Fitness. Strength. Nutrition.
Archive for January, 2008
Mobility Vs Flexibility: Do You Understand Them?
Jan 31st
Mobility and Flexibility are two terms you hear used frequently, and often at the same time. Both are very important, but they are two very different concepts. Mobility is the new term that gets thrown around a lot, but with very little understanding of what it actually is…
Flexibility and Mobility: What Is The Difference?
Flexibility is the ability to take a joint through a range of motion passively. For example, if someone takes you through a hamstring stretch whilst you are lying on your back, it is a test of your hamstring flexibility. They are passively assisting you in taking your joint through its range of motion.
Isolation Exercises: You Still Need Them
Jan 28th
The fitness world is starting to come around now. There is still a lot of crap out there, but better concepts are becoming much more prevalent. There are myths floating around the fitness world that just never seem to be totally abolished. On the other hand, there are many incidents where certain theories or practices are being completely wiped out because there is thought to be a better practice. We are in an industry of extremes. It’s either one way or another. Me? I like to sit on the fence sometimes…Compound and Isolation Exercises
What is Interval Training?
Jan 26th
If you are training to compete in a sporting event, one main issue that you have to face is your body reaching a plateau or peak in which it will no longer respond to your standard cardio work out. Sprint runners, in particular, need to get out of this plateau for they need to go beyond their current endurance in order to win. Interval training is the best way of revving up your cardio-pulmonary activity once you have reached your peak level. It is done by switching your body from high-intensity training, then reverting back to a resting period. This switching between high-level training to resting is done in a premeditated formula that will jump-start your body into going for more than what it is currently capable of.
Foam Rolling: Get On It
Jan 24th
Massage therapy is a necessary part of recovery and adaptation, but it can make a massive dent in the hip pocket. If you want an easy, cheap, and effective way to relieve the aches and pains that are slowly building up against your body, look no further than your own long, round and hard piece of foam.
What is it?
Foam Rolling is the most cost effective way to get relief from muscle aches and pains. All you need is a piece of foam (most gyms will have a few lying around), and some pain tolerance! If you aren’t doing it already in your routine, then you should start, right now. You will see and feel the benefits immediately.
USN Protein: Why You Need It
Jan 22nd
Usn protein is a new kid on the block and it is becoming very popular. It is a company based in the UK, and it is being used widely around the world. Not only do they provide protein supplements, they also provide many other useful supplements that you may want to try when you are looking to enhance your training experience. The fact is that protein is a very important macronutrient and one that cannot be ignored. Many people think of protein as something only bodybuilders should take, but this is simply not the case. USN protein powder may be just what you are looking for in a supplement.
Overhead Squat: The Ultimate Exercise?
Jan 21st
This question is always asked, if you could only do one exercise in the gym, what would it be? Well I think that is an extremely stupid question and I am not going to answer it. But, I’m going to tell you about one of my favourites, the Overhead Squat. Want a great warm up exercise that doubles as a killer strength manoeuvre? To simply look at this exercise you know it’s good for you. You get strength, co-ordination, balance, flexibility, range of motion, and a big workout…all in one.
What Is This So Called Ultimate Exercise?
Glycemic Index: Do You Really Understand It?
Jan 17th
Low GI- good for your health?
Carbohydrates have taken a major hit over the last few years, with the latest diet craze being to eliminate any form of carbs or you will die a big fat diabetic death. The truth is though, they aren’t so well understood. One of those reasons revolved around the Glycemic Index (GI). I know most of you will be familiar with what it is, it’s splashed around the TV nowadays, it’s on most of your products from the supermarkets, and there is even a GI diet. But what is it, what are its implications for our eating habits, and what does it mean for us fitness freaks?
USN Muscle Fuel
Jan 16th
USN muscle fuel is a popular brand of protein that people are starting to use as their choice of supplement. It is advertised as an advanced engineered meal replacement, and one that will help you greatly build muscle mass. It is of course recommended for people that are active and weight training and need the extra calories. It has top quality proteins in it, complex carbohydrates to help the uptake of the protein, and other essential nutrients and vitamins that can aid significantly in performance. This usn muscle fuel review will talk a bit about the supplement, and why you should be taking protein.
