Sunday, March 30, 2008

Bodybuilding Supplements - For Worked Out Muscle Cells Crying Out "Feed Me, Feed Me!"

You may be doing hours of exercise but if you want to increase your results you need to look to bodybuilding supplements. The fact is, that unless you ensure that you eat six optimally balanced meals each day, you're not going to be getting those hoped-for muscles as quickly as you could if you were using bodybuilding supplements. Yes, I know it's confusing with the enormous array of choices, and supplements are always expensive but if you choose well, you can have incredible results which make them well worth the money.

Bodybuilding supplements can give your body the perfect dietetic balance that will promote the speedy acquisition of those desired-for muscles. There are many varieties of bodybuilding supplements so you will need to research to find the one that is best suited to your goals. Be careful while using bodybuilding supplements, as their improper use is harmful.

If you're looking for meal replacement powders try to find one that has everything you need to effectively supplement your bodybuilding project. This will save you buying multiple ones and although it may work out as a little more expensive, it is easier than buying several different supplements individually.

Price minded bodybuilders should consider buying bodybuilding supplements in bulk saving them a lot of money in the long run and doing the environment some good by saving on packaging.

If you are already using for a meal replacement shake than all you need in addition is a high quality multivitamin, once a day. However, additional Vitamin C could also be added as you cannot get too much of vitamin-C. The body just passes unused amounts. How much is a good amount for a bodybuilder? About 3000 milligrams per day evenly spaced out. If your multivitamin has 1000 milligrams of vitamin-C, just add another 1000mgs at lunch and dinner.

Fast absorbing protein bodybuilding supplements add to the results of each exercise as large muscles need protein for rebuilding and strengthening. Whey is one of the best sources as it is the fastest and completely absorbs.

Following the manufacturer's instructions for taking body supplements can prevent from you doing harm. The amounts give in the usage instructions are there because the process of muscle increase requires a specific amount for nutritional balance.

Summary:

There are an enormous amount of bodybuilding supplements to choose from but once you're sure of what you need to supplement your diet and exercise, the results will convince you that they are money well spent.

Brooke Hayles
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Friday, March 28, 2008

How To Dominate A Frustrating Bodybuilding Plateau

One of the most frustrating things a bodybuilder can encounter is hitting the wall at a plateau. A plateau refers to a point where you seem to stop growing, and your strength seems to stop increasing. It seems that you can train as hard as you like and your body doesn't seem to react like it used to, your muscles aren't breaking down after workout and you are recovering before your even hurt. Here we will explore this mysterious 'plateau' and look at some ways to overcome the inevitable condition.

A plateau is usually caused by the body becoming too accustomed to the kind of work it is being asked to do. As you should know, the reason muscles grow and expand is because they are forced to perform tasks that are outside their capability and so a message is sent that they need to be larger and stronger to cope with being asked to perform such workloads.

You will usually find a plateau to occur when:

1. Your training program has remained the same for too long. This includes the same exercises, the same number of sets and reps, and the same rest periods. The body becomes accustomed to being challenged in exactly the same way and despite your efforts, requires no extra growth to handle that challenge.

2. Your eating has remained the same. Just like your training, you will notice you can reach a point in your diet where your body becomes accustomed to taking in a larger amount of food. Even though you still eat alot, you won't continue to grow unless you are challenging your body by taking in more and raising the bar again.

So how can you beat the notorious plateau? Let's take a look.

The obvious answer is that beating plateaus comes down to changing things up. Changing the way you eat and changing the way you train. Here are some ideas:

Do your whole workout backwards. Whatever you normally do at the gym do it in reverse. If you used to train back and biceps together starting with back first, hit your bi's first and see how different it is. If you used to train concentration curls then preacher curls, reverse the order. Change the number of reps, throw on an extra two or decrease by two and go for full power. Anything to shock your muscles into growing again.

Eat EVERYTHING Depending on what your goals are alter your diet to shock your digestive system too. Maybe try to take in the same amount of calories from different foods or just go for a super overhaul and add an extra few thousand calories per day. There is no doubt your body will respond.

Supplements There are certain supplement, mainly very new in nature that can actually assist an athlete to break physical barriers in the last few reps of your workouts, taking the body to places it has never been and in the process smashing through plateus very effectively. An example of one such supplement is the new Gakic, which works to remove fatigue toxins from the bloodstream during high intensity exercise and allows the trainer to push past the point of usual failure.

Whichever method you use, remember the idea is to instigate CHANGE. The moment you notice your growth stop, change things up. It's one of the big secrets to supercharged and continual growth.

Gary Stephens is a writer on Bodybuilding Supplements and runs an informational website on the new Muscletech Supplement gakic.

For more information please see http://www.gakicreview.com

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Shopping for Supermarket Protein Sources that Enhance Your Bodybuilding Diet

If you are getting into bodybuilding then you need to understand that what you eat is just as important as what you exercise. In other words, you can lift as many weights as you like but if your muscles are not getting the fuel they need to grow, you are wasting a great deal of effort.

