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Showing posts with label free weights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free weights. Show all posts

Friday, September 13, 2013

Achieving Six-Pack Abs: Weight Routine


Hey, if she can do it I sure can!
This weights routine in my Achieving Six-Pack Abs program is going to be broken up into, initially, 12 weeks. Once the first 12 weeks are over I will re-evaluate what I've done.

I took some advice from Google+ and looked on bodybuilding.com. They have a segment that is called "The Female Training Bible: Everything You Need To Get The Sexy Body You Desire!"

The name is kind of cheesy and infomercial-ish but the information is really interesting. I plan to do this 12-week program without a gym membership and without taking any supplements. The website recommends all these powders and things that will help burn fat quicker etc. 

However, I'm really picky about what I put into my body and I doubt most of that stuff is vegan. Plus, I don't have a gym membership and don't want to purchase one. So I will have to tweak some exercises by making them body weight/free weight friendly.

The main overview of the program is to lift heavy weights. Starting in weeks 1-4 you perform 3 sets of 8-12 reps for each exercise. Meaning that if you can do more than 12 reps, you need to add more weight and alternatively if you can't do 8 reps you need to take off some weight.

In addition, there is a part of the program called "Stubborn Fat Protocol" which is just a fancy way to say HIIT (high intensity interval training). I plan to do 10-15 minutes of HIIT followed by 15-30 minutes of low-intensity cardio. During weeks 1-4 I will do HIIT twice a week.

On days that I can't run (because of weather, for example) I will incorporate some of the ZuskaLight videos or anything else I find on the web that allows me to do HIIT inside the house.

I also would like to keep up my running endurance. So once or twice a week I will do a normal long run. So anything up to an hour and more. I haven't decided whether I will focus on distance for those runs or not yet.

So here is what a typical week will look like for the month of October:

Monday -- weights upper body, abs, back exercises 
Tuesday -- weights lower body, long run
Wednesday -- HIIT, abs, back
Thursday -- weights upper body, long run
Friday -- weights lower body, abs, back, some kind of run
Saturday -- HIIT
Sunday -- REST

To give some examples of the types of exercises I will do for the upper body here's a list. 
I will be doing modified versions (again, so they are body weight/free weight friendly) of:

  • bench press
  • bent over barbell row
  • dumbbell shoulder press
  • skull crushers
  • barbell curl
  • dips
  • pull ups (reverse row instead)
  • lateral raises
  • tricep push-downs
  • cable curls
After the first week, which will be October 7th, I will post a reflection post. Then I will post after each month. The next abdominal picture for my photo diary will be on October 31st. So I hope to have some improvements!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Fitness Tip: Workout basics

You have your workout program started or are in the process. Here are some further tips to give you inspiration, a kick in the butt, and/or guidance.

Taken from googleimages


Cardio should be done everyday. 
  • If you only have time to workout 3 days a week, then do your cardio each day. 
  • Weights you can do 2 out of those 3 days 
  • It's important to do at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday. 
So for those without a lot of time try:
  • interval training
  • bike to work
  • walk up stairs
  • stand more often
  • talk a walk after lunch or dinner
  • do some chores around the house

Splitting up exercises throughout the day is just as good as one long session.
  • Interval training!
  • Do 10 minute sessions of high knees, tennis shuffle, jumping jacks, push ups, squats, lunges, chair dips...throughout the day. These are all equipment free exercises so you can do them anywhere!

Abs are important. Doing loads of crunches and sit ups are not.
  • Have a fitness ball? Good, than possibilities are endless.
  • Try balancing exercises
  • Work the obliques (the lateral part of the abs)
  • Pull that navel in!

Motivation is key
  •  Find what moves you
  • Look for ideas for exercises on this page at the top right under "Health and Fitness"
  • Stay tuned for more tips on how to stay motivated 
 
Like I said previously, you don't need a ton of equipment to get started. If you work out at a gym you don't even have to use a lot of machines. Grab some free weights and a fitness ball. The same for those that workout at home.

    Try this 10-minute routine for the arms.

     
     
    If this helped you leave a comment and let me know how it goes!

    I hope you enjoyed your Fitness Tip and will add it to your Recipe for Health