Cardiovascular Training during your bodybuilding workouts - fat loss that's good for the heart!

Bodybuilder or not, no one who's playing with a full deck wants to be carrying excess body fat. While weight training and dieting play major roles, to maximize fat loss you should also be doing some sort of cardiovascular training (more affectionately known as cardio) to compliment your bodybuilding workouts.

Cardio, can be defined as any continuous exercise that increases the heart rate to what exercise physiologists call the target heart range. You can calculate your target heart range by using a formula that takes into account your age, resting heart rate, and approximate fitness level. It is important to note that the general guidelines for calculating your target heart rate are only a guide. Many other factors such as family genetics, medical conditions, and even common medications, also play a role in determining the best level to workout.

Cardiovascular training can take many forms. You can walk, bike, run, swim, cross country ski, or attend aerobic classes. Another way to effectively vary your cardio training is by cross-training. Cross-training involves alternating various different types of exercises in one exercise session. No matter what you do, the primary objective is to raise your heart rate to your target heart rate zone, keep it there for 25 to 30 minutes, and to do this for at least three times per week. Make sure that if you are doing an activity like swimming or running, that your skill level is sufficient enough to allow you to maintain your heart in the target heart rate zone. Start/stop activities, such as tennis, hockey, bodybuilding workouts, and basketball, are great workouts, but do not provide continuous time in the target heart range. Therefore they have limited cardiovascular and fat loss benefits.

Calculating your Target Heart Range

Exercise provides the most benefits when the heart has been challenged, but not overstressed. The best way to do this is to bring your heart up to a range that is between 60% and 85% of its maximum heart rate. The maximum heart rate refers to the approximate level after which there is the potential for danger to the individual because the heart is being overworked. Maintaining this exercise level is both difficult and dangerous and will cause fatigue within minutes. Below this and within the target range, the heart is strengthened and made healthier. The target heart range can be calculated as follows: 1. Subtract your age from 220 to get your maximum heart rate.

2. Multiply your maximum heart rate first by .60 (60%) and then by .85 (85%). This will give you your target heart range.

if you are 30 years of age, the calculations would look like this. 220 - 30 = 190, then 190 x .60 = 114 and 190 x .85 = 162

For practical purposes, the average of these two numbers is a good value to strive for. In the previous example the average is 138 beats per minute.

Now you calculate your own target heart range: 220 - _________ = _________ x .60 = _________ _________ x .85 = _________ This is your Target Heart Range.

How much and how often?

In order to gain the fat loss benefits of cardiovascular training, you should do sustained activity of the large muscle groups for a minimum of twenty to thirty minutes at least three times per week. Four to five is optimum but three times is adequate to improve your cardiovascular health.

When Should I do my Cardio?

You have four options when it comes to doing your cardio workout. The simplest options are to do your cardiovascular training immediately before or after your bodybuilding workouts. Most people choose one of these options, as it means only one trip to the gym. While some people claim that you should do your cardio before your strength training, we don't think this is necessary. You will receive the same cardiovascular benefits by finishing off your workout with cardio (just make sure you do a light warm-up before your strength training).

The third and fourth options are to separate your cardio and weight training workouts, either on the same day or opposite days. The advantage to this is that you will only be performing one form of exercise when you come to the gym. You will not have to worry about running out of energy during either your cardio or strength training workout. The disadvantage to this type of training is that you will need more time, as you'll have to factor in the commute to and from the gym. Still, for those who have the extra time and prefer shorter workouts, splitting your training is a great option.

Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his bodybuilding articles? http://www.bodybuildinginformation.com bdkosh?Article ? Bob Howard 5/5/2006

Diet For Natural Bodybuilding - Powerful Tips You Can Use Everyday

We are going to examine the most common challenge bodybuilders face which is nutrition.

Unfortunately there is so much confusion about what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat and on and on that it is almost impossible to sort out what to do. Also eating to grow is very different the eating to get shredded so the key point to remember is that your diet needs to evolve with your physique.

Consistency and self-discipline on your eating is two biggest keys to long term success on whatever eating program that you are following. Bodybuilders who are successful always plan ahead and have meals prepared well in advance. If you don't plan out your meals and have them with you at all times you will invariably fail in giving yourself the best possible gains. Hoping that restaurants, or friends or relatives will be serving "bodybuilding food" is unrealistic and leads to frustration as well as no progress. Don't be one of those people who do not prepare their meals in advance.

