Showing posts with label Kickboxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kickboxing. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Abdominal exercises - some alternatives.

Sticking with abs and your quest to get a tighter, tauter, toned and flatter stomach here are three more considerations for you that will also help the cause and create more variety in your routine . . . and variety is important when exercising to ensure that your body doesn't get stuck in a rut and can predict what's coming next. I sourced this from 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/2412511) and it's scribed by Jessica S. Monrol (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_S._Monrol)



Let's face it: No one likes to have a fat stomach. Thanks to our society's standard, the notion of having a bulge does not go well with that fashionable ensemble created by an idealistic designer, to say the least. That is why when you look at the models these days, you will definitely see an absence of a fat midsection, and a flatter and more muscular stomach that can stop any bullet from traversing their paths.

It sounds unfair, but it goes much deeper. Sometimes, having a lot of fat in your stomach can indicate poor health. And having a belly can mean that your weight is distributed unevenly, too.

If you are serious about losing all that fat on your midsection, here are some steps to help you get started:

First, eat healthy. What are healthy foods? They are the ones that are free from processed ingredients and saturated fats. Focus on eating natural foods that are high in fiber and low in fat. Good choices include vegetables, fruits, whole wheat, lean meats, and legumes.

Second, make sure to include some form of exercise in your daily routine. I cannot stress enough how important this is in your life. If you are really serious about losing that abdominal fat, here are some exercises to help you get started.

Kickboxing and Martial Arts
These activities are is of the best workout for abs. It's about time you give your boxing and Taebo DVDs a run for their money. Use them! What's good about these activities is that they involve two great movements that are good for toning the abs: pulling down your arm motion, while at the same time using the upward motion of your legs (like you are doing crunches). Aside from this, kickboxing uses all your abdominal muscles, which are usually tightened to incorporate balance when executing a movement. No wonder a lot of martial artists have the best-looking abdominals around.

Stationary Bike Crunches
Also one of the best workout for abs, this type of crunches is quite intense, and usually employs all the muscular regions of the stomach: lower abdominals, oblique abs, and rectus abdominals. The proper way to do this is to lie on the floor, with your back rounded and hands behind your neck. Make sure that you don't strain neck and back muscles while doing this. Then, lift your knees up to from a 90 degree angle. Make sure that your upper abs are fully engaged, and your lower abs will do most of the work in lifting your knees up. Move to your center while touching your opposite elbow to your knee.

Torso Twists
These movements tighten your abs as you move your body from side to side, especially when you do it in short, rapid movements. One good way to do this is to do the broomstick twist. You do this by standing and doing a sweeping movement on one side and then to the other side. Remember to stand with your knees bent and your arms fully extended on both sides. To make sure that you are working your abdominals, try to keep your hips motionless as you perform the exercise.



WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Other routines to consider for fitness, health and weight loss.

Throughout these Posts that you may have read before, or watched, there has been talk of getting started, beginner routines, diet, motivation, gyms, Personal Trainers and such like. This I sourced too from 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/4666060) and it gives you something else to consider that might add variety to your exercise and fitness regime, and help in achieving your goals still further. It's good to mix things up a bit, and it will help stimulate other parts of your body, and mind too, give you a new or renewed focus, and you'll get to make new friends and like minded people as well! A real win/win! Written by Neelima P (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neelima_P) - an author and publisher of many health related websites, and I hope you find it of some use.


There are many types of fitness and wellness programs that we can choose from. Many of which improve not just our physical conditions but also our mental and emotional health. In order to know which programs are best for you, consult your doctor and ask for suggestions. Though there are numerous fitness and wellness programs available, not all of them may be suitable for you.

People who love to lose or maintain their weight often do these programs to keep them strong, fit, and healthy. These fitness and wellness programs are made even more effective with the inclusion of the following exercises:

1.Kickboxing
This type of fitness and wellness exercise mainly focuses in strengthening your physical stamina. This is recommended when you want to enhance your muscle definition. This is also a very good part of a fitness and wellness program for those who want to enhance their cardiovascular system.

