significant role. So check if you are in the beginner stage, intermediate stage or advanced stage. Here are a few workouts to help you pump up your biceps! Few things to know before you start: ● Dumbbells are the top choice equipment required for an arm workout ● Choose a weight that you are comfortable with for 12-15 reps ● Do not go beyond 12-15 reps for your first set ● Biceps consists of two parts, the long head (length of bicep) and the short head (peak muscle) ● Don’t use momentum to work out as it leads to injury ● It is beneficial to work out your arms while doing your daily exercises as the muscles will already be warmed up ● When you put the muscles under tension for 3 to 5 seconds, you seize the maximum advantage of that exercise Bicep Barbell Curls • Stand up so that your torso is upright when you hold a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. Your palms should be facing forward and elbows close to your torso. • Keep your upper arms stationary and curl the weights forward while contracting your biceps and exhale. Only your forearms should move. • Continue this movement till your biceps are contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold this contracted position for a second while squeezing your biceps hard. • Slowly begin to bring the bar back to the starting position as you inhale. Hammer Curls With Dumbbells • Stand up straight with your feet even with your hips. Your stance should be solid and stable. The dumbbells should rest next to your thighs and your elbows should be straight. • Brace and align your torso by contracting your abdominal muscles. Pull your shoulder blades in the depressed position and make sure your neck is aligned with your spine. • Bend your elbows slightly to take the tension into your biceps. • Slowly bend your elbow until the dumbbell almost touches your shoulder; be careful not to let your elbow move forward. • When your dumbbell reaches the high-point of the lift, hold it there for just a moment and squeeze with your hand to flex your bicep. Slowly straighten your arm to lower the dumbbell to the starting position, keeping your back straight. Repeat the process with the other arm. Standing dumbbell curl ● Stand straight up, keep your feet together and hold the dumbbells by your side. ● Make sure that the dumbbells are not touching your body and your palms are facing upwards. ● Keep your shoulders depressed and see that your elbow don’t come up. ● Lift by bending your elbows slightly so that there is tension in your biceps. ● Curl the dumbbells up. ● Squeeze your biceps hard and then lower the dumbbells back to the original position. ● This can be performed as a unilateral movement or a bilateral movement. Twist curl ● Stand upright to tighten your torso and in this position your palms should be facing your body. ● Start by curling one arm up to your shoulder. ● Midway of the curl, rotate your wrist so it faces your body at the top of the movement. ● Pause for a second and slowly return the dumbbell to the original position, rotating back midway through the movement. Tips to remember ● Focus on form, breathing technique and posture. ● It’s important to be in the right posture and maintain the right form while using the complete range of motion of the exercise. ● If you don’t use the complete stretch and squeeze the muscles, it will strain your joints.
To keep our body fit and in shape, we often undermine the importance of arm workouts. If we are smart…
Weight Lifting Myths BUSTED
Weight training for women has only recently become common as women would earlier steer clear from weights. This is mainly due to the many false beliefs. To better understand why there are many myths around women and weightlifting or strength training, we first need to be aware of a few basic facts. The hormonal composition of a woman and a man is different. For example, a woman’s body produces only 10 to 15% of the testosterone of a man. So it’s very hard for women to get bulky and build muscle mass unless they train for many hours a day for many years! Let’s look at some more myths and facts about women and weightlifting. Myth 1: Lifting heavy weights makes women bulky The body image of being bulkier and weight issues are often interlinked. By lifting heavy weights or doing strength exercise, UR muscles get stronger and denser as opposed to the popular opinion of them getting bulkier! If you face weight issues, controlling UR diet specifically with regard to your calorie intake is the best approach. Weight training and strength training is beneficial for women, as it increases bone density and muscle density. Additionally, it improves metabolism, helps you to eat better and tones UR body too. Myth 2: Spot reduction is possible Do not fall for the advertisement gimmick of spot reduction. We are biologically programmed to store fat as a source of energy in certain areas. For women, it is mostly the lower belly and the hips. Many women tend to hit the gym for a flat belly. The truth is spot reduction does not exist! Diet plays a huge role in losing this fat. So instead of trying 1000 crunches to burn the fat in your belly, it’s better to focus on UR diet instead of damaging your muscles and tissues. Managing your food is better for UR overall health and fitness. Work with UR nutritionist to select foods that will not only help you achieve your exercise goals but will also provide you with ample nutrients. Myth 3: Cardio burns more calories than weightlifting Though cardio exercise does keep you fit and safe, the results you get from doing cardio exercises will drive you farther away from your target. Adding any strength exercise to UR workout routine will help you develop lean muscle mass and help you get rid of more calories. So don't rule it out entirely! Due to the after-burn effect associated with strength training you can benefit both ways - burn calories while working out and after working out too! But beware; when you take up strength training there will be wear and tear of tissue and muscle. Remember, all it takes is time, nourishment and sleep to get restored and repaired. Myth 4 - The older you get, the more dangerous weightlifting becomes The older you get, the more you are at risk of bone and muscle loss, decreased endurance and a sluggish metabolism. Frequent exercise, particularly weightlifting, will help reverse the ageing process and keep your body in good shape! Taking up a strength training regimen will help to create muscle successfully and also improve the strength of UR joints and tendons. Overall, lifting weights will help boost the quality of UR daily life and decrease the risk of preventable accidents in old age. Myth 5: One plan fits all Every one of us is different and one plan does not fit all! If you are inspired by someone on social media and aim for a fab body, you need to tailor-make your exercise routine and regime. Don’t get carried away by UR favourite movie star or by someone who has toned their body and their routine. Get to know what will work for you and what UR limitations are. Follow you exercise routine with passion, dedication and persistence to reach your fitness goals.
