Ways to check if UR gym trainer is qualified
01
Certification & experience
This should be the first question one should ask their trainer. Don’t feel shy, its UR right. The basic certification for a trainer charging upward of 30k rupees per month for personal training should be a. BA Physical Education/ Physiotherapy b. Valid certification from NASM/ACE/ACSM/NSCA/ AFPA/ NFPT/IFPA/ISSA/NESTA/PTA Global or AIF c. Certification in Bootcamps/ Circuit Training/ Animal Flow / Zumba from authentic sources in addition to points a & b. A lot of trainers may shun this, but we run a couple of Physiotherapy Colleges and deal with a lot of sports injuries so trust me when I’m giving you this information.
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02
Client testimonials
Do some Research, look around and find out how his/her previous customers rate UR trainer in overall experience and success. Get feedback from a minimum of 4 people. Not everyone is perfect, knowing UR trainers’ flaws in advance will help you train peacefully. Being comfortable yet not crossing the line of respect is an ideal scenario both ways when it comes to personal training.
03
Attitude
A good trainer must have a very positive attitude. Research shows that using positive motivation helps push clients to reach better results than using aggression and comparison to motivate. The character of a trainer is imperative, as he/she is going to get up close and personal. Let them know UR comfort levels in advance. A lot of women do not prefer trainers touching them, voice UR opinion. It’s perfectly normal, remember its UR hard-earned money and valuable time that’s being spent.
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04
Complete Body Analysis
Be cautious of UR trainer’s knowledge, if he doesn’t ask for UR recent thorough blood work and complete body analysis, he isn’t good enough. This also includes flexibility, stability, stamina and strength analysis. A good trainer never gives nutrition advice unless he/she is certified. Most educated trainers’ partner with qualified nutritionists to suggest a holistic plan. BTW I urge people to consult a psychologist as well to reach their fitness goals as it’s all in the mind. A combination of a qualified trainer, nutritionist, psychologist and will power were the key elements to my weight loss.
05
Appearances
As harsh as this sounds, it's true. An unfit trainer can be a de-motivating factor in UR wellbeing journey. It’s really important for the trainer to practice what they preach. Bad Hygiene is a huge put-off. An unkept, unhygienic trainer is unhealthy to be around. The focus shifts from training to the trainers’ body odour or bad breath. Make sure UR trainer has good health habits and doesn’t push you to take unnecessary supplements and fat burners to reach UR goal.
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Unheard Health Benefits Of Squatting In The Indian Toilet Position!
Every exercise helps tone UR body but a few positions have extraordinary benefits. Squatting Indian toilet style is one such exercise! Sitting in this position not only helps tone UR thighs, legs and glutes but also enhances UR gut health and eases bowel movements. The squatting position improves your flexibility and is also a good weight-bearing exercise that helps keep bones strong, says Dr. K J Reddy, Senior Orthopaedic Consultant and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals. According to him, most daily activities only use a maximum of 90 degree flexion at the knee. However, the knee joint is capable of flexion of up to 180 degrees and the joint is not used to its maximum potential frequently. All the joints in the body have synovial fluid which provide nutrition to the cartilage in the joints. The cartilage depends entirely on this fluid, as it has no blood supply of its own. The fluid acts as a blood substitute for the cartilage. To produce the fluid two factors are required: movement and compression. If the joint is not going through its full range of movement, nutrition will be compromised due to decreased synovial fluid production. This is what happens with the knee and hip joints - due to the lack of nutrition they start to degenerate at an earlier stage. This proves the importance of keeping active and moving joints to reduce degeneration. Squatting involves the full range of movement which helps to get rid of stiffness in joints. The squatting posture also enhances balance. It’s