4 Ab Exercises

I think it's safe to say that when it comes to working out, people always want to know about and do more for their abs. Some are trying to get a six-pack, some want to know if ab workouts will get rid of fat around their stomach, and others just want to know what, exactly, they need to do for a stronger core.

In my opinion, everyone should spend more time focusing on core strength instead of their core aesthetic. I'm not saying don't have the goal of getting chiseled abs; I'm just saying core strength is more important. Why? Because your core is involved in everything you do. Every time you sneeze, cough, laugh, walk, and pick something up, your core muscles are working.

Here Are 4 Ab Exercises to Do Instead 

1- Roman Knee Raises

Key Points:

• Make sure shoulders are stable.
• Don’t swing legs, controlled movement is KEY!
• Try to feel lower abs working

Sets: 2
Reps: 12- 15
Rest: 20 – 25 seconds.

2- Lying Leg Raises

Key Points:

• Lay flat on the floor with (bend at knees if too hard)
• Try to point heel outwards
• Hands at side not under hips!
• Controlled movement, try to feel your abs working.

Sets: 2
Reps: 12 – 15
Rest: 20 – 25 seconds.

3- Belly Blasters

Key Points:

• Get into plank position on toes.
• Raise hips high and then lower into plank position.
• Tighten abs at the lower position and hold & squeeze for 3 second2.
• Extremely important to contract abs at the lower position.

Sets: 2
Reps: 12- 15
Rest: 20 – 25 seconds

4- Side Planks

Key Points:

• Elbows directly below shoulders.
• Don’t let hips dip too low.
• Body should straight from toes to shoulders.
• Tighten abdominal region, but don’t hold your breath.

Sets: 2
Reps: Hold for 30 – 60 seconds.
Rest: 20 – 25 seconds.

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Shoulder Shrug Training Tips

Shoulder shrugs target your upper trapezius muscles, also known as the traps. In colloquial gym language, well-developed upper traps are often called a yoke. Located on your upper back and across the back of your shoulders, big, strong traps can be useful in contact sports such as wrestling, football, hockey, boxing and rugby as they provide essential support for your neck -- an important factor for injury prevention. From an aesthetic point of view, well-developed upper traps result in a powerful-looking physique, and many bodybuilders work hard to develop this muscle. Of all the exercises you can perform for your upper traps, one of the most common is the shrug.

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You possibly might even shrug the weight up and move the weight up in a circular motion with your shoulders. Check out the image below. 

This is the traditional way of doing the shrug and it is an effective traps builder.

Now, I’m going to pass on a tip that will make this exercise so much more effective.

Before I give you the tip, the next time your looking at the muscle magazines, take a look at how some of those pro’s perform the shrug.

This little movement is very subtle but it makes a world of difference in the results from the shrug exercise.

What I’m talking about is making the shrug exercise a little more difficult to perform while reducing the amount of “cheat” that’s involved in the exercise.

I’m sure most of you seen dudes in the gym using 300 or even 400 pounds for the shrug but barely moving the weight up and down.

The problem here is that the target muscle group isn’t being trained in the most effective way.

I’ll tell you right now that you don’t need to slap on 300 pounds to get the most from the shoulder shrug. Way too many times have I seen guys in the gym perform this exercise in the most ridiculous manner by using too much weight.

Alright, what is my shoulder shrug tip. Here's what I want you to do.

Stand up and pretend that you have a barbell in your hands. Next perform the shrug like you normally would. Shrug your shoulders up and down. Now, try this little trick. Stand like you normally would when your doing the shrug but slightly bend forward and look at your feet. Now try doing the shrug.

By doing this, you take out the element of cheating and you really increase the pressure and stimulation on the trapezuis muscles.

It's very important that you keep your chin down because this really helps isolate the trap muscles and you get much more muscle stimulation. Also, try narrowing your grip a little be about 3 inches on the bar.

Now, I'm going to tell you now that you won't be able to handle the same amount of weight that your used to for regular shrugs because you can't hoist the weight up. Instead, your going to have much more control over the weight and your going to feel much more stimulation in your traps. I suggest giving it a try for your next workout, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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Best Ab Exercises & Workouts

It’s not only six-pack seekers who should be paying their abs plenty of attention when they visit the gym. Strong abs are an integral part of a rock-solid core, which should be one of the goals of any fitness regime.

That’s because a strong core is the foundation upon which so many other things rest – whether that’s good posture that helps to prevent lower back pain developing from sitting at a desk all day, or the mobility and strength required to excel in sports and other activities ranging all the way from athletics to zumba.

Abs & Bac%k
This workout includes unique ab and back exercises to really help strengthen your torso.
Abs & Core Workout
This straightforward workout includes a variety of exercises for the abs and lower back, including ball crunches, bicycles and knees tucks on the ball. There's a nice mix of traditional exercises along with some new ones to keep things interesting.
Abs, Hips & Thighs - Medicine Ball Training
This workout offers sample exercises targeting the abs, hips and thighs using a medicine ball and a stability ball.
Advanced Ab Exercises
Get pictures and descriptions of a variety of advanced exercises that will challenge your abs, including the rectos abdominis, obliques, transverse abdominis and lower back.
Beginner Back and Abs Workout
This workout takes you through some basic exercises to work your abs and your back.
Best Ab Workout
The most effective ab exercises include moves like the bicycle, ball crunches, captain's chair exercise and more. Get a strong, healthy core with this workout which includes the most effective ab exercises.
Core Exercises
Get step-by-step pictures and descriptions of core exercises.
Dynamic Ab Workout
Try these unique exercises that target the muscles of the torso in new and dynamic ways. This workout is perfect if you're tired of the same old crunches!
Exercises for Your Abs
These basic exercises help target your ab muscles including the rectos abdominis, transverse abdominis and internal/external obliques.
Sample Ab Workouts
These sample workouts are for beginner, intermediate and advanced exercisers for people who are confused about exactly how to work their abdominal s.
Total Core Workout
This workout targets the core muscles of the abs and back with some unusual (and often difficult) exercises. These moves involve an exercise ball and a resistance band and require lots of strength, balance and stability. For intermediate or advanced exercisers.
Yoga and Pilates for Your Abs
These exercises, based on yoga and Pilates, will help strengthen your abs in a whole new way.