Weight training for women has only recently become common as women would earlier steer clear from weights. This is mainly…
Samantha Akkineni’s Motivation To Hit The Gym!
Exercise can change URLife. It’s not just about the physical changes you see. It’s about making feeling happy! When you exercise, happy hormones are released, and you automatically start to feel good. Even a simple activity like walking can boost UR mood. I’ve also noticed that when I miss my workout sessions, I get a little sad. Once you exercise regularly UR life will become more blissful, and you will soon start looking forward to UR workout sessions! Exercise is not only about slimming down or losing weight. It’s about getting fit and loving what you do to stay healthy. I’m incredibly passionate about working out, and I love it! You don’t have to do specific exercises to work out. You can find any activity that you enjoy doing, and it will be the same as working out. I started working out because I was very petite, and I wanted to look a little broader. The grass is always greener on the other side. When UR too small you want to look a little bigger. When UR a little healthy, you want to look a bit thin. That’s how it started, but then it made me feel very powerful and strong. For instance, you can play UR favourite music and dance to burn some calories. If you like the outdoors, choose to go for a hike or take your pet out for a run on the beach or in the park. The idea is to stay active! Once you exercise regularly, you will begin to feel the difference, and this will keep you motivated to continue with what you’re doing. If you’re new to exercising and working out in the gym, remember that hard work pays off! I always wanted to go to the gym and push a little harder and add another 2.5 kgs. Just keep going, and it won’t be long before you see some great results! I like to hit the gym as frequently as possible. I love working out because it makes me feel peppy and energetic. But at the same time, I don’t push myself over the edge. It’s also crucial for me to reward myself for the hard work I put in. So I make sure I do something that makes me feel great about myself. I don’t have any particular secret to staying fit. Besides being very consistent with my workouts, I eat only vegan foods and ensure I’m well hydrated. I also avoid junk food at all costs and opt only for balanced meals and healthy snacks. To keep boredom away, I make sure my workouts are varied. This also helps me stay excited about my workouts! Variety is vital to stay motivated to work out regularly. Working out makes me feel more confident and also provides me with a sense of contentment and achievement. It was the high of becoming stronger and stronger every day that keeps me going!
Exercise can change URLife. It’s not just about the physical changes you see. It’s about making feeling happy! When you…
Ultimate checklist before hitting the gym
We all know that exercise is important to lead a healthy life. But if you haven’t been exercising and have some pre-existing medical conditions then it’s best to get a check-up and health assessment done by a doctor to ensure it is safe for you to start exercising or begin a weight training programme. This applies to both, men and women. You may risk your health if you exercise with a pre-existing medical condition like coronary artery disease. When you get a full body check-up done, you basically understand how your overall physical condition is inside out and the dos and don'ts when you exercise accordingly. Your doctor may also advise a modified exercise programme for you. Having said that, a sedentary lifestyle is not at all good for your health, so exercise in most cases is safer. Some of the significant medical conditions that need to be checked before you begin a weight training programme are coronary artery disease, asthma, high blood pressure, obesity, some other respiratory ailment, osteoporosis, diabetes etc. Consult an expert on exercise for advice. A physician with training in sports medicine or exercise physiology would be ideal. All over the world over, the fitness industry is expanding in leaps and bounds as there are now many health-conscious and figure-conscious people. But though people have become much more aware about health, not everyone is aware of the importance of medical tests or blood tests before starting an exercise programme. Before beginning a weight training routine or any exercise regime, a blood test should definitely be considered! Here are three important reasons to opt for a blood test: 1) Helps to determine which kind of exercises will be best for you: Not all exercises are good for you keeping in mind UR current fitness levels and overall health. When you get a blood test done, your trainer will be aware of your health conditions and suggest the most appropriate exercises that will benefit you. 2) Helps support your fitness goals: An important aspect of your fitness programme is the nutritional supplementation. Your doctor will be able to guide you with regard to which fitness supplements you should and shouldn’t be taking. This will not only support your fitness regime but will also help you recover better and achieve your goals more efficiently. 3) Helps your trainer make realistic plans for you: For overall fitness, being at an optimal weight according to your body and lifestyle is important. It is vital for your trainer to be aware of your health. So depending on your body’s capacity and your physical health, an achievable fitness programme will be planned for you. This will help to keep you motivated and committed to your fitness goals.