good to practice sitting in the Indian toilet position to make UR back strong. This in turn will help you walk, stand and sit better. Dr. Reddy recommends squatting for five-ten minutes each day (for those who don’t suffer from any previous knee or back problems). Ensure you don’t take up squatting suddenly, as it can damage the muscles and cartilages around UR knees. If you are fit, then UR knee joint will be able to handle it without any excessive damage. When you squat down, you bend UR knees and stretch UR legs. Every muscle in the legs is used while sitting in this posture. It makes UR leg muscles, hips and calves strong and enhances flexibility. When you squat UR colon is naturally compressed as the weight of UR torso is pushed against UR thighs, says Dr. K.S. Somasekhar Rao, Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Apollo Hospitals. Squatting also helps in coordination and strengthening of various pelvic floor muscles and requires you to strain less during defecation. This may be a taboo subject to discuss, but apparently sitting in the toilet and not squatting, can take a toll on our health. Squatting for defecation may be considered uncivilized but sitting on the toilet not only causes health hazards but also delays the elimination process. In the past, the royal families of Britain and the incapacitated used pedestal toilets. This practice soon filtered down to the common people and to the people in the third world countries. Many industrialized countries of the world also adopted the chair-like toilet. Postures adopted for defecation vary according to culture but worldwide, sitting or squatting is most common. Traditional Indian toilets require the squatting position but people in urban India prefer western toilets which require a sitting position. Squatting is a more beneficial posture as it leads to relaxation of the muscles concerned with fecal continence and defecation (puborectalis muscle), thus it widens the recto-anal angle, protects the pelvic nerves from damage due to less straining and offers better and complete elimination. In the latter part of the 19th century, there was a surge in pelvic diseases linked to the alteration in toilet habits. But the theory that posture during defecation can cause diseases of the bowels was ignored at that time. From the beginning of time, humans have always been squatting to defecate, evident by the fact that children from every culture unconsciously squat for defecation. This is because the human anatomy is naturally designed to function better in this position. The squatting position is considered to be the most appropriate way to defecate as the abdominal muscles work better and there is total elimination, unlike with the sitting posture whereby the abdominal muscles are not supported leading to health hazards later on. It seems like the human body is actually designed to eliminate waste while squatting, as sitting makes elimination incomplete and difficult. If you’ve been experiencing bloating, constipation and hemorrhoids, sitting on the toilet may be to blame! Dr Rao further explains that the squatting posture helps to relax the puborectalis muscle leading to the straightening of the anorectal angle which in turn allows the bowels to eliminate fully. By squatting, the kink - which is at the rectum entry point, is unlocked as the sigmoid colon is lifted. The sigmoid colon is the s-shaped last portion of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. As pressure is taken off from the puborectalis muscle by squatting, incontinence is prevented. Coordinated movement of multiple abdominal and pelvic muscles results in a normal defecation process. Uncoordinated movement of pelvic floor muscles (Pelvic dyssynergia) is the most common cause of constipation seen in all age groups. Predominantly females after child-bearing age are most affected. The squatting position during defecation is recommended to ease constipation of any type. Despite the multiple health benefits of squatting in the Indian toilet style, Dr. Reddy warns that before you take up this exercise, it’s good to be mindful of the fact that if this posture is held for too long, it can also cause joint damage and also lead to osteoarthritis, according to some studies. Do things in moderation, make small lifestyle changes and see a drastic difference in UR health.
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.
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.