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German Volume Training

Pauses between repetitions make it possible to take heavier loads and thus to recruit fibers with a high activation threshold. Eccentric training is excellent for overcoming strong trays. What is important to remember is that (provided you put intensity!) Everything works, at least, during the first weeks necessary for adaptation. But the German Volume Training is in a class of its own.

The origins of German Volume Training

Nevertheless, there is a training system that places a notch above the rest; brutal and difficult, but very effective to gain inches quickly. In the middle of the force this method is called the 10 x 10 method. I prefer to call it German Volume Training (GVT) because it was born in the days of both Germanys. As far as I know this method was popularized in Germany in the mid 70's by Rolf Feser who was at the time the national coach of the weightlifting team. In the United States, Vince Gironda promoted a similar approach. But whoever is at the origin, it is above all a method that has proven itself!

In Germany the 10 series method was used during the general physical preparation phase of weightlifting teams to gain lean mass. This method was so effective that in 12 weeks athletes often climbed to the top weight category. It was the basic program of Jacques Demers, a Canadian weightlifter, silver medalist at the Los Angeles Olympics. Jacques was known in the middle for his huge thighs and he attributes this spectacular level of hypertrophy to German Volume Training. This is the same method that Bev Francis followed to gain weight during his early years of bodybuilding.

It should also be included with a good nutritional support in order to provide all the required raw materials in order to get the maximum use out of any rest that was achieved during the program. Having the correct balance of protein, carbs and good fats is essential to get good results.

The routine listed below is something that should be trained four times a week with a day break between any of the days where you might need a break. It can also be done daily for 4 days followed by 3 days of rest. The adding of weight will again depend on the time rested between sets.

Day One: Chest & Back:
Exercise  Sets  Reps  Tempo  Rest Intervals
A1. Bench Press         5  5         201          0
A2. DB Flyes  5  5  602          60 seconds
B1. Incline Bench Press 5   5               201  0
B2. Incline DB Flyes 5  5               602          60 seconds
C1. Cable Lats Pulldown 5  5               201  0
C2. DB Rows  5  5  602          60 seconds
D1. Barbell Rows 5  5         201          0
D2. Pullovers         5  5  602          60 seconds

Day Two: Legs:
Exercise  Sets  Reps  Tempo  Rest Intervals
A1. Squats  5  5  201          0
A2. Lunges  5  5  602  60 seconds
B1. Leg Extensions  5  5  201          0
B2. Leg Curl  5  5  602         60 seconds
C1. Stiff-Leg Deadlift  5         5               201  0
C2. Hamstring Curls 5               5  602  60 seconds

Day Three: Arms:
Exercise  Sets  Reps  Tempo  Rest Intervals
A1. Barbell Curl 5         5         201          0
A2. DB Curl  5  5  602          60 seconds
B1. Preacher Curl 5  5  201          0
B2. Reverse Curl 5  5  602          60 seconds
C1. Cable Tri Pushdown 5  5               201  0
C2. Skull crushers  5  5  602          60 seconds
D1. Close Grip Bench    5           5  201          0
D2. Overhead Extensions 5               5  602          60 seconds

Day Four: Shoulders & Abs:
Exercise        Sets  Reps  Tempo  Rest Intervals
A1. DB Press        5  5  201        0
A2. Side Lateral Raise 5         5              602  60 seconds
B1. Military Press     5  5         201          0
B2. Bent Over Laterals 5  5         602  60 seconds

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Dumbbell Training: What Are The Benefits Of Training With Dumbbells?

Most health clubs and gyms offer rows of cardio equipment, aisles of weight-training machines, stacks of free weights and specific stretch areas to help members pursue their individual goals. When it comes to fitness equipment, there is no one “best” piece of equipment. Different types of equipment are purposefully designed to achieve specific fitness outcomes. 

For those with goals related to strength training, there are countless options for increasing lean muscle or adding strength. Choices include the traditional weight machines, barbells or dumbbells, as well as a wide variety of specialized equipment such as kettlebells, medicine balls, sandbags and even oversized tires. Some forms of resistance training equipment, such as barbells, are more effective for developing max strength, while weight-training machines can help increase muscle definition and lighter forms of resistance such as medicine balls and kettlebells can be useful for improving movement-specific power output. Dumbbells are often used for joint-isolation exercises such as biceps curls, chest flyes or shoulder raises. Using dumbbells for full-body, multiplanar movements, however, can provide a variety of different strength outcomes. It also offers many benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility. To help you select the best equipment for your needs, here are  benefits of dumbbells:

 Balance

Training with dumbbells requires more balance than with barbells or machines. Most of us are unsymmetrical in strength. One arm or one leg tend to be stronger than the one on the other side. With a barbell, the stronger arm cannot assist the weaker arm when you train with dumbbells. So when training with dumbbells, you have to use the resistance that the weaker arm can handle. Training with dumbbells will prevent the imbalance of strength and muscle development. Also enhance athletic performance, a significant consideration in fitness programs.

Unilateral Training

One huge benefit of training with dumbbells is that you can train one limb at a time. This can emphasize greater movement specificity in the training programs of athletes and greater program variety for bodybuilders. By training for one limb, you can improve the strength and muscle mass of a limb without effecting the other. Definitely helps in case you have an imbalance of development.
Stability
Dumbbell training requires more muscular control than barbells. You can check it yourself when comparing dumbbell benchpress with barbell bench press. So in order to train with dumbbells, you will need to recruit more stabilising muscles, enhancing joint stability and hypertrophy and kinesthetic awareness.

 Safety

Some exercises can be done safer with a pair of dumbbells than a barbell. When performing certain types of leg exercises like step-ups or lunges, it is usually much easier and safer to hold a paid of dumbbells in your hands rather than a barbell on your beck. If you lose your balance, you just need to drop the dumbbells from your hands instead of letting the barbell slide off your back.
Dumbbells are much safer when you work out alone without any spotter. With dumbbell benchpress, you can put the dumbbells to your sides without any problem at all.
Another safety benefit of dumbbell training is that it can prevent potential injuries in the shoulders, elbows and wrists. You can see the problem when comparing doing barbell curl or barbell benchpress with dumbbell curl or dumbbell benchpress.
When you curl or bench press with a barbell, your hands are fixed and this leads to unnatural positions for the joints. But if you curl or benchpress with dumbbells, your elbows, wrists and shoulders are allowed to rotate freely and naturally.

