10 Simple Tips for Exercise Success
Published July 10, 2015
When it comes to exercise, we all know we need it. Our doctors tell us, the scale tells us, and sometimes we even tell ourselves. At the end of the day, all of this telling means absolutely nothing if you do not take the necessary strides to increase your physical activity. This article will highlight ten practical ways to ensure you have exercise success.
1. Be honest about your habits
When you understand what your habits are, you can better understand how to change them. Many of us have habits when it comes to exercise. If you do not like the way you are relating to working out at this time, your best bet would be to admit to yourself that you have some room to grow.
2. Stop giving yourself options
Do you think you would be more likely to workout after coming home to look a nice warm bed? How about if the first thing you see when you get in your car is your gym bag and freshly laundered workout clothes? My guess is that the latter would be a lot more inspiring. After work, go to the gym. Do not give yourself an opportunity to make a different choice.
3. Take it Slowly
The process of developing a workout habit is not a sprint, it is a marathon. The reality is that you want to make physical activity a part of your lifestyle, and not just something you do for instant gratification.
4. Identify Goals
What is it that you wish to accomplish by adding physical activity exercises to your life? Do you have an ideal weight? Would you like to add a few years on to your life? Do you simply not want to breathe heavily after walking up a flight of stairs? Whatever getting fit will do for you, identify it, and constantly remind yourself that there is an end game.
5. Create a Vision Board
If you do not know what a vision board is you certainly should. A vision board serves as a source of inspiration. You can hang one on your desk at work, in your home, or even in your car. It is basically a collage with images that remind you of what you hope to be and accomplish.
6. Look your Best
Sometimes it’s all in the gear. If a nice new shiny athletic t-shirt can make you more inclined to hit the gym or the outside track, by all means, get the shirt!
7. Find an Accountability Partner
Find a workout partner you can count on. This task can actually be much more difficult than it seems, but when you find one you will see it is an invaluable asset. An accountability partner is a person who primarily has your best interest at heart, and normally a person who has already developed the habit you wish to cultivate. In short, find a person who loves you, works out regularly, and who will call you on your bluff when you slack off.
8. Fix Your Schedule
You must make time to work out. Do not wake up and proceed about your business as usual and magically assume that the gym will make its way into you daily routine. Preparation will prevent poor performance every time.
9. Mask the Gym
Of course, the gym is one of the most obvious place to get your workout on, but it is not the only place you can go. Do you like dancing, rock climb, boxing? These are all reputable ways to work up a sweat, and get your health in order.
10. Don’t give up on yourself
This is the most important one because no matter what, you will always have to face yourself in the mirror. People and inspiration come and go. At the end of the day when your accountability partner is nowhere to be found, or when you want to give up and quit, all you will have to depend on is you.
Protect Your Teeth From Injury: Use a Sports Mouthguard
Published September 27, 2016We all love to participate in sports, especially hockey, skiing or football. Sometimes we are afraid of breaking our tooth or face a fall. Then you should use mouth guards, and it is quite similar to helmets. Actually, a mouth guard protects your tongue, jaw, cheeks, lip and is not restricted to protecting only your teeth. Check out these reviews, before you make a purchase.
SISU 1.6 Aero Guard
SiSu 1.6 Aero guard is used by athletes of high-performance sports. This mouth guard is just 1.6mm thick and is made from perforated material. This product is manufactured with a unique Diffusix technology and thereby reduces the impact forces away from teeth. By using SISU mouth guard, you will find it more comfortable to talk and drink.
Shock Doctor Gel Max Convertible Mouth Guard
Shock Doctor Gel Max Convertible Mouth Guard is a universal fit for all ages and is easy to use since it has an Exoskeletal Shock Frame. This product can use without the strap as well and comes along with a unibody design. Shock Doctor’s mouth guard has a gel liner which absorbs high-impact shock.
Venum “Challenger” Mouth guard
Venum’s Mouth guard has an advanced gel frame which facilitates better breathing channel and hence is perfect for pro wrestlers. For better comfort, it is supported with Nexfit Gel Frame and high density rubber frame acts as shock absorbers. This weighs around 3.7 ounces and can be used by people practicing martial arts. It’s relatively easy to mold to your mouth and fits perfectly.
