Why Performing Cardio Before Weights Is Better For Building Lean Muscle

By Howe Russ

Today's question is one of the most popular among those who are trying to learn how to lose weight, should you perform cardio before or after weights? Today you'll discover the factual answer to this often debated topic.

For many years, this was a subject which was usually answered with personal opinion. There was no real proof whether it was more effective to perform cardiovascular activity before or after a workout, so most people would simply do what worked for their own body and pass on their findings to others.

Recent studies showed beyond any doubt that performing a cardiovascular workout before resistance training was far more effective than doing it the other way around. Today we'll be delving into two of the most well documented studies in this area, showing you why they reached their controversial conclusions. []

Participants in a study at the James Maddison University were subjected to an exercise program over a number of months where one group followed a cardio/weights spit and the others followed a weights/cardio split. The muscle growth in those who did their resistance training first was substantially lower than those on the opposite routine.

Furthermore, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning recently carried out a study on this topic to discover the fat loss benefits, too. Their findings were similar. Those who performed aerobic exercise before hitting the iron were able to increase fat loss results considerably over the group of case studies doing it the opposite way around.

Those facts may be controversial to many fitness enthusiasts, who opt to perform their resistance training first. The theory behind that method is that they don't want their muscles to be tired by aerobic exercise when they begin pushing out repetitions. This makes sense and it's an approach which does yield results. However, science suggests that switching them around is far superior for both fat loss and lean muscle development.

The main findings of recent studies focus on the effects of two enzymes:

* AMPK (aka adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase)

* mTOR (aka mammalian target of rapamycin)

While mTOR is the enzyme responsible for kick-starting the body into the muscle building process at the end of a tough resistance workout, AMPK gets released during aerobic activity to adjust the body for endurance. For around 60 minutes after a workout you'll have a surge of mTOR, meaning the golden window for nutrition is this period if your goal is to gain lean muscle and burn excess fat. This surge lasts around 6 hours. []

If you finish your weight training and then sit on a bike for 45 minutes you have not only wasted the bulk of your golden nutrition window, you have also made a fatal mistake. When the body releases AMPK, i.e. during cardiovascular exercise, this hormone doesn't co-exist with mTOR and actually kills it off.

Learning how to lose weight is a journey often shrouded in myths and opinions. However, thanks to the benefits of modern science you now know the true facts behind whether you should do cardio before or after weights to maximize your fat loss results in the gym.

About the Author:

Next Step: Learn the easy, straightforward truth behind how to lose weight with Russ Howe PTI, the UK's most watched Personal Trainer online. His free video on whether you should do cardio before or after weights will help you to get started now.

A Popular Home Conditioning Machine

By Surrey Lowe

Today, a lot of people live detrimental lifestyles, as they are affected by bad diet and prolonged periods of lack of exercise. These things cause them to be overweight and out of shape. Getting fit will help you lower your cholesterol, shed some pounds, build up endurance and help prevent you from getting sick. A fitness unit like a home treadmill trainer can make easy the ability to workout whenever you can find the time in your busy schedule of things.

Treadmill Benefits

Frequent use of a treadmill machine, whether it be for walking or for running, can condition and shape up your body. Treadmills offer more opportunities for engaging in intensive cardio workouts than other gym fitness machines. There are various treadmill workout programs to lose weight, build muscle or simply improve stamina. The treadmill accommodates to everyone, whether they're athletes or obese people, because it's so easy to use and because so much can be done with it.

Common Treadmill Features

Almost all treadmills today have the ability to vary workout speeds. Incline adjustment functionality is another commonly found feature in treadmills, and it allows you to raise the tread belt to different heights. The perk of these basic treadmill features is that they allow you to mix up your workouts so that they're always interesting and so that you'll never get bored of exercising.

Modern treadmills have many inbuilt workout apps. You'll find a wide range of fitness programs that are designed by experienced certified fitness trainers. Choose one and stick to the instructions for a helpful guided workout session. As you use the treadmill, the speed and incline will automatically change at regular intervals. The progressive nature of the exercise programs will vary, so be mindful and go with one that you know you'll be able to deal with.

