Unique Fitness Concepts Blog Entries

Featured Exercise - The Preacher Curl

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:43:26 +0000

The Preacher or Scott curl, named after bodybuilding great Larry Scott, is the ultimate isolation exercise for biceps. Remember when you perform this exercise that it is NOT a power exercise. Use moderate weights which enable you to perform 8 - 10 hard fought reps. Lower the weight slowly as you will build your biceps during that motion as well as when you lift the weight up. Remember, do not bounce the weight as this can result in serious injury. Concentrate throughout the exercise and maintain a constant steady motion. Avoid resting or stopping during the exercise to maximize the impact.

Heavy Grips Hand Grippers

Sat, 3 May 2008 18:31:00 +0000

The Heavy Grips Hand Grippers are a great way to take your grip strength to the next level. The Heavy Grip Hand Gripper comes in 50 inch-force-torque increments from 100 to 350. This allows you to train by increasing the resistance. The Hand Grippers allow you to build up your forearms along with your grip. The grips are made out of aluminum, which will allow you to see more results than with other plastic grippers. Check out the Heavy Grips Hand Grippers in the "Today's Special" section

Monitor Exercise Intensity Using Heart Rate

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:28:18 +0000

Checking your heart rate is a good way of telling if you are working too hard, or not working hard enough. It is important to understand your heart rate range in order to obtain a safe and effective work out.There are a few terms to understand in order to determine the heart range for you.

Maximal Heart Rate: As you become older, your heart rate changes. To find your Maximal heart rate, simply subtract your age from 220.
Target Heart Rate Zone: For most people, the target heart rate zone is between 50 to 80 percent of their maximal heart rate. This number is the beats per minute that your heart should be beating during exercise.

Eating Properly to get Cut Abs

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:36:51 +0000

Eating properly is essential in order to gain lean abs. Things to keep in mind while working towards abs is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also, your protein intake should be about 1 gram per pound of bodyweight. Meats such as chicken and turkey are good and lean proteins. Also fish, eggs, protein bars and shakes are a good protein intake. Eat starchy carbohydrates such as rice, oatmeal, cereals, etc. Avoid eating junk foods and a lot of fat. It is important to eat about 5-6 small meals or healthy snacks per day. This will help you gain muscular and "cut" abdominals

Things to Consider When Choosing A Gym

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:14:07 +0000

A good gym should always motivate you to come back. Keep these 7 things in mind when choosing your gym:

Location: Choose a gym nearby. Having a gym close will allow you to fit time in your schedule. Usually a location between your home and office is convenient.
Hours: Make sure the gym is open for hours that will work with your schedule.
Staff: The staff members should be friendly and helpful. They should be able to answer questions whenever you need.
Cleanliness: Towels should be available around the gym to wipe off the equipment. This will help avoid health problems.
Equipment: Make sure that the equipment will benefit you. Also check if there are enough machines for everyone to use. There is no use in waiting in a long line to workout.
Classes: Classes are a great way to get motivated. Look at the list of classes and see if there are any you would enjoy. Also decide whether or not these classes fit into your budget.
Fees: The cost of gyms can be very expensive. This could also be a deciding factor of whether or not to join. See if you pay each month or if you are committed for a year or more. Choose according to your needs.

Benefits of Free Weights vs. Strength Training Machines

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 05:26:19 +0000

So much has been made for the case of using strength training machines over free weights. Smith machines, cable or pulley machines, and selectorized strength training machines definitely have their benefits, but they also have their drawbacks or restrictions too. This is especially true when compared to their free weight exercise counterparts. Barbell and dumbbell pressing movements such as bench presses, incline presses, and seated or military presses are excellent examples of free weight exercises where one would experience a superior range of motion. In these movements you find the groove that is most comfortable for you without being forced into a specific machine guided range of motion. This is most obvious when using a Smith machine which has only one range of movement regardless if you are doing squats, bench presses, incline presses, or even standing curls. Your core will also benefit during free weight exercises by having to balance the weights. Excellent examples of these types of exercises are barbell squats (front squats especially), bench presses and standing front presses.

