Men's Fitness Advisor » Health benefits

The Truth about Weight Training and Weight Loss

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:23:13 +0000

Weight training has a vast array of benefits for the mind and body. Some of these include decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improvement of blood circulation, increase in bone density, increase in strength and agility, and prevention of diseases such as heart ailments, circulatory problems and muscular pains.

On the psychological side, those who undertake weight lifting are perceived to have a more positive outlook in life. It can be because this activity is effective reducing stress and anxiety, or because it can give one a sense of fulfillment after accomplishing his or her goals.

Truly, lifting weights can do countless wonders for our physical and psychological health. But do you also know that this form of exercise is also a very effective way of losing or managing one’s weight?

This is why more and more people who suffer from weight problems turn to weight training as a solution. Not only because it is fun and worthwhile to do but more importantly, it is the safer route towards weight loss.

How Weight Training Aids in Weight Loss

    By speeding up metabolism
Through weight lifting, your body’s metabolic rate increases, which means that your body becomes more efficient in burning calories. Eating food high in calories add to our weight especially if we have a sedentary lifestyle.

Think couch potatothose who sit or lie down all day on the couch in front of the television, munching snacks endlessly are prone to become overweight. On the other hand, those who are active like those who go to gyms and lift up hex dumbbells have faster metabolism and can burn calories at a much faster rate.

    By building muscles mass
When we engage in a weight training program, we inevitably begin to build up muscle mass, which consume the calories from the food we eat for its own maintenance. Because of this there are less excess calories that can turn into fat and add to your weight.

    By increasing heart rate
In a way, weight lifting can be like an aerobic exercise because it increases heart rate and you get an aerobic effect in your circulatory system.

How to Lose Weight through Weight Lifting

Follow the expert
Whether you are working out in your home gym or at the local gym in town, it is always best that you follow strictly a guidebook on weightlifting for weight loss or the workout plan devised by a professional weight trainer. Remember, trying to lose weight through lifting weights is a serious matter and it takes a professional to be able to formulate an effective and safe workout plan that you should obey.

Drop calorie intake.
To maximize your weight loss program, it is a good idea to drop your daily calorie intake while you increase your daily cardio output. But do not rush into doing it, as the key for proper weight loss is slow reduction of calorie intake. For example, for the first week of the program, decrease your intake of oils and sweets.

In the second week, get rid of desserts and butters. Do this until you are able to reduce your calories by 150 to 200 calories. This way, you will not experience starvation mode wherein your body holds onto fat because it feels threatened that you are not eating anything.

Add other forms of exercise in your routine.
Weightlifting is not the only effective way to lose weight. In order for you to do this more easily, it is a good idea to incorporate other forms of exercises in your daily routine such as aerobics, jogging or swimming. You should also try using various body building machines such as Smith Machine, treadmill or weight benches. However, it is of utmost importance that before doing so you first consult your trainer if this is all right for you.

Do not forget to eat.
Just because you are trying to lose weight does not necessarily mean that you should starve yourself. Remember, working out and proper nutrition works hand in hand and to achieve excellent results, it is imperative that you are able to nourish yourself properly.

Keep track of your weight loss progress.
Measuring your weight is not the only way to monitor your progress. Sometimes, you would not see any difference in your weight because you have gained muscle mass that just weigh as much.

However, you can measure yourself and see if there is any difference in your body such as hips, waist, arms, calves, stomach, thighs and others. Measure yourself at least once every four weeks. You can also use a piece of clothing to monitor your improvement such as jeans or shirt and see if they have gotten a little looser than before.

More Workout Techniques

    Use light to medium weights and do many repetitions. This is a more effective way of losing weight rather than doing the other way around which is to lift heavy weight for few repetitions.

    Warm up and cool down before and after each workout session to prolong increased heart rate and the aerobic effect in your body. This also helps prepare muscles for intense workout as well as relax them after one.

    Do weightlifting sessions 20 to 30 minutes each day. Overdoing it can cause strain in your muscles or serious injuries.

    Practice proper breathing techniques. Not breathing properly can increaseblood pressure, which is very dangerous.

