Living Fitness

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With the current interest in physical fitness and developing a body that is both healthy and well defined, many people are turning to home fitness DVD’s as a convenient way to develop their body in the convenience of their own home. Not only is working out at home convenient, it allows a level of privacy for those who are just starting out and maybe a little uncomfortable getting going in a crowded class.  Not only that, with an exercise DVD, you can work out anytime of the day or night that suits your schedule. No more running to the gym and trying to find time for an exercise class and in the amount of time you would have spent traveling to class; you can complete your entire workout.

It is important to choose a workout DVD that shows proper technique and form so that the exercises are performed correctly and you maximize the benefits of each move.  The DVD program should have an instructor that is not only motivational, but firm and thorough in guiding you through the various moves.

If you are looking for tips on how to get rid of love handles or you want to firm up your body, you will find many great DVD’s that can help you meet your goals. One very effective exercise program that will help you sculpt your body in a matter of weeks is the Bar Method.  This program will show very noticeable results in only 10 workouts!

The Bar Method uses many of the same techniques that dancers use to get those long, firm muscles. It combines yoga, ballet and Pilates by using very precise, small movements for fast results that create strong and lean body.

If you are interested in losing weight or firming and sculpting your body to achieve the graceful and elegant look often associated with dancers, the Bar Method will not disappoint. This is one of the best and most effective body toning exercise DVD’s available and the fast results will surprise you.

With the various diet fads and exercise routines that are available for people looking to slim down or tone up, it is no wonder that many common terms that most exercise enthusiasts should know may be unfamiliar. If you are working with weights to achieve larger or longer lasting muscles, you may not have heard about core training workouts. Unlike simply defining legs or arms, core strength is a function of your entire body’s power, so that increasing core power will give a boost to strength and stamina across the board.

When a trainer refers to the core, they likely mean the center of your mass. These are the thighs, hips, chest, and stomach. Working on the core has been a staple of exercise routines for countless years, as wrestlers and boxers require a strong low center of gravity to gain a better advantage over their opponent. Core training will work with the muscles of your center of mass, providing the power needed for mobility and endurance.

Muscular strength training is simple and of itself. The process of breaking down muscles and building them up again requires only enough dietary protein to fuel the growth and a few sessions each week. Pushing your muscles to their limits will increase their physical power, while working on endurance will increase your stamina. Both are important, but athletes require power more than endurance, while an average weight lifter will probably not need muscular power in their day to day lives. To build attractive muscle matter, however, strength training is required.

Core exercises will work your main body. The best means of doing so is machine weights targeted to individual areas. Rowing will strengthen your pectoral muscles, lateral crunches will increase abs, and squats will tone thighs. Free weights will also work, but have more capacity to harm your joints and bones in the process.

Stop looking at pictures and get frustrated why these people can look so good with their amazing abs. You can achieve them yourself, believe me! As I will always advise you, the food that you eat or do not eat has so much to do with it. The calories you take can impact gaining or losing this belly fat.

Today, I want to discuss three simple ways how to perform flat stomach exercises. I can say that they are the best stomach exercises anyone can do. You are not required to use any fitness equipment; you can do this in your own convenient home.

Perhaps, you’re familiar with these or its variations with programs like P90X.  These stomach exercises are most appealing if you want to work with specific areas such as your lower ab where most people tend to burn fat last. They are solid core exercises that are going to be most helpful to you.

These are exciting stomach exercises for women to gain that contour back after dealing with child birth. These, too, can be enjoyable stomach exercises for men who want to drop that horrifying beer belly.

Let’s begin!

Scissor Kicks

This exercise can be most challenging. Start by laying on your back while arms and hands are flat on the ground. Raise your right leg to the air perpendicular to your torso while the left leg is stretched slightly above the ground.

You will feel the stretch in your lower abdominal region just by holding this position.

Alternate each leg’s position at least 25 times. Do these exercise 1-3 sets during core workout depending on other exercises that you do.

Hip Raises

The same as how you start in Scissor Kicks, lay flat on your back with arms and hands on the ground. Extend your legs parallel with your body and form diamond shape with your legs. Soles of your feet should touch each other while your knees are facing opposite ways.

Raise your legs perpendicular from your body and make sure that your hips are up into the air. Your hands can be used to lift your lower body up. Then lower your legs parallel to your body again. Repeat 25 times for 3 sets.

Pulse Ups

Again, lay flat on your back. Your arms and hands flat on the ground. Both legs extended perpendicular to your body just the same to Scissor Kicks but this time instead of both legs separated; make sure that they are connected. To provide more tension in your calves and even your core, flex the feet!

Slowly bend the knees while your feet and waist remain in the air. Bend for 1 or 2 counts and then relax your legs again. Be careful not to bend too much as you would during hip raises.

The goal here is more about speed with Pulse ups while form is maintained.

Repeat 25 times in 3 sets.

Some Final Thoughts

If possible, do not take longer breaks in between sets. I am good for no more that 10-15 seconds.

If you think you need one, it should not be a problem. What’s important is that you know what is recommended each time you do core exercises.

Preferably, this ab work out is best 2-3 times a week. It’s your option to do it daily but it’s ideal to give your muscles sufficient time to loosen up after being hurt from these exercises. You need to grow them stronger!

Best results can be attained through consistency & healthy lifestyle diet. Try it!