6 Exercises for a Stronger Core

Your core consists of the muscles that stabilize the spine and hips, and includes all the muscles of the abdomen, back, glutes and upper legs. A strong core helps protect the entire midsection, and enhances both mobility and stability, which, in turn, improves movement efficiency and keeps the muscles functioning in coordination with one another. This, of course, helps improve balance, posture and strength.
A common misconception is that doing exercises while lying supine automatically increases core strength. While these exercises can help improve abdominal strength, the entire core must be challenged to help improve total-body function. A better approach is to use a variety of stances, such as single-leg, supine and prone, to incorporate a wide range of movements. Here are a few of the best exercises to challenge the entire core.

Glute Bridges

While many consider the abdominal muscles to be the most important for increasing stabilization, strong glutes are essential as well. Many injuries and faulty movement patterns are a result of underactive glutes and overactive quads and hip flexors. To combat this, activate and fire those glutes before workouts to make sure they are turned on and ready to work.
Lie supine on the floor with knees bent and both feet flat on the floor. Keep the head relaxed and slowly push through the heels to raise the hips as high as possible. The knees, hips and shoulders should be in one straight line. This exercise activates the glutes and hamstrings, and stretches the hip flexors, which are often overactive and tight. Hold the top position for three seconds and slowly lower. Do eight to 10 reps per side. To progress this exercise, try one leg at a time or place the feet on the round side of a BOSU.

Medicine Ball Single-leg Reach

Disguised as a leg workout, this move is great for the glutes, hips, back and abs. Grab a 5- to 10-pound medicine ball and stand on the right leg. Slowly reach forward while hinging at the hips (not the back). Simultaneously lever the back leg out behind the body. Reach as far as possible—work toward bringing the arms, torso, and left leg horizontal to the floor. As the core gets stronger, increase the weight of the medicine ball. Perform two to three sets of eight to 10 repetitions per leg.

BOSU Plank Variations

Before attempting planks on the BOSU, make sure your client has impeccable plank form and can hold it for at least 30 seconds on the floor before attempting advanced variations. Planks are meant to strengthen the core, so if your client’s form wavers too much (back sinks, arches or bends), have him or her practice a little longer before advancing.
Start with the elbows on the round top of the BOSU. This creates an element of instability that must be controlled throughout the exercise. Perform a plank for 30 seconds. Begin adding small, alternating single-leg lifts, focusing on lifting the leg with the glutes and not shifting the hips at all. Next, try bringing one leg out about 45 degrees to the side, tapping the toe to the ground and returning to plank position. Perform five repetitions on each leg. Finally, try bringing the left knee out to the side, and tapping it to the BOSU just outside the left elbow. Repeat five times per leg. To regress these variations, perform them on the floor or on a flat bench before moving to the BOSU

Medicine Ball Single-leg Woodchop

Grab a 5- to 10-pound medicine ball and stand on the right leg. Raise the medicine ball overhead, slightly over the left shoulder. Swing it down quickly, but with control, to the outside of the right leg. Try to keep the torso upright, with a constant slight bend in the right leg. Slowly bring it back up to starting position and repeat eight to 10 times. To regress this exercise, start on two legs and gradually progress to standing on one leg.

TRX Pike

Place the toes in the foot cradles and lie prone on the floor, ready to plank. Push up into a high plank on the hands, establishing perfect form. Keeping the legs straight, push the hips straight up into the air while simultaneously pulling the TRX toward the hands. Slowly lower back down to finish in plank position. Complete eight reps to start, gradually increasing to 15 reps as core strength improves. To regress this exercise, bend the knees to pull the TRX toward the hands.

Hanging Leg Lowers

Exercises in which the legs are unsupported are a great way to work the deep abdominal muscles and the hip stabilizers. However, these exercises are not recommended for individuals with diagnosed lower-back pain.

If your client is a beginner, start this exercise using a Captain’s Chair. Once the client has developed a good strength base, progress to ab straps or hanging from the hands. Start with the knees bent, and lift them slowly as high possible, pulling the knees to the chest. Instead of focusing exclusively on the upward movement, think about the slow downward movement. Take about five seconds to slowly lower the legs back down to the starting position. This eccentrically works the deep abdominals, providing control and stabilization, while also preventing swinging. Repeat eight to 10 times. To progress this exercise, slightly twist the knees to the left and right to challenge the obliques. Additionally, try keeping the legs straight but only raise them as high as possible while maintaining straight knees. Again, focus on the slow lowering motion.

