The 4 Key Training Methods To Include In Your Home Workouts

Exercise and Fitness Advice

Following a home exercise programme can help you lose weight just as effectively as joining the gym, as long as you devise a balanced fitness routine - and stick to it. Why not also consider buying your own dumbbells or a small bench to help you stay motivated.

There are four key areas to cover in your home exercise routine: cardiovascular training, resistance training, core training, and flexibility work.

Cardiovascular

One of the simplest forms of home exercise is walking. This basic activity is often overlooked in favour of more exotic fitness pursuits, but walking is an excellent way to increase your energy and fitness levels, and start burning fat. If you're just starting your fitness programme, then build up gradually starting with daily five or ten minute walks.

If you're already at an advanced level of fitness then other cardiovascular options include power walking, jogging, running, swimming and cycling. Short sharp bursts of aerobic work, intense enough to make you out of breath, is the most effective way to lose weight.


Resistance
Although resistance training is easiest in the gym, you don't need equipment to do it. Any action that tires out your muscles before you've performed 15 repetitions counts as resistance training. You can train at home using repetitions of the squat, and the lunge moves, for example.


Core Training

Core training works on strengthening the deep stomach and pelvic floor muscles that support the lower back. It's easy to work on this area at home by practising contracting the muscles, and you can include a swiss ball in your programme to add variety.

Flexibility Training

Engaging in a stretching routine every morning will help you maintain and develop flexibility, and also help your posture improve, by stretching muscles that have become tight.


For US fans, friends and fitness fanatics - HERE's 50% off our Essential Active Calf Compression Sleeves. Click here to ORDER NOW and enter EA50OFF1 at checkout.  Limited Time Offer. 


Want more recipes, videos and articles like this? Join me to get healthy 'inspiration in your inbox' - http://tiny.cc/join-me


Source: weightlossforgood.co.uk

The No-Gym Workout (Part 2)

Following on from Tuesdays post, you don't need machines at the gym to get fit. Your own body weight and gravity can do the job.  Here are some additional moves to give you a full-body home workout.

How to Trim Belly Fat
To lose belly fat, you'll want a full-body exercise routine that builds lean muscle all over. Muscle burns calories, even at rest. So having more muscle helps to melt fat all over, including the belly. The best plan is to make cardio, strength training, and a healthy diet part of your daily routine.

Split Squat With Biceps Curl
Rest your right foot on a chair well behind you, with your weight on your bent left leg. Keep your head up, eyes forward, and weights at your side. Very important: Keep the front knee directly over the ankle. Now, slowly lower your hips by bending the front knee. Push back up and pull the weights up towards shoulders, but don't twist the arms as you lift. Do all reps and switch legs.


One-Legged Hamstring Blaster

Strong hamstrings help power your legs. To challenge these muscles, lie with knees bent at a 90-degree angle and both heels on a chair or stair. Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh just above the knee. Now raise your hips as high as you can and keep your back straight -- do not arch. Pause at the top and slowly lower hips back to the ground and repeat. Switch legs.

Chair Dip
This simple move tones the backs of the arms. Sit on the edge of a step or chair, palms on each side, and knees bent to 90-degrees. Now, move your hips forward, off the step, until your hands are supporting your weight. Slowly lower your body, keeping your back very close to the step.  Bend the elbows until you upper arms are parallel to the floor. Slowly push back up and repeat.


Double Chair Dip 

To really challenge triceps, position two chairs facing each other. Sit on the edge of one, palms on each side of your hips. Straighten your legs and prop up your heels on the opposite chair. Scoot down until you're supporting your weight on your hands. Slowly lower your body by bending your elbows until upper arms are parallel to the floor -- and keep your back close to the chair behind you. Slowly push back up and repeat.


Love Handles?
Looking to trim your waist? Your best bet is to work on slimming down all over with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. You can work on strengthening your core muscles with moves such as wood chops or planks.

