Basic Work Out
We are often are short of time to exercise so here are some simple
workouts to keep you feeling good and in shape. You may use these basic
workouts during a gym lunch or the night before a date. The great thing
is, these workouts
aren’t too demanding,
so there will be minimal
perspiration involved. Keep in mind that these routines are not meant
for advanced trainers looking for serious muscle growth. They are
designed to maintain a healthy
and good-looking physique
within approximately an hour. Do remember to have a healthy snack
at least one hour before the workout, and a full meal after your work
out.
Cardiovascular and Lower Body
Your cardiovascular work
out should consist of a
half-hour daily walk. Simply lace up your quality walking shoes and go
for a stroll around the block. Go out regardless of the weather; just
make sure to dress adequately. An effective alternative to going
outside is walking up and down a building staircase. This option is
excellent for your heart, as well as maintaining leg muscles. To
maintain a constant progression, try to increase your pace on a weekly
basis. Set goals and gradually increase your distances. If possible,
alter your cardiovascular sessions for an even more effective work out:
use the staircase one day, and walk around the block on other days.
Upper
Body
After your cardiovascular exercises, begin your upper body work out
with a few exercises. Do these steps three times a week for better
results.
Basic
Pushups
Basic pushups will work your chest
area, triceps and rear
deltoids. Aim for 3
sets of 10 to 15 repetitions
(depending on your fitness level), and gradually increase the
repetitions as the movement becomes easier. Once the movement becomes
too easy, you can increase the workout by elevating your feet on a
chair to increase resistance.
Lay face down on the floor with your legs extended behind you and your
hands directly beneath your shoulders. Your fingertips should be
pointed straight ahead, and make sure you keep your back flat and your
head in natural alignment with your spine. Get into the starting
position by extending your arms straight from your shoulders, which
lifts your entire body off the floor. While keeping your body stable,
go down until your nose almost touches the floor. Exhale as you push
back to the starting position with your chest and triceps. Try not to
lock your elbows in order to keep constant tension on your muscles.
Close-Grip
Pushups
Close-grip pushups mostly work the tricep muscles, the inner chest and
the trunk muscles. Once again, carry out 3
sets of 10 to 15
repetitions (according to
your fitness level), and gradually
increase the repetitions as the movement becomes easier. ·
Use
the same starting position and breathing pattern as the basic pushup.
Bring your hands together and form a triangle with your index fingers
and thumbs. As you go down to the floor, your elbows should go to the
side, which incidentally puts more stress on your triceps and inner
chest. Close-grip pushups also require more balance. By stabilizing
your body, your trunk
muscles will work
throughout
the entire movement. At first, close-grip pushups might strain your
wrists, so make sure you stretch
appropriately and start off
slowly.
Wide-Grip
Pushups
Wide-grip pushups will work your
chest, rear shoulders
and parts of your back
muscles. Carry out the same
sets and reps as aforementioned and gradually increase the reps as the
movement becomes easier. · Use the same starting position
and
breathing pattern as the basic pushup. Your hands should be positioned
beyond shoulder width, with your fingers pointing frontward. The wider
position emphasizes the tension on your shoulders and lengthens your
pectorals. Wide-grip pushups are more demanding, so you will tire more
quickly than with other pushups. The above pushup variations will help
keep your upper body muscles strong and fit. For additional exercises,
try these simple moves. All you require are either 8 or 15 kg dumb
bells, and a few minutes.
Legs
These repetitions will build up muscles in the thigh
and buttocks.
First, spread your legs to hip length
and keep your legs fully extended. Holding dumb bells in each hand and
maintaining a straight back, slowly bend your knees until your thighs
are level to the floor. Then, slowly return to your original position.
Continue this exercise until you tire your legs to failure.
Chest
In order to work out the pectorals,
lie on a bed
(stomach up) and hold a weight in each hand above your chest. Keep your
arms fully extended with the palms facing each other. Next, lower the
dumb bells outwards and down until parallel with your shoulders.
Breathe out, and return the weights to starting position. Aim for eight
sets of 8 to 12 repetitions.
Arms
These exercises will strengthen your biceps. Sit on the edge of a
secure chair with your feet placed hip width apart. Hold the weights
with palms facing inwards in front of your body. Extend your arm, and
curl one dumb bell up at a time in a small arc towards your shoulder.
Be sure to rotate your forearm so your palm faces your shoulder at the
top of the movement.
Aim for
three sets of 8 to 12 repetitions.
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