9/30/2012 0 Comments Exercise Excuses...Solved!You can’t exercise because the dog ate your workout plan. Likely story. But the common exercise excuses that you make for yourself can be just as absurd. You’re too tired. It’s raining. You’ve got nothing to wear. If you’ve heard them once, you’ve them all. Still, keep pushing exercise off long enough, and the joke’s on you. Here, we’ve exposed 14 silly exercise excuses and show you how to get serious about your health.
Excuse #1: You Can’t Afford a Gym Membership You must be joking: You don’t need to break the bank to bulk up. Gym discounts abound around January in the form of New Year specials, but you might have a better chance haggling down your membership fee during the off-peak months from June to August, says Shayne Adair, spokesperson for the National Exercise Trainers Association. If that doesn’t work, walking, running, and pushups were all free the last time we checked, and the there are a ton of no-cost workout videos online. Excuse #2: I’m Traveling for Work and My Hotel Doesn’t Have a Gym You must be joking: Skipping a workout session every now and then because you’re on the road isn’t a problem, but if your job has you living out of a suitcase, it’s time to look into other options outside of your hotel. Locate a workout center on the fly with the Men’s Health’s gym finder. You can search by zip code, cost, amenities, classes offered, and equipment. Excuse #3: I Can’t Wake Up Early Enough You must be joking: Hitting snooze two, three, four more times sounds tempting, but you’re better off bolting out of bed at the first ring, since there are tons of benefits to morning exercise. Research shows that regular morning exercise might actually help you sleep better, and that early birds workout harder. Plus, those who work out as the sun rises are more likely to stick to it than those who hit the gym later in the day. To boost the likelihood of making your morning session, pick out your gym outfit the night before. “I like putting my workout clothes right next to my bed,” says Adair. “If you get up and put on a robe instead, you’re done.” Excuse #4: I Have to Commute for an Hour You must be joking: We hear you: You’re spent when you clock out of your 9 to 5. Going to the gym before or after work isn’t feasible for everyone, so think about heading to the gym during your lunch hour, or incorporate fitness with family hangout time. (Think Frisbee or even Wii-Sports.) Just inserting ten minutes of exercise three or four times a day can help, too. Little moments of downtime can pass unnoticed, so schedule periodic reminders to pop up on your iPhone, or better yet, add a full workout session to your calendar, suggests Alice Burron, MS, exercise physiologist and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise Excuse #5: Weather.com Predicted Rain You must be joking: First off, a little rain never hurt anyone. But if the weather is deterring you from going to the gym, try an at-home workout. There are plenty of simple routines that you can do to break a sweat, so pop in a fitness DVD, break out the pull up bar, and try some dumbbell routines. Excuse #6: I Don’t Have Anything to Wear You must be joking: Nobody’s expecting to be picked up at the gym, but according to a Zobha survey, 53 percent of women say that they’re more likely to work out if they have something flattering and well-made to wear. If your fashionista sensibilities are getting in the way of your fitness goals, go ahead and buy a cute outfit as added motivation. Excuse #7: I Don’t Want to Look Stupid at the Gym You must be joking: Don’t worry about it. “There’s always going to be someone who’s going to judge, but that’s such the minority,” says Robert Reames, CPT, official trainer and nutritionist for the Dr. Phil Show and spokesperson for Gold’s Gym International. “In the gym, there’s a camaraderie of work. There’s a respect that if you’re there and you’re working out, you’re one of us.” However, when you are trying out new equipment for the first time, ask a trainer to help demonstrate the proper form and technique. Fumbling around with equipment may be embarrassing, but, even worse, it can be dangerous. Excuse #8: I Can’t Miss Modern Family You must be joking: Don’t let the tube dictate your exercise routine, that’s what DVR and Hulu.com are for. If you insist on watching your favorite shows in real time, there are a number of ways to sneak in exercise in front of the television. Many gyms include individual TV screens with their cardio machines, so head over early and plug in your headphones. Excuse #9: I Don’t See Any Improvement You must be joking: Keep at it. The great thing about working out is that there are tangible benefits—it just takes some time. That said, there are a number of factors that could be sabotaging your exercise efforts. Take a look at your diet and see if you’re munching on extra calories. Little tweaks can go a long way, so you might want to consult a nutritionist or trainer about how to maximize your workout and eating habits. In the meantime, rest assured that you’re getting a wealth of other benefits that you can’t see: a sharper brain, a better heart, and an energy boost. Excuse #10: I Have a Cold You must be joking: If you’re just feeling a little under the weather, you’re probably not going to get sicker if you head to the gym. A study in the Journal of Athletic Training found that students who exercised while infected with the common cold recovered at the same rate as those stayed in. In fact, they felt a little better after working out, owing to the endorphin high. “Start off at 50 percent of your usual intensity and maintain it for a while. If