Conclusion:
Many athletes opt for the Shock Doctor mouth guards and they keep updating their mouth guard technology. Their prices are pocket friendly and range from $5 to $22. Some of their brilliant innovations include Gel Max Convertible Mouth Guard, Strapless Mouth guard and Doctor Pro Mouth guard. For athletes Venum “Challenger” Mouth guard and SISU 1.6 Aero Guard are perfect.
Best Knee Brace Guide: Braces for Knee Pain
Published September 7, 2016
Someone was talking to me the other day about trying out some knee braces because the ones that the person had tried did not do the job. I came across some knee braces. See the list that I put together below:
McDavid 6440 Hexpad Knee/Elbow/Shin Pad
The McDavid gives you joint support and keeps the knee dry. You can wear it on the knee, elbow, or shin. Most of the people that bought this knee pad, liked it, but others say that it doesn’t last long, doesn’t fit well, and the quality is not the best.
Copper Joint Compression Knee Sleeve
If your knee is stiff or soar, the Copper Joint will do the trick. If you suffer from arthritis, osteoporosis, or some other joint pain, you will benefit from this knee pad. Out of all the other knee pads, this one seems to have the best rating, but some people complained about the design and the sizing.
Kunto Fitness Knee Brace Compression Support Sleeve
The Kunto knee brace gives you some relief from small injuries like arthritis, strain, swelling, and inflammation. If you like to play basketball, soccer, or love to dance, this knee brace will do you some good. Some people love this knee brace, but some people complain about slippage, poor quality, and poor support.
In conclusion, The McDavid 6440 gives you joint support and keeps the knee dry. The Kunto Fitness gives you relief from arthritis, strain, swelling, etc. The Copper Joint will protect your knee from stiffness and soar. The McDavid 6440 gives you some protection when you play sports like basketball, soccer, running, etc. Out of all these 3 knee pads, I’m sure there is one that you will like.
Reffers:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psH04ITen3U
- http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/lateral-knee-pain
- http://www.5stardealreviews.com/best-sports-knee-braces-compression-sleeves-for-running-reviews
- http://www.fleetfeethartford.com/sports-medicine/straps-braces-tape
- http://www.outsideonline.com/1784161/can-i-treat-runners-knee-knee-brace
Weight Lifting Belts to Prevent Back Pain
Published May 1, 2016It has become imperative to stay fit and healthy in today’s world. Workouts provide a great way to maintain the physique. Weightlifting is one such exercise that aims to improve the body strength. However, an excess amount of weightlifting can permanently damage the spines, hence the Weightlifting Belts. These products are specifically meant to protect the spines while doing dead lifts. There are many belts that guarantee the best purpose, but choosing the right one can make a huge difference.
Harbinger’s new lifting belt is ideal for the women. The belt is 5 inches wide and contains 2-inch support strap that helps to protect the back and the abdomen. The belt is flexible enough to support natural movements and the breathable plush tricot lining helps to avoid any kind of sweating inside the belt
Schiek’s Lifting Belt comes with a patented design, offering huge comfort to the back and provides a natural fit of the hip joint. The belt bears the shape of the spine and is broad in front, offering extra support to the abdominal cavity. It is hooked with stainless steel buckle and copper rivets for durability.
Nylon Lifting Belt by Schiek is a 4 and a quarter inch wide downward angle belt for a perfect comfort to your back and abdomen. It has rib and hip contour to provide extra cushion. The belt comes with a Velcro for a perfect fit. It has a heavy duty stainless steel buckle and offers 2 years of warranty.
The Neoprene Weightlifting Belt from Meister MMA is a 6-inch wide contoured design for abdominal and back comfort. The foam body provides flexibility and Velcro keeps the belt fit with the body. The belt is light in weight and available in different sizes.
The training belt from Nike is made from firm nylon and plastic inserts at the back, which envelopes a huge comfort for the spine. It is designed with an anatomically correct design, hence allows proper lifting methods. The back panels are formed with ventilations to provide an easy air passage.
The main purpose of weightlifting belt is to provide the support to your back and abdomen, derive comfort, and quality build. Hence, choosing the right one should avail all the necessary requirements as mentioned in above products.
Do You Burn More Calories In The Cold?
Published February 7, 2016
Burning extra calories is something almost everyone looks for when they workout. It has a dream effect of making you lose just that one extra pound you really want off. Working out in the cold however, may not be worth the effort.
