Archive for March, 2009

Health, Fitness, Weight Training, Smoking and Drinking

Weight training makes a person healthy, fit and strong. It is not just for people who want to build muscle, but for everyone who likes to stay fit and keep the excess weight off.

If you want to get in shape or stay in shape you can walk, run or cycle every morning, play sports with friends, but if you want to have muscles and look lean, then lifting some weights either at the gym or at home is your best bet.

People go to the gym for many reasons. eg:

To lose a few pounds if they are overweight.

To gain a few pounds (of muscle) if they are underweight.

To get fit and Healthy.

To get strong.

The most effective exercise plan for most should have some cardiovascular work and mostly weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle to fat ratio better than cardiovascular work alone.

Some Benefits of Weight training:

1. It is the best way to maintain and improve ones health from a variety of diseases and premature death.

2. It makes a person feel better and increases ones self confidence, prevents depression, anxiety

and gloom.

3. A weight training lifestyle helps a person live longer than an inactive person.

4. It instils discipline into a person, making other things in life easy.

5. It makes one stronger physically and mentally.

To start: one should consult a physician to get the go ahead and then get into it gradually.

Getting stronger, fitter, healthier week by week building up more endurance will be of great benefit to you.

Aim for 3 or 4 days a week working out, this is sufficient no matter what your goals are.

Maintain a reasonable diet.

You could consult with a professional to get an excellent eating plan to match your goals and gym

activities.They will evaluate you based on your needs, and recommend a diet plan.

A good diet should have nutrients from all the food groups.

This is made up by 3 basic groups.

The first is carbohydrates.The energy source. The food that a person consumes should have vitamins, minerals and some fiber. A lot of this comes from oats, rice, potatoes, cereals and breads, and also from vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes and micronutrients that are essential for a healthy diet.

The Second is Protein. The building blocks of muscle and essential organs.This comes from fish, chicken, red meat and dairy. Protein is broken down in the body to form amino acids for repair and

growth of new cells.

The third is fat. The body’s enemy, according to most.There are 4 types of fat: Saturated (the bad) from animals, the more animal fat you consume the higher your blood cholesterol will rise, increasing the risk of a malfuntion in the body.Should be taken in small quantities.Sources are: Beef, dairy, coconut oil.

Polyunsaturated (the good) Comes from plants, reduces blood cholesterol. Sources are: nuts,fish, safflower oil, seeds, corn oil and sunflower oil.

Monounsaturated (the best) also comes from plants, raises the good cholesterol.Sources are: Avocado,

olive oil, olives, nuts, canola oil and peanut butter.

Trans fats (the ugly) This is relatively new, the effects are unknown, it is believed that they behave like saturated fat (the bad) causing blood cholesterol levels to rise.

The consumption of fats (the good fats) is important for our health. They are used in the production of hormones and other activities.We do need some fat, but do limit the bad.

A great way to help your efforts in the gym is to give up some detrimental habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking damages the lungs and dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer along with other diseases. Excessive drinking has also been shown to causes major diseases.

These two habits are definitely not worth having around.

The best thing one can do for themselves is to quit any destructive habits they have and get into that gym, start pumping some iron and look forward to greater Health and Fitness.

For more information on Weight training, Health, Fitness and Nutrition visit: www.explosivemusclegrowth.com

Every Fitness Components

Following are the Components of Physical fitness :

1. Speed: Speed is the ability of a person to execute motor movements with high speed in the shortest period of time. It is equal to the distance covered per unit of time. the element of speed is involved in most of the athletic skills such as in sprint running, some skills of soccer, basketball, etc.

2.Strength: Strength is the ability of a muscle to expert or release force by contraction enabling a person to overcome resistance or to act against resistance.

3. Power: Power is the ability of muscle to release maximum force in the shortest period of time. It is equal to force multiplied by speed. It is the combination of strength and speed. Speed and force must be combined for effective performance in activities like baseball throw, jumps for height, football kick, boxing punch,etc.

4. Endurance :Endurance is the ability of the person to perform movement of moderate (Sub-maximum) contractions over prolonged period of time under conditions of fatigue or tiredness. It is the product of all psychic and physical energy of human body.

5. Flexibility : Flexibility is the ability of a muscle to perform movements with large range of motion.

6. Agility : Agility is the ability of a person to change positions in space or to change directions quickly and effectively e.g. football player quickly changes direction or giving dodge to opponent, hurdle crossing over the barrier or hurdles, zig-zag running, etc.