We all know that exercise is important to lead a healthy life. But if you haven’t been exercising and have…
Seed Cycling: A Natural Way To Balance UR Hormones
Do you or someone you may know have irregular periods frequently and is looking for a natural remedy rather than turning to allopathy? Then, I have some news for you. A nutrition practice named seed cycling has been rediscovered and is working its wonders in helping women help balance their hormone levels, manage and cure their hormonal side-effects. Seed cycling is a naturopathic method to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle. It is believed to balance hormones, boost fertility, and ease symptoms of menopause using the nutrients found in seeds. Seed cycling can help to alleviate present-day problems like PMS, fertility issues, reduce pain from conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, and regulate irregular cycles. It can be useful for women who are menstruating, pre-menopause, postpartum, and post-menopause. Due to the lifestyle changes, women across the globe are suffering from conditions like PCOD, PCOS or infertility. Seed cycling is rediscovered as it provides nutrition to the body and has negligent side effects, all while aiding menstrual health. It is becoming a popular method as it is delivering promising results. It is working wonders under the wings of a certified nutritionist in the health, wellness and fitness industry. The thought behind seed cycling is that particular type of seeds, for example; pumpkin, flax, and chia can help manage estrogen levels, progesterone and different essential hormones in UR body. Synchronizing your utilization of mixed seeds with your menstrual cycle can purportedly alleviate hormone-related symptoms, for example, PMS, PCOS, irregular periods, hot flashes, and by and significant increment your level of prosperity. Some even claim that seed cycling can help you solve problems related to pregnancy. Seed cycling helps balance hormones. It is done in two stages. Stage 1: The first 13-14 days of your menstrual cycle is all about regulating the estrogen hormone. It is termed as the follicular phase. Stage 2: In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the seeds tend to regulate the progesterone hormone. This phase is termed as the luteal stage. The most common method for seed cycling is to eat 1 tablespoon each of freshly grounded flaxseed and pumpkin seeds per day during the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, seed cyclers eat 1 tablespoon each of ground sunflower and sesame seeds every day until the first day of their next period. Health Benefits • Though science is unable to prove its effects as they are taken in two stages, seed cyclers share their testimony that it provides many health benefits. • Regulates menstrual cycle by establishing a hormonal rhythm between estrogen and progesterone. • Reduces skin acne, and improves the health of the skin. • Stunts and suppress the growth of cysts resulting in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). • Apart from the above, it is proven beneficial to people dealing with infertility, menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and mood swings • It also helps you to improve thyroid hormone levels, hair health, weight loss, and water retention. • Taking flax, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds as a part of your diet is a really fantastic way to achieve good health as all four seeds are rich in fibre, manganese, magnesium, copper, thiamine, vitamin E, and healthy fats. These nutrients are vital to maintaining good health. • These seeds may help you to reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. • The Combination of flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds seem to protect against breast cancer. Seed cycling takes a few cycles (3-4 months) to start feeling changes. Seed cycling isn't a short-term fix or meant to cure severe health or hormonal conditions. However, it is an incredible yet delicate and healthy approach to help your hormones and control your cycle. We recommend keeping a track your symptoms through the cycle so you can look back to see impacts over time. Precautions • Always grind your seeds as whole seeds are not digestible by the body. Grinding them ensure the maximum absorption of nutrients. • Keep track of your symptoms before and after seed cycling for comparison. • If any of the ingredients are causing you discomfort, do consult your physician. • Take a balanced and healthy diet • Exercise regularly Willing to get on board with seed cycling? We suggest the recipe of "Bliss Balls" for phase one and "Bliss Ladoos" for phase two of seed cycling. Pumpkin Seeds: • Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants that fight inflammation like carotenoids and vitamin E. • Pumpkin seeds may help to a reduced risk of stomach, breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers • Improve Prostate and Bladder Health • High source of magnesium • Improve Heart Health • Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc mineral, so they can boost the quality of sperms. • Might to make your sleep better. Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds have an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin E and selenium. These compounds protect the cells of your body from free radical damage and protect you from several chronic diseases. Vitamin B1 (thiamine extract) and electrolytes in sunflower seeds can provide vast quantities of energy in the body to keep it agile and active. The magnesium content in the seeds helps push toxins out of our body and detox naturally. Sesame seeds Contain high methionine and cysteine compounds that help with muscle and tissue growth in the body. Compounds like lignans, vitamin E and other antioxidants in sesame seeds can prevent plaque build-up in the arteries and protect you from fluctuating blood pressure.
