Posts Tagged ‘exercises’

4 All Too Common Mistakes Of Arm Exercises For Women

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
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When it comes to arm exercises for women, it’s the small things that count. How so? The smallest errors in posture and technique can add up, and over time, slow down your progress substantially.

Now most women probably aren’t even conscious of the small mistakes they’re making in the gym. After all, showing up is the biggest part of the battle. So perfecting the technique of each arm exercise probably takes second place.

The good news is that you don’t have to perfect every single movement to the point that it’s flawless. All you have to do is watch out for the big deviations.

So here is the important list of what NOT to do when doing arm exercises for women:

1. Using momentum to bring the weight up. You may not even be aware that you’re doing this. Why? Because you probably look at yourself from the front when exercising. Yet the only way to really see if your using momentum is to look at yourself from the side. So whenever you do a curl, double check the side mirrors?

2. Letting the shoulders come up. Most common with press downs for the triceps, although some women also do this when performing curls. What’s the big deal? When you elevate the shoulders, you work your trapezius (neck) muscles, not your arm muscles. And do you really want a big neck?

3. Allowing the elbows to shift around. Probably the most common error, letting the elbows shift takes all the stress of your arms-not a good thing if you want rapid arm toning. It can also lead to some shoulder impingement issues in the long run. So keep your elbows locked in place!

4. Not using the heels for support. The most stable anatomical position is with the heels firmly digging into the ground. If you frequently place your weight on the balls of your feet, please stop! You will be able to lift heavier weights and prevent injury by using your heels.

Be conscious of the above mistakes when exercising your arms and do your best to avoid them. However, please do not become so self conscious about your form that you don’t go 100%. Try hard to maintain good form, but don’t obsess over it. After all, you should enjoy your arm workouts!

Author Katherine Crawford MS, a Harvard exercise physiologist and recent arm fat sufferer, is an expert on exercise for women. Discover how to get sexy and toned arms now by visiting her website on arm exercise.

Stability Ball Workouts - Core Routine or Passing Fad?

Saturday, September 26th, 2009
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How does it sound to you? That is the claim that stability or swiss balls are an essential for any well equipped home fitness center. As they can tone bulging middles better ab work outs done on the floor. Too good to be true or what?

But with the increase in popularity many are debating whether stability ball workouts are just a lot of hot air or if they really do add a critical element to your core workouts. In other words do stability balls help you firm up your waistline faster or are they a glorified toy and little else?

When you do your regular ab exercises like the plank, crunches or the reverse crunches on the ball your range of movement with the ball is small. But your body struggles to do a balancing act when you perform such movements. The result of this struggle is that over time the core and stabilizing muscles become stronger from their effort to keep you on the ball.

Has that improvement been quantified at all?

An often quoted study from the New Zealand’s University of Auckland found the crunches are 20% more effective when done on a stability ball instead of on the floor.

If you have tried this you know why that is. The unstable nature of the ball means you have to work more core muscles to stay on it. And it’s this fact that helps you get more out of your crunches as opposed to doing them on the floor.

And if you’re like me, always in a hurry, anything that can leverage the time spent working out is worth doing.

Not sure but there may be another benefit here. Which is some feel being on the ball triggers the release of pain inhibitors that can lead to decreased back pain too.

Trainers Tip: You must get the right sized ball. That’s right they come in different sizes based primarily on how tall you are. When sitting on yours, the idea is to end up with 90 degree angles at the hips and knees. Also remember you can fine tune this slightly by adjusting how much your inflate the ball.

Anyway, seems like what you’ve got is a tool that enhances the affect of all sorts of exercises designed to make you skinnier. I don’t know about you but to me this says stability balls are anything but a passing fad. Seems to me they should be included in any serious abdominal workout you do.

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Arm Exercises For Women-How To Make Them More Effective

Friday, September 25th, 2009
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There are an infinite number of variations on how to do arm exercises for women. Unfortunately, if you?re doing the infective variations, you could end up wasting an insane amount of time and energy.

Even worse, you may hardly notice any results from all your hard work. And nothing is more demoralizing than busting your butt in the gym only to see little, if any change.

So without further ado, here are 4 tips to make your arm exercises ultra effective:

1. Get the full stretch when doing overhead triceps extensions. When doing a tricep extension, make sure you get a full stretch at the bottom of the movement. You?ll have to use lighter weights, but the long head of your triceps will get worked like nothing else. And the long head is the precise area from which arm fat hangs?

2. Aim for a forceful squeeze. This is most useful when performing any type of press down for the triceps area. By squeezing at the bottom, you?ll place the maximum amount of stress on your triceps. And maximum stress translates into maximum results.

3. Do negative curls. If you want the complete toned arm look, you can?t neglect your biceps! After all, they are the first muscle someone will see when greeting you from the front. A negative biceps curl focuses on the downward portion of the movement. For example, you would do a bicep curl and bring the weight up with a normal speed, BUT lower the weight at a much slower speed.