you feel fine, then bump up your intensity to the normal level” says Thomas Weidner, PhD, professor of physical education, sport, and exercise science at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. A general rule of thumb: It’s okay to work out if your symptoms are "above the neck" (runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or sore throat), but stay home if you’re feeling ill “below the neck” (chest congestion, hacking cough), have a fever, or achey muscles. And seriously, wipe down any gym equipment you touch. Excuse #11: I’m Too Tired You must be joking: “If you’re dealing with 2 hours of sleep, then it might actually be better to sleep in and come back the next day with a stronger workout,” says Reames. “But often, being tired is synonymous with lack of motivation.” Ironically, exercise can help you shake off that lethargy and boost energy. A review study published in Psychological Bulletin found that whether you’re old, young, healthy, or not, consistent exercise boosts energy. Combat your laziness with the knowledge that you’re going to feel better, stronger, and more accomplished at the end of your session. Excuse #12: There’s Just No Time You must be joking: “Not having enough time is probably the number one excuse I hear,” says Reames. “What that really means is that exercise is not a priority.” Ouch. Talk about tough love. Once you’ve decided to make exercise a priority, put it down in writing to remind yourself why you’re motivated to stay healthy. Don’t underestimate the value of short workouts either. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to exercise for over 45 minutes for the gym to “be worth it”: a recent Massachusetts General Hospital study found that your body starts showing metabolic changes after 10 minutes of exercise, and its effects last for over an hour. Researchers documented an uptick in the number of compounds that help burn calories and blast fat. Excuse #13: I’m Sore. My Body Needs Time to Recover You must be joking: Research shows that active recovery (a light workout on days following an intense session) helps clear lactic acid from your body, so you’ll actually be less sore if you stay active. If only part of your body is tender, work another part of your body and let the aching parts rest and recover. “Mix it up. That way your body will get the benefits of cross-training,” says Reames. “If you work out your upper body one day, focus on your legs the next. If you do cardio one day, do strength training the day after.” Prevent future soreness by paying particular attention to your warm-up and cool-down. Excuse #14: My Workout Buddy Bailed You must be joking: Studies show that you’re more likely to exercise consistently with a workout partner than without one, but if your exercise buddy is bringing you down, it’s time to think about finding a new one. While it ultimately comes down to your individual commitment to staying fit, it helps to make friends with gym regulars or ask a coworker to tag along. Alternatively, schedule a standing appointment with a trainer. If people don’t motivate you to exercise, maybe money will. via Men's Health
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Core fitness exercise has become synonymous with abdominal conditioning. In terms of core stability, the abdominal muscles do little. Without proper strength and conditioning of all core muscles, injury, aches and pains can occur more frequently. The core of the body is responsible for supporting the back, spine and shoulders. Core fitness exercises should aim to strengthen all muscles related to these areas.
Choosing Effective Core Fitness Exercise In order to choose effective core fitness exercises, you must first learn the muscles supporting the core of the body. The core muscles begin at the top of the abdominal trunk and run down to the lower torso. These muscles include the:
Strength and power originate in the core of the body. When the trunk, torso and pelvis are strong and stable, power is transferred to all other muscles. Powerful contractions, such as rapid muscle movements, require a strong core. The more stable the core, the more energy transferred to the muscles leading to quicker repetitions and more effective training. Improved Posture Core fitness exercises also support proper posture. Imbalances of posture can lead to improper weight lifting form, injuries, and undue pressure on the lower back. Pressure and pain of the lower back is a common symptom of weak core muscles. Improved Balance The abdominal muscles are important to core stability and strength. When the abdominal muscles are weak, the lower back holds additional pressure and weight from simple daily tasks like walking. When exercising, this pressure grows exponentially leading to painful back injuries. Strengthening the abdominal muscles allows the weight of the upper body to be evenly distributed over the front and back. When weight is distributed, balance improves. Working the Torso as a Solid Unit The torso can be pictured as a solid unit. This unit needs to be strong and stable like the frame of a car. If the torso is weak, the muscles of the body will not perform at optimal levels. Core fitness exercises can help build stability of the core. Building strength in the core of the body does not require weights or gym machines. The most common core exercises include:
from fitday.com A summer vacation doesn’t have to bring your race training or weight loss plan to a screeching halt. Pick a spot with breathtaking views and schedule plenty of activity, like hiking, cycling, or even tackling a daunting fitness feat. Need some ideas? Try these nine domestic destinations.
