Spinning Classes: Three Steps To Success
February 16, 2008 by Jim Hofman · 1 Comment
Have you ever taken an indoor cycling class? If so, you’ve probably got a strong opinion on the subject. Everyone I’ve ever talked to about spinning classes either loves them or hates them, with very few opinions in between.
There’s no question this type of aerobic activity
An Outline Of Jessica Biel’s Workout
February 5, 2008 by Rusty Moore · Leave a Comment
Jessica Biel has become the new fitness role model for women. Seriously, is there any woman with a better body in Hollywood? Luckily for us her trainer, Jason Walsh, recently revealed her workout. Now we can see her approach to getting that rocking body!
If you saw the movie Blade 3 you would have noticed that Jessica has a toned, yet feminine look. It is very important for women to make sure that they don’t get too bulky or too ripped you still want to look like a woman! I want to highlight some of the great techniques that Jessica uses and why her workout is so effective.
So here is a summary of Jessica Biel’s Workout (along with my comments)
1) Cardio…for her cardio she likes to do Interval Training. Here is how she structures this. First of all, she jogs for a 1/2 mile to warm up. After her warm up, she gets ready to begin the intervals. Her intervals consist of 6 sprints with a short rest of 30-60 seconds in between. She sprints for two sets of 200 meter sprints, two sets of 150 meter sprints, and two sets of 100 meter sprints.
My Comments: This is exactly the type of cardio I recommend. High Intensity Interval Training has been shown to burn up to 6 times as much body fat as steady state cardio.
2) Plyometrics…”These hurt,” says Walsh of stair jumping. “Even athletes hate them. After Jessica did these the first time, she would’ve punched me if she had the energy.” How-to: Jump from the bottom step of a flight of at least 20 stairs to the third. Keep going, skipping a stair each jump.
My Comments: Her trainer, Jason Walsh, understands that plyometrics tone the body in ways that can’t be duplicated in the gym. It makes sense that he would recommend these, because Jessica will get better muscle tone as a result. This is one of the reasons why I believe that athletes have better looking bodies than people who only workout in the gym.
3) Weight Training”We tend to use lighter weights
My Comments: This type of circuit training is outlined extremely well in the book by Craig Ballantyne, Turbulence Training. He isn’t a big believer in cardio and has a workout where people get ripped by resistance training
4) For the Abs…”Hanging leg raises don’t build a six-pack, but they flatten,” says Walsh. “Jessica hates them, but she powers through!” They also do the Russian Twist. Sit down and lean back slightly. Hold a 5-lb. medicine ball and twist from side to side, 15 twists per side, three reps.
My Comments: I don’t recommend hanging leg raises, because I believe it shortens the hip flexors too much and pulls the pelvis out of alignment. I am a big believer in an exercise called planks. They will do wonders for the abs.
Summary…Jessica Biel’s Workout is very similar to a high level athlete. It makes sense that she would have a better looking body than most other actresses in Hollywood…she is training at a higher level. Her approach is intense interval workouts, which have proven time and time again to burn more body fat than “slow and steady” types of workouts. No wonder why she looks so good!
About the Author:
Too Much Muscle is Unattractive! Uncover fitness tips that give you a sexy lean body instead of a bulky one! Visit Rusty Moore’s controversial website right now… Fitness Black Book
Why Indoor Cycling Classes Are A Great Cardio Workout
January 18, 2008 by Jim Hofman · Leave a Comment
Build A Better Body With Cardio Kickboxing
December 21, 2007 by Mabel Dugmore · 1 Comment
If you’ve admired those well-toned celebrity bodies gracing the red carpet, you may be seeing the results of cardio kickboxing. Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson, Magic Johnson and Shaqille O’Neal are among millions of people around the world who are hooked on cardio kickboxing. The hugely popular Tae Bo exercise routines are among the many forms of this type of intense workout.