Conclusion

Both dumbbells and barbells are equally effective in general for your training goal, but in some specific situations one type of exercise may be a little more beneficial for you than the other. So the best advice for you is to combine both dumbbell training and barbell training into your work out program and get the most out of both types of training.

The 18 Top Dumbbell Exercises For Biceps  https://www.bodybuilding110.com/2018/09/the-18-top-dumbbell-exercises-for-biceps.html

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What To Eat For Cross Training ? Nail Your Nutrition

Workouts at CrossFit gyms are strenuous and fast-paced.

They change daily and involve gymnastics, weightlifting and cardiovascular exercises, such as running and rowing, among other activities.

To do your best, you have to be properly fueled. In fact, nutrition is viewed as the foundation of CrossFit training and critical to performance.

The CrossFit diet is moderately low in carbs and emphasizes consuming macronutrients from whole plant foods, lean proteins and healthy fats.

Here is a closer look at the CrossFit diet, including what to eat and what to avoid.

What to Have Before Cross Training

1. Low-GI carbohydrates

You need plenty of carbohydrates before any type of workout — especially if it’s as strenuous and physically demanding as cross training — as they can be most efficiently metabolised by the body during exercise to provide energy. In fact, a recent expert panel report published in Nutrition Today concluded that carbohydrates were “indispensable” to an athlete’s diet.1

Glycaemic index is the ranking of carbohydrates in relation to how they affect blood sugar levels. It’s generally agreed that carbohydrate sources with a low glycaemic index are a better choice, as they provide a more sustained release of energy and therefor a steady blood sugar level, rather than a spike and crash.

Examples of carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index:

• Oats and muesli
• Brown rice
• Pasta
• Sweet potatoes
• Whole wheat or mixed grain bread
• Chickpeas, butter beans, lentils

You should aim to eat these carbs at least an hour or two before your session, in order to give your body a chance to digest them properly.

2. Protein

It’s pretty well known that protein is a must-have for post-workout nutrition, as it’s vital for building and repairing muscle. However, what’s not quite as well-known is that it can be just as beneficial to have protein before your workout too.

Recent research has shown that consuming protein both pre- and post-workout is better for stimulating muscle growth.3

Good sources of lean protein include: 

• White fish
• Poultry
• Lean beef mince
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Egg whites
• Tofu
• Chickpeas, beans and lentils

3. Beetroot

Beetroot probably isn’t what immediately springs to mind when you think of pre-workout snacks, but it’s recently gained popularity within the sports nutrition world for its unexpected performance-enhancing effects.

This comes down to the fact that beetroots have high levels of nitrates — a compound that has the effect of increasing blood flow to muscles. One journal study concluded that consumption of whole beetroot improves running performance in adults,4 perfect for helping you smash hero workouts like ‘Murph’.

4. Caffeine

Okay, so you’re probably no stranger to the perks of caffeine, but did you know that when it comes to exercise, its effects go far beyond just ‘waking you up a bit’.

Studies have shown that it can delay fatigue and increase power output, as well as improve concentration and alertness5,6 — making it a pretty invaluable addition to your pre-workout routine.


What to Have After Cross Training

1. Protein — with a high-carb content

As touched upon before, protein should definitely be your go-to after exercise if you want to support muscle growth. This is because you need to achieve what’s called a “positive net protein balance” which in turn promotes tissue growth, otherwise known as “anabolism”.

However, a study from the Strength & Conditioning Journal found that consuming protein and carbohydrates immediately or shortly after training “enhances the anabolic response” to resistance exercise.

Therefore, it seems like for the best muscle gains, you should be combining the two.

Good sources of protein that contain carbs too:
 

• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Butter beans
• Kidney beans
• Haricot beans
• Black-eyed beans
• Quinoa

2. Milk

Despite being traditionally viewed as a relaxing bedtime beverage, or, if you’re American, the perfect accompaniment to a plate of cookies, a good old glass of milk might actually be a great after-training choice too.

Research has found that the proteins found in milk make it an effective drink to support greater muscle mass accretion, strength gains, and even fat mass loss.

3. Eggs

Eggs aren’t just a good source of protein, but they’re also particularly high in the essential amino acid, leucine, which research has found plays a key role in promoting muscle growth1 and recovery.

This makes them an ideal post-workout food to go for after a tough cross training class.
 

4. High-GI carbohydrates

After exercise, you need to replace muscle glycogen that you’ve used up — just think how much you’ll have burnt through during those killer sets of overhead squats and pull-ups.

Studies have found that the quickest way to replenish glycogen stores during the first 24-hours of recovery is by eating foods with a high glycaemic index10 — and who needs to be told twice to eat a load of potatoes and bread?

Examples of carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index:

• Potatoes
• White bread
• Short-grain rice
• Cereals like cornflakes
• Fruit

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Strength Training Mistakes

Youth athletes enjoy hitting the gym. As soon as they have access to the weight room at school or they get their own gym membership, the weights start flying. While it’s good for youth athletes to begin going to the gym and building muscle, strength-training mistakes can lead to injury and time away from their sport.

Many exercises done in the high school weight room are just plain wrong. Strength-training is often misguided, done with too much volume, and with only one goal in mind: To Get Strong! High school and youth athletes must be aware of that. When they begin lifting weights just to prove how much weight they can bear, they are in there for the wrong reasons.