Know UR Body’s Limitations When UR Working Out
We all dream of having a perfect body and there’s nothing wrong in that! In search of overnight results, we sometimes end up pushing our bodies too far. You might be looking to lose the lockdown weight fast and push your body really hard. Without putting in the time and effort towards being fit first, it is not possible. That’s where we can go wrong while we are working out. Working out is more about being aware of your body’s limits and understanding what works for you rather than getting easily distracted with someone else’s workout results. Well, there’s a way to avoid these cardinal workout mistakes and refine your workout routine. In the same path, we find ourselves trying a trending routine that gives us the toned body with minimal to no efforts. This majorly happens when we get inspired by other's routines and want the same kind of results without knowing the effort which goes into it. There are three stages which can define your workout levels Beginners are people who never worked out or made working out as a part of their daily schedule. Intermediate have a routine and are at it for some time. Advanced are ones who work out everyday and follow a certain set of workout routine. Depending on which category you fall under, your body type, BMI and other elements your instructor can easily suggest a workout routine which can work in your favour. I’ve seen many trainers do the complete opposite too, so make sure your trainer doesn’t push you too much. During the current times, where people do not prefer to go out, hitting the gym is not an option. The next best option is to keep up with their trainers virtually. This contributed to me making content on workouts and modifications. The training sessions on social media are making working out at home accessible to everyone. With so many videos being easily available it is hard for people to find the source of information and assess the reality of the workout videos. Quote: Setting realistic expectations and achieving them one day at-a-time helps you achieve your fitness goals in a healthy manner. How You Decide Your Workout Routine Depending on body type, every exercise has to be customized to an individual needs and limitations. People are trying these exercises with the hope that the harder they work, the more fit they become. But all they end up with is sore muscles, and still, some go at it day in day out until they stretch it too far - encounter a spasm or muscle strain. For example, if you are about 70 kilos and are overweight according to the BMI (Body Mass Index), taking up an hour of advance training on the first day (beginner) eventually exhausts your body. In the same way, people with medical conditions or injuries might not be able to exercise the same way in these fad workout videos. Be heedful of… 1. Identify your level of fitness Before beginning a workout, make sure you understand your needs and learn the right way to develop your strength. If you are new to start working out, start walking around the house for 10 minutes and increase the time limit as days pass by. To be fit, you need to spend the time, stick to the routine and build your core strength brick by brick. 2. Recognize your body’s needs Comparing yourselves to another's routine or other's fitness levels. Work with your body instead of overworking it. For example, if a person never did a push-up in life, they wouldn't know how to do it and couldn't do it properly. It is crucial to follow what your instructor and if you are not comfortable with an exercise, tell your trainer. 3. Set realistic expectations Your body is unique and it falls on you to be mindful of it, nurture it by selecting the right set of exercises. Setting realistic expectations and achieving them one day at-a-time helps you achieve your fitness goals in a healthy manner. 4. Give your body rest Resting your body is vital for recovery. Recovery time helps build your muscles the right way. Your instructor should always help you become aware of your resting days when you start a routine. Expert advice: It is highly important for you to discuss your medical history with your trainer to avoid injuring yourself any further. Fitness is a journey and working with your body is what you should be doing. Don’t push your body too hard just because you saw someone doing it. Don’t forget that you have to live in it for the rest of the day! Take it one day at-a-time and you will be surprised that you're closer to your fitness goals than before!
Top 5 Challenges Of Long-Term Athletic Development
All youth development sporting programmes have two objectives: to develop athletes to the best of their abilities and to develop children with a clear sense of the importance of physical activity for health and well-being. Here are some of the problems that limit physical activity participation today and can which can lead to unhealthy adults in the future. Top 5 Challenges Of Long-Term Athletic Development Leandi Van Zyl, CSCS Head – Sport Science (Strength & Conditioning) Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital All youth development sporting programmes have two objectives: to develop athletes to the best of their abilities and to develop children with a clear sense of the importance of physical activity for health and well-being. Here are some of the problems that limit physical activity participation today and can which can lead to unhealthy adults in the future. Physical inactivity: Research shows that children are becoming less active in recent years. This is particularly true in India as children have less time to play because of increased demands of school work. Inactivity is fueled by the increase in watching television and playing online games, poor nutrition, and sharp decrease in active transportation to get to school, poor sleeping habits and a reduction in physical education classes. These factors not only influence younger athlete’s performance later on, it also influences general health and well-being of young children. Obesity/overweight youth: Obesity in children has seen a sharp rise in recent years. Getting children who are overweight into an exercise routine should be done with caution and proper progression. Underuse injuries are common among obese and overweight youth. This is due to the lack of postural and neural muscular control, inadequate overall body strength and reduced motor control development. There is a greater risk for overweight and obese children to get injured from participating in sport. A programme that includes light