Alternative Methods - 3 Alternative Fitness Tips

 

Surely you've heard the saying "an apple a day keeps this doctor away". Sadly, it isn't as easy as that. If that were the case, America would be one of the healthiest nations on Earth instead of one of the most obese.

A person needs to partake in physical activity to establish a healthy living and, more importantly, a healthy body.

 With that being said, heading to the gym on a regular basis and exercising alone can be hard to do and gets boring fast. Fortunately for you, there are new and fun alternative fitness workouts that are readily available and do the job just as well.

Dancing is a good way to burn up to 380 calories an hour. Many different forms of dancing has made its way to fitness clubs everywhere. It's an enjoyable way to stay in shape and blow off some steam. Ballroom dancing like Salsa and Tango are becoming more popular.

 Belly dancing, strip tease, pole dancing, and hip hop dancing are wildly successful and classes are filling up left and right. You'll dance to the popular music you would hear on the radio and in clubs which makes it easier to enjoy. Many celebrities have their own video work out routine with these styles which makes it more popular. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you can impress onlookers and your significant other with the moves you learn and the great body you develop as a result.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) workouts can burn up to 680 calories an hour and is one the most recognizable workouts and fighting sports in America thanks to the UFC. MMA is a full combat contact sport that incorporates the use of all of your limbs as you will perform grappling, boxing, and other forms of striking. This is a perfect workout for the aggressive individual and you will surely succeed in the cage.

If dancing and brawling aren't your thing, maybe you should consider joining a local sports team. Soccer and basketball leagues are popping up at rec centers all across the country and offer a good, competitive way of staying and shape while having fun at the same time. The key to fitness for many is to have fun while working out. If soccer and basketball don't catch your attention, swimming offers a great way to work out the entire body. With just 30 minutes of vigorous swimming, you can burn up to 400 calories. Who doesn't enjoy swimming?

Another form of alternative fitness is bicycling. This type of workout can give you great endurance if done right and offers a relaxing way to approach your fitness. Bicycling is a great alternative to running as it's less harmful on our bodies, because like swimming, it isn't an impact activity. This is perfect for those who suffer from ligament damage, knee injuries, or any other type of injury that limits what you're able to do to stay in shape.

Dawn Fritsch is a Gym Owner. Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor who specializes in Women' Fitness for the over 40's. Dawn also has a unique understanding and passion for workout's that can be done At Home with minimal, or no equipment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Fritsch

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7 Fitness Tips You Should Avoid

1) Do Not Exercise Without A Goal
A lot of people just simply go to the gym and work out but are not exactly sure what they want. They don't have an aim that they want to achieve. Majority of those people just end up giving up and stop exercising overall. You should always set an exact goal that you want to be achieved and also set a time frame to track your progress. This is the best way to find out if you are heading the right direction or not.

2) Do Not Just Wear Any Clothing You Feel Like
You don't want to be one of those people who stands out because they are the only ones in the gym wearing jeans. You should always wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Proper clothing also helps prevent the likelihood of you getting injured.

3) Do Not Forget Water
You always want to keep yourself hydrated. One of my friends thought he was perfectly fine even though I heard him panting and breathing really loud. A few minutes later, I received a call from the front desk telling me my friend passed out. You don't want that to be you. Don't worry, he was fine after about ten minutes.

4) Do Not Stay Up
Make sure to get enough rest! I cannot stress that enough. This might be the number one priority. Simply eating well and exercising is not enough. When there is a day where you worked really hard, you must give yourself the proper amount of rest that night. This gives your body time to relax and prepare yourself for the next.

5) Do Not Eat Too Many Junk Food
Obviously, junk food is really unhealthy. It also contains a lot of calories. Not to mention, it does nothing for your body what so ever. Eating a bag of chips can mean hours of exercise just to burn it off.

6) Do Not Exhaust Your Body
Always remember that the gym will always be there. If there comes a day that you have worked out so hard that you can no longer continue, it is okay to just call it a day. It is okay to allow your body to relax and this will also help prevent injuries.