The bottom line is that if you truly love to train, and would like to continue to be able to train for a long time, you must cycle your training appropriately. You cannot train heavy all the time. If you stubbornly ignore this point, you will for sure be sidelined with injury after injury and eventually be forced to sit out. What may start off as simple inflammation will undoubtedly lead to joint degeneration. One friend of mine who lives to train heavy has recently undergone unsuccessful shoulder surgery only to find out that he needs a complete shoulder replacement. The doctor also informed him that once he gets the replacement he would never be able to load his upper body again. Yes this means no more presses, rows, squats, deadlifts, Olympic lifts, and the list goes on. This terrible fate could have been avoided if he had listened to his body, and not let his emotions and passion get the best of him. Rehab what needs to be rehabbed, eliminate certain movements when necessary, cycle your volume and intensity properly, and take a recovery week when appropriate. I’m now going to list the top 7 mistakes commonly made and what to do about them.

MISTAKE # 1: NOT TAKING RECOVERY BREAKS FROM TRAINING

Just about any sport you can think of has a season. Even at the most elite level, athletes have several different phases annually. They have a competitive season followed by a short break, a rehab/prehab phase, a general prep phase, and a specific prep phase. Furthermore, there are many sub-phases inside each of these phases. The point is this: even the best, most well-conditioned athletes in the world take time off, rehab and treat injuries, train for strength, power and conditioning, and play their season. Even though these athletes are extremely active, the stresses put on their bodies are always changing. That combined with phases of complete rest allow adequate recovery from the demands placed on their bodies. This philosophy of sports training is in stark contrast to the way most recreational weight lifters operate. The majority of recreational weight lifters love to train year-round and try to push their limits in each and every workout. This results in overtraining, chronic injuries, wasted time, and above all, little or no progress. Not only have I found that planned recovery breaks tend to safeguard weight lifters from injury, I have also found their results in the gym to actually IMPROVE when adequate recovery is given!

An all-state football player that I trained this off-season illustrates this point perfectly. His off-season strength training lasted just a short 13 weeks. During the 13 weeks, he increased his squat by 95 pounds. That’s 95 pounds over his best squat at the end of last year’s off-season. If he had trained heavy all year long, how much more strength would have been gained? I estimate, from experience, he would have gained an additional 20-25 pounds on that particular lift, assuming he didn’t over train. So his training phase would have been 300 % longer then it was to gain an additional 20-25 pounds on his squat. And at those addition gains would have come at a price. The price would be nagging injuries, less motivation to train, and an overall lower return on your training investment.

Now I’m not suggesting that you all should train only 13 weeks per year. What I am suggesting, however, is that you take a recovery week every 3-12 weeks. Ignoring this advice is a guarantee to over training and/or injury. How many consecutive weeks you should train before taking a break varies greatly from individual to individual. Things to consider are your strength levels, types of training performed, training intensity and volume, as well as injury history, age, stress levels, recovery abilities, training experience, nutritional status, goals, gender, and for your athletes, you also need to consider how many weeks you have before you need to be at you peak performance level.

Another variable that I typically consider is vacation schedule. For example, let’s say that you had just finished 3 weeks of training and were about to take a recovery week. However, the following week you are scheduled to go on a weeks vacation, I would suggest that you train on the forth week and take your recovery week during your vacation. Below I’ve included some guidelines to help you determine your best work to recovery ratio. Note: A recovery week can be active or completely off. If you choose the active option, I would still recommend taking a full week off every 12 weeks.

Work:Recovery - Considerations

3:1 A full week off is used for trainees with poor recovery abilities. For those with average recovery abilities use this week as an active recovery week, where you would train on the forth week, however decrease the volume by approximately 50% and in some cases cut down the intensity also. If you choose the active recovery option, you should still take off one full week every twelve weeks.

4:1 This is recommended for trainees who use a 4-week training cycle. For lifters that use 2-week programs, do two 2-week programs consecutively and then take your recovery week.

6:1 If you follow 3-week training phases and your recovery abilities are average to better then average, do two consecutive 3-week programs followed by your recovery week. If you use 2-week training phases, do three 2-week programs consecutively followed by your recovery week.

8:1 If you use 4-week training phases, and have good recovery abilities, do two consecutive 4-week programs followed by your recovery week. If you use 2-week training phases, do four 2-week programs consecutively followed by your recovery week.

12:1 This is used for beginners who are learning technique and not loading their bodies, people who train light, or people with superior recovery abilities. Also trainees who took active recovery weeks along the way would simply take a full week off at this point. If you truly feel that you have superior recovery abilities, you can do four consecutive 3-week programs, three consecutive 4-week programs or six consecutive 2-week programs before taking your recovery week.

If you cycle your volume and intensity properly, there are many other variations on deloading/recovering. However, trying to provide and explain all options here would be impossible. Some of my more advanced lifters can even tell intuitively when they need a recovery week, and whether it should be active or off. The point is that to continually make progress and minimize the risk of over training, you must take recovery weeks. If you choose not to, I can guarantee that you will still take breaks; only these breaks will be forced due to injuries!

MISTAKE # 2: TRAINING TO FAILURE ALL OF THE TIME

I must admit that I do admire when someone has the will and determination to go all out during training. I used to do it myself. However after years of training in that fashion, I realized that if I started a routine at 100% failure, I could not make improvements from week to week. When I trained like this, the only way I could increase the weights week-to-week was to either allow my form to break down or drop my reps. I assume that the excess fatigue caused by this type of training exceeds ones capability to recuperate and achieve a positive training adaptation from it. I’m sure this sounds familiar to most readers. The good news is that this is easily remedied. I will provide general guidelines below. You don’t have to stick with these exact percentages and this does not exhaust all options, but this will give you a good idea. My point here is simply don’t train to 100% failure every exercise, every set, every workout. You must cycle your intensity!

2-week training phases: Week one use 95-97.5% of current max for your chosen rep range, week two use 102.5% of starting max.

3-week training phases: Week one use 90-95% of current max for your chosen rep range, week two use 95-100% of starting max, and week three use 102.5-105% of starting max.

4-week training phases: Week one use 90-92.5% of current max for your chosen rep range, week two use 95-97.5% of starting max, week three use 100-102.5% of starting max, and week four use 102.5-105% of starting max.