Basic Plank 
This move strengthens all the core muscles, helping to tone the mid-section. Lie on your stomach, elbows close to your sides and directly under your shoulders, palms down. Using your abs, slowly lift your torso off the floor, keeping your torso and legs steady. Don't let your low back sag and don't hike up your hips. Hold this position for 15 seconds or more -- and don't hold your breath!



Dynamic Plank 
Try this advanced move only after mastering the traditional plank. Support your weight with chest and forearms on top of a fitness ball. Keep legs straight and toes on the floor and contract the abdominals to help stay balanced. Shift your weight to your left leg as you bend your right knee and bring it up to meet the ball; slowly return it to starting position and repeat. Switch legs.

Two-Legged Hamstring Curl 

A slightly easier hamstring challenge uses two legs. Lie on the floor with heels and ankles on a fitness ball. Dig your heels into the ball and raise your hips as high as you can, while keeping your back straight -- do not arch. Now bend your knees to a 90-degree angle and roll the ball toward you. Pause at the top and slowly lower hips back to the ground and repeat.

Ball Plank With Shoulder Extension
Ready to work every muscle in your body? This move comes close, with a special challenge for the core. Put your chest, stomach, and hands (with weights) on a fitness ball, legs straight to the floor. Slowly raise one arm behind you, toward the ceiling. Contract your abs to keep from rolling off the ball, but don't forget to breathe. Pause, slowly return your hand to the ball, and repeat with the other arm.

Protect Your Lower Back
If you have low back pain, warm up by gently stretching your hips before working out. Kneel down on one knee with that foot trailing behind you. Keep your legs parallel to each other, hands on the bent knee, and let your hips sink forward to the floor, keeping your upper body straight. Don't lean forward, and keep your knee in line with your ankle. Hold for 30 seconds and switch legs.

Sit Much?
Got a desk job? Get up each hour and move a bit, even if you're just walking around the office. Watch your posture -- your ears, shoulders, and hips should be in line. Gentle stretching can also help you feel better after spending all that time at your desk.

How Many Reps Are Right for You?
For strength and power, aim for three sets of six reps. For general muscle growth and toning, try three sets of 6-12 reps. If you're striving for muscle endurance, plan on two to three sets of 12 or more reps with 30-second rest periods. Remember, if something doesn't feel right, stop and check with a fitness expert. Depending on your health and physical condition, some exercises may be better for you than others.


Article source and images

The No-Gym Workout (Part 1)

You don't need machines at the gym to get fit. Your own body weight and gravity can do the job, and you'll work them with these moves.

Not active now? Check in with your doctor first, and if something hurts, stop. You're on your way to getting into your best shape!

Wood Chop
Your whole upper body gets a muscle-ripping workout here, including the abs. Start with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Attach a band overhead and grab it over the shoulder, trunk angled toward the band. Pull down to the opposite hip, rotating slightly. Slowly return.


Standing Tubing Row

This move hits all the muscles used in a pull-up, as well as all your core muscles. Grasp the handles with straight arms and tubing taut. Pull the handles towards you and lean back a little. Focus on bringing your shoulder blades back and together. Pause and slowly straighten arms back to the starting position without bending forward.

Circuit Train to Burn Fat
Want to burn fat quickly? Rapid-fire circuits turn strength moves into calorie-torching, cardio work. "If your goal is weight loss, use light weights and low reps," says exercise physiologist Pete McCall, of the American Council on Exercise. A circuit may include push-ups, pull-ups, and crunches followed by a two-minute run. Repeat or alternate with another circuit of biceps curls, dips, and shoulder presses to target smaller muscles.

Pull-Up

Pull-ups work arm and back muscles, giving you great bang for your buck. Turn palms away to work more back muscles. Having the palms facing you works not just the back, but also targets the biceps. Grasp the chin-up bar and cross your legs to keep the lower body stable. Slowly pull your body up, bending your elbows, until your chin is level with the bar.  Pause, then slowly return to your starting position. Repeat.

Wide Grip Push-up
A wide grip makes the chest muscles work a little harder. Place your hands outside the shoulders. You should engage your core, thigh, and glutes to get the most out of this or any push-up. As you lift, "Think about gripping the ground with your hands to engage the large muscles of the pectoralis major," McCall says.