Here are a few simple rules to remember:

1. Always carry 1-2 meals with you more than you think you will need. This way any delays in your schedule will not throw your eating off.

2. Always eat before you go shopping, to the movies, or to other social occasions where non-nutritious food will be served this way you will reduce any cravings for junk.

3. Prepare food in bulk and use Tupperware containers so that you can grab quick meals at any time. Also you will find it takes very little extra time to prepare 10 meals as it does one meal. This savings in time will actually make your life way more efficient and your eating plan easy to stick too.

4. Get off all artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners cause cravings for sugar, mess up your metabolism and brain function, and may have negative effects on your overall health. Cut them out of your diet immediately and switch to Stevia, or Raw Honey for sweetening. No Diet Sodas.

5. Drink plenty of water each day. Most often dehydration is misinterpreted as hunger. Slug back a liter of water 30 minutes before eating or when you feel hungry and you will see how it curbs appetite significantly.

6. Place nutritious snacks in you car, your office desk at your house basically everywhere that you spend a considerable amount of time. You will quickly develop the habit of eating healthy and junk foods will quickly lose their appeal.

7. Schedule a regular junk food meal once per week. This is a powerful lesson that starts building the will to understand delayed gratification. Every time you have a craving for junk food simply right it down and schedule to eat it on a set day. By the end of the week you can review the list and go eat those foods guilt free. Often times by the junk food day you won't want the food or it won't taste as good as you anticipated. Over time you will develop more control over your cravings and reduce negative guilt associations with food.

This list isn't the be all and end all of eating but it gives you a start to work with.

Keep in mind that your eating program should evolve over time. Your body will naturally adjust from desiring different types of foods depending on a variety of factors such as season, nutrient levels, PH balance of the body, training demands, and conditioning levels to name a few.

Recording how food affects you as biofeedback is critical in understanding the powerful effects of food on your mood and your performance. Review your eating journal regularly so that you become aware of your patterns of eating as well developing awareness of how each food affects your body.

You must master eating and training first before supplements can be effective. So many people try the other way around and wind up frustrated. No supplement can make up for a poor diet or poor training so vow to master these two facets first before wasting money on supplements. Once you master your diet than the right supplement at the right time can do wonders to improve performance but seldom does the supplement deliver when the diet is poor.

Check out http://www.muscle-guide.com for more great information on building muscle and getting fit.

Best Bodybuilding Tip

If there is one surefire bodybuilding tip that I can share with you, which will skyrocket your muscle building efforts, it is rest.

Now you say rest. Yes, I am saying rest, don't workout. This may be way against the grain of your logical thinking, but according to sound physiology, it is right on. If you want to get bigger, stronger, and more cut; then I am recommending not to workout. Resting is the most powerful muscle building technique you can implement.

First off, your body develops muscle while you are resting, not during your bodybuilding workout sessions. Muscle fibers hypertrophy, or get bigger, and stronger than before, thus, get you ready to lift more weight during the next bout of exercise.

The entire muscle building process begins when you lift your first weight to a level of overload, or momentary muscle failure. You will be unable to move the weight for another repetition. This momentary muscle failure places stress on the muscle and calls upon it to adapt by becoming stronger to overcome similar resistance in the future. Thus, the growth process has been stimulated. Strength training to absolute muscle failure stimulates muscle growth, but doesn't produce muscle by itself.

Now you go home from the gym, and fuel your body to allow for an energy compensation to occur, which gets your body back to the energy level it was prior to your hi intensity training session. When this short step has completed, overcompensation begins. This is where muscle fibers thicken and begin to grow stronger.

The next question you might ask is how long do I rest? You rest long enough to complete this overcompensation process. Not resting long enough is the biggest mistake ninety nine percent of bodybuilding participants make. If you take the more is better approach by coming back before your muscles are fully recuperated, you will short circuit the whole muscle building process and decrease your bodybuilding workout results. Don't make this deadly mistake! Let your body completely finish growing before you stimulate it again with another bout of resistance overload.

