Archive for May, 2009

Why Do We Need Personal Fitness Trainers?

Sunday, May 31st, 2009
If you are looking for a new fitness routine, you may want to consider checking out personal fitness trainers. Personal fitness trainers are a good idea to help motivate you and keep you on track. Not only that, but they can make up a good exercise routine that is personalized just for you and your fitness goals and needs. Besides this, these trainers can help you in some other areas as well.

Of course the main job of these trainers is to keep you on track with your workout routine. This is great for those who are not very disciplined when it comes to this aspect of staying in shape. It is also great to have positive motivation no matter what. They sometimes use pushy techniques to get you there, but this may be what some people need to really stay on track.

Besides keeping you on track with your workout, personal fitness trainers will show you how to eat properly. They will show you some healthy alternatives to other foods that you may want to eat. They can also show you how to prepare some of these dishes. Not only will they show you how to eat healthy and properly, but they can show you the correct size proportions to eat. Because it isn’t just eating right, but eating the right amounts that will make a difference. They will also know what kinds of food and serving sizes will work with your fitness routine, in order to maximize your weight loss.

The first thing to do when you begin looking at personal fitness trainers is to get advice from your doctor. They can not only give you advice but also refer you to ones that may be right for you. Local fitness centers can also give you some referrals as well. Asking your friends isn’t a bad idea either. Once you find a few that you may like, taking the time to interview them thoroughly. Let them know what your fitness goals are and ask them what they would do to help you. Be very specific with them, in order that they have all the details to choose from. Go over every aspect of their plans afterwards and compare them side-by-side. This will help you pick the one that you believe will meet your needs the closest or best. Another thing to check out when it comes to choosing among personal fitness trainers is the times that they are available. This is very important when coinciding with the times you are available. You want to make sure that you are meeting with them at least a couple times a week.

As you can see, choosing personal fitness trainers will take a little research and time. But in the end, if you desire good motivation and a healthier lifestyle, it just may be the option for you. Once you find one and see how well they work out, you’ll be glad you took the time.



By: Mike Singh

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24HR Fitness Machines - Top Weight-Loss Tools In Treadmill And Elliptical Trio

Sunday, May 31st, 2009
The availability of a 24hr fitness gym gives you absolute control over your muscle fitness routine. Home exercise machines equal 24hr workout access. Oh, the joys of no body-hugging fitness apparel, no travel time to health clubs like Fitness XSport, no parking hassles, no sweaty equipment, no demented, yapping dogs, and no weather woes! With 24hr fitness equipment such as a treadmill or elliptical machine at your disposal, you can be up and running in less time than it takes to say gym bag.

Anyone who exercises fitness choices on a daily basis, no matter what form these take, will experience an enhanced quality of life, a greater sense of vitality and wellbeing, and natural weight loss without excessively restrictive diets. Making a workout in your own 24hr fitness center part of your daily routine, also improves coping skills as far as stress is concerned.

That is, provided that you can find the inspiration to be consistent and disciplined about sweat equity without a Fitness XSport or similar gym membership. Perhaps you will need to have the glorious physique of a Muscle And Fitness Mag cover photograph on the refrigerator door, serving as a constant reminder of your 24hr fitness plans!

1. 24HR Fitness Center – Home-Based Proform Treadmill Daily Exercises Fitness

An exercise treadmill is one of the most popular 24hr fitness gym partners to have at home. With a home treadmill like Proform, there is no serious learning curve. If you can walk, you can use a treadmill. And if you are concerned about muscle fitness, daily exercises are a must.

The main advantages of using an exercise treadmill are that you walk or run in ‘one place’ in the comfort of your own 24hr fitness center, and that the treadmill’s treadbelt offers you superb joint-cushioning features. The best treadmill ratings promise up to 20% less joint-jarring than road running.

Studies have shown that a session on a 24hr fitness treadmill may allow you to burn up to 40% more calories, compared to a similar period on a stationary exercise bicycle or recumbent bike. The benefit of weight-bearing exercise as far as the prevention of osteoporosis is concerned, is common knowledge. With ever-ready 24hr fitness equipment in the form of a home treadmill at hand, you can build bone density daily, throughout the year.