low impact conditioning activities should be done before progressing to sport. Early sport specialization: This is when young athletes are limited to only one sport, year round. Early specialization is usually preferred for sports such as gymnastics because of the demands of the sport and the average age of professionals. However, research suggests that such athletes should also engage in a well-rounded strength and conditioning programme in order to develop overall qualities that could prevent injuries. Athletes who specialize early are at a big risk of overtraining, overuse injuries and burnout. Overtraining is when an athlete trains and participates in sport without adequate rest and recovery. Overtraining can lead to overuse injuries. Research suggests that athletes should take part in multiple sports instead of specializing only in one. This has been shown to be very beneficial in the child’s overall development of athletic qualities. Training workloads of youth: Coaches and sports medicine professionals tend to train young athletes like they are little adults. This causes coaches to over train young athletes leading to injuries and burnout. Coaches should allow for sufficient rest, recovery, adaptation to training and growth, otherwise it can negatively affect a young athlete’s health. The main focus of any programme with young athletes should be on quality and not quantity. Another aspect that impacts training loads is pressure from the coaches and parents. Young athletes feel pressurized to participate in as many competitions as possible and if they can’t participate or don’t perform they feel like a failure. It is important for coaches and parents to be educated themselves about the negative effects of high training workloads and unrealistic expectations on young athletes. If young athletes are pushed too hard, without adequate recovery and without appropriate intrinsic goals they might end up resenting the sport and stop participating in physical activity altogether. Current physical education scenario in schools: In schools that have physical education it is not customized to the individual child’s needs. Many children who are not active, struggle to keep up with the group and this can have negative effects on their self-esteem and relationship with physical activity. Additionally, many physical education teachers are not trained properly and they do not understand how to holistically train young people. It is very important for physical education teachers to be educated on the physiological and psychosocial aspects involved in physical activity in young developing children. Young athletes can be fragile and need to be nurtured with the utmost care. The main goal of physical activity for younger athletes is to develop a sense of lifelong physical activity participation. This is only achieved through making sport participation and training fun without overtaxing their body. The role of the coach and parent is equally important in developing a sense of enjoyment through sport!
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.
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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.
Dance To Set Your Spirit Free – Learn The Moves!
Dance is an art form and also a way of communication in different cultures. It is performed and enjoyed the world over. Dancing is also a great way to increase fitness and improve UR social skills. A popular exercise form, dancing helps to reduce anxiety, enhance self-esteem and improve mental health. For me, dance is attitude. It is how you express yourself and the vibe of what you feel within. When people dance together there is a feeling of togetherness and great joy is experienced. This enhances communication and brings about acceptance and trust in UR own ability, leading to a sense of freedom. Dance can transform UR mind, body and soul because it can be described as something you try to interpret. So when you’re happy and dance – you can feel the joy within. If you dance when you’re sad, you will become aware of the expression. Or if you’re nervous and dance, you will be able to experience your environment better and take in the positivity around you. Dancing can really change your life! When you dance, you give UR body a lifetime of health benefits, even if you are dancing just for fun. But when you dance in a coordinated, systematic way you can improve your health immensely. In fact, doctors sometimes recommend structured dancing because it’s a safe and helpful way to exercise. Dance also plays a significant role in mental well-being. I feel a healthy mind can express well and what’s better than expressing every emotion through dance! So you know what you’re feeling and what you’re seeing. The positive effects of dance on mental health is due to the increase in self-esteem that you experiences as a result of moving UR body to the music, working together with others and interacting with people and making friends. There is a connection between UR body, mind and emotion. So when you dance, UR overall health is increased with this activity. Also, the actions you are required to do while dancing engages UR muscles and help to make you strong from within. Dancing also helps you to get rid of the tension and fatigue that is caused by stress. The health benefits of dance depend on the form you choose to take up but all dance forms improve your health by making you strong and agile. Dancing also helps to improve UR balance and coordination. If you want to increase UR flexibility, it’s best to opt for the ballet and contemporary dance form as these forms have a lot to do with how you project yourself, how you throw UR body, how you express yourself and how you emote through feelings. Dancers always strive for precision and one of the toughest dance sequences we’ve choreographed so far is for the film ‘War’ for the song ‘Jai Jai Shivshankar’ where Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan are dancing together. It was really challenging because we had to perfect perfection, and that’s very tough because it’s not just one who is perfect but two. So basically we had to perfect perfection twice! I love Charan’s style of dancing - he’s got a natural swag. His efforts are so smooth, and he’s got a great vibe! But knowing him, he probably burns a tremendous amount of calories for his dance sequences because his songs are quite hectic and dramatic. That being said, remember that the amount of calories you burn while dancing depends on the duration, the music, and the kind of dance you choose to do.