You Need Protein

With just a little research into an effective bodybuilding diet you will quickly discover that enough protein is one of the most (some say the most) important parts of your nutritional intake. In short, protein is the building block of lean muscle - a lack of protein means your muscle building potential is much lower.

There are many opinions on how much protein your body needs each day and it may depend on your bodybuilding goals. Typically you might consider taking around 1 gram of protein per pound of your body weight each day.

Using Nutritional Information to Choose Your Foods

There are plenty of foods in your local supermarket or grocery store that contain a useful amount of protein. Today's regulations that ensure food product manufacturers display the nutritional content of their product make choosing your groceries a breeze. However, before you go running off to buy every high protein food you can find, a certain amount of care must be taken. Take the time to read through the food's nutritional information table in it's entirety. Not only are you looking out for the protein content but you also need to consider fat content, sugar content, carbohydrates, and so on. If your goal is to grow lean muscle then it is a good idea to avoid too many products high in simple sugars, calories and refined carbohydrates.

Popular High Protein Groceries in Your Bodybuilding Diet

You are now ready to hit the supermarket in search of quality protein food sources. These are foods that are high in protein but not so high in other elements that will hinder your lean muscle targets (i.e. calories, carbs, etc.):

MEAT: If you enjoy eating meat then generally 3 meats are recommended. The favorite is chicken (the number of recipes you can find on bodybuilding forums show this). Chicken is very lean and cheap. Similarly, turkey is actually slightly leaner then chicken and has higher protein percentage. Lean beef (look for cuts that are really red without any visible fat when possible) is another great source of protein.

EGGS: Raw or cooked, eggs are another staple in a lot of bodybuilder's diets. Many people will avoid the yolk of the egg and simply eat the white, discarding some quality protein. It's true that the yolk of an egg contains most of the calories but it also contains most of the eggs nutrients as well as some protein. Why not save a few of the yolks!

FISH: Fish is an important source of protein and many bodybuilders live off cans of tuna. In fact I knew one guy who would mix in a can of tuna with his cereal every morning - not really my idea of a tasty start to the day.

MILK/DAIRY: 'Skimmed' or 'fat free' milk is another good source of quality protein and can be consumed as it is (think homemade shakes or in your breakfast cereal) or in so many dairy foods. You need to take care with which dairy products you choose but there are always options for the dieting conscious. You can eat fat free versions of your favorite yogurts, ice-creams (watch out for other ingredients), cheeses (cottage cheese is always highly recommended), and more.

SOY: The vegetarians amongst you will no doubt be aware of the protein content of soy products. Soy beans are pulses and so they contain a good helping of protein. Soy beans are used to make soy milk, tofu and many meat substitutes, many of which taste like the real thing. This not only helps vegetarian bodybuilders but also people with a lower tolerance for dairy products.

AND...: There are plenty of other foods high in protein such as nuts (good for vegetarians) pulses (another good source for vegetarians), cereals, and so on. Take some time to research other foods on the internet - there is a massive amount of information on websites, forums, newsletters, and so on.

Is Protein All a Bodybuilder Needs?

No. Protein, although a vital part of a bodybuilder's diet, is not the be all and end all. Bodybuilders also need the energy to physically perform their exercises and this comes mostly from carbohydrates, or more specifically, complex carbohydrates. This is a subject of another article so watch this space. You need both a higher protein intake to 'rebuild' your muscle and the appropriate complex carbohydrates to fuel your workouts.

Now go and make a quality protein shopping list then hit the supermarket!

Adam Zahler has built the Whey Protein Supplements in Bodybuilding site, a free resource with information on using commercial supplements in your own bodybuilding recipes. Visitors to the site can find recipe ideas and also share their own recipes for making protein shakes, protein bars and other more.

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Choices Tor Home Gym Equipment That Offer Total Fitness

If you're aiming for total fitness, then there's a lot of home gym equipment you can choose from. In most cases, basic equipment will probably give you a lot in terms of cardiovascular training and weight loss, but if your idea of total fitness means tougher challenges to target specific areas of the body, then there are certain home gym equipment you can look at.

Depending on your preference and fitness goals, here are a few of the fitness machines you can find in stores and what you can expect:

The EXM-1500S
For a home gym offering total fitness, the EXM-1500S is a solid powerhouse. The weight stack is only 160 lbs., but that's enough to give you some serious at-home workout and also a great choice for beginners or moderate users who are easily intimidated by heavier and bulkier machines. The equipment parts are excellent and features powder-coated frames made of heavy steel. You'll get a lot of workout safety with the pulleys, which are made from industrial-grade materials.

The EXM-1500S comes with a lifetime warranty and can be had for less than $1,000. Not bad for a total fitness home gym equipment that has a lot to offer.

The EXM4000S
At $3,499, this total fitness home gym equipment is not for wimps. It features multiple workout stations which allow a maximum of four users to exercise simultaneously. Not one but three weight stacks that at 210 lbs., can give you a complete home workout. The weight stacks can be customized in increments of 10 lbs. so you can build your resistance and strength gradually.

If you want the total gym equipment package, the EXM4000S is a great choice. It offers a lot in terms of upper and lower body workout choices for total conditioning, toning, endurance and muscle building.