There are a lot of variables that come into play when recommending the exact number of rest days. How hard did you workout? How many sets? How intense was the workout? The higher the intensity, and volume, the more rest days you will require between workouts. The average rest days vary between 3-15 days between workouts.

The best bodybuilding tip I can offer you for figuring out the exact amount of rest you need is by testing it. When I say "testing," I am referring to keeping a training log to determine if your strength increases, decreases, or stays the same. If your strength increases, your rest is optimal. If it decreases, you need to take 1-2 or more days off to allow the growth process to complete. If strength stays the same, take another day off before your next bodybuilding workout session.

Your goal should be to become stronger with each subsequent workout. Get into the gym, stimulate growth, and then get the hell out of the gym to go home and grow.

Therefore, rest is the most neglected principle in the bodybuilding universe. Think more is not better. Higher intensity plus optimal rest equals muscle growth.

Please don't make this critical mistake, rest is by far the most important bodybuilding tip I can share with you. Follow it to obtain maximum muscle growth quickly.

***** Attention: Ezine Editors / Website Owners ***** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your eZine, Blog, Autoresponder, or on your website as long as the links, text, and resource box are not altered in any way.

Jim O'Connor- Exercise Physiologist / The Fitness Promoter

Wellness WORD, LLC 9461 Charleville Blvd. #312 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 1-866-935-5967

Exercise Physiologist Jim O'Connor creates and markets empowering health and fitness products across the world. Visit his Bodybuilding Done Right Blog and receive, for free, his report on The 5 Most Deadly Muscle Building Mistakes You Must Avoid. Building Mistakes You Must Avoid

Bodybuilding Replaces Bad Behavior

How many of your know people who only seem to be good at one thing in life? That thing trouble. Why do so many people act like they have no conscience whatsoever and always seem to be living on the wrong side of everything? There are plenty of reasons why people act the way they do but the only answer is to put an end to their troubled lives before the trouble puts an end to that person`s life.

We all look for certain cures for our problems. In today`s world it seems there is a bottle or pill for every problem that a person faces in life. What about people that cause trouble? Don`t they have any discipline at all? They need to realize that there is more to life than trying to put an end to yourself day after day. That is why bodybuilding is the perfect drug for these sort of people. When a person starts noticing an improvement in their physical appearance, their self-esteem raises which gives them the mindset that anything is possible. This could be a step in the right direction to improving a person`s behavior.

When I was younger. I had a negative self esteem because I was overweight and never felt good about myself. This led to many things i shouldnt`ve been doing like lying, cheating, skipping school, and getting involved with the wrong people. This didn`t cure any of my problems but actually made them worse. I finally realized that there was a big need for change and when I started bodybuilding, everything slowly started to get better and I was determined to continue living a better lifestyle.

I also didn`t feel the need to hang around negative people as much because they were becoming a cancer to my bodybuilding goals. Instead of going to a party and drinking a case of beer I would just go to the party and drink one or two beers and then DRIVE home and get my 8-10 hours of sleep I need daily. When my friends started noticing I wasn`t as much of the partying type that I used to be, I noticed they weren`t doing it as much either which is good because you may have the power to put a stop to their negative behavior as well.

Now that you have decided to change your behavior, you need to write down some sort of negative hobby you have and replace it with something positive you can do for yourself. You can do many different things fitness related like weight lift, write an article, hang out on the forums, go supplement shopping, train at a new gym. It may seem difficult at first and feel that your friends might not support you but if they don`t then just get rid of them. They weren`t good friends anyways. Until next article, stay out of trouble.

MY SITES: http://www.clubbodybuilding.com and http://www.geocities.com/bashore69/bodybuildingarticles.html

Bodybuilding overtraining

Read the original article

When you train to much you simply won't grow from it period!

This simply means you can not resolve overtraining by increasing your sleep.

Which ultimately means you have to cut back on your workout, or even take time out fromworking out for about two weeks.

You have to realize when your not working for two weeks your body will still grow for a period up to a week.

But now your still asking yourself how is this possible.

Well think of it as this you've been working out for 8 to 12 weeks straight with maybe one or two days off of a week.

That still is not enough time for the whole body to grow.

So for that first week your body is still healing itself and catching up to the intense workout you have done, and will actually see yourself getting bigger.

Now I'm not saying to go cheat on your diet but you can also cut back on your protein and carbs because your not going to be using the excess carbs for energy.