You'll find many treadmills have heart rate monitors built into them. These heart rate monitors are often used with pre-configured cardiovascular workout apps so that you can keep an eye on your vitals. Most heart rate monitors are either clipped to the body somewhere or held in the hand. High-quality treadmills use a chest-strap heart rate monitor to accurately track your heart rate and calories burnt. Checking your fitness levels, such as your aerobic activity and progress through a heart rate monitor, is important to keeping fit and staying in shape.

built with. This is useful especially when there are other treadmill trainer users. A handful of treadmills out on the market can use the onboard memory to bookmark workout history, making it easy to see the fitness progress made and to target new fitness goals.

Popular among treadmill trainer models today is a feature called iFit Live capability. This technology connects online and lets you load up maps and trails to workout on. For example, athletes can train from home for a marathon being held in another city. See how well you compare against others on certain race courses with iFit Compete Live. To use iFit Live, you need a treadmill trainer that has both Internet connectivity and iFit Live capability. Check to see if these two specifications are offered on a machine if you're interested in in this technology. Other premium amenities available on premium treadmill trainer models include features such as color touch displays or video functionalities.

Things Found Inside a Treadmill

A treadmill machine consists of a wide conveyor belt controlled by an electric motor or flywheel of varying power. The motor propels the belt, which then moves over belts that spin, as you walk, jog or run on top. The belt is built into a running deck that extends into the frame of the treadmill trainer and supports your entire body weight. The deck can typically be adjusted at various inclines to provide more resistance during workout sessions. Bump up the incline levels of the running deck and you'll get a better cardio workout.

Most running decks are mounted on damping components to make the treadmill trainer shock-absorbent. The most commonly used damping component is a cushioning system, which in some instances can be adjusted with diverse tension levels. The components just identified all work in conjunction in providing varying workout experiences.

Another element to look at is the frame. Some treadmills have foldable frames and some don't. Systems that have foldable frames work for people that are restricted in space. What happens is you lift the deck up into a vertical position. These units tend to cost a bit more, so keep this in mind. Non-foldable platform treadmills are perfect for fitness health centers, as the treadmills here are constantly being used and need to stand up to a lot of wear and tear.

Assortment of Treadmill Systems

Folks will go to treadmills and feature sets that they prefer, but take into account the design of the system as well. A treadmill meant for walking will be different from that which has been manufactured for running. Often heavier user types require more robust treadmill trainer motors. Users over 6 feet tall will want to pick a machine with a longer tread belt so that they're long strides fit within the belt and deck. Consistent use of a treadmill trainer should warrant a more robust motor and a commercial-grade frame. Invest in a high-quality, durable running treadmill in this case even if it costs more.

Summary

The many health and fitness perks of a treadmill make it an important unit for your home gym. When looking around for a suitable treadmill trainer, consider what your needs are and what features you're interested in. Look at the dimensions of the treadmill and make sure that it's going to fit in the spot that you want to place it at. When you consider all these things, you'll be more ready to pick a particular treadmill model that you want.

About the Author:

Treadmill fitness websites are useful places to gather information. Look through some and see what folks are talking about and what products are sought after.

Treadmills Keep You In Good Fitness Shape

By Destiny Nelson

Today, a lot of people live unhealthy way of life, as they are affected by bad diet and prolonged periods of lack of exercise. These points lead them to be overweight and out of shape. Everyday aerobic exercise or muscle building will get you into condition by helping you drop weight, tone up your muscles, boosting your stamina and strengthening your body against injuries. Consider a home fitness treadmill trainer. This machine can help you keep fit by making it easy and convenient for you to exercise whenever you have the time.

Why You Should Exercise on a Treadmill

Running, jogging or even simply walking on a treadmill can really condition and firm up your body over time. Intensive aerobic activity can help you burn calories fast, and eventually help you quickly lose some weight. There are various treadmill workout apps to lose weight, build muscle or simply improve stamina. The treadmill machine caters to everyone, whether they're athletes or obese people, because it's so easy to use and because so much can be done with it.