Source

30 Minute Cardio Tabata Workout

This 30 minute workout uses tabata intervals to get a high intensity cardio workout that works your full body. Both low impact and high impact options available so appropriate for all fitness levels. Great for calorie burning and losing fat, all while toning your whole body!

Kettle Bell One Arm Bent Over Row

Flat Resistance Bands vs. Resistance Tubes ?

I have only ever used resistance tubes, so I was surprised to discover that there were flat versions as well, and not just flat but wide as well as narrow ones. This piqued my curiosity and I decided to investigate the subject. This article is the result of my research. 

 

   As a general rule, both types of band have pretty much the same function and are used for essentially the same things: They are both used to perform resistance and flexibility exercises in fitness and rehabilitative contexts, as they have been since the early 20th century. That being said, there are differences between the two, which are discussed in some detail below:

Flat Resistance Bands

Flat Resistance Bands range from about 1€ to more than 5 €wide and come strips of latex ranging from a few inches in length to over 5 feet long depending on the brand and the system. The wider bands are highly malleable, especially thinner, lighter ones. They come in closed loops or open strips of latex and are frequently the band of choice for Pilates exercises and for therapeutic applications, although they are not the only type of band used in those contexts. At the other end of the spectrum some manufacturers offer narrow flat band systems such as the 4€ wide looped bands offered by RTB, or the open ended 1€ wide and 6€ long flat band system by Dura-Band (99.99% latex-free), which is manufactured using a layering process.

Some users prefer the greater comfort and stability flat bands. Wide bands especially wrap more easily and more comfortably around the torso, limbs and feet when the body is being used as an anchor. Although handles may be available as accessories for these wider bands they are not necessary in many cases because they compress easily in the hand for a good grip with minimal slippage. This makes them uncomplicated to use and easy to store or transport.

Narrower bands fall s somewhere in between when it comes to comfort.. The narrower and thicker they are, the more they resemble tubes in this respect, however, all flat bands offer some degree of stability over their cylindrical counterparts: They don't roll and they tend to €grab€ on to surfaces better. 

Tubes:

Different Resistance Tubes are made using varying qualities of latex and manufacturing processes. It is important to consider the manufacturing process because cheaper tubes are not only made from inferior latex products but they are extruded in a single layer, making them less resistant than their high-quality counterparts. In addition the quality of the accessories and attachment mechanisms is generally commensurate with the quality of the band: a cheaper band usually means cheaper, more fragile components. Proponents of flat bands cite these weaknesses as further arguments against the use of tube bands, and with reason. The argument, however, is less convincing with high-end tubes.

The best quality tubes are made using a continuous dipping technology that deposits liquid latex in layers, each bonding to the next and creating a super strong and tear and puncture resistant tube. All tubes are hollow but the multi-layered versions have extremely thick walls layered in concentric circles around a hollow center of narrow diameter. Brands that offer multi-layered solutions include Elastitone, Bodylastics and Lifeline.

Anti-snap technology such as external sleeves (Elastitone) or woven chords at the center of the tubes (like Bodylastics' DGS technology) add another layer of safety, comfort and durability to the best tubes. At this level the argument that flat bands are superior because they are made of a solid, not hollow, material is rendered somewhat moot. Latex or other elastic material, if stretched beyond reason will snap eventually. The point is that no band, flat or tubular, should ever break with proper use and care. 

Depending on your personal strength and your intended use of the product you may do just fine with an extruded, single-layer product but in that case make sure you do your research and don't go for the cheapest option.