    Be consistent. You cannot expect to see some results if you keep on skipping your workout or procrastinating to do it the next day. Consistency is very essential.

After weeks of intense workout, you can now say “hello” to the new you. But just in case your weightlifting does not give you the exact body type that you want (like that from the fitness magazine), do not despair. Remember, that with the workout you have done you are much healthier you and that is way more important than achieving a Mister or Miss Muscle figure.

Simple Ways to Reduce Back Pain

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:38:03 +0000

Many Americans would say that they suffer from back pain. Whether its major or minor soreness, back pain is always a nuisance and coping with it becomes part of the person’s daily and weekly regimen. There are a number of reasons that back pain is caused by and even more ways to improve and treat back pain.

Some of the reasons for back pain include injury to the muscles, discs that support the spinal column, muscle strain, damage to the ligaments and overuse of the muscles. There are many consequences that one has to endure when they have to deal with daily back pain.

For one, this person will notice that their back feels at ease when they have better posture. For some Americans, their daily job involves sitting in front of a computer all day, or standing on their feet for long periods of timeresulting in much strain in their back and spinal alignment. Regular visits to the chiropractor are recommended to those with serious and chronic back pain, but this often times can become very expensive and time consuming.

Other lifestyle changes involve wearing a back brace during working hours or investing in a therapeutic mattress that will help the body relax and realign itself during sleeping hours. Choose a resting position that is comfortable while sleeping. Most people that suffer from severe back main recommend sleeping on their side with a pillow positioned between the knees for extra comfort and spinal alignment. At the same time, it is not recommended that the individual stay in bed for more than a day because it can sometimes make the back pain worse. More serious cases might also include the intake of muscle relaxers and pain killers prescribed by a doctor or caregiver.

One of the most effective ways to ease back pain is with a massage chair. These chairs can be completely tailored to work on specific areas of the back and the amount of pressure can also be specifically altered. There are many brands and styles out in the current market that specifically target those who suffer from severe back pain. Even those that don’t live with daily back strain also seek solitude with massage chairs because of their relaxing, soothing and comfortable after affects.

Walking is another exercise that can help ease lower pain, although some sufferers of back pain believe that exercise should be completely avoided while dealing with back soreness. Work with a specialized personal trainer or physical therapist and concentrate on adjoining muscles and areas that can improve the sensations in the back area. And after a “strenuous” hour of working muscles, take a few minutes to yourself in a massage chair to relax the body and focus some attention on problem areas.

Acupuncture is another alternative treatment that can assist in back pain. The technique is an ancient Asian technique that refers to the inserting and manipulation of fine needles into specific points of the body to relieve pain and for therapeutic purposes. Although, if you are a bit weary of voluntarily inserting needles into your body, you might want to stick with a coping strategy that doesn’t involve open wounds.

Dealing and treating back pain can be an exhausting even if you don’t have the right resources, or properly understand why you are experiencing severe back pain to begin with. Check with massage chair comparison chart to properly access the pain and find a way to cope that works best for you. Whether it is pain medication, a change of lifestyle, a new therapeutic massage, or even an investment in a luxurious massage chair, your back won’t have any complaints and hopefully you’ll be free of pain in the future.

Tags: massage chairs | massage chairs | massage chair

Spotting The Difference Between The Alternatives

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:24:30 +0000

Alternative therapies and solutions to health cover such a broad area that it is hard to find one specific definition that fits all. What we do know for sure is that alternative health solutions and therapies, such as the Alexander technique for example, or even body therapy and massage treatments offer a different kind of solution to your everyday health and medical ailments so you don’t always have to rely so heavily on prescription drugs and medication you get from the doctor.

With all the different forms of alternative methods of healing out there, it can sometimes be confusing defining one from the next. But each method and therapy has something different to offer, and understanding the definition of that particular alternative technique is to better understand the function of each one and how they can best help you.

Here is a description of some of these alternative health practices and what they are all about:

Alexander Technique: this technique is a process which is aimed at helping the practitioner learn how to properly coordinate their body and mind. Learning how to do so is thought to be able to help release tension, and improve posture, coordination and general overall wellbeing. Developed by Australian Frederick Matthias Alexander, who thought that studying the kinesthetic sense (which is our sense of bodily location and judgment of effort), could help build awareness of one’s posture and movement in order to improve them.