The Titan T1
For home gym equipment that is named after the giants of Greek mythology, the Titan T1 is built to intimidate you into performing your home fitness routine or just provide you with enough challenge to keep you going. Many experienced gym owners and fitness enthusiasts like it because of its user-friendly features that's perfect for both family-use and serious bodybuilding work.

Titan is more famous in Europe than in the US, but it's slowly gaining admirers on the local scene. Some of the Titan T1's features are those found in commercial gym equipment, such as its 'Assisted Exercise Technology' which will run you through an exercise routine as well as a real, flesh-and-blood trainer would.

The Titan T1 boasts of machine-milled pillars that are stainless steel. Many weightlifters prefer this to the usual chrome-plated pillars that are used in many regular home gym equipment. It's tougher and sturdier and can provide a challenging total body workout.

The Hoist V5
Sometimes referred to as the 'Cadillac' of the total fitness machines, this is one of the high-end contenders and can cost upwards from $2,500. It may be worth your money, though because it can help you perform varied exercises to target specific areas of the body for total core-conditioning. The weight stack is at 200 lbs., enough to keep you lean and mean.

It includes a leg-curl, a bar for the lat pulldown and a chest press. The leg press is not included in the basic equipment, although it can be purchased separately.

The BodyCraft Family Xpress
If you're not the only fitness buff in your family looking for a total body workout, then the BodyCraft may just have the perfect fitness solution for you. This total home gym features two weight stacks of 200 lbs. each, allowing multiple users to work out at the same time. The cable system is fully adjustable for weight training and the basic equipment includes a crunch station to keep abdominals flat and ripped.

The leg press provides resistance of up to 400 lbs., enough for even the most jaded fitness enthusiast to feel challenged. The hip station is optional, though and you might find that the equipment itself eats up a lot of floor space, but for a total workout, this is an equipment you might want to consider.

The Powertec Workbench
If you like the features of a total home gym and are targeting your muscle groups for some serious training, the Powertec might be a good choice. Be warned that this is not for beginners and serious weight training fans may have better use for it.

The Powertec allows you to customize your weights (you will need to use your own) and it's more than able to assist you for some power lifting. It provides some serious challenge with 250 lbs. for the leg lift, 350 lbs. for the lat pulldown and 500 lbs. for the press. You can get a 200-lb. arm curl as an addition and if you're planning to buy this equipment, be prepared to spend for extra weights.

For total fitness at your home gym, nothing beats a fitness equipment that comes complete with features. Make sure you do some shopping first before actually buying and try the equipment for a few minutes to see if it will deliver what it promises. If you partner with the right kind of home gym equipment, total fitness is not an impossibility.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Total-Fitness-Home-Gym.html

http://www.myalpha-power.com or http://www.aperfectharmony.com

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Monday, December 3, 2007

How To Choose The Best Low Impact Home Gym Equipment

More and more, we are reminded to exercise to get in shape and maintain good health. Unfortunately, many of the exercise options that are offered to help us can hurt us at the same time. High impact exercises burn a lot of calories and offer good cardiovascular benefits. At the same time, they can damage joints and bones. There are now options available that have the same benefits as high impact exercises but also minimize the chance of injury.

There are several great low impact pieces of exercise equipment. Three of these are:

Exercise bikes
Rowing Machines
Elliptical Trainer

Let's examine each of these exercise machines.

Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes come in two main forms, upright and recumbent. The upright bike is like regular bikes in that you are sitting upright when using it. The benefit of an upright bike is that you can use it sitting down or standing up. Alternating sitting and standing will burn more calories by increasing exertion.

The recumbent bike leans back and your feet are positioned in front of you. These bikes offer more comfort and back support, but burn fewer calories since you have to remain in a seated position. Both styles of bike offer good exercise benefits, but mainly just exercise your legs. The prices range from $300-$600.

Rowing Machines

Rowing machines are built to simulate rowing a boat. They provide a good workout, not just for rowers but also for anyone seeking a good overall form of exercise. They range in price from $100 all the way up to $1500, depending on the quality of the machine and the options available. They offer four forms of resistance:

Air-This works by using a fan. As you pull on the bike, the fan spins and simulates the feel of rowing an actual boat.

Hydraulics-This works through hydraulic cylinders or pistons. While less expensive, they don't work as smoothly as others.

Water-This works by pulling bars through a small water tank and comes closest to simulating actual boat rowing.

Magnetism-As the title suggests these models use magnets. They offer a smooth, quiet ride and are more expensive.

Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers also offer a good workout. The movement of the pedals combines the benefits of both a treadmill and an exercise bike. This works by standing upright on the pedals, which move around a large wheel. Since many have cross training bars that move back and forth, you get both an upper and lower body workout. The prices range from $200 up to $2500 for elliptical machines. Choose one with the following attributes:

Large wheel in front for sturdiness
Magnetic breaks for longer wear
Articulating footpads to keep circulation in your feet
A stride length between 18 and 21 inches.

When determining which piece of equipment is best for you, consider all the facts presented here. This way you can decide which machine is the right one for you.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as other Fitness Equipment

http://www.fitnessequipmentplus.com

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