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The Surprising New Tricks Pros Are Using to Build Muscle. Last Updated: 4/06/2014 12:50 PST Reading about sports these days, we are constantly bombarded with news of top notch athletes being exposed for using illegal steroids. Steroid use involves huge costs, legal issues, and above all, potential health problems. With such risks, you wonder why anyone would be tempted to go this route.

Fortunately, steroid use may eventually be a thing of the past. That’s because medical researchers studying how the human body builds muscle and endurance are developing safe and legal substances which can increase the body's ability to build muscle, without the health risks associated with steroids. One of the most interesting fields of research surrounds a naturally occurring chemical compound called nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means it helps move oxygen to the muscles when they need it most. It’s been shown to lead to: One of the most successful products that has emerged from this research is called Factor 2. Add two inches to your height with yoga. GAIN Fitness - Personal Trainer Quality Workouts. Designing a Resistance Training Program - McKinley Health Center - University of Illinois. Your fitness goal The first step to designing a resistance training program is establishing your fitness goal.

The type and number of exercises, as well as the number of sets and repetitions will differ based on your fitness goal. Table content taken from Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, edited by Thomas Baechle for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Endurance and Health/Fitness programs are appropriate for inexperienced or currently inactive individuals. Your fitness plan The next step in designing your program is determining how many exercises you will include for each of the muscle groups. Rotation 1 Rest 60 - 90 seconds between sets. Rotation 2 Exercise suggestions The last step is choosing the specific exercises you want to do for each muscle group in your program.

Upper Back Prone/seated rows Push-ups Pull-ups Lower Back Superman Trunk extension The plank Chest Bench press (flat, incline, decline) Flys Push-ups Biceps Curls Hammer curls Preacher curls Triceps. The Best Of The Best: Here Are 20 Gems Of Wisdom You Need To Know. Think of this list as the Academy Awards of getting bigger, stronger and leaner: It’s a collection of tips that represent total domination in the gym. Each “best” selection was chosen based on either bona fide scientific data, overwhelming anecdotal evidence by hardcore gym rats around the world or both. Looking for the best way to add thickness to your arms, carve out a six-pack or throw around more weight than you ever have? You’ll find the answer here. 1) Best For Big Biceps: Barbell Curl While variety is key to developing well-balanced arms, we suggest you stick mainly with straight barbell curls and use the EZ-bar just once in a while for a change.

The Weider Research Group recently compared the two versions using a group of trained bodybuilders and found that the straight bar allowed subjects to lift more weight for 10-rep sets than the EZ-bar. More weight used means greater muscle-fiber stimulation and growth potential. 2) Best For Overall Chest Mass: Dumbbell Bench Press 1. 2. 3. 4.