4. Do not fear using heavy weights for your arms. Too many women stay within their comfort zone and use light weights with ultra high repetitions. Please do not be like most women. Every so often use some really heavy weight when exercising your arms. And remember: if your form deviates, the weight is too heavy.

There are always multiple solutions to every problem. And if you?re trying to get toned arms ASAP there are multiple ways to do arm exercises. In my experience, the basic exercises done with advanced techniques for maximum intensity always provide the best and fastest results. So stick to the basics, ignore the flashy gadgets, and you?ll be well on your way to sexy arm stardom.

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Let’s Shoot Down Common Beliefs About Cardio Exercise

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
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One lesson I regret not learning years ago is that aerobics isn’t the only weight loss exercise going. Hard as it to believe, but when it comes to burning off fat resistance training may rank up there too.

Which might explain why I was having a hard time losing the weight despite hours on the treadmill. Because for some strange reason my fat loss was not what I was expecting.

So if you too are laboring (literally) under the misconception that aerobics is the best too, the isn’t it time to clear the air? I mean just why is aerobic training said to be best for burning fat? Or so it seems? And where does resistance training fit into this picture?

Yet haven’t aerobic exercises always been touted for fat loss? For a couple of reasons. Aerobics are easy and not all that tasking compared to other options. And they’re easy to understand. Hit your personal fat burning zone. Remain there for a duration of 35 minutes or so. And that’s it.

And don’t forget you can often distract yourself with TV, music or other types of entertainment when doing aerobics.

Alternatively, we’d rather not think of the stress and strain resistance training involves. I mean it involves lifting weights repeatedly for a specific number of times. Ugh! All the math involved gives me a headache. No wonder we prefer to stay in our aerobics comfort zone.

Well maybe we’d be wise to dig further to compare the list of benefits offered by strength training verses those from cardio exercise, as defined, alone.

Here’s some fat burning pros and cons cardio offers you.

You burn slightly more calories with your cardiovascular routine than with weights or resistance training.

There is less burning of calories after your workouts.

Plus you can’t ignore the serious stress you’re putting on your joints and the strain on your muscles unless of course you’re doing water aerobics.

Okay so what does resistance training do for you in the fat burning department?

Believe it or not, depending on the amount of weight used and number of repetitions done you can burn more or less the same amount of calories as with an aerobic workout.

Then get this. After the workout you will continue burning calories as your muscles repair and rebuild. Your metabolic rate has also been bumped by maybe 30% and will stay that way for like the next 24-36 hours. Which is how you can burn fat even while asleep.

When you workout your core and ab muscles you have less chance of injury as you learn balance and co-ordination in such workouts.

Voila! Looks like resistance training builds fat burning muscles and helps you lose fat too. No complaints there. So now what? What should you do about it?

For sure, don’t go crazy and stop your cardio workout routine upon reading this since aerobic activities bring with them their own health benefits. Rather, the sensible things to do is, meld low intensity aerobics with measured resistance training to get the best of both worlds. Or additional benefits from cardio like:

They strengthen your heart and lungs making them more efficient.

Aerobics help your blood circulate better.

They work to get you to a better overall level of fitness, endurance, and stamina.

Help in the muscle repair after a strength training workout.

That makes the success formula obvious. Simply embrace a complete system of cardio, resistance training and better diet to become a fitter, leaner you. Easy, right?

Freelancer Jalinn M Hardy writes for MeltOffTheInches.com. It’s loaded with helpful ideas including why a regular jump rope fitness workout is a great exercise for anyone looking to lose inches. So if you don’t know the benefits of jumping rope why not check that website out now?

Can You Lose Arm Flab With Machine Triceps Extensions?

Sunday, September 6th, 2009
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The triceps is the area where the arm flab resides. It’s that one spot that so many women have become self conscious about. And if you want to tighten up your arms, you have to know what exercises to do.

And with all the advice out there some women are simply lost.

There is so much advice out there that you could become lost in the sea of information. Or even worse, you might never get started because of analysis paralysis.

Thus, here is my critique of triceps extensions for reducing flabby arms:

1. Summary: This is an excellent exercise for toning the triceps. It mainly works the long head of the triceps-the exact area where arm fat hangs from. The only thing you have to watch out for with this exercise is maintaining good from.

2. Technique: Grab the machines bar with an overhand grip while you face away. Keep your arms behind your head (lower neck level) and dig into the ground very hard with your heels. Extend your arms to full lockout. Then slowly lower the bar.

3. Common mistakes: Allowing the elbows to shift around. Not keeping the abs tight and back straight. Letting the head tilt forward too much. And pressing against the bar after the triceps have completely fatigued.