What is great about having a 24hr fitness trainer at home, is that you can be in a constant dialogue with your muscle mentor. State-of-the-art consoles ply you with feedback at such a frenetic pace, that you can plan your workout down to the last drop of sweat. Some treadmills are even able to supplement your low-carb diet, by giving you details of the number of carbs you crushed in your last workout. This function makes it easy to combine exercise with a natural weight loss program.

You will also be able to keep track of speed, time, distance, heart rate, and other valuable data. The adjustable elevation ranges most treadmills sport, promote muscle strength, and constantly test your mettle. Some 24hr fitness machines, such as the equipment in the Proform Treadmill range and the Nordic Track Treadmill collection, are as close to a health and entertainment center as you can find. The flagship models come with built-in television screens, water bottle holders, cd players, and a number of other features designed to make the workout in your 24hr fitness center as enjoyable as possible. Talk about multi-tasking motivation!

2. 24HR Fitness Elliptical Trainer – Low-Impact Exercise For Joint Protection

If you have all sorts of aches and pains, such as knee pain, or arthritis in the knee, or just want to prevent joint injuries, an elliptical trainer may be your perfect personal 24hr fitness club partner. Jilt the joint-jarring of ordinary running and walking action, with the smooth motion of an elliptical machine. Your feet are firmly and comfortably secured in footplates or footpads, and the ‘walking’ motion keeps everything body part perfectly aligned. You still get the benefit of weight-bearing exercise, but the only impact you will experience while on this 24hr fitness trainer, will be that of improved cardio conditioning, aerobic capacity, and muscle fitness. Apart from your lower legs, your quadriceps and glutes will soon feel and show the effect of a workout on the elliptical trainer. Apparently the elliptical trainer is even more effective at burning calories than a treadmill!.

3. 24HR Fitness – A Handle On Muscle Fitness With An Elliptical Cross Trainer

Enhance the effect of an elliptical machine as a 24hr fitness trainer, by choosing a machine that also features handlebars for a very effective total body workout. The elliptical cross trainer option has the same ‘walking’ action as an ordinary elliptical trainer, but also works your arms, shoulders and chest. The added variety these programs offer, not only make this a very effective total-body form of exercise, but also adds interest that is likely to keep boredom at bay. Whether climbing or using the machine as an elliptical glider, you will get a great workout with quick, visible results. An elliptical trainer session is also a terrific warmup for strength training with weights. The elliptical movement is a combination of a biking and skiing motion, and combined with the arm action, is the most effective of the three 24hr fitness options mentioned here.

Muscle fitness and cardio conditioning is no sweat with your own 24hr fitness center at home.



By: Rika Susan

About the Author:
Best-Gym-Equipment.com - Get the FREE Fat-Burning Secrets Series, and read the Home Gym Equipment article at Best-Gym-Equipment.com - also by Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com.



Fitness Training - 10 Vital Tips For Beginners

Sunday, May 31st, 2009
1. The first and most essential rule for fitness training is to start from where you are. No matter how unfit you may be at the moment it is never to late to start. But this means that you should not set yourself unrealistic goals. The guy on the next tread mill may be running a marathon but that doesn’t mean you have to do the same as him. Accept your own limits and the limits will expand.

2. Something that even experienced people often forget is to warm up before exercise. You must stretch you muscles or they may suffer injury. A few simple stretching exercises will help to avoid the danger of injury. This is not time wasted. It is an essential part of your training program.

3. When you have finished exercising run through the same stretching exercises again. This also helps to prevent injury and it overcomes the problem of stiffness. Stiffness is caused by a build up of lactic acid in the muscles. Stretching helps to clear the lactic acid.

4. Make sure that you work all the major sets of muscles. We tend to think of arms and legs but don’t forget the back and neck. These muscles can easily be strained too.

5. Perform all the stretching exercises slowly and deliberately. Never force yourself into the positions and never bounce into them. Bouncing can do more harm that good.