7. Balance : Balance is the ability of a person to control human body or to maintain equilibrium under static and dynamic conditions e.g. hand stand, skating, skiing, catching a fly in baseball, etc.

- By Body Health Blog .

7 Quotes From Neuroscientists That Will Revolutionize Brain and Mind Health, Fitness and Wellness

Copyright (c) 2007 SharpBrains

Interested in improving your attention, memory, thinking skills, ability to manage stressful situations? Good news: “Recent research in neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change in response to information and new activities – shows that brain cells and new pathways continue to develop throughout life…”, say mainstream newspapers like the New York Times, who are increasing their coverage on the growing movement of “brain training” games and technologies.

An article titled “Mind Over Matter, With a Machine’s Help” provides a great overview on how to combine cognitive therapy with fMRI (an advanced neuroimaging technique that enables movie-like visual feedback on what areas of the brain are getting activated). Another article, titled “Calisthenics for the Older Mind, on the Home Computer”, reviews a number of commercial software packages.

I have interviewed 10 neuroscientists and experts in cognitive and emotional training to better understand the research behind this field and the implications for our lives. Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes:

1) “Learning is physical. Learning means the modification, growth, and pruning of our neurons, connections

Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains, which provides the latest science-based information for Brain Exercise and Brain Training, and has been recognized by Scientific American Mind, MarketWatch, CBS, Forbes, and more. Alvaro holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University, and teaches The Science of Brain Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute. You can read in-depth interviews with more than 10 neuroscientists and experts at http://www.sharpbrains.com/

What Can You Study in the Area of Fitness?

National Qualification in Aqua Fitness

In our constant endeavour to improve and expand on the opportunities available to our graduates, and other qualified fitness instructors, NCEHS have developed this two day certification programme to meet demand from the health fitness industry for qualified and competent aqua fitness instructors. Aqua Fitness classes are rapidly becoming a part of the standard class offering being made to clients of fitness facilities with pools.

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors to develop a critical understanding of Aqua Fitness Training and to enable them to obtain the high standards required to teach Aqua Fitness safely and effectively to the general public following the National Standards & Guidelines as set down by NCEHS.

National Qualification in Pre and Post Natal Exercises

The National Qualification in Pre & Post Natal Exercise has been offered since 1996 and has been established to offer Pre & Post Natal clients safe, appropriate and effective exercise, more energy during pregnancy, reduced stress and anxiety, quicker recovery from birth, fewer complications in pregnancy, shorter labour time and increased self esteem.

The National Qualification in Pre and Post Natal Exercise has been approved by the NCEHS Educational Committee and is designed to assist fitness professionals who would like to work with pre and post natal clients. Opportunities exist for professional practitioners to establish and develop pre and post natal programmes within existing health club timetables.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors & personal trainers to develop the advanced skills and knowledge specific to pre and post natal exercise prescription.

National Qualification in Exercise and the Older Adult

In our constant endeavour to improve and expand on the opportunities available to our graduates, and other qualified fitness instructors, NCEHS have developed this one day certification programme to meet demand from the health fitness industry for qualified and competent fitness instructors who can specialise in the specific exercise requirements of the older adult.

The aim of the module is to provide the health fitness instructor with skills that will assist them to help older adults maintain and/or develop functional fitness and age “successfully”. In order to achieve this goal current program design protocols must be altered to better address the needs of the older adult. Suggestions and recommendations for exercise programs that can improve the older adults’ ability to efficiently accomplish activities of daily living are explored.

The National Qualification in Exercise and the Older Adult is a post-graduate Advanced Certification Programme (ACP) and has been established to meet the growing demand for this rapidly expanding area of our industry. The growth experienced in this area in recent years has been enormous and has led to a big demand for qualified instructors in fitness facilities around the country to meet the public appetite for such programmes.

National Qualification in Spin Cycling

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers. They offer Ireland’s National Qualification in Spin Cycling which can be obtained by completing our one day Advanced Certification Programme.

The National Qualification in Spin Cycling is the only professional qualification offered for Spin Cycling in Ireland. NCEHS started offering this qualification in 1997 and Spin Cycling has become one of the most popular and successful fitness class to hit the exercise industry in years with almost every health club and fitness centre in Ireland now offering Spin Cycling classes to their clients. These classes have proved extremely popular.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors and personal trainers to develop a critical understanding of Spin Cycling and to enable them to teach what has become one of the most popular forms of exercise in gymnasiums and health clubs around the world.

