Real Fitness Experts

Many of you have expressed concerns about gaining too much body fat while on such a high calorie diet, and wonder if you should do some aerobic exercise to offset the weight gain.

Absolutely not.

That will be detrimental to gaining muscle. For best results, you either have to train and diet to gain muscle or lose fat. One or the other. If you are a true hardgainer, you cannot do both. If you try, you will not make any substantial progress either way. So, now is the time to gain weight. You will worry about losing fat later.

The fact is that there are no magic pills, powders, foods or exercises that will allow you to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time.

It all is determined by your genetics and metabolism. Some people can do it, some can’t. If you are naturally thin and have a difficult time gaining weight of any kind, it would be silly of you to think that you will be able to gain muscle while trying to keep your body fat low.

Most skinny guys want to gain more muscle, but are afraid of gaining body fat. They see all the bodybuilder photos and read the stories about people gaining pounds of muscle while losing pounds of fat — They want to do the same. When looking at these photos, you have to remember that most of these people do not have your body type. The majority of them are overweight and want to lose fat, not gain muscle.
Continue reading ‘The MYTH of Gaining Muscle Without Fat — by Anthony Ellis’

Summer is fast approaching. This is the time of year where everyone who fell off the New Year’s weight loss bandwagon suddenly becomes frozen with fear. They realize that they have not met their goals to have a bikini body by this summer. Panic sets in and unfortunately so do bad decisions.

Warmer weather and beach vacation plans are a sign of fad diets, intense workouts, and miracle fat loss pills. People looking to slim down by summer need results and they need them fast! I am here to give you 5 great reasons not to jump into the fad diet or crazed workout routine.

1) You Will Destroy Your Metabolism. Any diet that restricts your caloric intake, eliminates a food group or contains the word “cabbage” will not work. Not eating 5-6 small healthy meals per day will hurt your metabolism. It will slow down and become sluggish. The only way to rev it back up is to eat more healthy foods in the right amounts.

2) You Will Gain Back the Weight, Plus Some. It’s happened before. As soon as you stop taking the miracle pill or as soon as you stop doing cardio for an hour every day the weight comes piling back on- plus some. You must make a lifestyle change to keep unwanted fat away for good.
Continue reading ‘5 Great Reasons Not to Jump Into the Fad Diet or Crazed Workout Routine — by Lynn VanDyke’

Strength training is often thought of as the lurking ground for the strong and muscular among us. Only a few years ago the free weight area was a breeding ground for modern day Herculean men. Men that had on barely there tank tops and those 80’s M.C. Hammer pants.

They strutted around and stuck out their chest, they made loud grunting noises and often times slammed down the free weights. The lesser among us, mostly women and average Joe’s, were left to the cardio area and fitness classes.

Fast forward a few years and things have changed. A lot. Strength training is now becoming recognized as one of the best weight loss methods around. After all the more lean muscle someone has the more calories they will burn per day. Women and men, average Joe’s and Jane’s are all making their way to the free weight area.

They all know a thing or two about strength training. They know to lift a heavy enough weight over a period of several sets. They know to do strength training before they do their cardio. They also know to have proper form at all times. Or do they?

The other day I was walking around the gym and noticed one of my average Joe members on one of the neck machines. My eyes popped out of their sockets and I stood there in disbelief as this average Joe was whipping his head back and forth.
Continue reading ‘Strength Training for a Strong Neck — by Lynn VanDyke’

With the temperatures plummeting this time of year, many of us tend to hibernate inside our homes. But, hibernating is for bears. As humans it’s important to stay active through all four seasons. Yet, a poll of 5,000 people found that 30 percent get no exercise at all during the winter months.

Just because it is cold outside doesn’t make it open season for an excuse not to exercise. There are multiple exercise options one can choose to participate in regardless of what the outdoor thermometer reads. Depending on your location and likes, you can choose to workout inside or outside.

All that is required for Winter-time workouts is some planning and employing all safety precautions. If you prefer to workout outside, keep the following tips in mind.
Continue reading ‘How to Stay Fit This Winter: A Few Tips — by Lynn Bode’

It seems like everyone has an opinion on this debate. Which is better- free weights or machines? I asked my trainer friends what they thought and it was pretty much split in half. One group loved free weights and the other loved machines.

Those that are just beginning to strength train, those that are rehabilitating a body part, those who want to isolate a particular muscle, and those that want to lift large amounts of weight would be better off selecting a machine. It is safer for your circumstances.
Continue reading ‘Free Weights Vs Machines — by Lynn VanDyke’

Strength training dominates most athletes’ fitness and conditioning programs through out the year. In particular, volleyball players are well-known to have one of the highest levels of strength training dedication. These elite athletes realize the benefits of a proper periodized strength training program.

Volleyball pushes players to the extreme. Each athlete is expected to excel in explosive movements, vertical jumps, power hitting and intense serves. The position rotation in volleyball signifies the definite need for comprehensive players. Being a great blocker is a huge plus, but volleyball thrives off of all-around spectacular athletes. Strength training is a massive component to any elite athlete.

Strength training for volleyball requires the knowledge of periodization. Periodization means changing one or more variables within your strength training program on a regular and consistent basis. These variables can include the exercise, the frequency of lifting, the intensity of lifting, or the method of lifting.
Continue reading ‘Strength Training Basics For Volleyball: Powerful Periodization — by Lynn VanDyke’