Well as far as my teen bodybuilding is going it must have gone reasonably far. I say this because I think that I may have overdone somethings since I have started 3 months ago. Let me explain: I have been in a state where I have just been bulking (this in bodybuilding is gain the muscle mass) and in doing this I have done nearly no exercise so instead of keeping a steady growth I have instead exploded.
Due to the quick muscle growth in my arms I have got some stretch marks which I don't particularly like but they will fade eventually. So other than that there isn't much to say but for one thing: If your going to bulk or cut (lose weight or fat) do it slowly and have a balance of weight lifting and cardio (exercises such as running).
Friday, June 22, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
New Week
Well the start of a new week equates to the start of a higher weight for me to lift during this week. Every week I aim to increase my weight by 1.00 kg but some times it isn't possible since I like to have balance from both sides on my barbell so sometimes I increase the weight a little more just to keep the balance so this week I increased the weight on my barbell by 1.25 kg not the 1.00 kg I had planned for every week.
As the "pounds are piling" on the sessions are becoming more intensive and lifting the weights is getting a little harder but then that is to be expected. Anyway this is what I did today:
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift
2x8 Decline Dumbbell Bench Press (with your hands Facing each other)
So after that I am going to have some mince meat and have some nice food :D
As the "pounds are piling" on the sessions are becoming more intensive and lifting the weights is getting a little harder but then that is to be expected. Anyway this is what I did today:
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift
2x8 Decline Dumbbell Bench Press (with your hands Facing each other)
So after that I am going to have some mince meat and have some nice food :D
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Rest Day
Today is a day in which I shall not be participating in any body building exercises because on Sunday my routine dictates that it is a rest day and not to be squandered be zealous body-building enthusiasm and energy :P
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Rippetoes Program
Well I haven't been able to write much at the moment about my Body Building career :P since I have started using this program but below I shall outline the program for you:
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift
2x8 Decline Dumbbell Bench Press (with your hands Facing each other)
Workout B
3x5 Squat
3x5 Standing military press
3x5 Bent Rows
Ok so basically how thing rolls is:
Week 1
Workout A - Monday
Workout B - Wednesday
Workout A - Friday
Week 2
Workout B - Monday
Workout A - Wednesday
Workout B - Friday
So then on week three its back to the routine for week one and so on and so forth. Now there are many people say bulk and cut well at the moment I have made a few adjustments like porridge and eating more often and I have cut out bad food but I do occasionally wander from the straight and narrow :P...
So just eating clean at the moment is my agenda for my body building pursuits.
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift
2x8 Decline Dumbbell Bench Press (with your hands Facing each other)
Workout B
3x5 Squat
3x5 Standing military press
3x5 Bent Rows
Ok so basically how thing rolls is:
Week 1
Workout A - Monday
Workout B - Wednesday
Workout A - Friday
Week 2
Workout B - Monday
Workout A - Wednesday
Workout B - Friday
So then on week three its back to the routine for week one and so on and so forth. Now there are many people say bulk and cut well at the moment I have made a few adjustments like porridge and eating more often and I have cut out bad food but I do occasionally wander from the straight and narrow :P...
So just eating clean at the moment is my agenda for my body building pursuits.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
My Bodybuilding Routine
Well I will be using this space to write about a new program that I have enrolled in. It is called Rippetoes which I shall be elaborating about in my later posts. So now some statistics about me:
My height is 5'8" and I am 12 stones which is just above 78kg. I have been on the Rippetoes program for my third week now so as time progresses so will this space.
My height is 5'8" and I am 12 stones which is just above 78kg. I have been on the Rippetoes program for my third week now so as time progresses so will this space.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
How to Choose a Personal Trainer
How to Choose a Personal Trainer
In the fitness industry there is a joke that goes something like this: “The reason I decided not to become a personal trainer is that I had no table waiting experience and I didn’t want to become an actor.”
This may sound humorous but, unfortunately, there is a core of truth there. Because there are no strict guidelines about who can call themselves a trainer, almost anyone who has a job or career aspiration that demands a high degree of physical fitness can hang out a shingle or get a job coaching at your local gym. In fact, it is very common for an actor, sports model, or athlete to try to pick up extra money by working as a fitness instructor, especially because there is good money to be made by doing so.
While these individuals may know what works for them as far as exercise and diet goes, that does not automatically qualify them to train others or to give them nutritional counseling.
What Are Your Goals?