Into your second gradually add push ups, pull ups, and body squats to your workout.

This way when you start working out again your body will be primed.

Here is a little workout for this.

Do these workout routines three time a week:

Two sets of push ups 25 reps each

Two sets of pull ups 15 reps each

Two sets of body squats 20 reps each

And do a lot of stretching which will reduce the risk of overtraining.

Bodybuilding overtraining

Read the original article

When you train to much you simply won't grow from it period!

This simply means you can not resolve overtraining by increasing your sleep.

Which ultimately means you have to cut back on your workout, or even take time out fromworking out for about two weeks.

You have to realize when your not working for two weeks your body will still grow for a period up to a week.

But now your still asking yourself how is this possible.

Well think of it as this you've been working out for 8 to 12 weeks straight with maybe one or two days off of a week.

That still is not enough time for the whole body to grow.

So for that first week your body is still healing itself and catching up to the intense workout you have done, and will actually see yourself getting bigger.

Now I'm not saying to go cheat on your diet but you can also cut back on your protein and carbs because your not going to be using the excess carbs for energy.

Into your second gradually add push ups, pull ups, and body squats to your workout.

This way when you start working out again your body will be primed.

Here is a little workout for this.

Do these workout routines three time a week:

Two sets of push ups 25 reps each

Two sets of pull ups 15 reps each

Two sets of body squats 20 reps each

And do a lot of stretching which will reduce the risk of overtraining.

Webmaster of Boeafitness.com
Boeafitness.com

 

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - Ecdysterone

Ecdysterone is a powerful compound that can help to maximise your genetic potential to build muscle. It exists in the herbs Rhaponticium and Cyanatis Vaga. Although it has been known about for many years the expense associated with its extraction meant it was not viable for commercial production. Recent advancements in extraction technology, through in-vitrio cultivation, have made wholesale production possible.

Ecdysterone has been subjected to over 50 studies with the following major findings:

1. It increases lean muscle mass.

2. It increases endurance.

3. It stimulates metabolism.

4. It decreases blood sugar levels.

5. It reduces fatty tissue.

6. It prevents loss of muscle mass and promotes growth of muscle fibers.

7. It is suitable for both men and women and has no known side effects.

Ecdysterone seems to create a kind muscle building environment in the body by maintaining a positive nitrogen balance and by increasing protein synthesis. The recommended dose for Ecdysterone is 80-120 mg per day although dosages of up to 600 mg per day can be safely taken.

Ecdysterone has been subjected to over 50 studies with the following major findings:

1. It increases lean muscle mass.

2. It increases endurance.

3. It stimulates metabolism.

4. It decreases blood sugar levels.

5. It reduces fatty tissue.

6. It prevents loss of muscle mass and promotes growth of muscle fibers.

7. It is suitable for both men and women and has no known side effects.

Ecdysterone seems to create a kind muscle building environment in the body by maintaining a positive nitrogen balance and by increasing protein synthesis. The recommended dose for Ecdysterone is 80-120 mg per day although dosages of up to 600 mg per day can be safely taken.

Rick Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Planning An Effective Bodybuilding Routine For Your Lifestyle

You can have all the knowledge in the world about bodybuilding but if you don't have a plan you can follow and actually do it you will remain just another muscle wannabe nerd!

So in Lesson Four we are going to cover important aspects of putting together an executable and followable bodybuilding routine to gain muscle as fast as you humanly can!

If you missed any of the previous lessons you can get them here: http://www.gainmuscleandlosefat.com

Bodybuilding RoutineTip-32:You Must Be Consistent.

When putting together a bodybuilding routine you can follow you need to make it so you can consistently follow it! It is nice to have all these lofty intentions of how your going to change your life completely to gain muscle but this is not realistic and ends up in failure! When making a plan take into consideration your commitments and realistically assess when will be the most likely time you should workout in order to always follow through! The same goes for your eating schedule!Be creative!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-33:Make Your Bodybuilding Routine As Easy As Possible

I am not talking about your training here! But when it comes to making a workout and eating plan you can stick to, the easier it is for you to follow the more likely you will follow it! For example if you are not one to cook, don't make your schedule to cook for three hours every morning before work. If you are not one to get up real early then don't make a schedule that has you working out at 5 am in the morning before work!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-34:Plan Ahead

Make your schedule before you start your weight gain program and know it before you start! if you don't plan ahead chances are way too high you won't follow through with all your meals and workouts!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-35:Stick To Your Plan!