Working out in the cold forces your body to have to work just a little bit harder to heat up and reach the point that it’s happy with for your workout. It will also most likely end your sweating since your body only sweats to reduce temperature. What it won’t do is burn a ton of extra calories. You may burn just a few more off, but it won’t be enough to make too huge of a difference. This is because it doesn’t take a whole lot for your body to reach the desired temperature when you are already pushing it to meet that temperature. Rather than freezing yourself add higher resistance things such as higher weights or if it’s already cold working out in the snow.
Being in cold to the point of shivering can burn off extra calories so while working out in the cold may not be too effective you will naturally burn off more calories in the cold at other times. The cold helps your body to recover faster so after a workout is a great time to venture out into the snow and find yourself in a freezing environment. Getting your muscles to recover more quickly will help to build them giving you that great toned look you likely want. It may also be a good idea to do your warm up for your workout in the cold climates. This is the time where your body is trying to get itself acclimated to the proper temperature for the workout and is the time where cold air will have the highest effect on you causing your body to have to work just that much harder to fend off its natural temperature and the cold as well.
The cold may not be your end all cure to extra calorie intake during the holiday season but it can be a slight bit of help. It essentially comes down to whether its worth it to you or not to freeze yourself for that 100 extra calories you might shave off however it simply can’t be recommended as an idea that seems like it will really be that effective.
Xmark 12 Position Ergonomic Adjustable Decline Ab Bench Review
Published August 11, 2015Ready to get in shape and drop those unwanted pounds? Looking for something extra to compliment your daily workout regimen? If muscle sculpting and toning are the next steps toward your fitness goals the Xmark 12 adjustable ab bench is just what you need.
Ergonomically Sound
Ergonomically positioned and designed for over all body comfort the Xmark 12 ensures your legs and body are correctly positioned during your work out to prevent injury. The bench provides ample comfort being lightly padded yet firm enough to support your back. Suitable for any height or weight the Xmark reviews include positive feedback from people over 6 feet tall and in weight ranging up to 300 pounds.
Easy To Assemble
Arriving securely protected but with minimal packaging the set up process is simple and straightforward. All of the tools and materials needed for assembly are included in the package making it easy and convenient. Complete with a user friendly instruction manual most customers have had their bench up and working in 10 minutes or less.
Fully Adjustable
A key component to any good ab workout is the the ability to lessen or increase the intensity of your ab rolls or curls. The Xmark being fully adjustable allows the customer to determine the level of resistance and intensity for their individual workout by simply adjusting the positioning of the bench. This feature lets you focus on different sections of your abs. It is suitable for all levels of ability and also allows for future development and exercise goals.
Sturdy and Solid Construction
The perfect at home work out bench the Xmark is only slightly lighter than the commercial version you use at the gym. The solid frame and design ensure it stays put during use. It’s sturdy enough for even the most grueling workouts with customer reviews touting it so solid that it feels as solid as if it were bolted to the floor.
Save Time and Money
No more having to run to the gym to ensure you maintain your level of dedication to your perfect abs. On those busy days when time is short the Xmark is the perfect solution. Save your time and gas by taking advantage of your new home work out bench. With outstanding reviews, the only complaint to be found is that the plastic ends have occasionally fallen off which select reviews state can be fixed with a simple household adhesive. The Xmark offers everything you need to get gym quality results from the comfort of your own home.
Why Calories Still Count in Weight Loss – Calories and Weight Loss
Published May 11, 2015
Your Important Daily Diet Plan
Diabetes is a disorder that requires a constant management of your diet and the number of calories that you ingest. There are several food and diet tips that can help you manage your weight and, also, eat the correct foods for your general health. There are foods that you should never eat since these foods tend to add on weight and do not have much nutritional value. Most of the time, empty calorie foods do not have the right kind of value that your body needs. Keeping track of what you eat each day, including carbohydrates and other foods, is a step in the right direction that will pay off over several months.
Eating the Right Way
A daily recommendation for your diabetes diet usually includes low fat foods and may recommend that you eat low carbohydrates and high protein foods. Other diets indicate that the right carbohydrates should be eaten and the right combination of carbohydrates and proteins should be included in your daily caloric intake. There is one diet concept that is included with diabetic diets that always counts the number of calories that a dieter ingests in a day. Newer science dieting indicates that lean proteins, whole grains and numerous vegetables and fruits should be included in a dietary daily intake and that the amount of calories that you ingest should be regarded as important as well.