MISTAKE # 3: RUNNING LATE AND NEGLECTING A WARM UP

I have a client whose wife has him so whipped that he is absolutely terrified to get home even one minute late from his training session. If he happens to run late to the gym, he will make the ridiculous claim that, “its ok, I don’t need to warm up, I’m already warm, my wife just yelled at me, etc.” After I remind him of all the injuries he has suffered due to this fear of his wife, he grudgingly commences an abbreviated warm up. It is entirely too common that I see someone dash into the gym running behind schedule and completely neglect to warm themselves up. Time and time again, these are the same people who are chronically injured. Besides injury prevention, a proper warm-up will also improve the effectiveness of your training program through the following mechanisms: increased speed of nerve impulse conduction, increased force and speed of contraction, improved oxygen transport, dilation of capillaries, increased production of synovial fluid between joints, enhanced mental preparation, etc. That being said, you must warm-up prior to each training session. There are three different phases in a complete warm-up. The first phase of the warm up includes performance of some type of cardiovascular exercises or drills for 5-10 minutes. The goal during phase 1 is to increase body temperature, raise heart rate, and increase the speed of oxygen delivery to the muscles. The second phase includes mobility and flexibility drills. The goal in phase 2 is to increase range of motion and work the muscles/joints over a full range of motion. The third phase involves doing a training-specific warm up. The goal in phase 3 is to work the neuromuscular mechanisms related to the workout. For example, if you were warming up to perform squats, you would perform squats with much lighter weight than your work sets, and gradually increase the weight each set. Be careful not to create too much excessive fatigue during your warm up sets. This is best accomplished by performing multiple low rep warm up sets.

MISTAKE # 4: STAYING IN THE GYM FOR MORE THAN 1 HOUR

Those “2-hour plus” workouts that some people insist on doing are not only a waste of time; they are result-hindering as well. Earlier in my training career, I noticed that long duration workouts produced less results that shorter duration workouts. This is because long duration workouts reduce your ability to recover. Numerous studies have confirmed what I have empirically witnessed for years. Through blood sample testing, it has been shown that after the 50-minute mark, testosterone levels drop significantly. Combine this with a substantial increase of cortisol and you can see how your body can shift from an anabolic state to a catabolic state rather quickly. I’ve also witnessed and experienced a loss of mental focus beyond the 60-minute mark. I guess you can see why I’m a huge proponent of short workouts. When I create workouts for my clients, I typically keep them to a 45-minute max. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. For example, if you’re an athlete, and due to the coach’s schedule, you have to do both your conditioning and your strength training in one session, your workout would obviously last a little longer. Just remember that in general, more is not always better!

MISTAKE # 5: TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR POOR EATING HABITS BY KILLING YOURSELF IN THE GYM

Using a client of mine as the example will make this point very clear. I must say that Joe has great discipline. He trains hard and he trains consistently. His goal is always to gain muscular weight. In addition to training properly, this goal obviously involves following an eating regimen conducive to gaining muscle. At first, Joe followed the diet that I had prescribed to him religiously, and his weight shot up from 200lb to 226lb. Then, Joe started to get sick of eating all the food necessary for him to gain muscle. Slowly but surely (and without my blessings!), he cut down on meal size. Then he cut out his last meal of the day. He started eating less and less. During this time, his strength went nowhere. After approximately one month, he started to lose strength on the bigger lifts. I noticed that he was getting smaller and put him on the scale to see what damage he had done. Joe had dropped to 214lb! He was very upset with himself. Now here is where he made his SECOND mistake. Remember, he didn’t lose his discipline to train; he only lost his discipline to eat. To make up for the losses in strength and size, he would go to the gym and train harder than ever. He would go to the gym even when he didn’t have a scheduled workout and do extra work. He was determined to put more and more weight on the bar. He would do drop sets, supersets, forced reps, and any other technique that requires maximal effort, even though we rarely used any of these techniques during his gaining phase. Guess what happened? He started to lose weight at an even faster rate. Now he is eating less food, burning more calories during training, and over training. He did all of this to feel better mentally about his efforts. Finally, after hitting a low weight of 204lb, Joe finally decided that he wanted to follow a productive eating plan once again. However there was another problem. From the over training that he did, he was left with sore shoulders and a very tight back. How were we supposed to march back up to 226lb and beyond when we can’t squat, dead, row or press? The sad truth is that we can’t. Now that he is psychologically prepared to eat well, train hard and gain muscle, he can’t. Because now, due to his self-abusive training behavior, he will have to rest, rehab and recover. He would have been much better off if he had not tried to overcompensate for his poor diet with over training. One bad behavior does not cancel out another bad behavior! It only makes things worse! He could have simply done two 30 minute, low volume workouts per week while he was off the “diet wagon”. If he did this, he would have better maintained his weight and had no over training issues or injuries.

Eventually, after Joe recovered from his injuries, we were able to start a good size-producing program and he’s now back up to 216lb. Joe is not alone in making this terrible mistake. I have even seen trainees with the exact opposite goals do the same thing. In other words, athletes who want to LOSE weight make the same crucial mistakes that Joe did. Trying to lose weight, these trainees would cheat like crazy on their diets and try to make up for it in the gym. Without explaining their exact scenario in great detail, they would suffer the same fate as Joe, over trained and injured with nothing to show for it. The bottom line is if you’re feeling at all burned out; you can follow a well thought out maintenance plan until you are ready to resume your training and diet routine. Maintenance plans are very easy to follow, require minimal effort and prevent you from losing all of your gains that you worked so hard for.


MISTAKE # 6: NOT VARYING YOUR ROUTINES

This is all too common. There are many training variables that need variety. However, since we’re talking about training longevity, I’ll discuss the two variables that, if not varied, lead to most injuries.

Exercise selection: Most trainees have a few favorite exercises. This could be because they are good at them, they read somewhere that these exercises are most effective, or because they have gotten the best results in the past with these movements. This is all well and good, but there are several problems with doing the same exercises all of the time. First, you can create muscle imbalances. Second, if you use the same exact pattern of movement, you can develop over-use injuries. Over-use injuries occur when tissues get injured due to repetitive exposure to the same exact movement. Luckily, this is easily remedied. Simply don’t get caught in the rut of performing the same exercises all of the time. I would like to add that some exercises are more productive than others and therefore I tend to prescribe them with a little more regularity. After determining what exercises are most productive for your goals during a particular phase, use these exercises with some continuity because lack of continuity makes it difficult to determine the rate at which you are progressing, however you must still periodically take a short break from doing them. Remember, in the gym, too much of a good thing is not a good thing!