Top 5 Techniques To Help Improve UR Body Posture
An important aspect of ensuring our long-term health is good posture. Ensuring that you are holding UR body correctly while moving or stationary can help to alleviate pain, injuries and certain health issues as well. During our everyday movement we get used to poor postural positions. These can cause pain or discomfort when not addressed. So if you are struggling with pain due to bad posture these five techniques will help release tight muscles and strengthen UR weak muscles. Here are a few easy stretches and exercises that can help improve overall body posture. Top 5 Techniques To Help Improve UR Body Posture Leandi van Zyl, CSCS Head – Sport Science (Strength & Conditioning) Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital An important aspect of ensuring our long-term health is good posture. Ensuring that you are holding UR body correctly while moving or stationary can help to alleviate pain, injuries and certain health issues as well. During our everyday movement we get used to poor postural positions. These can cause pain or discomfort when not addressed. So if you are struggling with pain due to bad posture these five techniques will help release tight muscles and strengthen UR weak muscles. Here are a few easy stretches and exercises that can help improve overall body posture. 1. Stretching and releasing of the chest muscle While moving around and working in your day-to-day life, the tendency is to slouch your upper back. This causes the chest muscles to become overly tight and which translates the shoulders forward. Releasing or stretching the chest muscles is very important and can help relieve tension in the upper back and neck. This is also an important stretch for fitness enthusiasts who tend to prefer push-ups and bench press to pulling exercises. As seen in the picture there are three different positions by which you can stretch your chest. Just raise your hands a bit higher each time. Each stretch should be held for at least 30 seconds and can be repeated 2 to 3 times. 2. Scapular strengthening exercise The forward bending posture of the upper body can also cause dysfunction in the upper back. Because of the tightness in the chest, the upper back muscles can get lengthened and weak. Here is an effective upper back exercise that can help correct this. Lying down on your stomach, make a ‘W’ with your arms. From this position straighten your arms. When returning to the W position, try squeezing both UR shoulder blades together. Do not arch UR lower back. You can do 10-15 repetitions and 2-3 sets. 3. Thoracic mobility Mobility is when joints and muscles can move freely without any restrictions. The movement of the Thoracic Spine (rib and chest area) that gets restricted from bad posture is extension and rotation. Extension is the ability to straighten the upper back and rotation is rotating your upper body without movement from your lumbar spine. The following mobility drill can help make the thoracic spine move better. The important aspect here is to eliminate lumbar spine movement. Keeping the knees together keeps the movement from the thoracic spine. During this mobility drill the goal is to open the chest up as much as you can. This can be done 10-15 times for 2-3 repetitions. To progress, you can add a light weight in the hand that is on top. 4. Upper Back stretch Poor posture, an injury or muscle overuse can usually be the cause of upper back pain. Though upper back pain is less common than lower back pain or neck pain, there are many causes for it. One of the causes may be deconditioning which means, you may not be using your muscles correctly. This could easily happen while sitting at UR desk for long hours in the wrong posture. Certain exercises can help strengthen your back and also help improve UR posture. Try this upper back stretch to help correct your posture and also ease pain. Keeping UR elbows bent, try to push down your upper body as far as possible. A stretch should come over UR upper body and triceps muscles. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat 2 to 3 times. 5. Pelvic Mobility The ideal position of our pelvic bone should be neutral. If we sit for long periods of time on the wrong chair, we tend to round our lower back or posterior tilt our pelvis which might cause pain in the lower back. The structures around the pelvis can get tight because of poor posture. This is why the first step to better pelvis posture is pelvic tilts. Once you are able to maintain a neutral pelvic you can start strengthening your core to be able to sustain the posture in a different position. A neutral pelvis is when the lumbar spine is slightly arched but not too much and the pelvis pushing forward or back. Our lumbar spine is made to be stable. This means that a structure is able to maintain a specific position despite forces being placed on it. In order to train lumbar stability we need to do a variety of core exercises. Pelvic Tilts The main idea is to move only your pelvic bone. Try keeping your hands on your hips to help with navigating your pelvis. The first movement would be to arch your lower back (pushing your buttocks out) and the second would be rounding your lower back (bringing your buttocks in). These exercises can be done 10 times for 2 to 3 sets. Bad posture can become a habit and cause some muscles to tighten up and others to lengthen and weaken. Releasing the chest muscles and upper trapezius muscles, strengthening your shoulder blade muscles, working on your thoracic mobility and neutral pelvis can help improve UR posture and reduce pain.