6. Learn to listen to your body. Do not force yourself to lift heavier weights, run, row or cycle faster or further than is right for you. Establish your maximum heart rate and aim to work at no more 80% of that rate. You can work out your maximum heart rate by taking your age away from 200.

7. You should get your heart checked out by your doctor if you have not exercised for sometime. Monitor your heart rate as you exercise and learn how it feels at different rates.

8. Interval training is a good way of strengthening your heart and lungs. This is your cardiovascular system and it is vital for health. In interval training you raise your heart rate to 80% of the its maximum then allow it to drop back to 50-60% while still exercising. You can do this on the same machine by working faster or by switching between machines.

9. You should alternate between cardiovascular and resistance work. If you allow your muscles to rest on alternate days they will become stronger. The cells have time to repair themselves on the rest day. By switching to a different kind of exercise you allow them to carry out repairs.

10. When doing resistance work of any kind always rest in between each repetition of the exercise. Never attempt to rush. Resistance work is not a race. There are no prizes for finishing first. Aim to perform the exercise correctly rather than lifting a heavier weight or doing more repetitions.

Finally, fitness training is about enjoyment. If you begin to find it boring then make some changes. Ask your fitness instructor for a new program. Or if the weather is good may be a bike ride or a run in the countryside is what you need.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

Abhishek is a Health And Fitness expert and he has got some great Fitness Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 111 Pages Ebook, “Complete Body Fitness” from his website http://www.Fitness-Magic.com/71/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.



Buying A Home Fitness System

Saturday, May 30th, 2009
Today, a lot of people are choosing to exercise at home intead of traditional gyms. They are investing their money in home fitness equipment rather than pay for a monthly gym memberships. A small home gym can fit in your basement or even in a small corner of your house. Choosing to purchase a multi-purpose fitness machine for your home gym can help you save money by merging many types of exercise equipment into one fitness machine. These all in one machine also take up less space then their seperate counterparts.

If you are thinking of getting an all in one home gym then there are a few things that you should consider. One of the is your exercise goals. Ask yourself, what are you hoping to achive from your workouts? When you answer this question you can narrow your decision to equipment that will have the most benifit to you.

There are a lot of these home all in one machines available to today. You may have seen them advertised on television, in magazines or over the internet. The most popular of these machines seem to be aimed at people that are interested in weight lifting exercise.

Two of these popular home gyms at the moment are the Total Gym and Bowflex machines. The Bowflex sysem uses tensioned arms that bend instead of standard weights that lift. It is specifically designed to meet a wide span of budgets and is also very adaptable to different exercise needs.

Another big plus is that the Bowflex is a small system that can fit in very little space or even under your bed. Larger more complicated and expensive Bowflex machines can offer enough workout needs as to rival the professional equipment found in membership gyms.

The Total Gym is another option for a home fitness system. You may have seen it advertised on TV by model Christi Brinkley and martial artist Chuch Norris. It is less complicated and not as costly as the Bowflex machine. For resistance, the Total Gym uses gravity instead of tradiitional weights. The machine is adaptable to a large variety of exersises that focus on working out specific areas of your body.

When making a decision about an multiple exercise system you should take into account the features and price of the system. Also important is considereing who in your family is going to use the gym. If others in your family plan to use the gym then you should get a machine that you all can agree upon and is not to complicated for other people in your home.

Though the Total Gym and Bowflex brands are two of most popular home fitness gyms, there are many others on the market that may meet your needs as well. Other brands like Weilder are well established and known for their quality. Before making a decision, look at several machines that will meet your needs to see which one will give you the most valure for your money.



By: Chris Boaz

About the Author:

Chris Boaz writes articles on exercise and fitness equipment for Home Fitness Equipment



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7 Untold Tips on Bodybuilding Fitness Workouts

Saturday, May 30th, 2009
Everyone is becoming more and more conscious of their health, these days, and taking up bodybuilding fitness workouts is becoming more and more common.  It seems like everyone is going to the gym lately.  If you want to get in on the craze, you should learn some tips on bodybuilding, first, though.  That way, you’ll be prepared to maximize the experience of bodybuilding.