Like flat bands, tubes come in open-ended and looped but the systems are more mixed and matched and there are other options which I have not seen with bands:

Common types of resistance tubes:
Linear
Closed Loops
Figure-8
X-shaped Linear
Specialty Tubes padded for specific use ( ex: such as the c-band loop by Lifeline which comes with cushioned grips and a door attachment and works, according to lifeline, in all three planes of motion and can be used by individuals or in team based exercises )

Resistance Levels:

Although there is no standard color coding system both types of band ( flat or tubular) are generally color coded according to resistance level. The color code might be stated in relative terms (light, medium, heavy, extra heavy etc.) but good bands also come with corresponding weight equivalents. Keep in mind that that not all weight equivalents were created equal. If you really want to get a sense of a free-weight equivalent you might be disappointed. The problem is that manufacturers don't necessarily employ the same methods. That being said, good brands make take pains to provide accurate equivalents and provide information about how they arrived at their results. You will need to compare methods and decide for yourself ( these usually involve measuring resistance at some point of extension).

Accessories:

As a general rule there are more accessories for tubular bands. This probably stems from the fact that tubes can really be uncomfortable to use without some basic accessories like handles and padding. From there, additional more specialized accessories would have developed naturally. Moreover, it is also no doubt easier to attach accessories to narrower tubes than wide bands. These arguments are borne out by the fact that among flat bands it is the narrow systems, which share both some of the concerns and advantages of their tubular cousins, that seem to offer more comprehensive accessory lines. These can usually be purchased after the fact or as part of special kits put together by the manufacturer. Kits include a selection of bands and some accessories. The more comprehensive the kit the more expensive it is. There are beginner to advanced kits and sometimes sports-specific or other specialized packages are also available.

Accessories might include: handles; padding; wrist and ankle cuffs; waist, door, sports-specific and/or other attachments.

Some tubes like the Bodylastics system come with built in clips for quick changes between exercises. Another advantage with this high quality system is that several tubes can be attached in different combinations to achieve different levels of resistance. The new Dura-Band system made up of flat narrow bands also uses an innovative clip system and offers a number of accessories (for those with allergy concerns, this band has the advantage of also being virtually latex-free).

Latex-Free:

Latex sensitivity is a dangerous often life-threatening allergy for many people. Latex free tubing is available from some manufacturers but by and large your options are pretty limited. You may find more options with Flat Resistance Bands. Although I have not used it myself the Dura-Band system may be an excellent alternative as it shares many qualities with both flat bands and tubes and claims to be 99.998% latex free.

My own conclusion in the final analysis is that choosing between flat bands or tubes is a matter of personal preference. If you are looking for a super light weight uncomplicated comfortable solution to supplement your fitness routine, Pilates training or add some variety to your weight training, you might choose the wide flat bands ( ex: Thera-Band, Ailyo, etc). If you want a comprehensive, stand-alone system, to engage in sports-specific exercises, or you simply like to work with as many options as possible 

 

Damian@FitnHealthy

7 BENEFITS OF HEAVY RESISTANCE TRAINING

For years only a finite number of dedicated fitness enthusiasts practiced a sure-fire method of achieving results from exercise: weightlifting with the heaviest loads possible. 

Most common gym routines are derived from the bodybuilding world and focus on moderate-to-high repetition ranges, usually eight to 15 reps, to increase the size of a muscle. 

Serious strength-training enthusiasts know that lifting heavy for five repetitions or less, while extremely challenging, is the quickest way to increase muscle strength.

There is a distinctive difference between training for muscle size—technically called hypertrophy—and training for strength and increasing a muscle’s ability to generate force. While lifting heavy can improve the force output of a muscle without significantly increasing its size, training for size can increase muscle volume without necessarily improving strength. 

Lifting with high repetitions can increase the sarcoplasmic hypertrophy of a muscle by increasing the amount of fluid in the sarcoplasm of muscle cells. However, using a heavy weight for fewer repetitions results in myofibrillar hypertrophy by increasing the thickness of individual muscle fibers. 

Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy increases the size of a muscle, while myofibrillar hypertrophy results in thicker muscle fibers capable of generating higher levels of force.

If you are looking for a way to supercharge your clients’ workouts or help move past them past a plateau, consider using a weight heavy enough to limit them to five repetitions or less.* Here are seven benefits of how using heavy resistance can maximize the results from your fitness program.

Training for muscle strength is different than training for muscle size. A six- to 10-week strength-focused mesocycle of heavy resistance and low reps followed by a six- to 10-week hypertrophy (bodybuilder) mesocycle of moderate weight for higher rep ranges can produce significant gains in both size and strength.