4. Bottom line: This is one of my favorite exercises for toning the triceps area and losing arm flab. It does a superb job of targeting the long head of the triceps with minimal risk of injury. Very few exercises can accomplish this.

For the fastest results you have to perform the most effective exercises. Anything less and you’ll have to spend more time and energy trying to lose arm flab. Even worse, if you do the wrong exercises you could significantly increase your risk of injury. So stick to basic exercises that allow you to use heavy weights with minimal risk of injury.

Writer Katherine Crawford, a Harvard exercise expert and former flabby arms sufferer, teaches women how to get rid of arm flab. Learn how to get sexy arms by visiting her website about how to get rid of flabby arms right now!

Toned Arms With Wide Grip Barbell Curls

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
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Are you having a hard time choosing the right exercises for losing that loose arm fat? Is all the advice out there confusing you? Well, I suspect that most women are utterly paralyzed by all the information overload.

Maybe you are confused with all the information.

Now don’t start panicking because I’ve been there and done that and I’m ready to share what I’ve learned. Why? Because I don’t want you wasting any time!

So without further ado, here is my critique of wide-grip curls for reducing fat arms:

1. Summary: If done with perfect form, this exercise is one of the best for toning the biceps. A variation of the regular barbell curl, it puts more emphasis on the inner part of the biceps. And although the biceps is not where arm fat hangs from, it’s the first muscle someone sees when greeting you from the front.

2. How to do it: Grab a barbell with an underhand grip. Stand straight with your abs tight. Don’t let your back bend. Raise the barbell to slightly below shoulder level. Then lower it. Repeat.

3. Common errors: Not maintaining an erect posture. Heave hoeing the weight up which reduces effectiveness. Curling the wrists upwards when bringing the weight up. Pulling the barbell backwards once you reach the top. Raising the barbell too high which forces the elbows to move. And not experimenting with grip variations.

4. Bottom line: This is an excellent exercise for toning the upper arms. Every women wishing to get sexy arms should make this exercise a staple. The only thing you have to watch out for is the wrist strain. So experiment with different grips and angles if it becomes an issue.

Finding the right exercises to get toned arms doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it can be very easy if you are learning from the right sources. So be weary of flashy gadgets and flashy exercises. Because as the level of flash goes up, the level of effectiveness goes down. Stick to what works and ignore the rest!

About the author: Katherine Crawford M.S., a Harvard exercise physiologist and former flabby arms casualty, instructs women on how to lose arm fat. Learn how to get sexy arms by visiting her blog about how to get toned arms now!

Here’s a Quick Way to Get Rid Of Love Handles

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
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Oh those troublesome love handles. They continue to hang in there no matter what you do. Bulging visibly through your sweaters and tops - embarrassingly so. What’s worse is nothing seems to work. You’ve joined cardio classes, tried jogging, and watched what you eat all to no avail. Those love handles of yours remain unrepentant and resplendent as ever.

What you’ve got is a bit of a Catch 22 here. Because it’s not easy to spot reduce the fat away from a specific part of your body. Yet let’s see if we can’t suggest an approach that might help change your life for the better as you lose those pesky love handles.

You are you game and up for anything, right?

As I said it’s next to impossible to specifically target your obliques. And what makes matters worse is that for some of us these are often the last reserve of body fat to go. I know. Not what you wanted to hear.

Given all this you’re better off targeting your body fat percent. Or how much fat you’ve got in total.

At this point you should be asking how to reduce your body fat percent. Here’s some ideas to help with that.

A diet plan that has you eating 500 less calories daily is critical. And don’t think you’ll be depriving yourself here. Not when a one cup serving of sugar covered corn flakes has nearly 400 calories by itself. I’ll bet there are plenty of other things you could stop eating or drinking that would make 500 calories seem like nothing.

Just in case 500 calories a day sounds like too much, you want to include 30-45 minutes of cardio 4 times per week. Five would be better still. This will help to increase the amount of fat burned. Letting you approach that fat clinging to your sides from two ways - fewer calories taken in and more burned off.

The ideal thing is to get into a sustainable routine that you enjoy. Over the long haul if you can cut back on how much you eat and burn off more calories you will see those love handles melt away.

The third step in this process is to go ahead and exercise the muscles you’re hoping will become evident eventually. While doing oblique focused exercises won’t have an immediate impact they can’t hurt.

To focus on your obliques do things that involve twisting your core. Even better your entire torso. So you want to do exercises like side crunches, weighted side bends and bicycle crunches. This will help tone and firm those muscles giving you something to show off once the fat is gone.

So there you go. Anyone can have sensational abs by consistently following a prudent diet and a workout routine designed to burn off the fat. Probably not quite as simple as 1-2-3 but this three way approach should have you looking in the mirror without wincing in no time.

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Alert: Curls With Palms Forward Are Great For Losing Arm Fat!