Popular Treadmill Highlights

Almost all treadmills today have the option to vary workout speeds. There are many other basic features that vary your workouts to help boost fitness levels and achieve your weight loss goals. The perk of these basic treadmill trainer features is that they allow you to mix up your workouts so that they're always interesting and so that you'll never get bored of exercising.

Many of today's treadmills ship with pre-configured workout apps. These programs include workouts designed for targeted fitness goals such as weight loss and training. Just select the app before you begin and follow the treadmill's instructions. The speed and the incline of these set workout programs change automatically, so you don't have to stop your workout to push any buttons. The changes to the speed and incline levels are automatic and predetermined.

Some of these fitness apps work to exercise your heart. A heart rate sensor assists in these types of workouts. Most heart rate monitors are either clipped to the body somewhere or held in the hand. Commercial-grade treadmills, such as those found in gyms, health clubs, universities and luxury resorts, come with chest-strap heart rate monitors, which better keep track of your heart rate. In other words, it can track your cardio fitness level and the intensity of your workout.

Many treadmills come equipped with built in memory, which allow for customized workout programs to be saved for future use. This is useful particularly when there are other treadmill trainer users. Built in memory can also be used to save workout history. This data can be referenced to help assess fitness progress and motivate to new fitness objectives.

iFit Live technology is a advanced treadmill trainer feature that gives you hundreds of virtual courses replicating those at the live destinations. For example, athletes can train from home for a race being held in another city. See how well you compare against others on select race courses with iFit Compete Live. Any treadmill that has Internet connectivity and is compatible with the iFit Live technology can run this multipurpose feature. Enhanced treadmills also have full-color LCD touch screens and a music player to keep your rhythm going as you exercise.

Parts of a Treadmill

The first thing you see when you're checking out a treadmill is its tread belt. It's run by a motor. The belt moves over rollers, which cater to to whatever speed setting you've fixed in the treadmill's electronics. The belt is built in into a running deck that extends into the frame of the treadmill and supports your entire body weight. Premium treadmills have decks that have the ability to adjust incline levels. This capability allows you to mix up the intensity of your workouts. Vary your exercises and never be bored with another workout session.

Treadmill decks are built with shock-absorbent damping parts. A cushioned belt cuts down on jarring impact on your feet while in motion; the tension in the cushioning can be modified for your comfort and resistance requirement. The belt, motor, rollers, running deck, and cushioning system all play a role in providing you with distinct workout experiences on a treadmill.

Treadmill structures are designed foldable or non-foldable. Fitness treadmills with foldable frames are more of a recent enhancement, and suit users where space is confined. Lift the deck of a treadmill trainer that has a foldable frame and you'll be able to recoup some space. These products tend to cost a bit more, so keep this in mind. You'll find that non-foldable treadmills are more commonplace because they're less costly and more long-lasting in construction.

Treadmill Feature Considerations

In addition to the variety of features, you can find treadmills designed for different user types and usage. There are treadmills that are developed exclusively for walking and jogging and there are treadmills that are created specifically for sprinters. Often heavier user types require more powerful treadmill trainer motors. Taller users need a treadmill trainer with a longer tread belt that can readily accommodate their long strides. Consider a commercial-grade fitness treadmill trainer. These will last you for the long haul. Invest in a high-quality, durable exercise treadmill in this case even if it costs more.

Conclusion

A treadmill trainer will help better your health and your fitness lifestyle. You should think about adding this system to your home gym. When looking around for a suitable treadmill machine, consider what your needs are and what features you're interested in. Be sure you take appropriate measurements of the location of where you want the treadmill trainer to go to ensure that it'll fit. If you think about all these things, you'll be more ready to decide on a certain treadmill trainer model that you want.

About the Author:

Treadmill review sites are useful places to gather product recommendations. Look into some and see what folks are discussing and what systems are trusted.

Is HIIT More Effective On An Empty Stomach?

By Russ Howe

High intensity interval training is a great way to burn fat but most people fail to change their nutrition accordingly and don't get the results their hard efforts in the gym deserve. In this post we show you how to tailor both your diet and your supplements to perfectly balance your fat loss and muscle gains when using HIIT.

Your workouts will be greatly improved by following the simple steps shown in today's article.