Do you or someone you may know have irregular periods frequently and is looking for a natural remedy rather than…
What Is Better, Being fit or thin? Know more.
"Fitness is not a destination but a lifestyle." When we look at ourselves in the mirror, what is it that we lookout for – a thin, slender body or a fit one? Do we set weight goals or fitness goals? I am sure we have that one friend or relative we are jealous of – the skinny one who eats anything and everything, doesn't sweat it out in the gym or exercise and still boasts that thin body!! But have you ever asked if he/she is fit?? Being thin and being in shape are two very different things. The most archaic way of assessing our body mass index (BMI) and our waist to hip ratio (WHR) can give an inkling about our health but not the full picture. So coming back to the million-dollar question – "What is a fit body??" Fitness is an amalgamation of – The right body composition (our muscle to fat ratio) Body's strength and flexibility Cardiovascular fitness (our heart and lung function) Muscle power and endurance Fitness comes with the right balance of nutrition, exercise and rest – followed as a lifestyle and not just for an interim period. To help you get fitter, we have a few simple strategies that can take you closer to UR fitness goal – Stay Active: Research has shown that lean but inactive people have a higher chance of developing metabolic conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension v/s slightly overweight but physically active individual. Hey don't get us wrong here – we are not saying it's OK to be overweight, but it's NOT OK to be physically inactive! Exercise keeps our hormone levels and blood sugar in check. It balances the good and bad cholesterol in our blood and also reduces the free radical damage. Regular physical activity gives strength and helps in muscle building, increasing our endurance and muscle power. If you notice we have used the word "regular" several times – it's not due to the lack of vocabulary but to emphasize that consistency is more important than intensity! Burn fat, not muscle: Work on building UR muscle weight and losing the fat. Hence don't look at the scale as a validation of fitness. Muscles are the active part of our body while the fat contributes to the sluggish, lazy weight. When we lose muscles and not fat (this is most common when doing crash diets and little to no exercise) – we land up with lower muscle weight mass than what we had started with, in turn leading to the classic bounce-back of weight soon after. But when we work towards skimming off the fat from our body (this can only be achieved with the right combination of protein, fats, carbs and regular exercise) – our metabolism increases leading to slower weight loss, maybe yes. But knocking off the fat and preserving the muscle, leaving us with better body composition and fitness levels. Fuel UR body with the right nutrition: Fad diets that make you eliminate food groups or starve for long durations – diets low in carbs and proteins only lead to muscle loss, not FAT. Our bodies need the right kind of fuel to sustain and get healthy and fit. Keep the carbohydrate load low and choose the right type of carbs (complex carbs – millets, high fibre grains; simple carbs & sugar from natural sources – fruits, dry fruits and jaggery v/s white sugar & processed sweets). Proteins (amino acids) are the building blocks of our muscles. We need to have enough protein to fuel our muscles and increase the body's metabolic rate. Here we would like to throw light upon another vital thing about protein – when to have it is critical. And not just for the active exercising ones but all of us! Hydrating our muscles with fast-absorbing proteins (whey from paneer and whey protein isolates; eggs). Pre and post-workout help maintain our muscle mass, adding on that glass of protein-rich smoothie first thing in the morning boost UR metabolism. Eating a pulse chaat or a nut bar as an evening snack replenishes our mineral stores. You may ask – is this too much protein?? NO – sadly our Indian diets are inferior in protein and consciously adding on these protein rice sources only give us the energy our muscles need. Fats are vital for the absorption of many vitamins and give our muscles the lubrication it needs. However, it's essential to include only healthy fats in our diet (nuts, avocados, ghee, coconut oil, nut butter, groundnut oil, extra virgin olive oil). Sleep & rest: Last but not least – rest and sleep are the missing links to UR fitness puzzles. Ever noticed that the night you have not slept well and when you go for UR morning run UR body cramps more or tires faster than usual!! Working out when fatigued will give you NO positive results but put you at risk for more muscle or bone injuries and tears. So rest up and relax when tired. Rome was not built in a day, and fitness is not something we can achieve overnight – it takes a bit of discipline and consistency. So go on and Get fit, not just thin!!!!