1. Hike the Cascades Mount Rainier National Park, WA This high-mountain playground has a trail to match every hiker’s ability. If you’re up for an easy walk along lakes and through wildflower-filled meadows, check out the 3.8-mile Lodge and Beaver Lake Trail, a 3 out of 10 in terms of difficulty. Seasoned ground stompers will enjoy the more challenging Naches Peak Loop. It’s 4.1 miles long, a 5 out of 10 in terms of difficulty, and offers stellar views of Mount Rainier. Visit nps.gov/mora for more info. 2. Do Yoga at Wanderlust Bondville, VT, June 21 to 24, 2012; Copper, CO, July 5 to 8; North Lake Tahoe, CA, July 26 to 29 If long lines, park rangers, and kitschy souvenirs aren’t your cup of tea, check out Wanderlust, a four-day festival full of yoga workouts and live music. Spend your days participating in a lineup of classes taught by top instructors, then rock out to performers like Ziggy Marley and Ani Difranco each night. Day passes start at $99, while 4-day all-access tickets are $475. 3. Take a Running Tour Multiple cities in the US Sightseeing on foot? Boring. Pick up the pace by signing up for a City Running Tours group run in one of 10 US cities, from Austin to New York to Seattle. Hit up the National Mall in DC, explore Grant Park in Chicago, climb the art museum stairs that Rocky made famous in Philadelphia, and more. Group runs range from $25 to $40. 4.Bike Through Wine Country Northern California It must be fate: The region that produces some of the best wine grapes is also one of the world’s premier cycling destinations. Trek Travel’s California Wine Country Tour is an obvious choice for cycling enthusiasts, but amateurs with a taste for adventure (and full-bodied pinot) won’t be left in the dust. Each day’s itinerary boasts turn-by-turn directions for short, basic, and long rides that lead guests through the twisting trails of wine country. 5.Pump Iron at Muscle Beach Venice, CA If you dream of getting ripped alongside bodybuilding legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, the closest you may get is Muscle Beach. This iconic open-air weight pen is packed with a mix of free weight and plate-loaded machines offering lifters a chance to work on their tans while building their biceps. Even if you’re a little less than jacked, the muscle mecca is a popular spot for average-Joe tourists who want to bench-press a piece of history. Cost is $10 per day. 6.Train for a Triathlon Scottsdale, AZ The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa offers a triple-threat of a vacation for triathletes looking to beef up their swimming, running, and cycling skills. During this three-day fitness adventure, aspiring athletes train with Sanctuary’s team of experts—including Olympic gold-medal swimmer Misty Hyman—and focus on a different aspect of triathlon each day. Mornings begin with a power breakfast, and days end with a spa treatment. 7.Rock Climb and Raft Jackson Hole, WY For the aspiring thrill-seeker—or thrill-seeking family—who wants a taste of mountain adventure, Jackson Hole offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and rock climbing all within steps of each other. Jackson Hole Resort Lodging is a great place to start planning your Grand Teton National Park getaway. Three-day packages start at $209 per person based on two adults and two children 12 or under. 8.Tackle the Toughest Race of Your Life Leadville, CO If you have zero desire to relax on vacation, sign up for any part of the Leadville Race Series. Colorado's Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race is known the world over thanks to Lance Armstrong who crossed the line first in 2009. But that event is child's play compared to its fleet-footed cousin, the Leadville Trail 100 Run, a 100-mile race at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet. 9.Run the Maui Marathon Maui, HI; September 16, 2012 Can’t find the motivation to train for your next marathon? Sign up for a run through paradise. With more than 17 of its 26.2 miles skirting the Pacific Ocean, the point-to-point Maui Marathon course takes runners past ocean views, towering cliffs, extinct volcano crater rims, and roadside hula dancers. 26.2 not for you? Run the half-marathon or 5-K instead. |
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