Decline Push-up

This challenging push-up can kick your shoulder strength up a couple notches. Get into a standard push-up: hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart, fingers facing forward, elbows slightly bent, and eyes on the floor. Then place feet behind you on a sturdy chair or bench. Keep your body in a straight line, engage the abs, bend your elbows, and lower your chest towards the floor. Push back to starting position.


Jump Train for Power
Pro athletes train with jumping jacks and other explosive moves to increase muscle power. It helps basketball players jump higher and tennis players get to the ball faster. Jump training is also called plyometrics, and it's not for beginners or for those with joint issues. But if you have good strength and balance, it can ramp up your game. Try adding plyometric moves to your workout once or twice a week.

Jump Squat

Shift your hips back and down until your heels start to lift off the floor. Explode up, swinging the arms overhead as you straighten your legs. Create a straight line from toes to fingers, with your back flat. Land softly on the middle of your foot and sink back into a squat to help absorb the impact.

Jump Lunge
Try this advanced move on grass or another soft surface.  Sink into a lunge position with left leg forward, right leg back, and both knees bent to 90 degrees. Swing your arms behind you for greater power as you jump up, using your arms to assist as needed. Keep your back straight, eyes facing forward, and use your abs. Switch legs in the air and land softly, returning to the lunge position. Rest after each set.

Look out!  Part 2 coming up with more home workout exercises on Friday this week.

Article source and images

5 Ways To Boost Your Immunity

At this time of year when the weather is starting to turn (warmer, dare i say it), we need to ensure we are supporting our immune system to help fend off any unwanted bugs or germs. Read on for some expert advice...

Eat Well

The best way to increase immunity is to make sure your diet is full of fresh fruit, vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods. An 80g serving of cherries, for example, is packed with vitamin C, as well as natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help fight infection, says state registered dietitian, Helen Bond. Seafood’s are full of protein needed to make infection-fighting white blood cells to help crowd out viruses. They also contain zinc, which may help shorten the duration of colds. Garlic, chicken soup, live yoghurt and mushrooms are all good, too, adds Helen.

Get Moving

Tempting though it is, don¹t sink into couch potato mode.

Get outside and make the most of the better weather. Regular exercise helps to increase the number of immune cells in your bloodstream says US research. Try to do something - a brisk walk, some gardening or a gym session for at least half an hour most days. Trainer Dan Roberts agrees, but warns it's all a question of balance; you need enough exercise to help boost circulation to get blood and nutrients to your immune cells but not so much that you dent your immunity... if you're feeling under the weather don¹t overdo it. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga can help boost immunity, too.

Take It Easy

When you are stressed and run down, you are twice as likely to develop symptoms when exposed to a common cold virus, says GP and medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer. This is thought to be a result of high levels of stress hormones and depleted adrenal glands that interfere with immune function.

Cover Up

The virus particles of both the common cold and the flu are spread from person to person; they may then enter a nearby person's body through the eyes, nose or mouth, says GP Dr Roger Henderson. In addition to avoiding people with a cold or the flu, it's important for us all to wash our hands regularly throughout the day and to avoid touching your face after touching surfaces.

Herbal Help

Echinacea is a herbal favourite for warding off winter nasties, says nutritionist Robert Hobson. A study carried out at the Common Cold research Centre at Cardiff University showed that taking it for four months may reduce the risk of catching a cold and lessen its severity if you do catch one.    

Supplements can also assist with boosting immunity. Healthspan's Vitamin C Sustained Release Tablets provide support for the immune system. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin however the body does not store Vitamin C, so a regular daily intake is required. Each 500mg (625% NRV) tablet is made using a special process that ‘meshes’ the vitamin with a plant cellulose so that it breaks down gradually to release vitamin C. Zinc is also included as it contributes to the normal function of the immune system

Article source 

   

5-Minute Butt and Thigh Workout for a Bigger Butt

Try these simple exercises to lift and tone your butt and thighs....