Furthermore, you have to understand the process of building your muscle. The concept of the muscle development and growth is a kind of scientific and practical knowledge. Here are the 7 tips on bodybuilding science you should learn before walk into the gym.

Best Weight Lifting Exercises: Expanding boastfully muscles speedily happens because of the resistance and weight relations.  Thus, It is recommended that you should lifting a little bit more weight than before in order to build you muscle fast. The heavier weight lifting will make the resistance even greater than the light one. Lifting more weight but lesser repetitions will eventually helps you to grow your lovely muscle faster.

Dumbbells are fundamental: Lately, I found a lot of people are seldom employing dumbbells.  Truly, dumbbells are important in daily bodybuilding fitness workouts.  That’s as they engage a fuller multifarious ness of movements than about machines can.  They permit you exercise a lot of muscles with one routine.

Do not focus on aerobics: Aerobics are great.  They strengthen your lungs and your heart.  However, the problem is, though, they do not arrive at a great place in bodybuilding fitness workouts because they don’t genuinely build muscle perfectly.  Thus, you had better concentrate on your bodybuilding workout routine in spite of you can do a couple of aerobic exercises everyday.

Consume Red Meats: Eating red meat is matchless of the most crucial points on bodybuilding.  Since red meats have omega-three, which is really significant to grow your muscles.  Red meats consisted of a lot of muscle-growing protein too.

Acquire Supplements: Additional significant tips about bodybuilding are to take dietary supplements.  In that respect, there are a whole lot of supplements out there, Such as glutamine, amino acids and Creatine.  You could in addition to try on whey proteins and hydroxy beta-methyl.

High Resistance: High resistance is very important for bodybuilding fitness workouts.  You might try lifting fifty pounds, for instance, and doing one set of ten reps, rather than lifting forty and doing three or four sets of five reps.  High resistance can really help you to increase muscle at a faster rate.

Have a Break frequently: Ultimately, breaks are important.  Getting a break from your routines can aid you to regain glycogen and you might feeling like you’re wasting time, but you bequeath authentically gain your muscles much faster.

By abiding by those tips on bodybuilding, you will be able to actually make extraordinary excellent progress.  Truthful, realize the best ways to build muscle and use bodybuilding fitness workouts to your vantage to become a successful bodybuilder



By: Maverick Taylor

About the Author:

Maverick Taylor is an experienced bodybuilder who works as a full-time bodybuilding and fitness coach in Florida.



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Choosing a Fitness Trainer

Friday, May 29th, 2009
One of the biggest obstacles to staying on track for fitness is losing motivation. People are just starting an exercise program can find themselves quickly tired of the same routine. Keeping exercise appealing and maintaining a good fitness perspective is key to long-term success.

If you have to watch the exact same episode of your favorite television show every day for the rest of your life, you would probably be banging your head against the wall by the end of the week. You would change the channel, pick up a book, or do anything you could to avoid something you once enjoyed.

Yet, many people starting on a fitness program feel compelled to follow the same routine, day after day after day, and consequently fall off the exercise wagon due to sheer boredom.

That is why, most people would want the services of a fitness trainer in order to provide them the different portions of the fitness program in a more livelier style.

Fitness trainers are actually those who are expert in analyzing and creating a fitness program that is right for you. They are the ones who will calculate your appropriateness to a certain program with regards to your “fitness level,” create the program according to your specific needs, and keep you stimulated and inspired by giving you activities that will not bore you.

But then again, as with other entities included in the fitness world, not all fitness trainers are created equal. They may vary from the different trainings that they have, the health education they have acquired, and the skills that they have learned.

Hence, it is important to consider some factors that will determine if a certain fitness trainer is right for you. Here is how:

1. Certification

Like any item or product, the quality is sometimes measured and determined through the certification that goes with it. Hence, before you choose your fitness trainer, it is important to verify if the trainer is duly certified by a highly regarded fitness association.

It is also best to choose a trainer that has a CPR certification or first aid qualifications.

2. Education/Trainings

Be sure to choose a fitness trainer who had acquired an adequate training and education as far as health and physical fitness is concerned.