The first thing you need to be clear about when considering a trainer is what goals you have in mind. Do you want someone who can design an exercise and nutritional protocol that will help you to shed 20 or more pounds? Do you want to develop greater strength and muscularity, perhaps with the guided use of protein drinks and sports supplements? Do you want to get back into shape after a pregnancy or a long period spent without exercise? Or maybe you are trying to slim down for a class reunion, wedding, or other family event.
Once you are clear on what you would like to accomplish, it will be easier to find the person who has the experience and qualifications to help you get there.
Where Do I Find Trainers to Interview?
There are several ways to locate trainers. Word of mouth through friends, colleagues, or your family doctor are good places to start. You might also check your Yellow Pages under “Personal Trainers,” “Health Clubs,” and “Exercise and Physical Fitness.”
Another great resource is the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), one of the largest nationally recognized fitness organizations (www.nsca-lift.org).
Questions You Should Ask a Prospective Trainer
Once you have found a trainer who look promising, you need to learn as much about their qualifications as possible. The first and most important question you should ask is “What qualifies you to be a personal trainer?” NSCA and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are two nationally recognized certifications. A background in exercise physiology, sports medicine, physical education, or anatomy and physiology are also helpful because that tells you that this individual has made a thorough study of the body and how it works.
It would also be a plus if your trainer were involved in some sort of elite exercise him- or herself, such as body building.
If you need nutritional guidance from a trainer, make sure that he or she has some kind of solid education and background in the subject.
Ask your prospective trainer what their goals are. If they tell you they want to star in films or have their own sitcom on NBC, they are probably not the right person for you.
You will also want to know the length of time a person has been working as a trainer and how many clients they have coached.
The most important thing you can request are client referrals. Speaking with people who have received fitness instruction from the trainer you are considering will give you an idea whether he or she is the right person for you.
Some questions you might consider asking clients are:
·How long have you worked with this trainer?
·Has he or she helped you to achieve your goals?
·Do you feel like this trainer makes efficient use of the time you have together?
·Does this trainer clearly explain each exercise to you and help you to perform it with good posture and body positioning?
·Have you ever been injured when working out with this trainer?
·Do you find him or her professional and supportive of your goals?
Starting Out: What to Expect
Once you have chosen a trainer, there are certain questions they should ask you and evaluations they should perform.
First, they should be very clear about what your goals are and make some suggestions as to how they can help you to achieve them.
Before even beginning an exercise program they should do a complete physical evaluation of your strength, range of motion, flexibility, current exercise routine (if you’ve been working out on your own), any injuries you might have sustained over the years, and any physical limitations you might have (such as a weak lower back or arthritis in your knee or shoulder joints).
Once they have designed a unique program to fit your body type, level of ability, and goals, they should be able to give you clear instructions and a clear idea of how to correctly position your body on any exercise ball, machine, or with any free weights.
You will only get the maximum benefit from each exercise and avoid injury if your trainer is knowledgeable about physiology. They should be able to coach you on correct posture, which includes good head, neck, shoulder, arm, lower back, hip, and leg positions for each machine or exercise.
Good posture and positioning of the body will enable you to perform exercises correctly and without pain. If something is hurting you or you feel undue strain, stop immediately and communicate this to your fitness instructor. Improving your level of fitness takes effort, endurance, and consistency, but not to the point of strain or injury.
A good workout program should include enough sets and repetitions of each movement to challenge you and to fully work each body part. If you are doing two sessions per week with a trainer, they should spend one on upper body and abdominals and the second session on lower body and abdominals. In other words, they should thoroughly work each section of the body and allow it enough time to recover in between workouts.
Warning Signs
There are certain behaviors you should be aware of that might indicate that a trainer is not being as professional as they should be with a client.
A trainer should be a good listener, always attentive to your goals. If your trainer is constantly using a lot of “I” and “me” statements, they are not making good use of your time together. They should be focused on your needs, your progress, and what you require.
A good trainer should always respect emotional boundaries. Beware of trainers who want to tell you their life story, ask you for advice in their career, or pour out their heartaches and stories about their love life. You are their client, not their therapist. It is equally time-wasting to work with a trainer who encourages you to take about your own problems. In such a situation is it easy to feel sucked dry emotionally and talk your way through your hour, instead of getting the full workout you are there to do.
We are all human and have our ups and downs—and we mention them from time to time—but this should first and foremost always be a professional relationship from which you need to get a certain amount of value for your physique.