Gratitude To Our Healthcare Heroes: We Salute You!
Gratitude To Our Healthcare Heroes: We Salute You! The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing turmoil all over the world and some of the people most affected are healthcare professionals – doctors, nurses and paramedics. So as a tribute to the services of our healthcare heroes, we have created a specially recorded video to express our gratitude to them for their dedication and commitment. We have also strived to impart the recommended advice via the beautiful Kuchipudi art form on how to stay safe and protected during this difficult period. Hope you all like it! This idea first came to us while watching the news. We were horrified to witness the insensitive behaviour and unpardonable attacks on doctors and healthcare workers in Delhi and Hyderabad. Instead of saluting them and thanking them for their selflessness, courage and tireless service – people were attacking them! A brainstorming session later, we had decided to create a dance piece as a tribute to the services of the healthcare heroes. But due to the lockdown, creating a new recording seemed next to impossible. The music from ‘Vaidyo Narayano Hari’ that was recorded six years ago came to our rescue. So we decided to utilise the music from this production (as it was easily available to us at this point in time) choreographed a new piece as a tribute, and recorded the dance at home. We believe that this is a time for all of us to stop and reflect on how we can contribute in our own way, and there is nothing more de-stressing than giving back to the community. So it would be good if we could all find ways to encourage and help our heroes at the frontline. It’s also important to disseminate accurate information at a time like this, keep positive and healthy, stay connected with family and friends and help in whatever way possible to fight this pandemic! Dancing helps you to enter a different world as you get totally engrossed in this physical activity that is a combination of graceful movements, rhythmic footwork and expressions! Moreover, you become one with the character you are portraying and try to concentrate on doing it with ease and élan, all of which works as a great stress buster. Kuchipudi is innately a very graceful dance form. Practicing it diligently makes one graceful in all one’s movements and enhances posture and gait, and thus character. Also, each mudra conveys various meanings. Natyashastra, the oldest treatise on dance describes single hand gestures/mudras and double hand gestures/mudras. Animal mudras are easy and fun, especially for young children. Even mudras showing aspects of nature like flowers, sun and moon can be performed effortlessly and when practiced together, is a great way to foster a bond with your children. Additionally, Kuchipudi helps in all-round development as it helps build self-confidence as one loses stage fear during performances. Students are enrolled from the age of six to learn the Kuchipudi dance form but a date or assurance regarding a Rangapravesam (debut on stage) is not provided. This is because it depends a lot on each individual child’s commitment, hard work and dedication. Furthermore, parents are advised not to push their child to do their Rangapravesam since a child should come to a level of proficiency to perform with finesse and be able to hold the attention of the audience. For children to gain experience, they are encouraged to participate in many group performances before their solo debut, given that like any art form, excellence in Kuchipudi comes with a lot of devotion, passion and hours and hours of practice. This art form engages every part of the body from head to toe, starting from the eyebrows/bruha bedhas, eyes/dhrishti bedhas, neck/greeva bedhas, shoulders, arms, hands, waist, core, legs and feet. Both the body and mind get a workout, as you also have to remember the dance sequences, mudras and posture, expressions, and make it all look effortless at the same time! So it’s a fantastic cardio routine which also requires immense coordination. Kuchipudi is one of the noted classical dance forms of India and originated in the village by the same name close to Vijayawada. The present dance form of Kuchipudi can be tracked back to the 16th century, although dance was popular as early as 2nd century BC as is evident through the sculptures at the Amaravati Stupa depicting group dances. Somewhere between the 14th and 17th century, Siddhendra Yogi, stylized the then rustic dance form and gave it a structure and framework. He imparted training only to male dancers, which was the custom at that time. Female roles were also played by men who were beautifully dressed and adorned as females. The ruler of Golconda Abul Hasan Tanesha was enthralled by a Kuchipudi performance during his visit to Machilipatnam and as a gesture of generosity gifted the village of Kuchipudi to the artistes. It was only in 1930 that Vedantam Lakshminarayana brought about a revolution and women were brought into Kuchipudi dance.