You probably know at least one person who insists upon training first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is more habit than anything else, but they'll swear it's better for your results. In fact when looking into high intensity interval training scientists discovered the direct opposite. Hitting the gym with your body stocked up on all the correct nutrients, which we will cover in just a moment, will give you better results.

The majority of gym users discovered high intensity interval training in the last ten years but this technique has been used in sports for over twenty years, so research into the nutritional aspect is anything but sparse. The problem is, however, most people short change themselves by not taking any time out to discover what they need to change with their diet to make the most of this new way of performing cardio for fat loss.

Today's article will focus mainly on people looking towards the fat loss benefits from high intensity interval training. There are two very important keys here, which are:

* Most people perform their workout on an empty stomach and consume their protein or other supplements after they have finished in the gym. Research actually shows that you can obtain far greater fat loss results if you also take a whey protein shake around twenty minutes before your session, particularly with high intensity cardiovascular workouts.

* Try adding some essential amino acids to your supplement routine and consuming them before your cardio workout to maximize results. EAA's are proven to help retain muscle mass while burning fat.

There are two sides to the workout window, and those folks who insist on only feeding their body after a session are missing out on some great results. Ensure you hit your next high intensity level training fully prepared with protein and essential amino acids.

Studies also show that individuals who use essential amino acids get more from them when consumed before a workout as opposed to after. One particularly useful experiment showed us that our body is able to use up to 42% of this supplement if taken prior to a big gym session, compared to just 16% when taken afterwards.

And that's it. Pretty simple stuff in the end, right? By ensuring your body has enough essential amino acids and a nice serving of whey protein around 20 minutes before you do your next HIIT session you will greatly improve your results.

About the Author:

About the author: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's most subscribed fitness instructor. He reglarly teaches gym members how to lose weight , introducing many to hiit workouts on a daily basis.

Pushing New Muscle Building Progress With 3 Easy Rules

By Russ Howe

After three to four months of a workout program you will usually hit a plateau. Today we are going to explain how to build muscle effectively and continuously, bursting through that plateau and pushing yourself to a new personal best.

The easy part of building a more muscular physique is realizing you need to work out. Sadly, that's as far as most people get in terms of research and knowledge. There are a few other things which you will need to do to maximize results for yourself and today we will reveal them to you.

The most ridiculous aspect of the health and fitness industry is the amount of conflicting advice out there. Particularly online, which is a virtual mix and match bag of completely different theories. This leads to so many people becoming incredibly lost with their fitness that they just have no clue where to start. In order to get consistent results it's a good idea to get the basics down first.

When it comes to building programs there are a few questions which pop up a lot more than any others. Those are listed for you below...

* What is the optimal number of repetitions to do?

* What do you need to eat?

* Do you need to train every day or not?

The optimal zone for stimulating lean tissue growth is between eight and twelve reps for most exercises. This means you do not need to spend the countless high repetition sets on most exercises, particularly your big compound lifts, so make the most of this knowledge and begin applying it right now. You should see results from this method very quickly.

Once you have got used to training with your specific goal in mind and you begin to look for ways to further shake things up you won't be short on choice. One of the best ways to do this is using techniques like strip sets, super sets and add sets. These will not only provide a great pump but will also stimulate further growth.

A big problem with many fitness enthusiasts is diet. Do you really know what you should be eating? For most people the answer is no. Don't worry though, the basics are covered below.

Diets aren't just for girls and people looking to lose weight. The sooner you realize that fact, the sooner you will be able to get your results back on track. Most people don't just want to get bigger, they want to remain quite toned in doing so.

You do not need to watch every single calorie, of course, but having a rough idea of what to eat is an advantage. The 3-5-2 concept has proven most effective and will keep you on the right track. Try to split your calories between 30% protein, 50% carbohydrate and 20% fat. That simple idea is the basis of a solid building diet.

Rest is the final part we want to go over today. Once you begin enjoying your training and seeing results you will find it hard to resist the urge to train whenever and wherever possible. The main problem with this is you can hold yourself back slightly by not allowing your muscles the time to recuperate. Days off are not just useful, they are recommended.