Even though it is not necessary, trainers who have acquired education connected with health or any other related field will definitely have an edge over the others.

3. Knows how to give the right attention

A good fitness trainer should know how to provide his or her client an undivided attention whenever their session is going on. In this way, the trainer will be able to focus more on the details that needs attention and immediate considerations.

4. Knows how to track development

It is best to choose a fitness trainer that knows how to track his or her client’s progress as far as fitness is concerned.

In this way, the trainer will be able to generate new activities and trainings designated for a particular result of the client.

5. Good Personality

Since you will be dealing most with your fitness trainer, it is best if you will look for somebody with a pleasing personality, somebody whom you can be comfortable. It is best to hire the services of somebody whom you can easily get along with.

Boiled down, the services of a fitness center and the contributions it can give you while working out on those belly fats, are, indeed, one of the best help that you can get from a professional person who knows what he is doing.

Hence, it is best to choose the best person who can give you the best services that you need so that you will never get bored again.



By: Faith

About the Author:

Faith is an expert writer in a variety of topics. She
writes and reviews on many top end products. Visit her blog
at, http://freehealthfitnesstipsblog.blogspot.com/



Aerobics Fitness - a Few Precautions

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
However, just to be safe, let us take some sensible precautions. Most of us tend to ignore symptoms. But, we want you to be fit and healthy. So, just think for five minutes. In the course of your normal activities, you may have rushed to answer the doorbell or telephone, hurried up the stairs. After doing so, have you felt dizzy or faint?

Got slight pains in the chest? Developed flu-like symptoms? Had an upset stomach? Found difficulty in breathing? There is nothing to panic about - but do consult your doctor. Explain that you want to start exercising and ask him or her to guide you on the activity you choose and how intensely you can do it. Take any test he advises you to. If the thought of visiting your doctor at his dispensary puts you off, you could enrol yourself in a gym that has a medical practitioner attached to it. It is worth the expense as you will be put on the right track of health and fitness suited to your individual circumstances.

Moreover, if you are over 35 years of age and have never exercised, it is better to get a doctor’s green signal to get into aerobics.

Most fitness books advise you to exercise under medical supervision if you have a heart problem, diabetes, are a heavy smoker, are highly stressed out or are extremely obese. Clearly, such factors need careful medical monitoring. To these we would like to add one more condition - the state of your eyes. Are you myopic? In other words, are you short-sighted where you have high minus-number glasses? If so, before embarking on an exercising programme, consult an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or a vitreo-retinal surgeon and have your retina checked out. Your eye doctor should be highly trained in binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Retinal detachment can be aggravated by lifting weights or sudden jerky movements.

Being myopic does not automatically put you in the retina detachment department, but the risk exists. Hence, it’s wiser to consult a specialist. However, don’t use your short-sightedness as an excuse - where you do not make an appointment with your eye doctor, and put off exercising indefinitely. Make that call today. Even a person who has undergone retinal surgery is advised to lose weight after the healing and convalescing period. The reason being that that extra load of fat puts a strain on the retina.



By: Alien

About the Author:

Read out for Weight lifting Check out beauty and hoodia gordonii



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How Often Should a Home Fitness Training System be Used?

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
For decades, health experts have been alerting individuals about the benefits of regular exercise and promoting home exercise equipment for many people to use to begin their exercise routines.  Many people would like to purchase a home fitness training system but are confused about how often this equipment should be used and how long each workout session should last.  The ultimate decision on how often a workout done on a home fitness training system should be completed will depend mainly on the person’s health but there are some other guidelines that should be followed as well to make sure that you are getting the most out of your exercise equipment without causing damage to your body.

There are three main types of home fitness training systems that can be purchased by a person for use on a regular basis; equipment for strength training, equipment for stretching and flexibility, and equipment that can be used for both.  Many people prefer the equipment that can be used for both types of workouts but some people prefer equipment that is good for one or the other, typically due to health or physical restrictions.  Strength training systems generally provide a more intensive workout and combine long movements with holding patterns that are designed to strengthen the muscles over time.  A home fitness exercise system that is used to increase flexibility will generally incorporate more fluid movements and continuous motions so groups of muscles are working together and stretching in different directions at once.