Rep Range: Here is yet another ego-driven mistake. Most guys want to put as much weight on the bar as possible. They see gains in maximal strength and they feel good mentally about moving heavy weights. Some claim to have a fast-twitch muscle fiber make-up and insist on training this way. Without a doubt, everyone who insists on training in this fashion eventually gets injured. Before you know it, the trainee can perform fewer and fewer exercises without pain. This fate is sad, because it is so easily avoided. Would it really kill a guy who is obsessed with doing singles all the time to do a 3-week training block using an 8-12 rep range? By increasing the number of reps, you would have to decrease the amount of weight lifted, therefore giving your joints a much-deserved break. The exception to this rule is for people in a weight class sport. A higher rep range may result in unwanted hypertrophy for this type of athlete. Because these athletes generally train with heavy weights for low reps, they must follow a well thought out plan to help prevent any joint damage.

MISTAKE # 7: NOT TAKING THE TIME TO STRETCH

I realize that most trainees find it difficult enough to find the time to complete the main part of their workout. The first thing they might be tempted to skimp out on is the stretching part of their routine. However, this is very short sighted. Stretching is probably neglected even more than warming up. Besides simply reducing tension in the muscle, stretching will also help prevent injuries. During resistance training, the weight compresses the joints to various degrees. If an individual does not possess optimal flexibility, his joint spacing may already be compromised. Additional compression from the barbell can easily result in pain and/or injury. The amazing thing is that although it’s seldom done, I rarely find someone who does not agree that stretching should be performed as part of a comprehensive training program. Even with this knowledge, trainees still claim that they do not have the time. Although studies have shown that it is best to stretch 4-6 hours after a training session, I find this schedule is hardly ever adhered to. Unless you have a severe flexibility issue, or your primary goal is to increase your flexibility dramatically, simply stretch for 5-10 minutes post workout. Use an abbreviated stretching routine, and emphasize your tightest muscle groups. Even by paying minimal attention to stretching in this manner, you can make a huge difference in your career as a weight lifter.

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A Simple Workout Routine to Get Big Fast

But with all of the traffic out there regarding specific plans, protocols, and formulas, it’s easy to bang your head against the wall and fall into the black hole of frustration and confusion. Drowning in information makes the temptation to throw in the towel even stronger. Another trap is to become a plan jumper. Are you constantly switching from plan to plan without any real commitment to one for a significant period of time? Do you lack any real results from the last six months of training? How about the last year? 

You might need to start over.

If what you are doing now is working, then by all means don’t stop. But if you’re the type I talked about above, then an intervention may be in order. You may feel comfortable in what you’re doing; you may be strong in certain areas and like that feeling; or you may just be a creature of habit and fear change. Whichever category you fit into, you have to ask yourself a serious question: Is what I’m doing getting me closer to my ultimate goal?

 The best workout routine to get big fast should include the following compound movements:

Chest: Bench press (any variation), Dips, Pushups

Back: Deadlift, Lat Pulldown, Bent Over Row, Chin Ups

Legs: Squats, Deadlifts, Lunges

Arms: Dips, Pushups, Chin Ups

Shoulders: Military Press (barbell & dumbbell), Arnold Press




So if building mass and size are your goals be sure to incorporate these exercises into your routine complemented with isolation movements, a sound diet and cardiovascular exercises.

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Brutal Leg Best Workout Routine

Training legs is one of those things that just plain sucks. It takes a few years under the bar to learn to love training legs, but once you do it becomes your favorite day in the gym. Until then, it’s a necessary evil that you just happen to put up with because you don’t want to be turned into an Internet meme about skipping leg day.

I get it. We’ve all been there. The love of picking hundreds of pounds off the floor or placing it directly on top of your spinal column is a learned behavior. It makes sense to hate training legs, if you think about.

But still, we do it. We just happen to spin our wheels most of the time. Which is something we’re sick and tired of. We say it’s time we start building big wheels, and we’ve got the plan to make it happen.

We’re starting with the big compound movements and slowly working our way down. The routine is a mix of methods using time under tension, all out strength, hypertrophy rep ranges, and burn out sets. Done right, and you should have trouble sitting down to take a shit and Facebook stalk over the next couple of days.

 I find this particular leg workout routine a perfect remedy for those of you who have stubborn legs. Try this routine for 6 to 8 weeks and I guarantee your legs will have no choice but to grow.

The workout routine is set up for both, low strength repetitions and high repetitions.

There are four main exercises for the quadriceps. The weight will not be as heavy as your used to using but the intensity will increase dramatically.

Now, if you're just starting out, I don't recommend you try this leg workout because it will devestate your legs and lay you up for a week. In fact, don't try this workout until you've been training legs constantly for about 6 months. It may look simple but trust me, on that 3rd or 4th set of 50 repetitions on the leg press, you'll be screaming.

Go to building muscle 101's beginner and intermediate weight training routines if you are a beginner to working out. Click here.

I suggest you train hamstrings on a different day because you'll be in no shape to do anything after you've completed this leg workout routine.

This is a very high intense workout so be prepared to work hard!

The following split routine is an ideal program for this type of leg workout routine. You need to work the legs hard and give them plenty of time to rest.

An ideal split for this type of leg workout routine is as follows: 

Day 1: Monday       Chest / Triceps / Abs
Day 2: Tuesday       Cardio
Day 3: Wednesday  Leg Workout (Front Thighs)
Day 4: Thrusday      Rest
Day 5: Friday     Shoulders / Hamstrings / Abs
Day 6: Saturday        Back / Biceps / Calves
Day 7: Sunday     Rest

Repeat cycle after day 7.
The Workout

Warm up on stationary bike: 5 to 10 minutes

Exercise 1: Leg Extensions 

1 set of 20- Warm up
1 set of 15
1 set of 12
1 set of 12

Increase the weight with each set but remember to keep the repetitions strict. You want to squeeze at the top of the exercise. This is your warm up exercise.