National Qualification in Stability Ball Training

The Stability Ball has emerged in recent years as one of the fitness industry’s most versatile and widely used pieces of equipment. Bridging the gap between health and fitness, the Stability Ball offers cardio respiratory, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and balance training for the entire body.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors & personal trainers to develop the skills to enable the safe and effective use of the stability ball in providing a work-out that is challenging and fun for clients in both group exercise and one-to-one environments.

The National Qualification in Stability Ball Training is a post-graduate Advanced Certification Programme (ACP) and has been established to meet the growing demand for ball based exercise. The growth experienced in this area in recent years has been enormous and has led to a big demand for qualified ball based instructors in fitness facilities around the country to meet the public appetite for such programmes.

National Qualification in Step Aerobics

The science of exercise and sports nutrition is a rapidly expanding field with new career opportunities and exciting career pathways for Exercise and Fitness instructors and Personal Trainers. They offer Ireland’s National Qualification in Step Aerobics which can be obtained by completing our one day Advanced Certification Programme.

The National Qualification in Step Aerobics is presently the only professional qualification offered for Step Aerobics in Ireland. NCEHS has been offering this qualification since 1993 and the NCEHS National Qualification in Step Aerobics is the only such course in Ireland with both practical and written examinations. Step Aerobics has remained an exercise mainstay for many years and will be with us well into the future.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors and personal trainers to develop a critical understanding of Step Aerobics and to enable them to obtain the high standards required to teach Step Aerobics safely and effectively to the general public.

National Qualification in BOSU Balance Training

The BOSU (Both Sides Up) has emerged in recent years as one of the fitness industry’s most versatile and widely used pieces of equipment. Bridging the gap between health and fitness, the BOSU offers cardio respiratory, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and balance training for the entire body.

The aim of this programme is for fitness instructors &!personal trainers to develop the skills to enable the safe and effective use of the BOSU in providing a work-out that is challenging and fun for clients in both group exercise and one-to-one environments.


This article was written by Greg Merriman of National Training Centre – http://www.ntc.ie – providing Fitness Courses Dublin, Pilates Courses, Sports Massage Courses, Personal Trainer Certification.

Proven Health, Fitness and Longevity Solutions for the Body and Mind – Part 2

Getting fat is definitely not pretty, but it can also be very dangerous. What is the most “dangerous” fat on our body? The most dangerous and unhealthy place to have excess fat is around the belly and stomach regions. Remember, all your main vital organs are in your upper torso – stomach and chest. When the fat is stored in the stomach, it takes up excess space and creates inflammation, which adds pressure on your arteries. This “irritation” puts you at risk for blocked arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. This also tends to increase cholesterol levels as well.

Impotence and lowered sex drive could also be a sign of heart disease. When a man (as well as women to a smaller degree) is sexually aroused, his body releases a gas called Nitric Oxide (that gas is internal, not external). This Nitric Oxide, also called N.O., helps dilate and open the arteries in the penis, so extra blood can flow in and one can get an erection. But if little N.O. is being produced, erections are soft or temporary. Now, this Nitric Oxide is present all over the body, especially in muscles – from your biceps, to your heart! Lowered levels of Nitric Oxide is one of the first signs that he heart is having hardened arteries. So, the goal is to keep Nitric Oxide levels normal and optimal.

What day of the week and time of the day do most heart attacks happen? Monday mornings. That’s the day you need to be extra careful. Here’s why … You have blood running through your veins and an artery in your heart. When your diet isn’t clean, you aren’t exercising and not taking correct supplements, your blood will carry more and more plaque through it (this is why you also need to lower cholesterol levels). Well, this plaque starts to build up on the artery walls. Sometimes, this plaque can rupture and crack open, leaving the surface raw and exposed – similar to when you get a cut on your skin. Then, platelets in the blood begin to form a scab over the rupture to try and heal it. But, this can lead to “over scabbing”, which can cause a blockage and therefore, heart attack. Now, what does this have to do with Monday mornings? Well, Monday morning are a time of stress due to change (from relaxing weekend – to stressful early-morning work day). This stress can cause a rupture and eventually “scabs” in the artery, which block the blood flow and then you have the heart attack.

For nearly two decades, Dr. Sam Robbins has been passionate about the human body and mind. He believes that a person’s mental outlook plays a very important role in their overall health and well-being. His areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise physiology, natural hormone re-balancing of the body and what he refers to as “real world” medical knowledge. He has dramatically changed client’s health and mental well-being, allowing them to look and feel years younger. Find out how at http://www.hflsolutions.com.