7) Do Not... Not Keep Records
Starting from day one of your workout session, you should jot down what you have been doing along with your progress. You can also take pictures of your body too. Compare your results to the previous weeks and months to track your progress. This is probably the best way to see if you are heading the right direction.

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Mens Fitness Tips for Dads

 

Men's fitness does not naturally work itself out when single fathers have a lot on their plate. Between a stressful day job and keeping up with child support payments, some single dads often shuttle between towns making long-distance parenting a difficult yoke to bear.

 Oftentimes single fathers end up taking their own physical condition and emotional state for granted. Being available to their children is important to them, but without taking good care of their own well-being they run the risk of jeopardizing not only their health but the peace of mind of being active in their kids lives.

A parent can not properly and fully nurture their children if they can't function as care providers to their own selves. Here are important reminders every single dad should know when it comes to their fitness and health.

EXERCISING REGULARLY
Busy dads are often hard pressed to find available time for exercise, but by taking 10,000 steps a day will ensure the least required physical activity to keep active and in shape. Working dads can first aim for 3,000 then work their way up for a good cardio routine. Doing stretches as little as 5 minutes a day encourages flexibility, while keeping the heart rate up 60 minutes every week does wonders for a busy fathers stamina and endurance. To keep muscle tone, get into a strength training exercise with some 15 to 30 pound dumbbells for about 30 minutes every other day will do the trick. As men get older muscle tissue starts to get a little lean, and dads know that parenting requires all the energy and strength they'll need in keeping up with their kids.

DAILY VITAMIN INTAKE
People do not get enough of the daily required amount of vitamins and minerals from food like they used to. As men get older, the risk of losing bone and muscle mass increases and nutrients that rebuild muscle and bone are of dire importance. Men under the age of 50 can benefit from daily multivitamin intake. These essential vitamins consist of the following: vitamin D (1000 ui) that promotes the immune system and helps fight off cancer; calcium (600 mg) for bone regeneration coupled with magnesium (200 mg) for better absorption of calcium; 2,500 units of vitamin A (retinal) which has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals. Although not a vitamin, studies show the benefits of taking 2 baby aspirin (162 mg total) will fight off cancer and heart disease.

EATING RIGHT
Proper nutrition is key to a single dads longevity. We have to be mindful of what we eat by making the right food choices and avoiding those that have no health benefits. A lot of the free radicals that reek in the body increases as a man gets older, so eating 5-7 fist full of anti-oxidant rich fruits and veggies a day are weapons against these agents that accelerate aging. Brain degeneration is another risk factor as a man ages and eating food strong in Omega 3 fats (found in salmon and some nuts) is a way to prevent this from occurring. A daily intake of 12-25 grams of fiber helps the body eliminate harmful toxins. Avoidance of high-sugar, high-fat proteins in food is recommended. Not only should we want to eat healthy, but also create a healthy lifestyle for our kids as well.

MONITORING HEALTH
The importance of keeping track of ones state of well-being cannot be stressed enough. A dad has to know the condition his body is in- if his waistline is not more than half of his height in inches, his blood pressure reading (with a systolic value not greater than 140, while the diastolic no greater than 90), his cholesterol levels (LDL less than 100 and HDL greater than 40) and blood sugar level. As single dads, we need to take responsibility for our health by knowing what kind of medical health checks we need and when to have them administered. The standard medical exams include: an annual executive check-up, a dental check-up every 6 months, and bi-annual eye-exam. Single dads age 45 and older will benefit from having an echocardiogram, a stress test, and a colonoscopy. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the best way to avoid an illness is to nip them right at the bud before they even strike.

SLEEP SHOULDN'T BE UNDERESTIMATED
A lot of guy's often boast that they'll get enough shuteye when their dead, or tell themselves that sleep is for the weak. The lack of sleep makes the body vulnerable to illness and zap the life out of any activity or work during the waking hours. Getting enough sleep at the right times every night is important- sleep gives the body a chance to recuperate, and it uses that time to rebuild internal damage caused by daily activities bringing wear and tear to tissue and cells. That all being said, how well you take care of yourself will reflect on how attentive your kids will be towards their own health as they mature.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_L_Armstrong

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