Exercise 2: Squats

1 set of 20- Warm up
1 set of 12- 60% of max
1 set of 10- 70% of max
1 set of 8- 80% of max
1 set of 6 to 8- 85% of max
1 set of 20- Reduce weight to 60% of max
1 set of 20- Same as above

For the first three work sets, rest for about 50 seconds in between sets. For the last two sets, rest for about 1 1/2 minutes.

Exercise 3: Leg Press

4 sets of 50 repetitions

Use anywhere from 40% to 60% or your max leg press. I suggest you start out with 40 to 50%. This is a very tough part of the leg routine and remember to breath throughout the exercise. It's not a race so keep you reps smooth and controlled. Try not to lock your legs out on the top part of the movement. Keep your head straight and level and concentrate hard.

This exercise will really test your will and drive to get big legs. Remember, complete these sets in proper form and after 6 weeks, your legs will start to grow. Keep going! 

Exercise 4: Hack Squats

3 sets of 12

At this stage, your legs should feel like spaghetti. Use about 60% of you max hack squat and do this exercise slowly. Really concentrate on the movement.

That's it! If you can manage to keep your dinner down, congratulations. Remember to drink alot of water and it will be important for you to consume a protein/carb drink immediately after this workout routine. Try this drink here:

• 1 ½ cups of skim milk;
• ½ cup of ice cubes;
• 1 tablespoon of honey;
• 1 nine inch banana;
• 2 scoops of whey protein isolate (or weight gainer if trying to gain weight);
• 3 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt

Simply blend everything in a blender and you have a very powerful muscle building drink.

You may not feel like eating but try and get some fast acting carbs into your system as soon as the workout routine is done. This way, you have enough energy to make it home! Also, it will help get the recovery process going in order to start building those legs. 

Use this workout routine when you need to jump start your leg growth.

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Build Traps Like Mountains with Best Workout

Just like sculpted abs means your nutrition is on point, massive traps means you are a monster at lifting heavy. Sadly though, most gym rats are afraid to go beyond their comfort zones. While dieting alone can get you a decent pack of abs, thicker and overall developed trapezius muscles demand dedicated training and ability to bear pain. Move beyond the conventional and age-old shrugs, and try these killer moves out and have your traps screaming.

Workout for Building Monsterous Traps

Exercise 1

Upright Row to Shoulder Press – 3 Sets 15-12-10 Reps

Since the traps are a relatively small muscle group, most people prefer training them with their shoulder or back. Since this article is all about building giant traps, we’ll focus on the trapezius muscle and the other shoulder heads.

In upright rows to shoulder press, hold the barbell with a shoulder-wide grip and let the bar rest against your quads. Pull the barbell up to your shoulders, rotate your wrists and get into the military press position. Complete a military press and slowly return to the starting position.

Exercise 2 – Superset

Face Pulls – 3 Sets 15-12-10 Reps

Trap Raises – 3 Sets 15-12-10 Reps

Face pulls work the rear delts and the trapezius muscles. Adjust the cable pulley height to your shoulder level and use a rope attachment. At the contraction point, your hands should be close to your shoulders and you should focus on flexing your shoulder blades.

For the trap raises, lie chest-down on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Retract your traps and raise your arms without bending your elbows so that your arms are parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat with a strict form.

Exercise 3

Dumbbell Shrugs – 3 Sets 20-15-12 Reps

Shrugs are a staple in a traps workout. Although shrugs are one of the easiest exercises to perform, most people screw them up by bringing in their inflated egos and lifting weights which are too heavy for them.

Grab a dumbbell in each hand and place them at the side of your quads. Lift your shoulders with a slight bend in your elbows and try touching your ears with them. Hold and contract your traps at the top of the movement.

Exercise 4

Barbell High Pulls – 3 Sets 15 Reps

Barbell high pulls are a variation of the upright rows. Hold the barbell with an overhand grip right outside the shoulder width mark. You could perform the rack-pull version of this exercise or let the bar hang in front of your quads.

The barbell high pulls are an explosive movement as compared to the upright rows. Perform an explosive upright row to lift the weights as high as you can and get on your toes as the barbell reached the top of the movement. Let gravity do its magic on the way down and don’t try to control the bar.

Exercise 5 – Superset

Front Smith Machine Shrugs – 3 Sets 20-15-12 Reps

Behind the Back Smith Machine Shrugs – 3 Sets 20-15-12 Reps

Performing the front shrugs on the smith machine engages the anterior traps, and behind the back version engage the posterior traps while the dumbbell shrugs focus on the medial trapezius muscles.

Using the smith machine also adds constant tension to your traps as it is an isolation exercise. You could use a shrugs machine if you have access to it at your gym or use the shoulder press machine if your gym doesn’t have a shrug or smith machine.

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The Must Do Exercises for Beginning Bodybuilders

Bodybuilding is a test of strength and endurance which requires a lot of concentration and resolve to achieve the desired goal. Besides these, the road to bodybuilding also depends on planning a proper workout, diet and above all, following correct exercise schedule. It is important for the bodybuilders, especially beginners, to execute the correct form of an exercise beginning with slow and light workouts and gradually increasing the pace thereafter. The newbies also need to understand the possible effects of certain exercises on different body parts.

If you are a beginner, take plenty of time to rest in between your exercise sessions to avoid over-training. Read further to know more about the perfect bodybuilding exercise for you.

This article is for true beginners, defined as someone that has no base built yet (meaning you have less than 3-6 months, depending on age, of continuous lifting). With that in mind here are the absolute MUST DO exercises for you:

Military Press. This exercise works the shoulders and triceps.

Bench Press. This exercise works the chest, triceps and some shoulder.

Seated Row. This exercise works all the back muscles, biceps and some trapezius.

Lat Pull Down. This exercise works the large muscles of the back and biceps.

Squat. This works every muscle you have below the waist.