“Fitness is not a destination but a lifestyle.” When we look at ourselves in the mirror, what is it that…
Best BOSU Ball Exercises For The Ultimate Full-Body Workout!
If trying out a new effective workout and improving your overall balance and stability is on your mind, it may be time for you to start exercising with a BOSU balance trainer. BOSU (stands for Both Sides Utilised) and looks something like a stability ball cut in half. It has a rubber hemisphere on one side and a flat surface on the other side and is excellent for building stability and strength! Best BOSU Ball Exercises For The Ultimate Full-Body Workout! K.Vijay Simha Bachelor in Physiotherapy, Exercise Scientist, Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist If trying out a new effective workout and improving your overall balance and stability is on your mind, it may be time for you to start exercising with a BOSU balance trainer. BOSU (stands for Both Sides Utilised) and looks something like a stability ball cut in half. It has a rubber hemisphere on one side and a flat surface on the other side and is excellent for building stability and strength! The flat surface provides steadiness to perform your workouts with extreme accuracy while the hemisphere on the other hand is partially filled with air and offers sufficient instability that stimulates the functioning of all your core muscles. You can use both the hemisphere and the flat surface to improve your balance and strengthen your core. Use it to do full-body workouts or target problematic areas. It’s easy for everybody to use, even beginners. So here are some superb fun exercises to do with the BOSU ball. 1. Squats - Keep the flat surface up, i.e., place the BOSU ball on the rubber hemisphere. Position your right leg on one side of the ball, the ball will slant to the right - try to balance yourself by placing your left leg on the other side of the even surface. Be sure that you are steady and stable. Now, thrust your hips behind and at the same time lower your body; let your knees bend and then take your arms up close to your chest. Make sure your knees don’t extend beyond your toes. 2. Hip Raise - Lie flat on the ground. Stretch your knees and put your feet on both sides of the ball. Keep your hands by your side, palms flat on the surface and face towards the ceiling. Thrust your hips toward the ceiling. Stop when your thighs are in line with your hips. Lower your hips without placing them on the floor. 3. Lunge - Stand one foot away from the BOSU ball. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, core engaged and chest outwards. The semi-circular surface of the BOSU ball should be upwards. Place your right leg on top of the ball. Arch both your knees and lower your upper body so that your thighs are vertical to your shins. Hold this posture for a second and then go back to the starting position. Step on the ball with your right leg - arch both your knees, lower your lunge and torso. Hold this position for a second and get back again to the beginning position. 4. Full Plank - Flip over the ball and grip it at the ends. Spread your right foot behind your body, stretch your toes and place them on the floor. Now spread your left foot behind you and support your body on your arched toes of both your feet. Keep your core engaged and also ensure your spine is in alignment with your neckline and you are looking down. Hold this pose for 30-60 seconds. 5. Jump Squats - Stand a foot away from the ball. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, chest out, core engaged and knees marginally bent. The hemispherical surface of the ball should be facing upwards. Curve your knees a little as a prep to hop on the ball. Jump and land down on the semi-circular surface of the ball. Be sure that you are in a squatting position, with your back upright. Also, ensure your knees don’t extend your toes. Stay in this position for some time then get up and jump back on the ground - immediately as you land on the ground, squat downwards. 6. Crunches - Be seated on the ball, place your palms on it and place the small of your back against the round side of the ball. Your hips should be closer to the edge of the even surface, at the same time your back should be fully alongside the curve of the ball. Keep your feet flat and your knees arched on the ground. Keep your thumb behind your ears and keep your head up with your remaining fingers. Ensure your core is engaged. Breathe in and crunch up by lifting your upper body. Breathe out as you go up. Breathe in and get back to the starting point. 7. Sit-Ups - Get on the cupola of the ball and slightly slide down. Keep your thumbs behind your ears and keep your head up with the help of the other fingers. Engage your core lifting your upper body and come down to a sitting posture. Breathe out while doing this. Breathe in and go back to the initial pose. 8. Push-Ups - Flip the ball so that the flat surface is facing upwards. Keep your palms on both the sides of the ball. Spread your feet behind you and keep your spinal column in line with your neckline. Engage your core, breathe in, stretch your elbows and lower your body until your upper body is about to touch the surface of the ball. Breathe out and push your body back to the starting point.