Body Therapy: a massage is probably one of the oldest forms of bodily healing around today, and this therapy involves stroking and applying pressure on and kneading different parts of the body for the purpose of relieving pain. It also helps to relieve, relax, stimulate and tone the body, helping to achieve overall well being of mind, body and spirit. When you feel relaxed, you automatically feel much better and your state of mind improves, and when your body is free and relieved of pain, the satisfaction and overall feeling of goodness you feel is indescribable. It is so much more than improving the sensation and feel of your body, it also helps to improve muscle tone because it is all about applying pressure on certain muscles and focus points of the body.

Massage Treatments: this is very much the same as an overall body massage or therapy, since it involves massages too. This too involves applying pressure and manipulating the muscles and tissues of the body for the purpose of relieving pain, and relaxing the overall state of the body as well as the mind. These treatments can be applied to every single part of the body, and usually to feel the full benefits and effects, it is best to go to a professional who would know precisely what to do. There are many forms of this treatment available, traditional massages, shiatsu massages, Swedish massages, and sports massages to name just a few, but they all bring about the same form of benefits.

Polarity Therapy: this therapy treatment involves emphasis on energy flow, human touch, and the energy centers, or what we also call chakras, in the human body. Developed by the late American chiropractor and naturopath Dr. Randolph Stone, polarity therapy is about integrating body with a proper diet, and incorporated with yoga-based exercises, as well as a few self-awareness techniques, this method is about releasing energy blockages in the patient’s body, mind, or feelings.

Complementary Medicine: this term merely refers to non-conventional methods of treatment, which can also be used with conventional medicine which you can get from your physician, and it covers broad areas of health and can be applicable in most cases. The definition for complementary medicine is slightly more tricky because the definition would vary depending on the kind of practices involving health which you are actually referring too. Because it is such a broad area to define, the best thing for you to do would be to research the specific area of health practices which you are interested in, and find their definition if you want to learn more about that particular area, and then figure out which medication would be the one to best suit you or better yet, get the advice of a professional who can help you.

Those are just some of the few examples of the different things you can find in the area of alternative healing, and there is plenty more to be discovered. All you have to do is research the one that you are interested in, and then figure out if it is applicable to you, and finally enjoy the benefits that they have to offer.

The Reliable Massage Chairs Of Panasonic

admin — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:55:30 +0000

One of the most recent equipment that has been evolving these past few years are the massage chairs. Manufacturers of this one-of-a-kind, modern piece of equipment are targeting a bigger market by adding in more interesting and unique features.

Buyers now have even more options to choose from and may even have a bit of a hard time selecting the best product or model to purchase since almost everything seem to appear to be of the same kind and quality and even the prices make only little differences. For one, there is this zero gravity massage chair that promises to give maximum comfort to the body.

Though this company is known more for its television sets, video players and digital cameras, one of the most trusted brands nowadays when it comes to quality massage chairs is Panasonic, whose effort in providing such effective high-tech chairs has been widely-acknowledged.

Below are two of Panasonic’s impressive models for the said high-tech chairs with some of their features included for those that might be interested to buy one and would want to make their own massage chair comparisons before having the actual purchase:

- Panasonic Massage Chair EP-1273

If the experts in the field of massages are to be trusted with their endorsements, then go for this premier massage chair model. Many American chiropractors would approvingly recommend Panasonic’s EP-1273 model for its broad options of massage functions that guarantee to provide not three, not six but a remarkable total of eight functions capable of different variants of massage experience that which of course correspond to different beneficial effects.

This particular chair renders rolling, percussion, tapping, kneading and compression massages whose many benefits include reviving “sleeping nerves” while loosening up tight muscles. The popular Hawaiian (known for its rubbing motions that quickly relax the muscles), Swedish (effective for aiding in the improvement of blood circulation) and Shiatsu massages (ideal for people with an active lifestyle or for those into heavy sports since it works deep within the tissue of hard-worked muscles in the body) are also emulated by this model.

