Another Peek

Archive for January, 2009

Focus is one of the most important factors in the success of a bodybuilder, as important as nutrition or genetics. You need to be 100% focused on your workout or you are wasting your time.
There are two components of focus, what you do during your set and what you do between your sets. When you are doing your set, your mind will be on two things and two things only:
1.thinking about what muscles are working
2.trying to ‘feel’ the muscle (more on this later)
During the set, no doing anything else. No talking, no looking around, no thinking about what exercise you are going to do next. Your mind is 100% focused on the set you are doing right now. Lets talk a little about the first item, what muscles are working. When a joint is rotating, a muscle is working. If two joints are rotating then two or more muscles are working. If you are doing biceps and your shoulder is rotating as well as your elbow then you are exercising your shoulder as well as your bicep. By constantly thinking about what joints are rotating and what muscles are working you make sure you are focused 100% on the muscle you are working out.
Now lets talk about what you do between sets:
•think about our last set. Did we meet our rep goal? Did we use good form? Did it feel good?
•think about our next set. How many reps will we do? How will it feel? What is our reward if we achieve the goal or the punishment should we fail?
•visualize. Visualize how we will accomplish our goal, close your eyes and see what it will look like and how it will feel. There are many good sports programs out there to help will visualization, check them out
•practice muscle control, this will help us to ‘feel’ the exercise while we are doing it. A car with loose spark plug wires doesnt develop much power because the anemic spark cant fully ignite the gas, similarly, if your brain doesnt have a good connection to your muscles you cant contract them fully. The idea behind these muscle control drills is to improve the connection between your brain and the muscle so you can contract precisely the muscles you want and contract them 100%. One of the early great bodybuilders back in the late 1800′s was Sandow and he had amazing muscle control. He came up with control exercises that are still used to this day in various reincarnation. Sandow had amazing ab control, if you want to see a modern day example of a bodybuilder with great ab control, check out youtube user sixpackbn who graciously gave permission for me to include his clip in my video

Texas bodybuilder Tuan Tran demonstrates plyo pulls. See more of Tuan and his training techniques on the YouTube channel roughneckasian

Very often there are situations in life that sneak up on us and demand that we find a solution to a confusing turn of events. And just as often, we turn to medical science to lead us in the right direction and give us the answers that we seem to desperately need.

Paternity Testing

And thats where the science of paternity testing comes in. More often than not, this is the method thats employed so that a group will know without any real doubt the biological relationship between a child and a man. It should be no surprise that the methods of testing have changed quite a bit as this science has evolved and from the simple jumping off point of dna testing, several other disciplines have evolved.

Granparentage DNA Testing

The principles that have been used for paternity testing are now available to apply to other areas that often need questions answered as well. Heres a fine example of one of the ways that DNA testing has evolved. Now its possible for childrens dna to be tested against that of the supposed grandparents in matters of inheritance and other issues. As well, people can even be tested to see if they are siblings although the method of testing here is not always as accurate as other varieties.

What To Look For

So when youve decided that you want to get one of these dna tests for whatever reason, youll need to have a set of criteria so that you can narrow down your search. Remember first and foremost that you can tell quite a bit about a company by the reputation that they have. And in the business of paternity testing, the best firms have affiliations that demonstrate their commitment for all to see.

Accreditation

As well, youll need to be sure that youre dealing with a firm thats been recognized by the proper bodies. Make sure to look for the paternity testing places that have the proper licenses and have been checked off by the appropriate boards of health. Its as much for your own safety as for the accuracy of the results that you make sure to choose here carefully. Most of the places that are allowed to carry our court ordered paternity testing have the best high standards. Its about knowing what youre looking for and having a personal checklist.

http://www.themusclehead.com/youtube1

Very recently Acai berry research conducted by the University of Florida showed some amazing results that made the scientific community sit back. Acai berry, the fruit grown for centuries in the jungles of Amazon in Brazil where the people used it for its great healing properties of the body and mind, has managed to stall the growth of leukemia cells. Cancer cure is not possible but cancer cells can be destroyed, as extracts from the Acai berry that is also used for juice production, made the leukemia cells self destroy.

Rich in anti-oxidants, they are released in great doses into the human body when they drink the Acai berry juice. Acai berry juice drinkers in the US have endorsed the great benefits it has given to them over tome as they were hooked to it regularly. Why wouldn’t they be? Acai berry juice offers the best health benefits that are far greater than Acai berry pills or powder. People take in a lot of vegetables, fruits and fibers with the idea that they contain the necessary ingredients in them for a better health of the mind and the body.