Counting Your Calories
Keeping track of your daily calorie count is important since gaining weight is not recommended for diabetic patients. Obesity is a modern problem for all of the US population, also. Keeping track of calories can become a simple process if certain foods are eliminated at the beginning of your daily food intake plans. Gaining a pound of weight will occur if you overeat in excess of 3500 calories. These excess calories are stored by our bodies in the form of fat. You can reduce your weight by using this simple formula. This means that you can lose a pound of unwanted body fat by reducing your caloric intake by 3500 calories. This simple weight reduction plan will work with any diet that you choose to follow. You can reduce your portion size at each meal in order to follow this simple plan. Increasing your exercise or daily activity level will bring about the same results, and you will lose weight.
Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Home Workouts
Published March 22, 2015Heading to the gym is a major inconvenience no matter how dedicated you are to your workout goals. The convenience of the home gym has made it possible to get an extremely effective workout in your own home without the hassle of a commute or even a monthly membership. One looking to save money while getting an effective workout and minimizing time commitment to commuting to the gym will find a home gym very useful. In any home gym dumbbells are an essential tool that must be included for your workouts to be effective.
There are many types of dumbbells, with the most popular being the adjustable dumbbell. This particular dumbbell offers a versatility that one can use to get an effective workout and thoroughly exhaust any part of their body. Additionally, dumbbells force smaller muscles to work together to improve the function of larger muscles, making dumbbells an incredibly effective tool for building strength as well as mass.
BowFlex SelectTech 1090 adjustable dumbbell allows you to adjust the weight from 10 to 90 pounds at the turn of a dial in five pound increments. This selection ability allows for easy progression to heavier weights as you get stronger from consistent use. It eliminates the need to buy multiple dumbbells of varying weights by compressing them all into one. The molding around the plates is incredibly durable, eliminating the noise produced by steel dumbbells. And to help you get the most out of your workout there is a DVD included with over 30 exercises. BowFlex SelectTech 552 offers the same convenience, but instead provides 2.5lbs increments and ranges from 5 to 52.5lbs with a two-year warranty on the plates. Two dumbbells are included in the BowFlex SelectTech 552.
Old school gyms liked to use cast iron and the Adjustable Dumbbell Kit Pair offers that old school feel with cast iron plates and textured chrome handles weighing five pounds. There are eight 10lbs plates, two 5lbs plates and two 2.5lbs, allowing for incremental weight increases of 5lbs. The plates are cast iron and can be secured with collar that is threaded for a secure fit. This makes the dumbbells easy to grip and easy to adjust. The Yes4All Dumbbell Set is made from the same cast iron and chrome materials but features two separate boxes with 52.5lbs in each box when shipped, handles and plates with 1.25 inch diameters, four collars, sixteen 5lb plates, four 2.5lbs plates and four 1.25 lbs plates allowing for greater adjustability within more precise weight ranges.
The PowerBlock dumbbell set has adjustable weights from 5-50lbs for each hand. The set comes with two dumbbells, replacing 16 dumbbells and with a 10-year home warranty so you know they are built to last. There are expandable editions for those desiring more weight.
In all, adjustable dumbbells are a convenient means of compressing an entire gym into one set of dumbbells which saves space, time and money. Dumbbells are the ultimate tool for building strength and putting on muscle in the convenient location of your own home.
Foam Roller To Strengthen Muscles And Relieve Pain
Published February 22, 2015Muscle cramps are awful. Tightness in the muscles keeps you from enjoying what’s truly important in life, and can mess up even a light day on your feet. Muscle rollers can help prevent these cramps from forming – or from getting as bad as they usually do.
One of the best muscle rollers is from Elite Sportz Equipment. This particular muscle roller is made of plastic and has divots in the rollers. There is a metal medical bar in the center to keep it from flexing. It is a rather short stick, measuring 18.2 inches by 1.4 inches by 1.4 inches. However, doing it yourself or having someone else roll it over your muscles helps quite well.
Fitness Answered Training Products also sells a massage roller. Similar in design to the one from Elite Sportz, there is one difference to note. This massage roller has individual beads that move up and down slightly on the inner steel bar to conform to the muscle that is being rolled. There are various colors: purple, red, blue, and green to start. At about 18 inches long, the majority of it is the roller beads. Four inches or so on each side is occupied by the handle.