These are three of the most important steps teaching you how to build muscle and retain it. Each of the steps is backed up with scientific research and if you are able to incorporate them into your current routine you will notice increased results.

About the Author:

About the Writer: Russ Howe PTI is the UK's most subscribed Personal Trainer. Discover how to build muscle with our free video guide teaching the five rules to a more muscular body.

Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise And Guidelines To Ensure Your Workouts Are Really Aerobic

By Jasmine Greene

"Aerobics" was first coined by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, an exercise physiologist at San Antonio Air Force Hospital. He developed the formula of subtracting your age from 220 and exercising with the heart rate at 60-80% of that number. Though originally formulated to help astronauts, the benefits of "aerobics" made Dr. Cooper realize that this type of exercise is useful for everyone.

Since that time, the original formula has been improved, and studies have shown several benefits of regular aerobic exercise, such as:

*Weight loss & maintaining weight (aerobic exercise burns fat!)

*Increased long-term energy and stamina

*Improved mood

*Pain relief (by natural endorphin production)

*Stronger heart and better circulation (by keeping arteries clear and preventing heart disease)

*Better blood sugar control and adrenal health

*Lower blood pressure

*Stronger bones and prevention of osteoporosis

*Stronger immune system

*Longer life expectancy

If you're suffering from low energy, dwindling endurance, aches and pains, excessive body fat, stress, or if you crave sugar or carbs, chances are you're not getting enough aerobic exercise!

There are two basic criteria that set aerobic exercise apart from anaerobic: intensity and time. To exercise aerobically, your body must be at a very specific level of intensity, and you must maintain that level of intensity for at least thirty minutes at a time. If your heart rate is too low or too high (or variable), your exercise will become anaerobic instead.

During true aerobic exercise, the body burns fat for energy. This process requires oxygen, hence the term "aerobic." Aerobic exercise is useful for improving muscle endurance (allowing them to function for hours or days at a time without fatigue). This is especially important for those muscles that support posture, joints, and the arches of the feet. Therefore, if there is not sufficient aerobic exercise, the chances of joint problems, injuries, and low stamina increase.

In anaerobic exercise, the body burns sugar (glucose) for energy. No oxygen is required for this type of energy production. Burning sugar provides short term speed and power. Muscles cannot burn sugar for long, however, and so they fatigue quickly. Most people have no shortage of anaerobic exercise; even while seated, the body runs many tasks anaerobically, and virtually all sports are anaerobic due to their alternating bursts of high intensity (anaerobic) exercise and rest.

Internationally recognized researcher and author Dr. Phil Maffetone has greatly changed our understanding of aerobic exercise and endurance training. Dr. Maffetone studied many athletes pre- and post-workout for many indicators, including heart rate, gait, and muscle imbalance. He found that the athletes who used Dr. Cooper's original formula often over-trained and suffered from injuries, distortions in body mechanics and posture, pain, and joint problems. After much work, Dr. Maffetone developed a new and improved formula for calculating each individual's target heart rate for true aerobic exercise.

Follow these four simple steps to ensure your training is aerobic and to enjoy all the benefits of aerobic exercise:

1. Invest in a heart rate monitor. It's just not a good idea to rely on the "feel" of a workout or to guess at whether your heart rate is too low or too high. There are many brands and models to choose from. Polar is an industry leader and is usually a safe bet. I recommend purchasing a model that has a chest strap as well as a wrist watch/display. If you work out in a gym rather than outdoors, invest in a model that is coded so that there is no electrical signal interference from other devices in the gym.

2. Calculate your maximum aerobic heart rate using Dr. Maffetone's formula. Just subtract your age from 180 to calculate your maximum aerobic heart rate. For example, a 33 year old who wants to exercise aerobically would have a maximum heart rate of 147 beats per minute. Modifiers and exceptions to this formula are as follows:

*Subtract another 10 from the maximum aerobic heart rate if: recovering from major illness or surgery, or if on any regular medications.

*Subtract another 5 from the max heart rate if: injured, have regressed in training or competition, suffer from more than two bouts of cold/flu per year, have allergies or asthma, just starting to train, or if you've been training inconsistently (Dr. Maffetone defined consistency as at least 4 times per week for 2 years).