Lastly, a good trainer should always keep upgrading your workout. If weeks go by and someone is still having you do the same amount of sets and reps with the same amount of weight, they are not helping you to make progress. The body will eventually acclimate itself to any exercise routine and it needs to be continually challenged.
If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to find a trainer who will help you to meet your goals and improve your physique, energy levels, and general health. Good luck!
In the fitness industry there is a joke that goes something like this: “The reason I decided not to become a personal trainer is that I had no table waiting experience and I didn’t want to become an actor.”
This may sound humorous but, unfortunately, there is a core of truth there. Because there are no strict guidelines about who can call themselves a trainer, almost anyone who has a job or career aspiration that demands a high degree of physical fitness can hang out a shingle or get a job coaching at your local gym. In fact, it is very common for an actor, sports model, or athlete to try to pick up extra money by working as a fitness instructor, especially because there is good money to be made by doing so.
While these individuals may know what works for them as far as exercise and diet goes, that does not automatically qualify them to train others or to give them nutritional counseling.
What Are Your Goals?
The first thing you need to be clear about when considering a trainer is what goals you have in mind. Do you want someone who can design an exercise and nutritional protocol that will help you to shed 20 or more pounds? Do you want to develop greater strength and muscularity, perhaps with the guided use of protein drinks and sports supplements? Do you want to get back into shape after a pregnancy or a long period spent without exercise? Or maybe you are trying to slim down for a class reunion, wedding, or other family event.
Once you are clear on what you would like to accomplish, it will be easier to find the person who has the experience and qualifications to help you get there.
Where Do I Find Trainers to Interview?
There are several ways to locate trainers. Word of mouth through friends, colleagues, or your family doctor are good places to start. You might also check your Yellow Pages under “Personal Trainers,” “Health Clubs,” and “Exercise and Physical Fitness.”
Another great resource is the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), one of the largest nationally recognized fitness organizations (www.nsca-lift.org).
Questions You Should Ask a Prospective Trainer
Once you have found a trainer who look promising, you need to learn as much about their qualifications as possible. The first and most important question you should ask is “What qualifies you to be a personal trainer?” NSCA and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are two nationally recognized certifications. A background in exercise physiology, sports medicine, physical education, or anatomy and physiology are also helpful because that tells you that this individual has made a thorough study of the body and how it works.
It would also be a plus if your trainer were involved in some sort of elite exercise him- or herself, such as body building.
If you need nutritional guidance from a trainer, make sure that he or she has some kind of solid education and background in the subject.
Ask your prospective trainer what their goals are. If they tell you they want to star in films or have their own sitcom on NBC, they are probably not the right person for you.
You will also want to know the length of time a person has been working as a trainer and how many clients they have coached.
The most important thing you can request are client referrals. Speaking with people who have received fitness instruction from the trainer you are considering will give you an idea whether he or she is the right person for you.
Some questions you might consider asking clients are:
·How long have you worked with this trainer?
·Has he or she helped you to achieve your goals?
·Do you feel like this trainer makes efficient use of the time you have together?
·Does this trainer clearly explain each exercise to you and help you to perform it with good posture and body positioning?
·Have you ever been injured when working out with this trainer?
·Do you find him or her professional and supportive of your goals?
Starting Out: What to Expect
Once you have chosen a trainer, there are certain questions they should ask you and evaluations they should perform.
First, they should be very clear about what your goals are and make some suggestions as to how they can help you to achieve them.
Before even beginning an exercise program they should do a complete physical evaluation of your strength, range of motion, flexibility, current exercise routine (if you’ve been working out on your own), any injuries you might have sustained over the years, and any physical limitations you might have (such as a weak lower back or arthritis in your knee or shoulder joints).
Once they have designed a unique program to fit your body type, level of ability, and goals, they should be able to give you clear instructions and a clear idea of how to correctly position your body on any exercise ball, machine, or with any free weights.
You will only get the maximum benefit from each exercise and avoid injury if your trainer is knowledgeable about physiology. They should be able to coach you on correct posture, which includes good head, neck, shoulder, arm, lower back, hip, and leg positions for each machine or exercise.
Good posture and positioning of the body will enable you to perform exercises correctly and without pain. If something is hurting you or you feel undue strain, stop immediately and communicate this to your fitness instructor. Improving your level of fitness takes effort, endurance, and consistency, but not to the point of strain or injury.