Using heavy weights increases intramuscular coordination, the number of type II motor units and the amount of muscle fibers engaged within a specific muscle. Have you ever felt your muscles shaking while lifting heavy weights? This is because you are recruiting and activating the larger type II muscle fibers, which are only stimulated to work when a muscle is challenged with heavy resistance or working to fatigue.

Using maximal loads for compound (multi-joint) movements like the deadlift, squat-to-shoulder press, bent-over row or chest press can improve intermuscular coordination, which is the ability of many muscles to work together to generate and control high levels of force through multiple joints.

Lifting heavy weights elevates levels of anabolic hormones—specifically testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)—which are used to repair muscle fibers damaged during exercise. This helps the muscle fibers to become thicker and capable of generating higher levels of force.

Lifting heavy weights increases production of the hormone IGF-1. This hormone is related to the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a neurotransmitter responsible for stimulating the growth of new neural pathways in the brain along with enhancing communication between existing pathways. In short, lifting heavy could make you smarter by enhancing cognitive function.

Training with heavy weights helps you to improve your self-confidence. Knowing that you can lift heavy stuff gives you the confidence that you can handle common challenges, such as a putting a bag in the overhead bin on an airplane or carrying a heavy piece of furniture while reorganizing a room or helping a friend move.

Strength training with heavy weights improves muscle definition. Muscle definition occurs as the result of muscles remaining in a state of semi-contraction and heavy strength training recruits the larger type II muscle fibers responsible for a muscle’s appearance.

Source - C/O Ace 

Pull up workouts - The benefits of Pullup Exercises

Pullups and Chin ups are an extremely effective way of building both strength and endurance. They are very good for full body conditioning, particularly if you are an athlete or martial artist.

Pullups are one of the most beneficial overall muscle and strength developers. This exercise (also called a chin up) is a simple body weight exercise for building upper body, back and core strength. Unfortunately this exercise is often overlooked/neglected in favour of pumping iron or machine weights at the gym.

Why do PullUps?
 A pull-up is a compound, pull-type exercise which works a large number of muscles in your back, shoulders, and arms (biceps) at the same time. An added benefit is that it works the abs as well as burning fat. Bonus!

Standard exercise for special forces and elite organization fitness testing
Improves grip strength significantly
Develop a V-shaped back

If you are new to this exercise or are out of practice a weight assisted pull up machine at the gym will help your muscles adapt to this challenging exercise. Lat pull downs machines should also help prepare you for a non assisted pull up workout. Once you have mastered the basics there are various different types of pull up you can do including wide and close grip: 

As a much prefer time efficient home workouts (especially as i am a new father with a busy work schedule). Other pull up bar include door frame pull up bars, and pull up stations, however, i have not used these.

Pull up workouts can be made varied and challenging by integrating them into explosive cardio circuits. There is also scope to attach weights to yourself or use a weighted vest if you become very advanced at pull up workouts. I am currently working on the twenty pull up challenge, and have improved consistently since i first started. Following a structured training program, I have achieved positive results with good gains in my biceps, chest. triceps and shoulder muscles. Just need to work on my diet a bit more to get those abs. Good luck with your workouts.

Thank you for reading this article.

Damian@FitnHealthy

Best Battle Rope Workout

Battle Rope Workouts Burn Fat While Building Muscle!

Battle Rope workouts are becoming more and more popular in the fitness world thanks to circuit style training and new research about the negative effects of steady state cardio. According to all the recent articles out there, they are able to burn high amounts of calories and fat while building muscle. It also has the advantage of being very low impact (considering you're just standing, it is virtually no impact). 

 But, can we believe the hype?

What Does the Research Say?

Well, unfortunately, there isn't a lot of research out there at this point about battle ropes, so I took the liberty to do a little test run on my own to see just how effective they can be. I set up a HIIT style workout using the battle ropes, and I kept it short and sweet at just 10 minutes. I worked at maximum effort for 30 seconds then took 30 seconds of active recovery (I walked during the 30 second recovery period). Using a heart monitor and my Polar T4 wrist monitor, here is what I found:

Workout Duration (excluding warm up and cool down): 10 Minutes
Total Calories Burned: 149
Max. Heart Rate: 172

Notes: I also felt some serious burn in my arms and shoulders, and I could tell my core got a solid workout also.