Power Eating 3rd Edition
Jan 15th
Power Eating is a book that I own, and that I have read quite a few times through. It is a great program and one that I follow. It is perfect for anyone who is active. It utilizes common sense, and is a fantastic resource on how to get a more powerful and better looking body. Here is a quick review, and product information, the link will take you through to amazon.
Great All-Around Resource for Active Nutrition
Jumping Into Plyometrics
Jan 14th
If you are at all like me and just love training and taking yourself to the next level, then plyometrics might be the go for you. It certainly isn’t for everyone, you need to have a good base of strength training first, and you need to work into it. This book will take you step by step through a plyometric program. It has great instructions, and will take you from low level plyometrics, right through to high level. Here is a product review, the link will take you through to amazon.
Core Performance By Mark Verstegen
Jan 13th
Core performance is a great all round book and one of the first ones that I purchased. it takes you through a program that will get your whole body strong and fit. It is comprehensive and a great guide. Anyone looking to start some strength training, and to get fit, needs to have a look at core performance. Mark Verstegen trains a lot of athletes and knows how to get the most out of your body. it is an excellent read, and it covers all aspects of your training program, and comes at a very affordable price. Here is a product review, the link will take you through to amazon.
Treat Your Own Knees
Jan 12th
If you suffer from knee pain then you need to think about getting this book. It is small an concise, but tells you exactly what you need to do, to get rid of your knee pain and ensure healthy knees for your life. it is highly recommended, and it works. Here is a product review, the link will take you through to amazon.
Simple Exercises to Build Strength, Flexibility, Responsiveness and Endurance
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Powder
Jan 11th
If you are looking for a perfect protein powder, then this is the one. It is quite literally the gold standard in whey protein powder. It has all the values that you need, it tastes good, and it is affordable. Check it out. This link will take you through to Amazon. Here is a product review.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey, Double Rich Chocolate, 5.15-Pound Tub
Athletic Body In Balance
Jan 11th
This book by Gray Cook is a real eye opener and one of my favourite. It takes you through a wide range of exercises that will challenge you, things you didn’t even know were possible or useful. If you want to take the next step, and get your body perfectly conditioned, then this book will help you point out your weaknesses, and teach you how to fix them. It is a fantastic read and very easy to follow. It is very cheap, especially for the great information it gives, I definitely recommend having a look at athletic body in balance. Here is a product review. The link will take you through to amazon.
The Metabolism Advantage By John Berardi
Jan 11th
Berardi is a guru, and anything that he writes about, he is spot on. This book is simply fantastic. Not only will it do what the title says and help you increase your metabolism, but it will also show you some really basic rules of nutrition that you should follow, that so so many people get wrong. check it out, it will definitely help you get over the line with your weight loss and body transformation. Here is a product review, the link will take you through to amazon.
A
n 8-Week Program to Rev Up Your Body’s Fat-Burning Machine—At Any Age
The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook
Jan 10th
If you have found some success with the tennis ball articles, then this is a book that can really help you get even more pain relief. It will help you target all the trigger points, which is the hardest thing to do. It is well written and easy to follow, and gives you a comprehensive guide to where all the trigger points in your body are. Here is a product review, the link will take you through to amazon.
Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, Second Edition
Hip Mobility: Exercises To Get You Mobile
Jan 10th
I recently did a post on how to loosen up tight hip flexors. It focuses specifically on how to get mobile through the front of your hips, however a recent comment that I have had reminds me that everyone has different problems.
I also run a site on Volleyball Conditioning, and have recently done a post on how to get more range through your hips, as it is actually quite important for many skills in Volleyball. The post has a lot of exercise examples, pictures and videos on how to general loosen up what is a pretty tight area in most people. Check it out if you have problems associated with tight hips or simply want to get more range through your hips in general.
Soreness Post Workout: Let Your Body Heal
Jan 4th
Everyone has felt the pain of doing a hard workout. You are tight, you can’t move, going to the toilet is excruciating, and you can’t even think about working out again within the next week. You stretch, doesn’t help. You go to the pool, doesn’t help. There is a view out there that taking some anti-inflammatory drugs will help ease the pain. Is that a good idea? Absolutely not.What Is The Pain?