After the revelation from the University of Florida that has endorsed the Acai berry as having the vital nutrients to at least destroy the leukemia cells, more and more people are buying Acai berry juice and making it a part of their diet as a vital food supplement. Many Americans suffer from leukemia and this disease is very common as is the form of skin cancer present among fairer skinned people when they sun bathe for too long outdoors. If in a juice form they can get the Acai berry benefits, there is no better alternative to good health and if not a cure for cancer, at least a way to arrest ad destroy cancerous cells is no small matter. Acai berry itself is loaded with anti-oxidants that prevent the entry of free radicals into our body and the chances are high as they come in with smoke and pollution.

It improved digestion, gave them a very healthy skin and packed energy into them for a more enhanced lifestyle. After all, not too many food supplements can be found to have properties that can battle cancer cells. Destruction of leukemia cells was the result of Acai berry research which brought to the fore at least a preventive measure for people suffering from the dreaded disease. Many Americans suffer from leukemia like people in other parts of the world and if this dreaded disease can be arrested as has been shown by Acai berry research, then it is natural for people to sit up and notice.

Nowadays, with the technological leap in food processing and advanced research in the possible medical properties of the Acai berry, the Acai berry juice has hot many homes across the US coast to coast. Cancer may not be cured but drinking Acai berry juice stalls its spread and growth.

Bodybuilder Jimmy Canyon trains and poses his legendary abs in an excerpt from the DVD – Guns 2002 – available at MostMuscular.Com (No audio with this clip)

Everyone wants to look younger. Since the beginning of time, man has searched for the fountain of youth. Technology has always been applied to counter the forces of aging. Various treatments have been developed to help the skin to retain moisture and stay healthy. There have been creams and elixirs all promising younger looking skin or removal of wrinkles. Many have merit and some out just outright scams preying on the hope of people to stay young. Skin is certainly the main focus, but delve a little deeper and you will find that just below the skin are muscles and tissues which need help too. Many of the best massage chair brands are now integrating massage therapies to help your body to better retain its youth and vitality.

Two major factors which can cause the body to age rapidly is the lack of exercise and stress. Exercise helps to keep the body in top condition. The muscles stay more flexible and strength and endurance are enhanced. Without exercise, the muscles atrophy. They breakdown and they cannot support activity for long. Stress is another key ingredient to aging. Stress can cause toxins to build up in the body. These substances cause muscle stiffness and can deprive the body of precious oxygen. If left unchecked, stress will start to show up by accelerating the aging process. Both of the elements cause unnecessary and premature aging of the body and skin.

The modern world comes at a high price. This price is stress. Everyone is under more stress. There is greater competition for everything and we have to deal with it. What happens when the body is put under stress? Our natural instinct is the fight or flight reaction. Our metabolism increases as the hands and feet are mobilized for action. Our major organs are put in a supporting role to help protect the body and get it ready for action. However, most stress we encounter is not from seeing a lion, but instead is mental pressure. This mental pressure causes the same reaction, but does not have the same release, since no real physical action is taken. This type of stress builds up toxic chemicals in the body without a way to release them out.

If we are out running errands and are running behind what happens? We start to get nervous or stressed. We have all these things to get done and we aren’t quite getting there. This builds up stress in our bodies, but we are not releasing them through any physical action. Chemicals and toxins build up in the body. They need to be released. How can we do that? One proven effective method is massage therapy. Not only does massage therapy such as shiatsu or Swedish massage help to release toxins, but it also helps us to relax. Both of these massage techniques are available in the best massage chair brands.

What about the whole body anti aging thing. Let us take a look at reflexology massage. This therapy helps to reverse the process of stress. I guess we should call is anti stress. Reflexology works by stimulating trigger points in the feet to help calm and relax the major organs. Reflexology charts have been developed showing parts of the feet and their corresponding organ that they connect with. By massaging these points, the feet send signals to calm the organs. Remember, when you were under stress, the organs send signals to the feet and hands to be ready. While the massage chair stimulates your trigger points in your feet, it is also performing a full body massage. Now your body and mind begin to relax.

Unfortunately stress is ongoing and continuous. It has become a part of modern life. To counteract this ongoing barrage of stress, your anti aging treatment must also be ongoing. Regular and frequent massage therapy is just such a treatment. The removal of the waste products of stress is an important factor in keeping the body healthy and to fight the ongoing battle with the aging process. To receive ongoing massage therapy, massage chairs are the most convenient and economical method. They offer in home convenience and can be used at any time. Keep yourself healthy and retain your youthful look with a massage chair recliner.

Whether you are trying to shed those last few pesky pounds or you are looking at making drastic lifestyle change, you’ll find that when you are interested in weight loss that the question of carbs comes up quite quickly. There are lot of foods out there that proudly proclaim that they are low in carbs and diets say that they are a specifically low carb diet.

What are carbs and what do you need to know about them before you make a decision one way or the other? Does cutting them out really cause you lose weight?