Master of Muscle offers one that the company has nicknamed “the Muscle Mauler”. It measures 13 inches long, so could be a little too short for some. However, the rolling stick has raised nubs that some have described as feeling like thumb tips in the back – in a good way. The size is good for those on the go, as it is designed to fit in a bag.
The Stick sells a travel stick that measures 17.5 inches long. This massage stick is made of PVC plastic for the rollers and foam for the handle. It is able to flex well, which allows for a lighter message. A deeper message is not able to be achieved with this stick. However, it has plenty of space to keep it rolling for years with proper care.
Product Stop, Inc. also sells a muscle roller stick. This stick has no give unless you use quite a bit of pressure, but it gives a deep message that helps to relieve the tightness and pain that can be felt after workouts. The seller suggests 20 passes on the tight muscles during a use to help relieve pain. Much like other sticks, it has individual rollers to help get a good message.
Product Stop, Inc. sells more than a simple muscle roller. They also sell a professional grade two in one design. It has a foam roller and a stiffer muscle roller wand. The stiffer wand is much like the muscle roller stick mentioned above. The foam one is 13 inches long and six inches wide – long enough to use but short enough to be traveled with. The softer foam is meant to help with softer knots or for the back. The wand roller is for tighter knots and areas where you want to hit a smaller range of muscles.
Trigger Point Performance offers a foam roller. Foam needs to be used on the floor, but the grid design offers a variety of pressure point hits. This particular model can take up to 500 pounds of weight, and has four color options to choose from. The orange is the lightest foam choice, while the black with red inner circle is the firmest foam. There are three different sizes to pick from, and each has their own advantages.
Supremus Sports offers a massage tool for myofascial trigger points. At 18 inches long, it’s travel sized. This is a stiffer stick for deeper message abilities, and it can help increase circulation and reduce stiffness. A follow up email includes instructions for use. Though it is plastic, it is a high quality plastic. The rollers have spaces between, and leg hair does get caught every now and then. However, the stick preforms as well as more expensive models.
Product Stop, Inc. makes a flexible muscle roller as well. This one is knobbed and has handles for the messages, like the stiffer models available from this brand. The roller gives to the sides and flexes so that it conforms to the muscles that need it the most. As it is just over 18 inches long, it is meant to fit in a gym bag and be on hand wherever you go.
Swift offers a muscle roller stick that is made with a stiff inner core. This allows the stick to get in and hit the area easily. It is meant to give a deeper message, and loosens tighter muscles so that you can go back to working hard.
Whether suffering from cramps or from a condition that makes it difficult to move, a muscle roller offers relief fast.
Exercise Bikes Features & Buying Guide
Published January 13, 2015In today’s health conscience society there are many opportunities for staying fit as well as a myriad of methods for achieving one’s exercise and fitness goals. Purchasing exercise equipment is a decision that should not be made lightly, as it is going to be an integral part of your fitness regimen. Make sure that what you purchase is right for you.
Many people opt for an exercise bike. There are many brands and styles of exercise bikes on the market. Riding a stationary bike can be a rather boring experience sometimes, so it’s a good idea to find one that can bring some excitement to the workout. It’s important to make an informed choice based on individual fitness needs.
The Type of Available Bikes
The type of bike will be dependent upon the individual taste of the biker. There are very simple bikes to rather elaborate ones with computers and other technological wonders. There are also those with viewing monitors that can mimic a biking course, thus captivating the rider’s attention while riding. Once a decision is made as to which type is best, there are then some important decisions to be made.
Benefits of an exercise bike are many. It is probably the most popular type of home exercise equipment. Stationary bikes are easy to use, assembly is usually quite simple, and are easy on the knees and legs.
Considerations Before Purchasing
Before actually purchasing the exercise bike, there are some considerations to think about. First, decide on fitness goals and how often he bike will be used. Many times a more elaborate bike is purchased that really is not what is needed. Second, do some research on bike features. It’s important to buy a bike that has comfortable seating, can be adjusted easily to fit one’s height, and has pedals and straps that are not too confining. Third, if possible it’s best to try out a store model of the type of bike you want. Many times an exercise bike can be noisy and not really what it’s billed to be. Fourth, make sure the bike is a durable piece of equipment. Last, make sure you are aware of the warranty features. You don’t want to be stuck with a bike that breaks down a lot and can’t be fixed easily and quickly.
Exercise bikes can be fun. The right one can make one’s workout an enjoyable experience while achieving stated fitness goals.