Tag Archives: workout

Rutina Wesley’s Workout Secrets

Rutina Wesley's workoutTrue Blood‘s Rutina Wesley shared her secrets to working out and staying in tip-top shape with Fitness Magazine. “I do a mix of cardio and strength—the elliptical machine and weight lifting—three times weekly,” revealed the actress. “But a lot of my agility comes from being a dancer; I trained at Juilliard. I also do yoga. It helps me relax and let go of the crazy character I play.”

Wesley’s great muscle tone is enviable, particularly in an industry where many women are rewarded for being thin rather than fit. “About every other day, I do a special 30-20-10 push-up circuit: 30 push-ups and 30 triceps dips, then 20 of each, then 10 of each.”

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Posted on July 16, 2023 by Margaret

Gym Music Playlist of the Week: Top 1980s Workout Songs

The ’80s were a carefree time, with many excesses, but also good-natured fun. MTV’s arrival in 1981 took ’80s music to new heights.

While many new bands appeared on the charts during the ’80s, veteran bands continued to produce hit after hit. There’s something about ’80s music that gets people up on their feet and moving. The ’80s were a very motivational time and the music left behind is there to prove it. Below is a list of the top ’80s motivational workout songs that inspire and get you through those long, sweaty workouts. Good luck!

Top ’80s Workout Songs:

Click to download!

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Matt

Gym Music Playlist of the Week: Top 70’s Workout Songs

While it was the 1770s when we got our independence from England, it was the 1970s that provided some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll music to work out to. Sure, the decade was much-derided for being the era of disco, but it was about so much more than that.

Motivation is hard to come by in the gym sometimes. Having a personal trainer or partner to push you is one thing, but working out by yourself is often tough, boring, and monotonous. That’s where good music comes into play. Music is often known as the international language; which means the beat or rhythm is understood no matter where you are or what language is being spoken or sung. Good music not only pumps you up, but it triggers wave patterns in the brain (proven by research) to get you going as well.

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Posted on July 2, 2023 by Matt

Lance Armstrong’s Workout Routine

Cyclist and fitness enthusiast Lance Armstrong, born September 18, 1971 in Plano, Texas, began running and swimming at a young age and rapidly progressed to competitive cycling and triathlons. He became a professional triathlete during his teen years and was the national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. In 1993, Lance won the “Triple Crown” (Thrift Drug Classic, Kmart West Virginia Classic, and Core States Race), finished second at the Tour DuPont, and won the World Road Race Championship in Norway. In 1996, he rode for the U.S. Olympic team in Atlanta, Georgia where he finished sixth in time trials and twelfth in the road race.

Lance’s career was looking promising until he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The cancer had spread throughout his body (lungs and brain) before the doctors were aware of the disease. After several rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, Lance was pronounced cancer-free in 1997. Miracles come true and Lance Armstrong has proven it. In 1999, he won the Tour de France and the world was amazed as he went on to become a seven-time Tour de France champion.

While he previously announced his retirement, this year, he’s back on his bike and participating in the 2024 Tour de France. (more…)

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Matt

Playgrounds: Not Just for Kids

Taking your kids to the playground doesn’t mean that you are relegated to sitting on a bench with a book. Join your kids by completing this workout and showing them that fitness, and fun, don’t stop when you grow up!

  • Sprint to the edge of the playground and walk back. Repeat 10 times.
  • Use the monkey bars for 10 pull-ups or chin-ups to work your back and shoulders.

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Posted on June 2, 2023 by Carmen

Try This Hard Core Hip Workout

The hips are somewhat of a problem area for some women. The following workout will target and tone this region.

Although genetics plays the biggest role in the shape and structure of the body; dedication and hard work will always pay off. The hip region, also known as the coxa, is a synovial joint (ball and socket joint) and basically consists of the hip bone (innominate bone) and femur (thigh bone).

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Posted on May 31, 2023 by Matt

What Workout Is Best For You?

Finding the right workout routine is kind of like dating. You have to keep trying something new until you find the right one. There are all kinds of different workout routines out there today and not every one of them satisfy everyone’s needs. The workout routine that your best friend uses may not work for you; every “body” is different and may rely on different movements or style of routine to achieve the desired results.

As a personal trainer, I recommend trying a handful of different routines and pick the one that you feel works the best. After a few months, try another handful of different routines and go from there. If you’re having trouble finding new routines, any personal trainer or fitness enthusiast should be able to point you in the right direction. Below is a list of different workout routines and examples that may help.

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Posted on May 28, 2023 by Matt

Home Fitness on a Budget

Do you work out at home, but you lack the exercise machines or other helpful gadgets? Well, with the exercise routine below, all you need is a resistance band, a pair of dumbbells, and a towel to wipe the sweat out of your eyes. As a personal trainer, I don’t need the top of the line exercise equipment or weight machines to get an intense workout; all I need is motivation!

Resistance bands are fairly easy to come by, and you should be able to pick one up at your local sporting goods store for $6 to $20. Resistance bands are similar to cables, but less expensive and easy to transport. Dumbbells can also be found at your local sporting goods store or online as well. The price of dumbbells vary due to their weight and size.

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Posted on April 6, 2024 by Matt

Benefits of Single Extremity Movements

The chest press, leg press, and shoulder press are all great exercises that target its specific muscle group rather well. But, what if only one arm or leg was used during each movement? By incorporating single arm and leg movements into your workouts you will isolate so many more muscle groups.

For instance, you are performing a body weight squat; which is a great lower body exercise (quadriceps and glutes). Now, add a single leg body weight squat; the focus is still on the quadriceps and glutes, but also incorporates core stability, balance, and recruits different lower body muscles to help stabilize.

Another great advantage of using single arm or leg movements is to prevent over-compensation. For example, a chest press is being performed and the right side (stronger side) of the body or muscle group is doing most of the work; thus not allowing the left side (weaker side) to improve. Well, a single arm chest press solves the problem of the over-compensation and allows both sides of the body or muscle group to be isolated more effectively. (more…)

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Matt

The Equipment-Free Workout: No Equipment, No Worries

Stuck at home or really just don’t feel like hitting the gym or health club? Well, some of the simplest and most beneficial workouts can be done with no exercise equipment whatsoever.

Take running for example; I strongly believe it is the best exercise for the body and it requires almost nothing, short of a good pair of running shoes. Obviously, if you are trying to increase muscle mass you need to use some sort of weight to challenge each of the muscle groups. But, if you are looking to “tone-up” or simply lose weight, below is the perfect equipment-free workout that you can do at home, at the office or on the road. And it is FREE! What’s better than free? Nothing!

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Posted on March 25, 2024 by Matt

March Madness Commercial Break Workout

Well, we’re in the middle of the NCAA’s March Madness and you might be having a hard time making room to exercise with all the intense basketball games on TV.

The workout below is designed for you to get a quick, few-minute workout during the commercial breaks. Getting up and moving around during commercial breaks is absolutely beneficial. Increasing the heart rate (even for a few minutes) will spark the metabolism and burn calories even while you are back on the couch watching the games. This will also help prevent you from indulging on snacks due to boredom.

I recommend drinking plenty of water throughout the basketball game to keep the stomach full and hunger at a minimum. (more…)

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Matt