Flexsolate Grip-Free Straps

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:25:51 +0000

Here is some info on a great new product, Flexsolate Lifting Straps. Flexsolate Grip-Free Straps provide the perfect isolation for targeted muscles. They reduce the focus on secondary muscles and allow for the natural movement during exercises that reduce stress on joints, tendons, and other areas prone to injury. You can really avoid that unnecessary strain on your wrists when you perform back, arm and shoulder exercises using dumbbells, barbells, smith machines or selectorized cable machines. Check out the details today on this great weightlifting and bodybuilding product in our Today's Specials section.

Choosing a Training Partner

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:54:09 +0000

When choosing a training partner you should look for someone who has similar fitness goals to your own. Not identical but similar. It would be hard to integrate a partner's routine with your own if one partner has a goal of gaining mass while the other partner has a goal of losing weight. That being said, even if your goals slightly differ, by using what each you know best about training you can find a harmony and competitive atmosphere that would be beneficial to the both of you. Once you get used to each other's training habits you will both learn to work as a team and push yourselves further than you ever thought possible.

Remember to Cool Down

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:51:48 +0000

After working out, it is important to take about ten to fifteen minutes to cool down. Stopping abruptly will not benefit your body. Keep moving after a long run or workout in order to redistribute the blood in your body. This allows your heart rate and your body to slow gradually. Be sure to include stretching in your cool down. Cooling down and stretching will help prevent stiffness in your body.

High and Low Rep Workouts

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:49:30 +0000

The saying goes that high reps are for definition and low reps for mass. This is true as a general rule but to have a more complete and full physique you should be doing both high and low reps at some point during your weekly workout regiment. You can have a "light" or "heavy" day or you can finish out an exercise with some high rep burns. You'll feel the muscles more and you'll also be attacking both the fast and slow twitch fibers for a more complete workout.

Mix Up Your Workout

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:53:32 +0000

Sticking to the same routine all the time can become redundant. If you get bored while exercising, you are less likely to continue doing it. Mixing up your workout will make everything more interesting. If you are tired of lifting weights, switch to a cardiovascular exercise. Also, do something that you enjoy doing.

Stay Alert When You Train

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:38:18 +0000

Keep Your Mind Alert When You Train. Prior to your workout it is imperative that you clear your mind from the day-to-day problems that can hinder your focus and concentration. Injuries often occur when you train and your mind is somewhere else. With intense concentration you’ll be able to focus and will yourself to new levels of improvement.

Working Out Should NOT Be Painful!

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:17:57 +0000

Working out should be a challenge, but it never should be painful. Being a little bit sore is normal, but if you are in pain after exercising, then you are probably doing something wrong. Here are a few things to remember if you are feeling pain.

Make sure you are exercising at the proper level. Do not try to overdo yourself. Starting out slow will benefit you in the end

Stretching before and after working out will reduce some pain that you may be feeling, and it will allow the muscles to relax.
Give your body enough time before workout in order to rest. Working out the same muscles too often will wear them down. Try to work different muscles when you go, instead of working all the muscles all the time.
Lastly, use proper form! There is no use in executing an exercise if you are not using an adequate form. Using improper form can cause added injuries to the body and more pain.

Perform Supersets to Rejuvenate Your Workouts

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:45:05 +0000

Supersets are a great way to bring life back to stale workouts. Here are four benefits to supersetting: They help you maintain a quick pace during your workout which has proven to be an excellent cardiovascular training method. They cut down on the time in the gym by allowing you to complete your workout faster. They effectively break up the monotony of your routine. They help you "shock" your muscles in a new and effective manner.

Get Those Ripped Abs

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:21:48 +0000

It doesn't take that much to give your abs a good, solid workout. 5 - 10 minutes a day, 6 - 8 total sets, and 200 - 300 repetitions should do the trick. Many people work their abs first as a warm-up prior to their heavy lifting. though this is not advisable prior to heavy lifting such as squats or deadlifts. Steady, consistent ab work coupled with a healthy diet high in protein, and a low to moderate intake of carbs and fat will give you the six-pack you crave.