In addition, EP-1273 renders optimal support for the user’s back since it has a 27-inch stroke length partnered by an adjustable width function for a more customized massage experience. Its stretch function enables the chair to target deep-down muscle tissues where most of the sores and aches are really concentrated. The 12 air bags found on this chair are for targeting the feet and the calf areas on the legs. One of the most-hardworking muscles in the body are found on the lower extreme (the legs and the feet) since people walk most of the time. A compressing massage is delivered by the air bags to assist the circulation of blood and to work out on the tightened muscles in those specific areas.

- EP3222KU Real-Pro Elite Massage Lounger

With users earnestly claiming that the experience they get from this massage chair is almost similar as that given by a live massage therapist, one may actually believe their words since their accounts are backed up by the remarkable capabilities of this model. First and foremost it provides rolling, kneading and tapping massages (and the intensity can also be made varied) derived from the chair’s five massage routines namely Shiatsu and Swedish massages and the unique Quick, Stretch and Deep massages. The Quick routine provides massage for a span of five minutes incorporating different massage functions (tapping, rolling and so on). The Stretch routine also performs like the Quick routine but only on a longer time frame. The Deep routine delivers a kneading massage that is more piercing and does so in a slow manner so this function is ideal for those who wishes to have a sort of hard massage or those who desires shaper or more intense massage delivery that digs deeper into the muscles.

A more complete, more ample massage for the lower part of the body is also obtained since this model notably has a total of 33 airbags and it also has a generous support for the user’s back with its 27-inch stroke length that would greatly benefit those who have small body frames. The chair can also be automatically reclined for an even comfortable position. The chair also has a leg stretch function that assists in the flow blood in the legs area partnered by another function that massages the soles of the feet.

Panasonic’s credibility for manufacturing such quality, high-tech chairs may be established more with these two mentioned models.

Qlink: The Ultimate Accessory To Reduce Stress and Improve Your Golf Score

admin — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:42:28 +0000

Qlink is a marvelous piece of technology which you can wear while you play to enhance your performance. It makes you feel more energized on and off the playing field. It can be worn around your neck and it helps you reduce stress and ill-effects of the fast paced life.

Qlink increases the level of health by tuning the body’s natural rhythm through resonating with and amplifying the subtle energy in the human body. Noticeable effects are reported as feeling calmer and more relaxed, an increase in energy levels, and a swifter re-centering of the emotional balance. With the plethora of electronic devices like computers, TVs and cellphones that have become an essential part of our lives, the human body is increasingly exposed to substantial electronic radiation from these gadgets, causing more stress and disturbance to the natural energy.

The Qlink pendants are proving themselves to be very popular with professional golfers. As one of the best technologies available to lower their golf scores, they are worn by over 350 PGA Tour players. The winners of over 150 PGA tournaments since 2000 have used QLink pendants to give themselves many health benefits and an edge over the competition. And they are not just for the golf course. Other athletes as well as businesspeople and entertainers have also benefited from this product.

It helps you lower your golf score, enhances endurance and accelerates mental and physical recovery. You will realize enhanced physical and mental performance after wearing the pendant. It helps you improve your ability to concentrate and regain your natural energy much faster than before. It improves your stamina and releases tension and anxiety prior to an important game.

In their search for better performance and lower golf scores, golf fanatics everywhere have embraced this product. Wearing the pendant causes stress levels to drop and performance to improve in more than 90% of the users tested. These results are established by the pendant’s abilities to increase the natural tendency of the body to fight against the effects of stress.

If you’d like to live in a more stress-free state, Qlink can help. It will help you stay focused, while providing a feeling of calm and an increased level of concentration, which is vital while playing gold. Your game can be much more consistent and you can give every shot your very best.

This revolutionary piece of technology is not just about golf, but is as beneficial to non-golfers as well. People in every walk of life are now realizing the true potential of Qlink. In a world with never before levels of stress, this technology marvel has come to rescue just at the right time.

Tags: lower your golf score | lower your golf score | reduce stress | reduce stress | Qlink