If trying out a new effective workout and improving your overall balance and stability is on your mind, it may…
5 Ultimate Workouts That Need No Equipment!
If you’re dreaming of a slim and trim body, you don’t always need an expensive gym membership or some fancy equipment. It can also be achieved by utilizing your own body weight! There are tons of home workouts that can give you positive results without any equipment. Listed here are some of the most effective workouts you can do just about anywhere! 5 Ultimate Workouts That Need No Equipment! K.Vijay Simha Bachelor in Physiotherapy, Exercise Scientist, Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist If you’re dreaming of a slim and trim body, you don’t always need an expensive gym membership or some fancy equipment. It can also be achieved by utilizing your own body weight! There are tons of home workouts that can give you positive results without any equipment. Listed here are some of the most effective workouts you can do just about anywhere! Running/Walking Focussing on cardio makes your body transform and it is not expensive too. You just need a good pair of running shoes and the willpower to run! While you are doing cardio, the maximum benefit you can gain is by pulling your navel into the core. For the newbies, you can try walking at a brisk pace or running for 15 to 30 minutes. Keep adding 5 to 10 more minutes at the end of every week. Squats Apart from working on your leg muscles, squatting is helpful for developing your core strength and stability along with upper and lower body strength. Once you perfect your form, you can move to more difficult versions over time. Push-ups A push-up is considered to be an ideal muscle-building exercise that works on UR chest, shoulders, and triceps. As you gain strength, you can progress from classic to different push-ups like elevated or decline push-ups that put more emphasis on UR shoulders, upper chest, lower chest and triceps. Crunches Crunches are helpful to tone UR mid-section. Along with other exercises, you can include crunches to develop core strength which is crucial for overall body strength and balance. Lunges Lunges work on some hard-to-reach muscles of the thighs. It’s also an ideal exercise to build lower body strength. Variation in UR exercise routine is important. Daily exercise is recommended for healthy living but when you repeat the same exercises day in and day out for a certain period, workouts become monotonous. If there is no variation in UR workouts, your body will reach the plateau stage sooner. Adding variety to your workout regimen brings changes in your strength and endurance levels which helps you to get closer to your fitness goals. Moreover, mixing different workout programmes helps you to understand the strength and weaknesses of UR body. Trying different workouts also adds fun to your workout sessions and helps you to stay motivated towards your fitness goals.
If you’re dreaming of a slim and trim body, you don’t always need an expensive gym membership or some fancy…
Fundamentals Of Exercise For Every Body
We all are aware of the importance of staying fit to sustain a healthy and more fulfilling life. However, it is sometimes easy to get carried away with the latest diets, fitness regimens such as intense obstacle course programmes and more. Furthermore, many of us may embark on a fitness journey without even knowing if it is suitable for us. This is because we fail to consider our current lifestyle, fitness levels and what certain fitness regimes may do to our body. But what if we knew the formula of getting results without indulging in aggressive diets, intense workout regimens and poor lifestyle choices? Fundamentals Of Exercise For Every Body Rakesh Uddiyar Director & Founder Body Wizard Fitness Academy & Celebrity Trainer We all are aware of the importance of staying fit to sustain a healthy and more fulfilling life. However, it is sometimes easy to get carried away with the latest diets, fitness regimens such as intense obstacle course programmes and more. Furthermore, many of us may embark on a fitness journey without even knowing if it is suitable for us. This is because we fail to consider our current lifestyle, fitness levels and what certain fitness regimes may do to our body. But what if we knew the formula of getting results without indulging in aggressive diets, intense workout regimens and poor lifestyle choices? By learning the fundamentals of exercise, we can determine what works for our body without overexerting it. Whether it is the food we eat or the current exercise regimen we are enrolled in, we will be able to get the results we want by implying the right technique and approach. This is where ADL – Activities of Daily Life come into the picture. So, let’s try to understand how we can go that extra mile in our fitness goals with just a little effort. Get a complete body analysis done to learn more about UR body as this will help you understand UR body’s current fitness levels and the precautions that need to be taken if you have been previously injured. A complete body analysis will also provide a better understanding of how far you can push UR body without injuring and exerting yourself. Moreover, learning more about your body will assist UR fitness trainer to make the right choices for you to achieve your fitness goals. Understanding your body also helps you avoid extra stress to existing injuries, pains and aches. A complete body analysis will help UR trainer determine which exercises are suitable for you to attempt and include in UR daily workout. By doing so, you can avoid any additional