So, what does this mean? Is that a good workout? Well, in terms of calories, that is an awesome workout for the duration. For a HIIT style workout, I wouldn't recommend going longer than 30 minutes. Typically, if you can last longer than 30 minutes, you could be working harder. So, in 30 minutes, that works out to 447 Calories, plus all the extra calories you'll burn in EPOC which varies, but usually works out to around 100-200 more. Interval training like this also promotes some very important health benefits including insulin resistance, increased VO2 max and many others. For those of us looking to get more defined, interval training maintains muscle mass which is crucial for getting a nice physique.

To put this into perspective, let's compare this to some other forms of cardio.

30 Minute Battle Rope Workout: 447 + 200 in EPOC = 647 Total Calories Burned
60 Minutes on the treadmill at 6mph (10 minute mile): Approximately 700 Calories
60 Minutes on the treadmill leisurely walking: Approximately 270 Calories
60 Minutes of Basketball at a vigorous intensity: Approximately 600 Calories

Keep in mind, the Battle Rope workout is a 30 minute workout. Thirty minutes of Battle Ropes at maximum intensity burns as many, if not more, calories than many common forms of exercise can burn in twice that time. This is an awesome way for people with joint problems to be able to perform high intensity exercise while maintaining their joint integrity and limiting joint pain. Battle Ropes also promote strength gains in the upper body and limiting the catabolic effects present during steady state cardio. Overall, Battle Rope workouts are looking to be a great new form of cardio and a great addition to any workout program.

Source: Ryan M York Ezine

The Reasons To Get Into Rock Climbing

The FitnHealthy crew love Rock Climbing as a great mind and physical exercise .. most readers are

probably aware of rock climbing and might wonder why it has gained in popularity to the point that you have rock climbing walls on cruise ships! Well, there are a number of reasons. 

Perhaps the first reason climbing is picking up in popularity is the simple fact it is outside. You can usually find somewhere to climb that is relatively near to your home. While climbing, you are out in the fresh air and away from the things that annoy all of us like cell phones, and the like. 

The second reason many get into rock climbing is the exercise factor. If you are like me, you get bored quickly if you are just doing reps or plodding along on a treadmill or some similar exercise equipment. This is why so many home exercise machines turn into expensive clothes hangers. With rock climbing, boredom is not a problem. Even the biggest cynic gets a rush from being up in the air on a vertical face. 

While these are all good reasons for climbing, you can find them by doing other things as well. There has to be something else that makes rock climbing so addictive and special. There is. It is a personal challenge. 

Whether you realize it or not, you crave personal challenges. The problem these days is finding something that is truly personal. With rock climbing, this is not a problem. It is you and whatever you are climbing. You either pull it off or you don't. This makes it a purely personal sport that you, and you alone, can succeed at or give up. There is something about that which gets most people going.

This certainly isn't intended to suggest that rock climbing has to be a solitary sport. Usually, you have at least one other person with you. 

 More and more people, however, are pursuing it as a family outing. With rock climbing gyms popping up everywhere, it is even growing a social side where like minded people can meet. 

Rock climbing is a great sport, but it is often hard to explain to a non-climber why it so great. If you are considering it at all, I strongly encourage you to have a go at it. 

 

You might just find that weekend activity you've been searching for your entire life. Just realize that you probably won't restrict it to just the weekends!

 

 Damian@ufitnhealthy

Core Exercises - Why Are They Essential?

Core exercises are often misunderstood. Find out why you should do them, and why you need core strength and stability for any activity.

 Core exercises are vital in protecting your spine. Whether it's from everyday activities (e.g. lifting, twisting, bending) or sports performance, and crucially for you everything in-between.

Forget about linking core workouts with 6-pack abs. For those you need fat burning exercises. Get used to associating core exercises with your spine. That's how you'll get the best out of them.

Your core consists of your abs, back and pelvis. Why should you evenly strengthen all parts of your core?

Here are the 2 main reasons:

1) Avoid injury and back pain.. There are loads of reasons why we get back pain (see your doctor before any exercise for back pain). But most back pain is caused by muscle imbalances.

