stamina-related stories
Kettlebell Workout
There are numerous benefits from kettlebell workouts. Training with kettelbells builds strength without adding bulk by allowing users to develop lean muscles. Kettlebell workouts also increase explosive power, agility and stamina. Those who want to outfit their home gym without too much expense often turn to kettlebells, too. Just one or two kettlebells can replace tons of other equipment like weights, barbells, dumbbells and cardio machines.
Kettlebell workouts are effective for toning the entire body because multiple muscle groups are engaged throughout each exercise. These workouts can be customized to different fitness levels, but beginners should work with an experienced instructor to make sure they are using correct form. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, kettlebells that are used incorrectly can cause injuries.
Basic kettlebell moves include the swing, high pull, snatch, overhead press and Turkish get-up. Classic kettlebells can be purchased online and range in price from $47 to $218 each.
When you're ready to begin using kettlebells, you can pull together your own kettlebell workout.
Red wine wonder drug could allow you to eat junk and lose weight
How great would it be to eat whatever you want while not gaining a pound and fighting your risk of diabetes at the same time? There's no two ways about it -- that would be pretty freaking fantastic. And that's just what a recently-developed man-made drug is promising. SRT1720, as it is currently known, harnesses the powerful nutrient resveratrol (yes, the so-called 'wonder ingredient' in red wine), which tricks the body into burning fat reserves. It could also increase stamina and protect against potentially fatal diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. In trials on mice, rodents given the drug didn't gain any weight, even though they were fed fatty food and were able to run twice as fast, though they needed to be forced into exercise.
What do you think? Is this truly the wonder drug we've been waiting for? Or does it sound like just a lot of hot air from the pharmaceutical industry?
Let's change the way we think about aging
Getting regular exercise and eating well won't stop the aging process, but these two important steps can slow it down -- by a lot. Don''t you think?
Will dancing like the stars give you an equally hot body?
Healthy Aging, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Are you in total awe of the gorgeous long lean muscles being flaunted by the stars and dancers appearing on the television show Dancing with the Stars? Me too! I can imagine lots of people around the country are jumping on the dancing bandwagon because of it as well. Is it realistic to think you too will look like them?
Maybe so! It depends on what you're willing to put into it. Keep in mind that this TV gig is the stars new job. So, they are doing it 10 hours a day to prepare. They probably also have a huge load of folks helping them with their food choices etc. But you can do it too.
Just choose up front how high to set your bar. Do you want to dance to lose some pounds and increase your overall stamina, strength and flexibility? If so, then join a class or do your own high kicking routine in the living room a few times a week, and you'll see results within weeks. If you want the same ripped legs and abs that the stars flaunt every Monday night, you're going to have to do quite a bit more.
BOSU training 101 -- Give it a try, it's easy!
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
The BOSU is that curious looking half-ball/ blue dome thingy sitting in the corner of most gyms. It's a fantastic piece of equipment, but most people sadly seem to have absolutely no idea what the heck to do with it. One of my newer personal training clients actually described it as looking 'scary'. Hmmmm. If you feel that way too read on, I'll tell all you need to know to get started.
First of all, BOSU stands for Both Sides Utilized. That means you can stand/balance on both the dome and the flat side. It's an incredibly versatile piece of equipment that allows the user to work on balance, stabilization, strength, stamina, and flexibility. It's usable for beginners, athletes, and those in rehab. In fact, my two year old son has been 'playing' on it since he could crawl. Here's the basics on what you can do with a BOSU that you can try without a trainer. Just give it a go.
Getting started: Flat side down, stand on the dome. Scary? Not really. You'll only be about six-eight inches off hate ground and if you feel wobbly you can simply step off. Get on and stand there for a while. Now do it with your eyes closed. You'll feel the need to adjust and that's good. That's what the BOSU is for. The BOSU will make all the exercises you normally do, just a bit different. It requires you to engage new muscles even as you stand straight up. How fancy! If you choose to use the BOSU dome side down, try it out with something to hold on to at first. My secret to getting up without help is to step on one side with all of my weight and then step up onto the high side.
"Blast-off" for better endurance!
Anyone who has ever tried endurance workouts where you end up running, cycling or using a treadmill for extended periods of time is aware that before too long, you can find yourself in a rut. I can personally vouch for this. Having been a long-time runner, I did not see very large gains in my stamina until I tried to incorporate a similar practice much like the "blast-off" technique.Rob Parr suggests that instead of just going through a normal routine, try escalating the intensity of your workout over ten or twenty minutes. Start out as normal but then begin to build up to a crescendo where you're going at full-power. This can include accelerating the speed of a treadmill or the angle of your ascent. If you're not on a treadmill, try slowly building up to an all out sprint.
By gradually increasing the intensity of a particular workout, you aren't just sticking to a set pace the whole time. The "blast-off" effect pushes your heart and muscles to a peak where endurance gains are met. Increased stamina in athleticism and also in everyday life is a result of the technique.