If you’ve seen a cardio kickboxing session, you’ve probably been left thinking that such intensity could only result in pain, injury, exhaustion and a bucketful of sweat. You could be right. If you can endure the ache and exhaustion, however, you will see incredible body-chiseling results.
Cardio kickboxing combines the powerful benefits of aerobic exercise with boxing and martial arts movements. The dance-like grace and high energy of an aerobics class is blended with the thrill of martial arts and the tough-as-nails action of boxing. The result is a fun and beneficial form of exercise. Cardio kickboxing tones and strengthens the muscles, but that’s not all; it can also sharpen your reflexes while increasing balance, speed, flexibility and coordination.
Cardio kickboxing is also an excellent stress reliever. When you feel that the weight of the world is on your shoulders or you just can’t take the pressures of your professional or family life, take some time out and kick your life up a notch. You deserve to take a healthy break, and cardio kickboxing is a fun alternative to your regular boring exercise routines.
Cardio kickboxing is hard work, but it will pay off. In just one hour you can burn up to 1,000 calories. If you constantly hold in your bulging tummy and cover up your saggy arms and dimpled thighs, you’d be surprised at how quickly cardio kickboxing can help you burn through that fat.
While there are countless benefits to a cardio kickboxing workout, there are also some downfalls to consider. The most important negative to keep in mind is the serious possibility of injury. You need to know how to complete the moves, and you must be careful to protect yourself from possible injuries. In order to get the greatest benefits, and avoid the potential dangers or cardio kickboxing, be sure to discuss the exercise program with your doctor or health practitioner. This is especially important if you suffer from health problems, or have undergone orthopedic surgery.
Once your doctor has given you the go-ahead, it’s time to find a qualified cardio kickboxing instructor. Be sure that your instructor has certification through a qualified fitness organization. When you and your instructor are ready to being, start exercising
Attitude is everything when taking on any new challenge. Be prepared to succeed, but don’t set yourself up for disappointment. You’re not going to walk out of your first class with a butt like Carmen Electra, or kicking butt like Jackie Chan. Success will take time and effort, but you will achieve it.
Cardio kickboxing is more than exercise; it’s also dedication, motivation, commitment and seriously hard work. Not one other single form of exercise or martial arts delivers the same kick-ass benefits that you can achieve through cardio kickboxing. You’ll beat stress, lose fat, shape your body, tone your muscles, burn through calories, regulate your heart, bust out of monotony and gain the skills and confidence you need to defend yourself. Wow, cardio kickboxing is one serious package. No wonder the world’s hottest celebrities and most powerful athletes name cardio kickboxing as their exercise of choice.
Don’t shy away from the hard work. Embrace the power, focus on the results and try cardio kickboxing. It can feel great when you sweat by the bucket, because you’re seeing your body change and feeling your muscles grow. Try it. Stretch and jump. Box a little harder and kick a little higher. Cardio kickboxing gives you the confidence, health and energy you need to bring out your hidden dynamo.
About the Author:
Contributor Mabel Dugmore is an essayist for several popular Internet magazines, on healthy lifestyle and postpartum doula topics.
Burn Stubborn Body Fat With This Awesome Cardio Workout
November 28, 2007 by Rusty Moore · 3 Comments
The Traditional Cardio Workout ProgramsThere are definitely a couple schools of thought when it comes to burning body fat. Personal trainers recommend varying cardio workouts, depending upon their training. A common way of doing cardio is by exercising It is suggested that the majority of calories burned will come from body fat at a lower intensity level. A common belief is that if one exercises too hard, then the calories burned will come from carbohydrates in the muscles and not from body fat. An argument for high intensity cardio workouts is that more total calories are burned at a higher intensity level. Although this is a combination of both carbohydrates in the muscles as well as body fat calories. So you have low intensity cardio with a higher percentage of calories burned from body fat and high intensity cardio that burns more total calories overall. Let’s look at each in more detail. Read more