The Frequency Of The Exercise

Many experts recommend using a home fitness training system at least three times a week to get the best benefits for the body.  This allows the person to exercise strongly one day and spend the next 24 hours letting their body repair and rest from the stretching done the day before.  After the person has become comfortable with using the home fitness training system, the intensity and length of the workout should be increased and the number of days each week that the equipment is used can be increased to four or more sessions per week.

Sometimes people use a home fitness training systems to help them prepare for other activities, such as sports or dancing.  In these cases, the home fitness training system should be used before each class or training session in order to increase flexibility and reduce the risk of straining a muscle when doing the more intense actions needed for the sport.  The frequency of use for the home fitness training system will depend on the number of times the person plays the sport each week.

Choosing A Length Of Time

The amount of time that should be dedicated to using a home fitness training system will depend on the type of workout being performed.  If the home fitness training system is being used for exercise only, then a workout of between 30 minutes and 1 hour would be a good length of time.  If the workout is being used to prepare the person for a more intense exercise, then a time limit of ten to fifteen minutes is enough to get the person ready to participate in their sport.



By: Shan Silva

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Golf Fitness Training in the Off-season

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Golf fitness training in the off-season can greatly benefit golfers of any age in the improvement of their skills on the course. All to often the golfer will neglect the physical components relative to the execution of a biomechamically efficient golf swing. Rather than develop the physical requirements of the golf swing, the golfer will spend an insurmountable amount of time practicing and money on golf lessons with minimal improvement.

The common thread in such instances is physical limitations in the areas of mobility, flexibility, stability, strength, and power limiting the ability of the golfer to execute a biomechanically efficient golf swing. The golfer must remember it is the kinetic chain of the body executing every phase of the golf swing, and in order for the athletic movements of the golf swing to be performed efficiently, certain physical parameters must be evident within the kinetic chain.

If the golfer is lacking in the physical parameters required of the golf swing, compensations in the execution of the swing results. These compensations lead to swing faults such as a loss of club head speed, poor ball striking, inconsistencies, and poor play. To prevent such a situation from occurring and provide the golfer with a physical foundation to execute the golf swing, the introduction of golf fitness exercises can be of great assistance.

Golf fitness exercises as with any sports-specific training program have the goals of developing the physical components within the kinetic chain required of the athlete’s chosen sport. The end result of the implementation of such training modalities is a transfer of training effect into the execution of the golf swing. A transfer of training effect is the ability of a training program to have a direct benefit on the performance of the athlete during competition (Juan Carlos Santana, Institute of Performance, Boca Raton, FL).

Once the golfer understands the physical components connected to the execution of the golf swing as well as how a sports-specific training program can assist in the development of these physical components. The next step is the introduction of a sports-specific training program for golf. The ideal time for the introduction of such a program is during the off-season.

The off-season consists of the time of year in which competitive golf is not being played, and the amount of practice time associated with the sport is minimal. The traditional off-season for golf is the winter months where weather is not conducive to rounds of golf and the professional tour is on a hiatus. This provides an ideal off-season for any golfer from the recreational to professional level to implement a sports-specific conditioning program for golf. The ideal time frame for an off-season golf specific training program is 8-12 weeks. This is the minimal time frame required to introduce golf-specific training modalities into ones conditioning program to create adaptation in the kinetic chain. In addition, a time frame of 8-12 weeks allows for progressions to occur within the specific modalities of the clients off-season golf specific conditioning program.

Outside of the ideal time frames associated with an off-season golf specific conditioning programs are the goals of such a program. The general goal of the off-season program as stated previously is the development of the physical parameters within the kinetic chain required in the execution of the golf swing.

In order to achieve the goal of developing the physical components within the kinetic chain for the golf swing, a basic understanding of the biomechanics of the swing is needed. A brief review on golf swing biomechanics indicates the following: the golf swing is typically separated into phases which are; address, takeaway, backswing, transition, downswing, impact, and follow through. The goal during each of these phases is to keep what is termed the kinematic sequence in tact.