Weak lower back muscles and strong abdominals commonly lead to injuries. Combined with weak upper back muscles, you're prone to poor posture. Even worse if you're heavily overweight.

2) Improve your performance in ANY activity.. Your every movement is stabilised by the core muscles. No matter what sport or exercise you do, a strong core will give you that extra edge.

The stronger your core is, the better control you will have, meaning a higher quality and efficiency of that movement. Simply put, it'll be safer and easier to move your arms and legs faster and with more power. That equals better performance.

Core Exercises:

There are loads of exercises that work each part of your core separately. But to get started, do core exercises that work a combination of your abs, back and pelvis.

Your focus is on finding those deep core muscles, with subtle movements. Move on to more specific (and challenging) back and ab exercises, once you have control of these:

Deep Muscle Contraction..

Lie flat on your front and relax.
Keeping your back and hips still, lift your stomach up towards your back.
Focus your mind on the deep muscles.
When done correctly, this is a very small movement.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding it for longer each time, aim for 2 minutes or even longer.

Once you're used to this movement, practice it wherever you are (lying, sitting or standing). During everyday activities (e.g. standing in a queue), or even during other exercise (e.g. riding your bike).

That small movement is the basis of all your core exercises. Always focus on first contracting your deep core muscles, then initiating other exercise movements.

Plank..

Place your forearms flat on the floor and clasp your hands (create an upside down V-shape).
Lift your body so that your forearms and feet take the weight.
Focus your mind on the deep core muscles.
Aim for a straight line between your neck and ankles.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding it for longer each time, aim for 1 minute or even longer.

 

 Bridge..

Lie on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor, arms by your side.
Lift up your hips, let your shoulders and feet take the weight.
Aim to keep your feet below your knees, and a straight line from shoulders to knees.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding for longer each time, aim for 1 minute or even longer.

You'll feel the pressure in your lower back and bottom. Focus on working your whole core to keep your hips up. Never take the weight on your neck.

Core exercises are essential for everyone, of any age and any fitness level. There's no better prevention for back pain. Do a variation of general core exercises, and specific back and ab exercises, and you'll really FEEL the difference

Introduction to the Balance Board

The balance board is a fitness piece of equipment that offers an efficient and enjoyable way to train your balance. It also improves your motor coordination skills, and it strengthens your core. Many people also practice on it because they feel calmer and more relaxed after a session.

Skiers and surfers used it first so they can practice their skills during the off-season. It is now used in therapeutic setting (knee rehabilitation, children with developmental disorders, proprioceptive training) and in fitness training. Athletes continue to take advantage of this fitness tool to improve their performance.

 You can easily acquire a balance board to exercise at home. It offers a fun way to strengthen your balance and your core. The difficulty depends on the type of board you are using. Some of them are very easy to practice on. Little kids and elderly people can use them safely. While other boards are much more challenging and require great skills.

There are 4 types of balance boards.
Rocker Boards
It improves static balance and is an easy way to start
Rocker-roller Boards
More challenging, they improve dynamic balance.
Wobble Boards

They offer a good comprise between the rocker boards (easy) and the other boards with un-attached fulcrums (the rocker-roller and the sphere-and-ring boards).
Sphere-and-ring Boards
The base is un-attached and the board can move in all direction making these types of balance boards the most challenging ones.

Balance boards can be very challenging causing falls, sprained joints, and sometime broken bones! So you need to take it gradually and start easily. Choosing the right balance board is the first step to a safe practice. Start with an attached board (rocker or wobble) as they are easier to use than the non-attached. Starting with easy exercises to gain confidence is important. 

Here are 4 movements you can start with:
1. Stand with both feet, and rock the board left to right, and front to back and have the edge touch the floor. Do it for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Roll the board in a circle touching the edge on the floor. Do it for 2 minutes.
3. Balance the board trying to keep the edges off the floor as long as you can.
4. From exercise 4, squat slightly (45 degrees). Repeat 10 times.
These 4 basic movements will help you improve your balance, strengthen your core, and increase your stamina.
It also has been linked with less falls during old age.

Source Moutassem Hammour .Chir

Complex Training: Strength and Conditioning Workout for Athletes

Up until about 40 years ago, most athletes were told to avoid resistance training because the misperception was that strength training would actually reduce their athletic performance. Of course, we now know that a proper strength and conditioning program is essential for athletes who want to reduce their risk of injury and enhance their performance. 

