weights

Stuck in traffic? Waiting for the doctor? Conference call will never end? Then it’s the perfect time to do some bicep curls. Well, it is if you have an iPhone. The new REPS iPhone app lets you use the phone as a virtual free weight to burn calories and tone muscle.

Guest blogger Taylor Ryan is a NASM certified personal trainer and the head trainer of the all women’s site: The Art of Weight Lifting. Women’s fitness is her passion! Read more at her blog.

Not all exercise is created equal. We all know that running a mile burns more calories than biking a mile and that dancing burns more calories than gardening, but did you know that when it comes to strength training exercises, the same rule applies?

If you’re spending time at the gym on the weight machines, now is the time to stop. These are isolated exercises geared to work one small muscle in a designated range of motion… basically you burn very little fat and build or tone very little muscle.

The first split workout routine covered cardiovascular training and a chest, back, leg, and ab workout. Today’s focus is geared toward those who are struggling with the weights rather than the cardio.

As soon as you get to the gym go immediately into your upper body weight training routine (15-20 minutes), followed by cardio (30-60 minutes), and then to your lower body weight training routine (15-20 minutes).

I have put together an upper body and lower body workout for you below. Focus on moving from one exercise to another while trying to keep the heart rate up. I recommend performing two sets of 25 repetitions. Good luck!!

I strongly believe that there are two kinds of workout people, one kind focuses more on cardio while the other focuses on the weights. I have designed a simple split workout routine to help you get the results you have always wanted. Today’s workout focuses on those that struggle with cardio. By splitting your cardio in half, you may help to push past that so called ”plateau.”

This is how it works: As soon as you get to the gym, hit the cardio for your normal time (30 minutes), then move to your weight training portion (30 minutes), and then back to do some more cardio (30 minutes). This workout is designed to push you past the limit and to achieve greatness.

Stress is very common in today’s world and can be caused by just about anything. It has been proven that stress damages your health and can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight or skin problems, heart problems, and can also weaken your immune system. Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but can help you manage the stress in your life by relaxing tense muscles, improving sleep, and by releasing chemicals in your body (endorphins) that give you a sense of well-being.

Top 5 Activities To Reduce Stress

1. Running/Walking
2. Bike Riding
3. Weight Training
4. Swimming Workouts
5. Competitive Sports