*Add 5 to the max heart rate if: training consistently for more than 2 years without injuries or problems and have made progress in competition.

*Add 10 to the max heart rate if you're over the age of 65.

*This formula does not apply to athletes 16 years old or younger. Best bet for these athletes is 165 as the max heart rate.

*If in doubt, choose the lower maximum heart rate.

3. Calculate your minimum aerobic heart rate by subtracting 10 from the max aerobic heart rate. For a healthy 34 year old, the max heart rate is 146 and the minimum is 136.

4. Walk, jog, swim or bike while wearing your heart rate monitor. Stay within your aerobic heart rate zone for at least 30 minutes at a time, and at least three times a week. I don't recommmend exceeding 90 minutes without a doctor's supervision.

You'll find it's surprisingly easy to exercise aerobically. It doesn't take much to get your heart rate up to the target zone. That's good news for couch potatoes (talk about exercising smarter, not harder!), but sometimes frustrating for athletes who don't want to slow down their training. Athletes need to do this, however, to protect their bodies. The good news for athletes here is that, as your heart becomes more aerobically fit, you'll soon be able to quicken the pace without surpassing your maximum aerobic heart rate. Once you start wearing a heart rate monitor, you'll likely also discover that any activity other than running, walking, cycling, or swimming at a steady pace is anaerobic.

As a chiropractor and acupuncturist, I've noticed substantial benefits for both myself and my patients who invest a little bit of time each week to exercise aerobically. The immediate and long-term benefits are well worth the effort!

About the Author:

Jasmine Greene is an educator on health, wellness, and holistic medicine. Are you looking for a Glen Ellyn Chiropractor? Consider a visit to Kinesis Healthcare.

Can HIIT With Weights Produce Maximum Muscle In Less Time?

By Howe Russ

Most folks at the gym would like to discover how to build muscle as quickly and effectively as possible. Today's post will teach you how to get a six pack in 3 minutes per day and also how to apply the same rules to build other areas of the body in double quick time.

If you have been spending hour after hour toiling away in the gym to no improvement, you're about to discover a whole new way of training which will undoubtedly kick-start your interest in the gym. []

There are two things which will play an absolutely vital role in not only producing more lean gains, but stopping you from reaching a plateau. They are intensity and variety. Variety is as simple as changing your program whenever you feel it is no longer challenging you. This could mean increasing a weight or doing more reps, simply things like that.

Your body's main job is to keep you alive. To do this, it will learn how to adapt to the challenges you throw at it. It doesn't want to build more lean tissue, it needs to be forced into it. If you have been training with the exact same plan for three months then it is no surprise your body has adapted to it and no further progress is being made.

Try to keep every single workout different from the last. Even if the changes are relatively small, you'll notice great improvements in your results.

Intensity levels are often misunderstood. No, increasing your intensity in the gym does not simply mean blasting through exercises at maximum speed. You should never sacrifice good lifting technique for anything, no matter whether it's more weight or more speed. Intensity means keeping your rest periods to a minimum, that's all.

The shock factor of hitting the body with new, unfamiliar exercises and also keeping rest times down is enough to spur new growth in even the hardest of gainers.

To put this into context with a routine designed to focus on your abdominal area, try this simple but brutal workout today: []

* Crunch

* Bicycle Crunch

* Elevated Plank

It might look easy on paper, but it is not to be underestimated. Try moving from exercise-to-exercise with 30 seconds on each movement and no rest at all. Take a 60 second breather at the end of the circuit and then start over. Two rounds would only take 3 minutes, but it will really test your fitness levels.

It is true that the simple session above can effectively help you to learn how to get a six pack in 3 minutes or slightly longer. The important thing to remember after you have tried it, of course, is that you can also apply this method to training any body part you wish. Incorporate it into your next chest workout and watch how much more difficult it becomes. The key to learning how to build muscle on a regular basis lies in your ability to adapt and configure your training to suit your goals.

About the Author:

About the author: The new video from Russ Howe PTI uncovers how to get a six pack in 3 minutes per day without any training equipment. If you want to learn how to build muscle quickly , grab his free walk through instruction guide.