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.
Why You Should Be Exercising During A Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us a curveball. Many of us possibly thought about every aspect of our life as we are invariably living in fear of falling victim to the virus. We are ready to try everything and anything to boost our immunity. It is for a fact that working out helps boost immunity. When we say exercise, it need not necessarily mean going out of the way and doing something which UR body isn't used to. All I advise is to move UR body! To reiterate the importance of workout lets start by understanding how exercise has helped us during influenza and how it's helping us now during COVID. The Origins Of Pilates The name 'pilates' was derived from Joseph Hubertus Pilates, the man who used a combination of various exercises. This gave birth to an incredibly effective workout routine that is still trending globally! He suffered a few illnesses during his childhood, making him interested in physical fitness. He was exposed to various types of physical routines in his life before he ended up in internment during World War I. He left Germany around 1912 and came to Britain. He was trained in boxing, diving, skiing, acrobats, self-defence, to name a few. As the war broke out in 1914, Joseph was kept in internment where he developed his fitness routine by fusing several sport-specific workout variations in his unique routine. Slowly this routine was picked up by a few curious inmates stuck in internment with him. These inmates were his first students/trainees and the camp was where he introduced Pilates. The immunity developing aspect of these physical exercises came to light when the Spanish flu was at its peak in 1918. It was observed that Pilates or the inmates he trained were able to ward off the diseases successfully. He was then positioned as a nurse in the hospital wing to care for the injured soldiers. Quote: Attaching springs to the beds of the hospitals, enabled the physically challenged to get a full-body workout with ease. Today we know that piece of equipment as the Cadillac/trapeze table! Cadillac/ trapeze table Pilates was tasked to help along with the recovery of veterans who were physically challenged fighting the war. He neatly worked out a practical and innovative idea to modify his routine to suit his soldiers. Attaching springs to the beds of the hospitals, enabled the physically challenged to get a full-body workout with ease. Today we know that piece of equipment as the Cadillac/trapeze table! After the war ended, he returned to Germany and started working on reforming his techniques and incorporating techniques from the east and the west. He set up his first studio in 1923 in America, and we all know this legacy with its universal appeal. That was the beginning of an exercise powerhouse we now know as Pilates. Importance Of Working Out During COVID 1. Boosts your immunity and improves your chances of fighting the virus, flu or infection. 2. Helps release happy hormones(endorphins) in the body which keep you mentally and physically fit. 3. Reduces stress, prevents weight gain and improves your sleep. As we are living through a pandemic at the moment, it is essential to remember that when injured soldiers can have the urge to work out, we can too. While creating and adjusting to new fitness routines may take some effort, any physical activity during the coronavirus pandemic can help you optimize your health and wellbeing. Use this time wisely to make the most of your lockdown, work out at your pace and as I said before a little bit of exercise is better than no exercise. If you need a little push, then read our other article on how you can build your workout routine.