Athletic performance is based on a number of skills that can be developed through a sports conditioning program. This particular program focuses on improving both muscular strength and power using a technique called post-activation potentiation (PAP), also commonly referred to as complex training. 

Complex training combines strength exercises from the load phase of the ACE Integrated Fitness Training^® (ACE IFT^®) Model and power exercises from the performance phase to improve both muscle force production (strength) and the rate of force production (power). A complex training set involves performing two exercises back to back, with a brief rest period in between. The first exercise is a strength exercise using a heavy weight for four to six repetitions (ideally fatiguing by the final rep). The second exercise is a power exercise focusing on explosive movement for five to eight repetitions. There should be a 30- to 45-second rest interval between the strength and power exercises and a 90- to 120-second minute rest interval after both exercises. 

It is important to perform a number of mobility exercises for a proper dynamic warm-up before attempting a high-intensity training program. There are two ways to do a complex workout: Complete all complex sets of one exercise before moving on to the next, or combine the exercises into a circuit. Circuit training allows you to reduce the rest time between complex sets, which increases the challenge of the workout.

  

Exercises:

Deadlifts

 

 Kettlebell Swings

 Pull Ups

 

 Medicine Ball Slams

 

 Split-Leg Goblet Squats

 

 Lateral Bounds (Ice Skaters)

 

 Dumbbell Thrusters

 

 Burpees

 

 

 

 Medicine Ball Lift with Hip Rotation

  

 Fast Rotations

 

 Dumbbell Incline Press

 

 Explosive Push Ups

 

 Source : By Pete McCall, MS/ ACE

6 Exercises to Improve Agility

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, weekend warrior or grandfather-in-training, agility training should be an important part of your workout routine. Agility is the ability to move quickly and change direction with ease. This describes both physical and mental agility. As we age, or just become complacent in our daily routines, both our mental and physical agility suffers. Here are six exercises that you can do to be quick on your toes and sharp as a tack.

Ladder Drills

Using an agility ladder, select a method of moving through the ladder. For example, you might start with a high-knee march forward through each box, and then progress to a lateral scissor if you’re more advanced. To target your upper body, move through the ladder with your hands while maintaining a push-up position. Once you have this move mastered, speed it up and recite the words to your favorite song, the alphabet or the pledge of allegiance as you move through the ladder. It might seem simple, but this move will get your heart rate up and your brain working.

Hurdle Drills

Using either 6- or 12-inch hurdles (these can be cones, yoga blocks or whatever you have on hand), set five to 10 hurdles up in a row, parallel to each other. Moving laterally, start by going over the first hurdle with a high step and pausing in a stork stance before moving back to the starting position. Then move over the first two hurdles, pause and go back to the start. Continue this until all five to 10 hurdles have been traveled (1, 1 2, 1 2 3, 1 2 3 4, etc.). Count your hurdles out loud (both ascending and descending numbers) and remember to pause on one leg before moving back to the beginning. Also, don’t forget to switch directions. When you become more advanced, speed up the hurdle steps and take out the pause.

Agility Balls

Using small agility balls, bounce them either to a partner or against a wall if you’re working out solo. Because the agility ball shape will send the bounce in varying directions, use a safe space where you won’t run into anything or anyone. Practice catching the ball with two hands, then with your dominant hand only, and lastly, progress to catching it with your non-dominant hand. Hand-eye coordination activities help increase mental stimulation and chasing this tiny tool around is great for the heart and legs. I dare you to not smile while doing this one!

Balloon Drills

Using two different colored balloons, pick an order in which you will contact them (e.g., yellow then blue). Either alone or with a partner, hit the balloons in their selected order while keeping them in the air. For more of a challenge, perform one bodyweight squat in between each balloon contact, and then hit the next balloon. If you’re really feeling frisky, try doing a burpee in between each balloon contact. Remember, hit the balloons in the same order and don’t let them touch the ground. This is a great drill to do with your children or grandchildren; for added fun, increase the number and color of balloons.