The kinematic sequence is a model determining the efficiency in the human body at which speed is generated and transferred to the golf ball during the swing. Researches behind the development of the kinematic sequence include Dr. Greg Rose of the Titleist Performance Institute, biomechanist Phil Cheetham of Advanced Motion Measurement, and Dr. Rob Neal of Golf BioDyanmics. The kinematic sequence allows a viewer to look at how efficiently and effectively a golfer generates speed, transfers speed through the body, and where in the golf swing a golfer may be lacking the physical or biomechanical requirements to execute the swing with the greatest amount of efficiency possible.

Understanding the kinematic sequence is imperative to the development of a biomechanically sound golf swing. The information provided by the kinematic sequence allows us to begin to dissect where the golfer physically is breaking down within the kinetic chain during the execution of the golf swing. This will be a cornerstone in the development of a golfer’s off-season conditioning program.

Once an understanding of the kinematic sequence is in place, attention can be turned to the physical side of this equation in the form what physical requirements are needed by the golfer to execute a biomechanically efficient golf swing where the kinematic sequence remains in tact.

The ideal model to reference for determining the physical requirements of the golf swing is the mobility/stability pattern of human movement. This principle was first noted by physical therapist Gray Cook and strength coach Mike Boyle, and popularized in the sport of golf by Dr. Greg Rose. This principle states efficient movement within the kinetic chain of the human body occurs in an alternating pattern of mobile joints and stable segments. If this pattern of mobile joints and stable segments is altered, dysfunction in movement patterns will occur, and compensations in these movement patterns will be the result. A joint-by-joint view of the mobility/stability pattern of human movements is as follows: foot - stable, ankle - mobile, knee - stable, hip - mobile, pelvis/sacral/lumbar spine - stable, thoracic spine - mobile, scapular-thoracic - stable, gleno-humeral/shoulder - mobile, elbow - stable, wrist- mobile, cervical spine - stable.

As you can see the human body operates “feet to fingertips” in an alternating pattern of a mobile joint followed by a stable joint throughout the kinetic chain. Relative to the golf swing the mobility/stability pattern of human movement allows for the creation and transfer of energy through the kinetic chain from “feet to fingertips” into the golf club. If the mobility/stability pattern is dysfunctional relative to the golf swing, the development of speed will be limited, transfers of this speed to the golf ball will be compromised, and compensations in the golf swing will occur.

At this point, we understand the goal of an off-season golf conditioning program as well as the guidelines dictating the development of such a program. The next step is the implementation of a golf-specific conditioning program during an 8-12 week off-season time frame. The first step in this process is a physical assessment. An assessment through a series of physical screens will determine any dysfunctions within the kinetic chain relative to the mobility/stability pattern of human movement. If any dysfunctions are found during these physical screens, a series of corrective exercises will be incorporated within the golfer’s off-season conditioning program for correction of these dysfunctions.

Once an assessment is complete, the next stage in the development of an off-season golf fitness program is a need analysis. A needs analysis is the process of determining what requirements the golf fitness program must fulfill. Such an analysis not only includes goals, but in addition, what pieces of equipment are available, time constraints on training, and the information from the physical screens. Once the needs analysis is complete, the development of the actual off-season program can commence.

An off-season strength and conditioning program is typically separated into the following training segments:

1. Mobility/flexibility training

2. Neuromuscular efficiency development

3. Strength/stability training

4. Power training

All or only a couple of the training segments listed above may be incorporated into a single training. Corrective and performance enhancement training modalities are incorporated within each of these categories. The actual exercises within each category are dependent upon a number of individual variables such as kinetic chain dysfunctions requiring attention within the golfer, goals of the golfer, and training experience.

The final steps in the development of the off-season golf specific training program is the introduction of the exercises into the program. Guidelines to adhere in this section are the introduction of exercises that are geared towards the individual needs of the golfer in a systematic and progressive approach. A useful methodology to utilize in the selection, introduction, and progression of exercises into an off-season golf fitness program is a periodization schedule.