In the first place, make sure that you know what carbs are. Carbs is the shortened form of the word carbohydrates, and the truth is that carbohydrates are one of the most important ways that your body gets energy.

There are two kinds of carbohydrates. Sugars -simple carbohydrates- are the first. There are also starches, also called complex carbohydrates. The difference between them is that your body spends more time digesting one than the other. Sugars are processed through your digestion much faster than starches. Simple carbs are foods such as pizza, chocolate, cake, and other processed food with sugar additives. Certain highly nutritious fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, and raisins fall in the category of simple carbohydrates too.

Complex carbs are found in breads, cereals, nuts, pasta, and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and corn. Complex carbohydrates, take a long time for your body to burn and will give you energy that lasts.

Both simple carbs and complex carbs are necessary for your body to function correctly. You will agree with me that, there are times when you need a short burst of energy, but you also need energy stored to keep you going.

One way to use simple carbs is to have a bit of fruit in the morning to get you started, and to make sure that you keep your energy going by eating well rounded meals that have good complex carbs in them. When you eat too many carbs, you will gain weight because your body is not using the energy, but rather storing it in the form of fat.

So with this in mind, you’ll find that it is quite important to look carefully at diets that claim to help you cut carbs. The problem that many people have with carbohydrates is the fact that they eat too much of them.

Generally speaking, it is not feasible or wise to eliminate an entire food group from your diet; with the exception of your body’s intolerance to that particular group of foods. It is true that carb reduced diets do help to a certain extent, but frequently, they help simply because you are cutting back. You will maybe lose some weight, but that’s not a healthy way. Carbohydrates are used by the body for good as well as bad things, as we have explained above.

What you should do, instead of cutting carbs, is just eat them in moderation and get a lot of exercise. Exercise can go a long way towards getting you the right kind of weight loss that you need, particularly when you are eating well, and it will help you get toned up and looking great. This is an important part of getting the body you want.

An effective workout regimen for women doesn’t vary too much from what is effective for men. The only thing that may be slightly different is the goals women may aim for. Men are usually trying to add muscle and lose flab.

While women tend to want to tone and tighten, along with also getting rid of the flab. So the same exercises that are done by men, will hold true for women too, although the intensities may be lower.

Another small difference in work outs that women do, is that women like doing things besides hitting the weight machines. Many of the fitness classes are geared toward women’s preferences, likes and dislikes.

Workouts for women that are popular in big gyms are fitness classes like yoga, and Latin cardio, and high impact fitness classes like Tae bo. Also pilates is a huge hit with women, as well as spinning classes. Many workouts for women tend to include elements of dancing, or martial arts, or things that keep it fun and lively for them.

Belly dancing is also one of the great workouts for women that many particularly enjoy. The moves are fun and sexy, and keep you engaged throughout the whole class trying to learn them. The same goes for striptease cardio classes.

It is doubtful you will see too many men in one of those classes. Men, as a rule may not take those striptease classes but they will definitely appreciate it if their lady comes home and demonstrates what they learned!

Workouts for women may also include more manly activities, such as boot camp type classes for the serious minded female. Classes like krav maga and mixed martial arts are also available nowadays. More women are frequenting those classes too.

It depends on the woman and her individual preferences as to what types of workouts she may choose to get involved in. But the choices are so many and varied that workouts for women is somewhat of a misnomer. These days, it could be referred to as workouts for everybody!

http://scoobysworkshop.com

Video clip showing proper form for the french press exercise for triceps. This is a great exercise you can do at home with just an inexpensive barbell set. If you want big arms, remember that the triceps is actually a bigger muscle than the biceps so dont neglect it!

As with any dumbbell exercise, form is key if you want to maximize your muscle building efforts and minimize the chance of injury. Don’t use too much weight, if you can’t do the exercise slowly then you need to go lighter. Count aloud “one onethousand, two onethousand, three onethousand” on the way up and the way down, if you cant do this on this exercise then you are using too much weight. The reason this exercise method maximizes your muscle growth is because it confines the motion to the muscle you are trying to work out, if your body squirms, swings, and kicks, all you are doing is taking the focus away from the muscle you are trying to exercise.

Anyone can be healthier, have more energy, sleep better, and feel better about themselves through bodybuilding. Bodybuilding doesn’t have to be expensive or take a lot of time, gyms are great but home workouts can save you time and money. A cheap dumbbell set from a garage sale or walmart is all it takes to get started with your home workouts.

For more information on home workouts, please see my free website (no advertising either):

http://fitness.scoobysworkshop.com

Limitation of Liability: Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program! I am not a medical professional. It is your responsibility to critically evaluate this information and with the help of your physician decide if it is appropriate for you.