Cone Drills

Set seven cones up in the pattern shown. Using the letters M, N, I, T, Y, select an order in which you will create those letters with your pattern of moving through the cones. Touch each cone that creates the letter as you move through each pattern at a pace that is appropriate to you. Depending on your fitness level, you may choose to walk, skip, jog, sprint or shuffle. After you have completed each letter with your movement pattern, change the order of the letters and try it again. For an increased cardiovascular challenge, try facing the same direction as you create each letter and move the cones farther apart. If you’re working with a partner and like a little competition, time yourselves going through the pattern, or trade off turns for each letter.

Medicine Ball Drills

Using a moderately sized medicine ball (a weight that is appropriately sized for your fitness level), stand facing a concrete (or otherwise stable) wall about 2 to 5 feet away, depending on the length of your arms.  Throw the medicine ball in a chest pass toward the wall as you move laterally 10 to 20 feet. Reverse directions and move laterally back to the starting position as you do the medicine ball chest passes against the wall. Make sure to do one chest pass for each sideways step. For added difficulty, move quickly in a shuffle and squat down to an athletic stance. Quickly change direction at the end and return to the starting position. Keeping your feet from crossing each other as you concentrate on catching an object will increase your cognitive activity as well as improve your cardiovascular health. 

Source Jacqueline Ratliff, MS, CSCS / Ace Fitness

Why you should strengthen your Core Muscles

You know core exercises are good for you — but do you include core exercises in your fitness routine? Here's why you should.


Core exercises are an important part of a well-rounded fitness program. Aside from occasional situps and pushups, however, core exercises are often neglected. Still, it pays to get your core muscles — the muscles around your trunk and pelvis — in better shape. Read on to find out why.

Core exercises improve your balance and stability

Core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work in harmony. This leads to better balance and stability, whether on the playing field or in daily activities. In fact, most sports and other physical activities depend on stable core muscles.

Core exercises don't require specialized equipment or a gym membership

Any exercise that involves the use of your abdominal and back muscles in coordinated fashion counts as a core exercise. For example, using free weights in a manner that involves maintaining a stable trunk can train and strengthen several of your muscles, including your core muscles. You may also try several specific core exercises to stabilize and strengthen your core.

A bridge is a classic core exercise. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your back in a neutral position, not arched and not pressed into the floor. Avoid tilting your hips. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Raise your hips off the floor until your hips are aligned with your knees and shoulders. Hold the position for as long as you can without breaking your form.

Core exercises can help tone your abs

Want more-defined abdominal muscles? Core exercises are important. Although it takes aerobic activity to burn abdominal fat, core exercises can strengthen and tone the underlying muscles.

Strong core muscles make it easier to do most physical activities

Strong core muscles make it easier to do everything from swinging a golf club to getting a glass from the top shelf or bending down to tie your shoes. Weak core muscles leave you susceptible to poor posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries.

Core exercises can help you reach your fitness goals

Aerobic exercise and muscular fitness are the primary elements of most fitness programs. But to have a well-rounded fitness program, consider including core exercises in the mix as well.
Whether you're a novice taking the first steps toward fitness or a committed fitness fanatic hoping to optimize your results, a well-rounded fitness program is the best way to reach your fitness goals.

TRX Moves for an Effective Warm-Up

In the rush to Do Work, trainers sometimes allow clients and athletes to skip the warm up. Warming up serves several critical functions and skipping it can have serious, negative consequences for your client or athlete and could possibly lead to injury.
TRX Senior Group Training and Development Manager Dan McDonogh has provided three mobility and flexibility movements that your clients can perform on the TRX Suspension Trainer to prepare the body for move and work. These exercises will help increase mobility in ankles, hips and hamstrings, as well as activate the posterior chain.

 TRX Overhead Back Extension

 1. Stand facing anchor, extend arms overhead in an “I” position
2. Keep legs straight and drop hips back
3. Pull on handles and drive arms up to return
 

TRX Overhead squat

1. Stand facing anchor, extend arms overhead
2. Lower hips down and back in a squat position
3. Drive through heels and push up to return

TRX Wide Leg Hip Hinge

 1. Stand facing the anchor with legs wider than shoulder width apart
2. Hinge forward from the hips, keep back straight
3. Return to standing

 Source : By TRX Training