stress on your body and most importantly, you will not opt for intense regimens that can do more harm to your body than you know. There are certain things you need to consider before opting for any workout regimen. These include current body analysis, BMR basal metabolic rate, daily lifestyle analysis, medical history and daily medicinal intake, previous injuries or physical health issues, if any and diet and habits. As every individual is different, all of these aspects above will help determine how far UR fitness trainer can push you to attain UR fitness goals without exerting your body. Being aware of these aspects can also help you and your fitness trainer shape your fitness journey by implying the right techniques and by including precautionary steps such as what to avoid while working out. For example, if you experience back pain frequently, your exercises will be designed accordingly. As all of these attributes are very crucial, they should be understood properly and taken into account before starting any long-term or short-term exercise regimen. There are three fundamentals of exercise and the core fundamentals of exercising are built on strength, agility and stability. So the truth is that the core of UR fitness routine should be strength, agility and stability, all of which work on every muscle of your body, enhance your body’s coordination skills and strengthen your body’s core. Therefore, any exercise regimen should incorporate the perfect combination of all three of these aspects which will also help you and your trainer understand how far you can push yourself in your workout regimen. Here are the three fundamentals of exercise you can include in UR workout sessions, without exhausting your body: Strength Training: This exercise is not just about looking bulky and gaining more muscle mass. Strength training exercises help you burn additional calories so that you can keep unwanted weight away. The best part is you don’t require much equipment when you are doing strength training. Props such as inflatable balls, dumbbells and more can help enhance your muscular endurance. Agility Training: This exercise generally refers to UR body’s ability in stopping, starting and being able to change and manipulate your body’s reflexes quickly while maintaining the right posture. Agility training includes exercises such as ladder drills, cone drills, running and more. Stability Training: These exercises include a combination of exercises that utilize your body’s resistance to induce muscle contractions. Therefore, this helps build and enhance your body’s strength, skeletal muscle and overall strength. These exercises also help condition and improve your body’s balance. Functional Training This training involves a series of exercises which synchronizes your cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal and respiratory system together. It is one of the oldest methods of physical training without the use of any equipment and was first introduced in the field of physical rehabilitation by physiotherapists, to help patients recover from any previous injuries or physical disabilities. Functional training stimulates movements in your body in order to enhance your daily performance, so that your body functions like a well-oiled machine. Functional Training helps enhance cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, speed and agility. Not everyone can opt for an intense workout programme. An individual needs to have certain necessary physical activities in their daily routine to qualify for an intense training programme. For example, if you have no physical exercise in their daily routine, it would take more time to achieve a specific fitness goal. Like in the case of CrossFit training, this training is mostly chosen by athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are usually used to intense workout sessions. So just blindly opting for CrossFit training sessions can cause unnecessary injuries, which is usually not recommended or encouraged by fitness trainers for individuals who are new to exercising. Working out is entirely dependent on UR daily activities. As simple as this may sound, UR current fitness levels also helps determine the type and level of workout regimen UR fitness trainer may recommend for maximum results. So it’s best to increase UR endurance and stamina slowly, as it takes time for your body to adjust to any form of exercise regimen. No matter which age group you may belong to, or the body type you may have, the most important thing to keep in mind is your nutritional intake, as it assists in maintaining your overall health. Also, creating a wholesome lifestyle is the key to achieving the fitness goals you have in mind. So, don’t get carried away with the latest trends when all you need to know is the fundamentals of exercising. Mentioned below are some easy points to keep in mind. ● Every individual should be aware of the training they are opting for, which can or may not be inclusive of their current fitness goals and achievements. ● Don’t push yourself or exert yourself as this can cause unnecessary complications, injuries and discomfort. ● Ensure your trainer is certified and has renewed his or her license before the expiry date. ● Check with UR doctor whether it is suitable for you to enroll in an exercise regimen, before you begin. ● Fitness is a journey, so allow UR body to adjust to the new movements that assist in improving your flexibility, coordination, balance and overall strength. ● Track your fitness goals and journey with the help of UR trainer, or by recording your achievements in a diary.