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
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Many exercise experts have conflicting stances on the best exercises for getting toned arms. Has all the conflict left you in a state of confusion? I remember how it left me pretty confused

After all, if the experts are having a hard time reaching a consensus, how are you supposed to make a decision?

Luckily for you, I’ve been there and done that. And I’m not greedy-I want to share what I’ve learned so that you don’t waste any time in your sexy arm pursuit.

So here is my analysis of dumbbell curls with palms facing forward for getting arm tone:

1. Snap shot summary: This exercise mainly focuses on the outside portion of your biceps in your upper arm area. It also does a great job at working the biceps through its entire range of motion-few exercises do this effectively.

2. Technique: Straighten your arms and maintain both palms facing forward. Grasp two dumbbells while keeping your core contracted. Bring both dumbbells up in a controlled manner. Then slowly lower them.

3. What not to do: Raising the dumbbells too high which engages the front shoulder muscles instead of the biceps. Not keeping the shoulder blades retracted and chest popped out. Jerking the dumbbells up which uses momentum instead of muscle.

4. Final word: If you’re serious about finally getting rid of that arm fat, you should make this exercise a staple. It’s a great movement for toning the biceps. Just make sure you pay close attention to your form and posture when going heavy.

Now I firmly believe that learning the right exercises for reducing bingo wings shouldn’t be like navigating a mine field. In order to prevent this from happening to you, please ignore all the marketing jargon and fad gadgets. If a exercise is really flashy then it probably isn’t very effective. And never forget that intensity is the number one factor for sexy arm success.

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Warning: Do Not Do Overhead Triceps Extensions To Get Toned Arms!

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
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It seems that getting toned arms has become more of an art than a science. Why? Because many women have fallen prey to the art of marketing spin instead of listening to the science of exercise principles.

I understand your frustration because I used to be in the same predicament.

To make matters even more confusing, sometimes the science isn’t clear and it has to be interpreted. And human interpretation is subject to error.

Having said that, not all hope is lost in your quest to get toned arms. Why? Because I’ve been sifting through the ambiguity for quite some time now. And I’m ready to share.

So without further ado, here is my critique of overhead triceps extensions to get toned arms:

1. Snap-shot: This exercise has the potential to put a lot of harmful strain on your elbows. It’s also very hard to use heavy loads when lifting alone. Thus, I don’t recommend this exercise for women wishing to get toned arms ASAP.

2. How to do it: Find a bench with lower back support. Grab an ez-bar with an overhand grip. Sit on the bench while keeping your arms in a vertical position. Dig into the ground with your heels and keep your abs very tight. Slowly lower the bar to the bottom of your neck. Then raise it.

3. High frequency mistakes: Not tightening the core with sufficient force. Allowing the elbows to move around. Letting the back arch far beyond its normal curvature. And working through excessive wrist joint stress.

4. Bottom line: Because of the difficulty in getting a heavy ez-bar overhead and because of the stress on the elbow joint, I do not recommend this exercise for the majority of women. However, you could experiment with it and see how your body reacts.

Choosing which exercises to include in your arm toning program is critical for long term health. After all, what’s the point of getting lean and toned arms if you end up with worn out joints, or even worse, a permanent injury? So stay healthy during your sexy arm journey!

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Arm Fat And The Tricep Dip

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
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Are you having a hard time picking the best exercises to get rid of arm fat? If so, you’re not alone.

And when did something as simple as choosing arm exercises become so confusing? Doesn’t it seem like every so called fitness expert has a different opinion on what works and what doesn’t?

And if the experts have different opinions, how are you supposed to pick the best exercises? In extreme cases, some women will suffer from analysis paralysis because of all the different viewpoints. Not good.

But not all hope is lost. You see, I’ve already been there and done that. And I’m ready to share my conclusions.

Thus, here is my critique of triceps dips to get rid of arm fat:

1. Overview: This is the most prescribed exercise for getting toned arms. And it’s the last exercise any women wishing to maintain shoulder health should do. It puts too much stress on the AC joint.

2. Technical overview: Put your hands on the edge of a bench. Keep both heels of your feet firmly planted into the floor. Slowly lower your body by bending your arms at the elbows. Then bring your body back up.

3. Most common mistakes: Allowing the elbows to excessively shift around. Not keeping the back properly aligned along its axis. And using a heave hoeing motion to get the body moving.

4. Bottom line: Do not do this exercise, ever. It’s simply not worth the risk to your shoulders. Once your shoulder gives out, it’s very hard to get it back to 100%. There are equally effective exercises for toning your arms that do NOT involve such risk.

Getting rid of arm fat doesn’t have to involve the risk of injury. So please do not do an exercise just because everyone else is doing it or because some trainer told you to do it. Always do your research before subjecting your body to any type of physical stress.

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