Exercise and Health Trends
Exercise and Health Trends
There are certain exercises that always make the top of the list. One of these would of course be walking. It is so easy to start and doesn’t require any special equipment at first. Once you get into walking and decide this is your favorite exercise then investing in a good pair of walking shoes would be a worthwhile investment.
Spinning is an exercise that is becoming more popular each year. It is a great overall exercise that is relatively easy on your joints. Physiotherapists actually recommend that people with a knee injury use a bike on very low resistance to get their knee moving again.
The great thing about spinning is that you can join a class and meet other people. During the class you can increase or decrease your resistance level to match your ability. So you don’t have to worry about falling or lagging behind.
Plus spinning is a wonderful way to burn calories. Depending upon your weight and body size you could burn anywhere from 350 up to 550 calories per hour of spinning class. Remember that after the class your metabolism is still fired up and you will continue to burn additional calories.
Concentrating on Wellness is a fitness trend that is becoming more noticeable. People are becoming more consciousness of their health and are taking steps to become healthier. These types of people may not have a weight or health issue but they understand that their lifestyle affects your body eventually. They accept that they must make changes now in order to lead a healthy life as they mature.
There will always be those trendy exercises that become popular for a while and then phase away. Some of these trends do stay popular for the long term. Check out some current trends such as Kangaroo jump, Aero jump and Belly fit.
Turning traditional exercises into something less stringent and more fun is a new exercise trend. A great example of this is Zumba dance classes. Dancing to the sounds of rhythmic Latin music is motivating and fun. Yet at the same time you are burning tons of calories. There are Zumba classes for seniors, kids and even aqua classes are popping up.
Fitness for kids is another increasing fitness trend. This ties in well with families being concerned about their overall wellness. Schools don’t always offer enough sports and fitness programs. Plus with all the new fangled technology kids are too busy playing with video games and being on the computer. Obesity in children is on the rise and a major concern in North America.
The same applies for seniors. Senior fitness is a growing trend as baby boomers are aging. More gyms and clubs are catering to this new group of fitness goers. Seniors don’t want to lose their zest for life and want to keep mobile and active.
Functional fitness classes are aimed at senior and anyone with a disability. A functional fitness class is aimed at getting a person mobile again. Allowing them to do daily life activities including carrying your groceries home, doing your household chores and being able to play and hold your grandkids.
If you look closely you can see these trends almost follow your life’s pattern. This enforces the thought that exercise and fitness is for life and should be done on a continuous basis.
Kettlebell Training and Nutrition
Kettlebell Training and Nutrition
As with any exercise program you need to watch what foods you put into your mouth to receive the best benefits. Too many people will begin a new exercise routine and then get discouraged because they did not see any results. Especially if the results they desired was to lose weight.
It really is true that you are what you put in your mouth. If you constantly eat a barrage of fatty foods and sweet foods, then this shows up as layers of added fat on your body. By choosing to start an exercise routine you obviously want to improve your body. Fueling your body from the inside will improve how the outside looks!
Yes, it is difficult to change your eating habits. The nice thing is that you don’t have to make all the changes at once. This is often way too difficult for people to handle and the main reason why people revert back to their old eating habits.
Breakfast is known as the fuelling meal of the day. So why not start there? Instead of grabbing a muffin or donut on the way to work or school why not make time for breakfast. Good examples of a healthy breakfast include a poached egg on toast with yogurt or a piece of fruit. Or try a bowl of oatmeal mixed with applesauce, flax seed and a little brown sugar or honey to add a touch of sweetness.
Shakes are another great alternative for breakfast or lunch and to use as a snack. You can make your own shake or smoothie by using milk, fruit such as a banana or strawberries and a couple of ice cubes to thicken it up.
Adding more protein to your diet can help improve your muscle mass and can actually help speed up weight loss. Many people do not eat enough protein with each meal and this one small addition can bring huge changes about in a small amount of time.
Using protein shakes can help you add more nutrition to your diet and can easily be added to your breakfast shake. Protein will boost your energy levels and give you more stamina to get through your Kettlebell workout.
Other easy changes you can make to your eating habits include adding more fruit and fresh vegetables. Aim for one serving of each every day to start with. You may find that you actually enjoy eating them and automatically start eating more. Many manufacturers now make pre-packaged vegetables that are ready to go. This includes packages of pre-washed lettuce and spinach all ready to serve with tomatoes, cucumber and a tasty low fat salad dressing.
If you really want to see and feel the best results from your Kettlebell training then think about the foods that you are currently eating. Try to add a few fresh fruits and vegetables in each day as this will help boost your weight loss efforts. Who doesn’t want to feel and look as good as possible?
Kettlebell Workouts- How To Buy The Right Size Kettlebell
If you are starting a new workout routine that includes kettlebells, or just modifying an old one, you need to be sure you are getting the right size of kettlebell for your workouts.
Kettlebells look small but they sure do pack a punch. Most Kettlebells are made of metal and some are now coated with plastic. Understanding what size Kettlebell to purchase is your first step towards strengthening and toning your body.
If your goal is to lose weight or to just become more active then beginning a Kettlebell training program is a fantastic start!
If you look back over the history of the Kettlebell you will see that Russian soldiers used them to condition and strengthen their bodies. They typically used heavy weights right from the beginning.
If you are not accustomed to being active and doing workouts with weight equipment then starting out with lighter weights is recommended.
If you have never done any form of resistance training then buy Kettlebells that are less than 10lbs.
Using a lighter weight will allow you to perfect your techniques for each move and this is very important. If you do not use the correct form then you won’t receive as many benefits from your workout and increase your risk of injury to ligaments and tendons.
If you regularly workout then you can begin your Kettlebell training program with a heavier weight.
Starting Kettlebell weight for anyone that works out regularly:
Women: 18 pounds
Men: 35 pounds
When you find that you are not tired after your workout then it is time to increase the weight of your Kettlebell. A good goal is for woman to end up using 35lb Kettlebells and men 44lb. Kettlebells are available in many different weights with some going up to the 80 pound + range.
A Kettlebell workout really delivers a huge punch for your effort. This is a great workout to do if you are rushed for time. For the average person a 20 minute workout can burn as many as 250 calories or more.
Working out using Kettlebells really encourages your body to produce more lean muscle mass. This is turn helps you to burn more calories faster which is why it is a great method for anyone wanting to lose weight.
Your entire core muscles will become stronger and this helps strengthen your back muscles. If you currently suffer with back pain you should notice a huge difference in a relatively short amount of time; however, use caution to not exacerbate your back problem when first starting out.
When first starting out with your new Kettlebells concentrate on learning the basic movements and exercises first. This also helps you avoid injuring yourself by over using your muscles too quickly. Once you are comfortable with the basic Kettlebell swings and moves you can progress up to the more advanced exercises.
When buying your Kettlebells you may wish to look for a set of Kettlebells of varying weights. This can often save you money and some sets of Kettlebells do come with instructions and examples of exercises that you can start with.
When starting a kettlebell workout routine for losing weight , gaining muscle or just achieving better fitness be sure to make proper nutrition a part of your optimal health plan.