A periodization schedule is the cycling of loads, volumes, intensity, and exercise within a given time frame. The time frame may be divided into days, weeks, months, or even years. The cycling allows for a systematic approach to achieving improvement in the mobility, flexibility, balance, strength, stability, and power as well as prevents overtraining.

Each time frame has a specific arrangement of load, volume, intensity, and exercises within the give time frame. The cycles of a peridiozation program are broken down into macrocycles and microcycles.

A macrocycle is the complete training time, which for golfers is usually one year. A mesocycle is a specific time frame within the macrocycle (for example, the off-season). The subdivisions of mesocycles for the golfer are as follows:

Phase 1: corrective, strength, stability, and endurance training

Phase 2: strength and stability training

Phase 3: Power training

Phase 4: Sports-specific training

Phase 5: competition/maintenance training

The off-season of a periodization schedule will typically find phases 1,2, and 3, phases 4, and 5 are found in the pre-season and competitive playing year.

Knowing the off-season consists of phases 1,2, and 3. The training for the golfer or golf fitness trainer can be focus upon the modalities incorporated within these segments, in addition to the development of these components within the kinetic chain.

To summarize, the off-season is the ideal time in which the golfer can take advantage of developing a physical foundation for the golf swing. In order for this to occur, the golfer must have a basic understanding of the connection between the physical body and execution of the golf swing. Once this basic component is understood, the development of an off-season golf fitness program can commence. The first step in this process is an understanding of golf swing biomechanics and the kinematic sequence. The second step is a basic understanding of mobility/stability pattern of human movement. After this final component is acknowledged, commencement of an individualized off-season program can begin.

The development of a golf fitness program in the off-season follows a specific order in terms of its development. A physical screen begins the development of the program to determine if any dysfunctions exist within the kinetic chain. Once complete with the physical screen a needs analysis is initiated to recruit the individual requirements and goals of the program. Finally, the development of the off-season golf fitness program commences with the utilization of a periodization schedule.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com



By: Sean Cochran

About the Author:

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with PGA Professionals, most notably Masters and PGA Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran, his golf fitness programs and golf exercises go to www.seancochran.com



Home Gyms – How To Set Up And Workout?

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Workouts are very essential for a healthy life. If you want to keep yourself fit and healthy then it is very necessary that you start regular exercising. But most of us feel too lazy to go to gym or either does not get time to visit fitness clubs.

Main problem is laziness; many people either do not visit gym or cannot be regular in gyms. Some people start exercising with full speed and after 2 months stop the same. With the result of which, they later on suffer with Post Workout Soreness.

This is a very common problem with majority of people. Here in this scenario Home gyms prove to be a great solution. Due to easy access and privacy Home gyms are increasing in demand.

 

How to setup a home gym?

First set your physical fitness objectives for the home gym then decide what fitness equipments you will require for your needs. You can choose from treadmills, elliptical, Dumbbell set, Fitness Ball, Resistance Band, Jump Rope, rowers and upright bikes. You need to consider Pieces of equipments – are they fit together, alternatives, minimum floor space requirements and others. The basements are ideal for home gyms because the floors can support the heavy weights and equipment.

 

Safety concerns while setting a home gym design

Design your gym keeping in concern the safety measures that need to be taken care of while setting and maintaining it. Are there small children in the house? Do you have teens and their friends that will come to use your gym? Have you used gym equipments before? Will senior people be using it? Then choose the safe and best place in your home as per your requirements.

 

How to workout at home?

When considering fitness exercising at home, there are several aspects that needs to be considered. You should be sure of what you need to plan for achieving your fitness goals like you need aerobic training, strength training, or stretching.

 

There are lots of options for aerobic training, including videos or machines that you can use by yourself. Or you may take help of online resources, books or guides. You may also hire personal trainer for some time if you need.

But before all this, making your own home gym is an investment. You will need to set up a budget and find out how much you are willing to spend. You don\’t need to buy equipments all at a time, it would be better to add on equipments as and when find out more about your individual needs.

 



By: Amit Kothiyal

About the Author:

Setting up a home gym, read information on our US Gym Equipment Store and also know more about Health fitness exercise tips.