A good workout program should include enough sets and repetitions of each movement to challenge you and to fully work each body part. If you are doing two sessions per week with a trainer, they should spend one on upper body and abdominals and the second session on lower body and abdominals. In other words, they should thoroughly work each section of the body and allow it enough time to recover in between workouts.
Warning Signs
There are certain behaviors you should be aware of that might indicate that a trainer is not being as professional as they should be with a client.
A trainer should be a good listener, always attentive to your goals. If your trainer is constantly using a lot of “I” and “me” statements, they are not making good use of your time together. They should be focused on your needs, your progress, and what you require.
A good trainer should always respect emotional boundaries. Beware of trainers who want to tell you their life story, ask you for advice in their career, or pour out their heartaches and stories about their love life. You are their client, not their therapist. It is equally time-wasting to work with a trainer who encourages you to take about your own problems. In such a situation is it easy to feel sucked dry emotionally and talk your way through your hour, instead of getting the full workout you are there to do.
We are all human and have our ups and downs—and we mention them from time to time—but this should first and foremost always be a professional relationship from which you need to get a certain amount of value for your physique.
Lastly, a good trainer should always keep upgrading your workout. If weeks go by and someone is still having you do the same amount of sets and reps with the same amount of weight, they are not helping you to make progress. The body will eventually acclimate itself to any exercise routine and it needs to be continually challenged.
If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to find a trainer who will help you to meet your goals and improve your physique, energy levels, and general health. Good luck!
About the Author
Philip Goglia is a Los Angeles-based nutritionist, trainer, and author. Goglia has just released SmartJourney, a metabolic food program that is personally tailored for each individual. “There is no one-size-fits-all diet,” says Goglia. “We realize that everyone has their own unique metabolic type, and we design a program just for you.” For more information about effective exercise and nutrition, please visit his website www.SmartJourney.com.
Golf Strength Training Exercise Is Not Body Building
Despite many reassurances, some amateur golfers still dread golf strength training exercises.
The problem would appear to be the presence of equipment like dumb bells in this sort of strength training. Not everybody is an exercise expert and therefore many people cannot tell the difference between body building exercise and strength building exercises.
The two are very different. They are so different that the difference can be compared to the difference there is between day and night.
Body building has got no part to play in golf strength training exercises. If anything this sort of exercise routine would damage a golfer’s game rather than improve it.
One of the effects of a body building exercise program that includes nothing else is that it causes the body to lose flexibility. Flexibility is very important in golf and that is precisely the reason why stretch exercises are a part of any good and genuine golf strength training exercise program.
In body building the emphasis is on lifting increasingly heavier weights so as to get the muscles to grow in size as quickly as possible. A body building program is usually rigorous and definitely not for everybody.
Muscle strength-building exercises using dumb bells are the exercises that are useful to golfers. Dumb bells play a huge role in golf strength training exercise programs. Only that the weight lifting program is very different from the one used in body building.
Much lighter weights are used and lifted up and down many more times than is the case in weight lifting. Still the sessions are much shorter than body building sessions.
Results have shown clearly that when this golf strength training exercise program is combined with stretch exercises, the improvement witnessed in any person’s game has to be seen to be believed. The results of golf strength training exercise programs are usually tremendous.
The problem would appear to be the presence of equipment like dumb bells in this sort of strength training. Not everybody is an exercise expert and therefore many people cannot tell the difference between body building exercise and strength building exercises.
The two are very different. They are so different that the difference can be compared to the difference there is between day and night.
Body building has got no part to play in golf strength training exercises. If anything this sort of exercise routine would damage a golfer’s game rather than improve it.
One of the effects of a body building exercise program that includes nothing else is that it causes the body to lose flexibility. Flexibility is very important in golf and that is precisely the reason why stretch exercises are a part of any good and genuine golf strength training exercise program.
In body building the emphasis is on lifting increasingly heavier weights so as to get the muscles to grow in size as quickly as possible. A body building program is usually rigorous and definitely not for everybody.
Muscle strength-building exercises using dumb bells are the exercises that are useful to golfers. Dumb bells play a huge role in golf strength training exercise programs. Only that the weight lifting program is very different from the one used in body building.
Much lighter weights are used and lifted up and down many more times than is the case in weight lifting. Still the sessions are much shorter than body building sessions.
Results have shown clearly that when this golf strength training exercise program is combined with stretch exercises, the improvement witnessed in any person’s game has to be seen to be believed. The results of golf strength training exercise programs are usually tremendous.
About the Author
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and Manual at http://www.performbattergolf.com
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