We all are aware of the importance of staying fit to sustain a healthy and more fulfilling life. However, it…
8 Ways A Fitness Trainer Can Motivate UR Fitness Journey
Positive Approach: Always speak positively with the client regarding their progress or results. Remind them why they started training in the first place. It would help if you were the positive chip on their shoulder through the good and the bad times of their progress. UR clients should feed off on UR positive energy. Social Media: Try and motivate UR client to post their training videos and results on their social media platform. Get them connected to UR gym community or group for support from other fitness enthusiasts. Set Realistic & Achievable Goals: Speak to UR client, set attainable goals and create deadlines for the goals so that they stay motivated to reach their goals. Tell them the initial steps are hard, but as days pass by it will become comfortable and easy. Fitness Challenges: Giving small achievable fitness challenges to UR clients keeps them motivated, as nobody knows UR client better than you. Appreciate them for their successful completion of the challenge. Variety In Workouts: Try to design workout plans that are varied and interesting. Ensure each workout has an excellent peak and a good ending – this could be as simple as using various timing or rearranging sets. Always find new ways to make working out fun. Be There For Ur Client: Talk to UR client every day regarding their progress and assist them in buying the right gear for their training. Be attentive to the client all throughout the training session and keep appreciating the effort they put for every set they do. Educate The Client: Help UR client understand the importance of physical assessment parameters and body composition analysis stats, as these help in setting their goals based on their individual stats. This will help them and you understand what they need to do to reach their fitness goals. You can also share a few functional fitness motivational articles to get the ball rolling. Encourage The Use Of Fitness Gadgets: With a plethora of options to choose from you can easily suggest a few fitness trackers and gadgets for UR client to use to track their fitness journey. Activity tracking devices leave no room for excuses as they monitor UR daily step count, sleep cycle,heart rate, weight, calories burnt and more. From GPS to heart rate watches and phone apps, there are plenty of options that help you cover almost every activity you want to track. There is no better motivation than trying to perfect UR previous performances. Where there is a will, there is always a way.
Positive Approach: Always speak positively with the client regarding their progress or results. Remind them why they started training in…
Understanding Decompression Of The Spine
Gravity Acts on us 24/7 and we are fighting against it every single day of our lives. Gravity can be UR best friend or it can be your worst enemy. The question we got to ask ourselves is whether we are respecting gravity and training in accordance to this force. Understanding Decompression Of The Spine Dr. Nikhil Lad - Human Biomechanics Specialist from Functional Patterns USA Gravity Acts on us 24/7 and we are fighting against it every single day of our lives. Gravity can be UR best friend or it can be your worst enemy. The question we got to ask ourselves is whether we are respecting gravity and training in accordance to this force. Most of the lower back issues like slip disc, disc bulge are related to compression of the spine. The spine can be compressed with a sedentary lifestyle, sitting at your desk for long hours. Also, UR training can be a responsible factor in compressing UR spine. A lot of the spinal injuries originate at the gym. To understand the facts we need to understand the body's kinetic chain. Our spine is mainly made up of cervical - the neck region, thoracic - upper back region, lumbar - lower back and sacrum - the tailbone. A lot of you may be aware of this, but very few realize that the diaphragm and muscles of the diaphragm are responsible for keeping our spine upright. If it was not for these muscles we would be walking on our fours, just like a quadruped. Certain gym exercises like weighted squats and deadlifts are one of the responsible factors for slip disc. These exercises are considered as the holy grail of the fitness industry but we at Functional Patterns have dissected this exercise to unveil the harmful effects of these. In the spine, there is intravertebral space between vertebrae; there also has to be space between UR scapula or shoulder blade and UR first rib. In the same context there should be space between UR quadratus lumborum, UR lower back and UR last rib, the floating rib. When you do weighted squats you normally keep the weights on UR cervical spine. This weight acts in the downward direction and compress UR spine and the space between the structure mentioned above is going to get affected, causing an inferior pull on UR diaphragm which will be the cause of a Disc Bulge or a Slip Disc. Even if you don’t experience any of these conditions, you would have caused intervertebral space to become lesser, which is the first step towards injury. In order to decompress the spine we have to train the kinetic chain and create the necessary space through the body's connections. This can be seen in the video. You will see how to decompress UR Spine with a superior pull of the abdomen. Please note that there is a lot of intricate detailing which goes into this. So ensure you try this only under the guidance of a Human Biomechanics Specialist who has knowledge about this subject.
Gravity Acts on us 24/7 and we are fighting against it every single day of our lives. Gravity can be…