2. Aerobics
Aerobics is a very good type of fitness and wellness program. With its numerous benefits, it will most certainly improve your daily lifestyle. This is especially advantageous to those who want to lose weight and have the discipline to keep it off. This type of program also gives the person a sense of control and commitment that opposes stress. Aerobics gradually increases your fitness level stamina and mental discipline which will be very beneficial in the long run.

3. Yoga
Now this type of fitness and wellness exercise is very good in preventing many health and ache disorders such as back pain, arthritis and even diabetes. It promotes proper breathing and posture through simple exercises that also promotes flexibility and improves your stamina. Yoga is a unique non-strenuous exercise that improves the elasticity of our ligaments, joints and tendons. It also massages our internal organs that enhance our sensitivity that gives us awareness when something is wrong in our body.

4. Sports
Getting into sports is an excellent type of fitness and wellness exercise because it promotes our well being in every aspect. It increases our physical and mental fitness plus it also develop our social skills. Many consider sports as a fun and exciting fitness and wellness exercise because it is an enjoyable activity at the same time a bonding experience for your family and friends. Another benefit of sports that is worth mentioning is it could be taken as a career or a hobby that you can even take as a profession.

5. Gym workouts
Going to the gym regularly can do wonders to your overall fitness and wellness. You can have a personal trainer to assist you to better improve your specific needs. If undertaken with the proper diet, you can achieve your health goals easier. If you make it a habit to go to the gym, it is likely for you to meet other people who have the same diet and exercise objective. This will give you more motivation to continue with the program and increase your success rate.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Monday, 17 November 2014

Group fitness training - another good option!

You will have noticed by now that I have dedicated quite a few Posts already to the Personal Trainer - choosing one, what to expect and reinforcing how this can provide the structure, the drive and the commitment that you need - especially if you are starting out new on your exercise routine. Looking for the right subject matter to keep you informed is important to me, and so I found this for you on ezinearticles that makes a lot of sense too, and again serves to reinforce the message if you are still unsure how to progress.

Group training programmes are a great way to get to know new people in very much the same or similar positions to your own, they are more cost effective, still structured and offer plenty of variety depending on your wants and needs. This I grabbed from Cee Rose (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cee_Rose and through Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8487777)


Group fitness instructors work with multiple people at one time in a multitude of different fitness areas. Those who wish to learn about CrossFit, yoga, boot camp, indoor cycling, Zumba, Pilates, kickboxing, and a variety of other exercises usually partake in a group setting rather than try the exercise alone. Group fitness is a great motivator, and encourages everyone to participate, resulting in working harder and learning faster from everyone in the group. The most successful fitness instructors typically have a few traits that make them efficient in their job.

People person. 
As this individual will be completely focused on helping other people, having an outgoing and friendly attitude will be very beneficial. Being able to connect with clients will help both the instructor and the group to feel more comfortable, especially for those who are in the class for the first time.
High energy.
Most group instructors teach more than one class a day, if this is their full-time job. Even if being a group instructor is a second job, these individuals still need to find the energy to complete their first job before moving onto teaching a fitness class. Once in the class, instructors must try to transfer their high energy to the rest of the group. Being both motivating and encouraging also accompany this trait.

Certification.
Most people who participate in classes would rather be taught by someone who is certified. This shows that the instructor is experienced, and has the ability to teach a class with the proper instruction. Some of the most well-known agencies from which individuals may earn this certification include The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and The American Council on Exercise (ACE). There are many other agencies from which certification may be earned, as well.

Knowledgeable.
While being able to efficiently teach one class may be enough for some instructors, others want to learn more than just one fitness style. Earning specialized certification in addition to the general certification is highly encouraged. For example, general certification allows most instructors to teach cardio classes, but specialized certification is available in areas such as Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing, among others.

These characteristics should also be found in those who are also personal trainers. Often times, group fitness instructors also train people on an individual basis, in order to allow for extra attention and coaching in certain areas. The above-mentioned are just a few of the traits valued in an instructor. Those who teach group fitness all have their own style, whether with music, pace, interval training, or the number of participants allowed in each class. Those considering taking a group fitness class should search for an instructor with whom they feel comfortable, both in personality and in exercise expertise.

WhyWeight - Don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-