Stick to your bodybuilding routine no matter what! A plan is there for a reason.

Stick to it, be consistent and you will see results! Mentally prepare to do this and see yourself following through at night before you go to bed.I pyche myself up for squat day for a full day before by seeing myself squatting my goal weight in my mind!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-36:Consider A Training Partner Or Coach To Keep You Accountable

When someone else is relying on you or you make a commitment to a training partner or coach you are much more likely to stick to your bodybuilding routine!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-37: Educate Yourself On Weight Gain And Muscle Growth To Keep Motivated.

By continually reading and learning about bodybuilding you keep yourself motivated and involved in your plan.

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-38:Continually Challenge Yourself.

Dont shy away from the challenge you face in bodybuilding, face it head on!Plan your weights and goals ahead of time and take progress measurements to motivate yourself by your successes!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-39:Make Your Routine Interesting.

Most bodybuilding routines can get real stale faster than you are putting on muscle by following them! Don't be afraid to change up your bodybuilding routine but of course this has to be done in an effective way. My Four Phase Plan lays this all out for you so your bodybuilding routine is always new, challenging and mindless to follow.

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-40:Keep Accurate and Scheduled Measurements of Your Progress.

Right from the start of any bodybuilding routine keeping accurate measurements is a must!

By keeping accurate and scheduled progress measurements you can quickly and easily determine what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right.

My book Underground Mass Secrets takes you through doing this step by step and is the only source I know of that provides a point by point trouble shooting section to help you quickly correct your mistakes and quit wasting time doing torture sessions in the gym for nothing!

Bodybuilding Routine Tip-41:Keep a Training And Diet Log.

This goes along with keeping accurate and scheduled measurements of your progress. It also helps you to look back and see what you have been doing in your bodybuilding routine that has given you good results. Another benefit of having a training and diet log is it prevents you from cheating on yourself.

By writing down everything that you are eating you are less likely to eat junk food you did not have in your plan.My course comes with a great easy to follow system for tracking your progress,measuring bodyfat and recording your training and diet to ensure fast muscle gain without spinning your wheels!

You can read more about my complete easy to follow muscle building course at http://www.gainmuscleandlosefat.com

James Jordan

Get The full 51 lesson Build Muscle Mini Course Free by going to James Jordans site http://ww.gainmuscleandlosefat.com

Gym Equipment

Gyms provide you with various exercise equipment to suit your myriad needs. There are two types of exercise recommended for the human body: strength training and cardio. Along with stretching, these two are fundamental to a successful fitness program. Gym exercise equipment falls in either of these two categories.

Cardio, or cardiovascular exercise, is important for a healthy heart, and burns fat by raising the heart rate. The equipment for these kinds of exercises includes treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, stair climbers and more. This exercise equipment is often accompanied by a display screen that tracks the heart rate, along with other information like the number of miles run or calories burned.

Equipment for strength training exercise is more varied. Weight machines, free weights and resistance equipment are used for this purpose. Weight training builds the strength of the muscles and aids in sustaining the benefits that comes form cardio workouts.

Free weights are available in varied sizes and weights. Generally, people have a preference for free weights to weight machines, because the entire body goes through the workout while using the former. Conversely, weight machines are easier to use and a lot safer, and allow the user to work with greater weights.

Weight machines have weights connected to a pulley that the user can use by pushing or pulling other parts of the exercise machine. These machines are highly user-friendly, with each machine carrying an illustration on its correct use.

Also, there is resistance exercise equipment that includes the chin-up bar that works the triceps and the biceps, and the abdomen-working crunch machines.

Balance and resistance equipment can be used independently or with free weights. Doing crunches or lunges on inflatable balls or pads, respectively, is a great way of using the entire body effectively while maintaining balance in the process.

Though gyms nowadays provide innumerable options for the user, it is best to first know how the machines work before trying them out.



Home Gyms provides detailed information on Gyms, Home Gyms, Gym Equipment, Home Gym Equipment and more. Home Gyms is affiliated with Golf Fitness Programs.