Tag:strength training
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Exercise is a critical component of your overall health; it may even be one of the most critical. Of course, there are an infinite number of ways that one can get the requisite exercise, and many of us are on the search for the program or type that fits us best. Plateau: it's a term nearly every body builder is familiar with. It's difficult for most people to get into a steady routine of working out, but this is the only way to achieve any sort of results; after all, consistency is the key to any long-term endeavor. So you get into a steady routine of going to the gym a few times a week, and every time you hit the same exercises. It becomes like clockwork. You get in, run through your routine, and get out. You notice gains almost immediately, and you continue to notice gains consistently. And then one day, it stops. You can lift what you can lift, but it's the same every time. You've hit a plateau. Nearly every personal trainer will tell you: once you hit a plateau, you need change up your routine to overcome it. But my thought is: why even hit the plateau in the first place? I've never hit a plateau, and I've been working out fairly consistently for a long time. Why? Because I am constantly changing my routine.
Read more... As a part of my P90X program, I found myself doing a lot of push ups. At first I was simply using my dumbbells as push up bars to get the extra depth that you want to get a good chest workout. However, since migrating to my adjustable dumbbells, this was no longer an option. I had seen the commercials for the Perfect Pushup before and was curious to try them.
As a part of my P90X program I decided to go out and get some adjustable dumbbells. In the program there is a need to have access to a variety of different sized dumbbells. Due to the space of my workout area, which consists of the back of my living room essentially, I don't have room for racks and racks of dumbbells. Beyond that, sets of dumbbells are expensive. I started out using bands, which are great for their portability and easy adjustments. However, they lack the same solid feeling of lifting actual weight. The bands tend to give me a rubbery lift, and the resistance changes from the bottom of the movement to the top of the movement. This uneven resistance started bothering me after a while. So it seemed like these new adjustable dumbbells would be the perfect addition to my equipment.
Working out at a gym is probably one of the most effective ways to get in shape, but the allure of working out at home is undeniable. You don't have to pay for an expensive gym membership, take time out of your day to drive there, fight the crowds, or be constantly shown up by the gym rats. And let's face it: if your goal is to get into shape, not necessarily to look like hulk hogan, most muscle groups can be worked using body weight exercises, without the need to buy too much fancy equipment. There's tons of variations on the pushup which will take care of your chest, shoulders, and triceps for the most part. A simple pair of dumbbells, or even just one, can be used for biceps curls, as well as various shoulder and triceps exercises, and gallon jugs of water can even be used in a pinch. Abs can be covered by a plethora of sit-ups and crunches, and legs by squats, lunges, and calf raises. So what's missing? "Push" exercises are easy, since you can simply push off the floor. It's the "pull" exercises that are usually lacking from an at-home exercise program. Some may think that pull-ups and other back exercises are not really that important; I certainly thought that way when i was younger. It's all about big arms, bulging pecs, and ripped abs, right? I barely worked my back at all until I injured my shoulder, and began physical therapy. The personal trainers there taught me a lot about the importance of those back exercises, and now it is one of my favorite muscles to work out.
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