Notice that each of these exercises is a compound move, meaning it works more than one muscle at a time. Beginners should never spend time on isolation exercises, including bicep curls. By definition isolation moves are an advanced exercise and until you have a foundation built you are wasting valuable energy as well as time doing them. Beginners need to get bang for the lift.
When do you stop being a beginner? Obviously it varies according to age but the rule of thumb I use for people is when you can do all 5 of these exercises in a single workout, 3 times a week and not experience the "beginner's soreness" anymore. If you are a seasoned lifter you get muscle soreness differently than beginning lifters. Until you have a foundation the soreness you feel is one that is actually restrictive of your range of motion and you don't "feel" stronger workout to workout. Veteran lifters get sore but it's a "good "sore. You'll know the difference. Only then should you start adding to these 5 foundation building moves.

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Best Bodyweight Exercises For Men & Women- To Get Into Shape Without Spending Any Money

You don’t need a big, fancy home gym to get in shape. In fact, you don’t need any equipment at all. Burn calories and build muscle at home with this simple circuit workout.

asy to assemble a home gym that takes up little space. But if you (or your significant other) don’t want even minimal clutter at home or if you need a portable workout Opens a New Window. that can be done in hotel rooms, airports, or even outdoors Opens a New Window. , it’s possible to craft an intense workout with just your body weight.

Of course, the more body weight you have, the more challenging that workout can be. That’s good news, since you’ll drop weight as you progress. You’ll save time otherwise spent traveling to a gym, and you’ll save money instead of forking over cash for a membership. And you’ll finish near your own kitchen, so you can whip up a post-workout recovery shake Opens a New Window. .

Bodyweight is controlled by diet and exercises. But, once when body weight exercises for men and women are discussed, it is implied that these bodyweight exercises for men and women are to lose excess body weight and to have firm, toned up body.The best bodyweight workouts are so designed that they are supreme efficient work out plan.

Why Bodyweight Exercises For Men And Women Are The Best?

1. 1. The best bodyweight workouts are so designed that they are supreme efficient work out plan. These bodyweight exercises for men and women provide a high working output, body weight based exercises for body fitness results in short duration of time.The set ought to be rehashed no less than three times in a total body weight practices for men.
   2. Best bodyweight exercises for men and women are a unique combination of Cardio exercises and strength training program. These sets of bodyweight exercises for men and women keep the heart pumping while developing muscles and strength. Bodyweight workouts are designed as a low volume complete body resistance training program, which helps in correcting body metabolism with fitness and muscle tone in females.
   3. It is helpful in burning excess body fat very rapidly. These bodyweight exercises for men and women, which include high-intensity training with intervals, have a major impact on a person’s body metabolism. A schedule of bodyweight exercises for men and women for 45 minutes increases body metabolic rate for at least 14 hours.
   4. Best bodyweight exercises for men and women are always challenging, no matter how fit a person may be. Starting for the beginners to the advanced category, bodyweight exercises are fun to do. These sets of bodyweight exercises for men and women keep the heart pumping while developing muscles and strength.
   
   
   
   1. It helps in gaining core strength. It is qualitatively more than building a six packs abdomen. Every muscle in the body is so toned up in bodyweight exercises that the entire body gains in strength and power.These sets of bodyweight exercises for men and women keep the heart pumping while developing muscles and strength.
   2. It increases the body flexibility. This is the only set of exercises which help in building both strength and flexibility, instead of making the muscles stiff and tight.The set ought to be rehashed no less than three times in a total body weight practices for men.
   3. Body weight workouts help in balancing the body. These sets of exercises make the body evenly balanced on a keel and help in having increased body awareness and control.
   4. There is no need to spend any money in going to a gymnasium or purchasing expensive instruments or equipment.Instead, she can practice these body exercises for women daily at the comfort of her home either at her convenient time.
   
   Best Bodyweight Exercises for Men and Women
   A complete set of best bodyweight exercises for men and women consist of:
2. Prisoner Squats for 50 numbers.
3. Push-ups for 50 numbers.
4. Jumps for 25 numbers.
5. Leg curls for 25 numbers.
6. Stability Ball Jackknifes for 50 numbers.
7. Step Ups 25 numbers per leg. Total of 50 numbers.
8. Pull Ups 25 numbers.
9. Lunges 25 numbers per leg. Total of 50 numbers.
10. Close Grips Push Ups 50 numbers.
11. Body Weight Rows 50 numbers.
12. Squats 50 numbers.
13. Chin Ups 25 numbers.

This is an entire body plan of body weight exercises for men and women. There is no such necessity to do this complete set of body weight exercises for men and women every day. The set ought to be rehashed no less than three times in a total body weight practices for men. This complete set of bodyweight workouts for men & women can be done on alternate days, for three to four days a week, depending on the stamina and available time of the person. These bodyweight exercises for men and women also help in improvement of body flexibility, power, and strength

Bodyweight Exercises for Women

A female body structure, stamina, and strength are definitely different from men and it may need something special and extra to tone up a female body with bodyweight exercises. Specially designed bodyweight exercises for women help in toning up their body, anywhere, anytime, with the prescribed moves.

A woman need not go to a gymnasium to have a great body. Instead, she can practice these body exercises for women daily at the comfort of her home either at her convenient time.  She can tone up her arms, legs, torso, abdomens with burning her excess body fat with this simple bodyweight exercises for women.These bodyweight exercises for men and women also help in improvement of body flexibility, power, and strength

A woman needs to do the complete set of body weight exercise either women without any rest.

1. Jumping Jacks for 30 seconds.
2. Prisoner Squat for 25 numbers.
3. Close Hands Push-Ups for 25 numbers.
4. Walking Lunge for 10 numbers.
5. Mountain Climber for 10 numbers.
6. Inverted Hamstring for 10 numbers.
7. T-Stabilization for 10 numbers.
8. Running in the same place for 30 seconds.

Bodyweight Exercises for Men

 

Body weight exercises are not that popular with men as all men wish to build up muscles by going to a gymnasium and picking heavyweights. The body weight practices for men are various varieties, enhances body developments, enhances body quality, enhances body reflexes or more all, are for nothing of cost.

The suggested best bodyweight exercises for men to build up stamina and strength, and muscles are:

1. Push-Ups- as many as one can do.
2. Close Hands Push-Ups- as many as one can do.
3. Squats- as many as one can do

These are without taking any rest. The set ought to be rehashed no less than three times in a total body weight practices for men.

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