Showing posts with label challenging workouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenging workouts. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Collected Fitness Wisdom #4
I used to read any kind of "fitness" magazine I could buy. You know the typical ones on the news stands, ladies. Well, I can tell you that there is no way on earth my body was going to transform into one of those cover models doing the workouts they suggest. I realized I was going to have to do a lot harder work than that and I can also say I don't want the skinny-fat look either. It wasn't until I started tapping into more of the resources geared to men that I really began challenging myself, increasing my weight during workouts and seeing changes in my body.
~Kelley Moore
More than anything else, I believe that they key to success is to put effort into what you’re doing. You would make better progress putting maximal effort into an average program than putting a half-hearted effort into a superior program.
~John Alvino
If there is one over-riding secret that controls our future, it is that we can not win-out over our own self-image. This is so important and hardly ever talked about. Someone can use every other success strategy in the world, and if their self-image is in conflict with what they are trying to achieve, they will not achieve any long-term success with their desired goal.
~Doug Jackson
Most people are on a constant search for the path of least resistance. A drug, a supplement, a "breakthrough technique" a new machine, a shortcut in exercise form - anything and everything they think will help them reach their goals with less effort and in less time. This is typical human nature. Unfortunately, this is also faulty thinking and you will NEVER become a champion with this type of attitude.
~Tom Venuto
.
~Kelley Moore
More than anything else, I believe that they key to success is to put effort into what you’re doing. You would make better progress putting maximal effort into an average program than putting a half-hearted effort into a superior program.
~John Alvino
If there is one over-riding secret that controls our future, it is that we can not win-out over our own self-image. This is so important and hardly ever talked about. Someone can use every other success strategy in the world, and if their self-image is in conflict with what they are trying to achieve, they will not achieve any long-term success with their desired goal.
~Doug Jackson
Most people are on a constant search for the path of least resistance. A drug, a supplement, a "breakthrough technique" a new machine, a shortcut in exercise form - anything and everything they think will help them reach their goals with less effort and in less time. This is typical human nature. Unfortunately, this is also faulty thinking and you will NEVER become a champion with this type of attitude.
~Tom Venuto
.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Women Should Not Lift More Than 3 Lb. Dumbbells, Part 2
In my original post, which you can read here, I didn't mention the specific trainer, celebrity or even the show but everybody else on the internet has so it's no secret.
Apparently, I'm not the only person appalled at the advice that Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer gave during her taped segment on Oprah recently.
Check out the posts at Oprah's own message board which is filled with exercise aficionados and fitness pros alike taking swipes at the notion that woman should never lift more than 3 pound dumbbells. As many people pointed out, most women carry purses, grocery bags, children, etc. that all weigh more than 3 pounds.
Let's be clear here, sometimes 3 pounds is the right weight for starting out on certain exercises or for deconditioned folks or exercise newbies. However, saying that a woman should not increase her resistance above that is ridiculous.
Strength, fat loss and bone building all require the body to be challenged with more resistance as our bodies adapt.
You need weight bearing exercise to help prevent osteoporosis. And, how is doing hundreds of reps with a 3 pound dumbbell going to help you lift your child or grandchild, or help you get up if you fall.
"But, but...what about toning", I imagine some of you are thinking. Read this from Craig Ballantyne.
There are some knowledgeable trainers out there who believe that lower weights work better for women. Valerie Water's Red Carpet Ready is one such program. However, Valerie uses challenging bodyweight exercises, doesn't restrict women to 3 pound dumbbells, and doesn't expect her clients to work out for 2 hour sessions, 6 days a week in 80 degree heat. (Remember, we're not talking about getting in super shape for a role, this is Gwyneth's and supposedly Madonna's regular exercise schedule.)
Not to be totally negative, I do think Tracy's resistance band set-up at Gwyneth's house looked interesting and would be worth exploring more.
If you want to read what others are saying about this, check out the links below. Warning, although highly entertaining, some of the blogs contain course language so if you are easily offended stay away from the last two.
Clothes Make The Girl
Daily Spark
The Fitness Fixation
Boston Herald - Tony Gentlicore blog
I love this quote from Tony Gentlicore:
I’m pretty sure if she were still alive today, Susan B. Anthony would shit a pink dumbbell if she knew there were women still walking around with this “I’m a frail, delicate creature” mentality.
Amen, Tony.
.
Apparently, I'm not the only person appalled at the advice that Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer gave during her taped segment on Oprah recently.
Check out the posts at Oprah's own message board which is filled with exercise aficionados and fitness pros alike taking swipes at the notion that woman should never lift more than 3 pound dumbbells. As many people pointed out, most women carry purses, grocery bags, children, etc. that all weigh more than 3 pounds.
Let's be clear here, sometimes 3 pounds is the right weight for starting out on certain exercises or for deconditioned folks or exercise newbies. However, saying that a woman should not increase her resistance above that is ridiculous.
Strength, fat loss and bone building all require the body to be challenged with more resistance as our bodies adapt.
You need weight bearing exercise to help prevent osteoporosis. And, how is doing hundreds of reps with a 3 pound dumbbell going to help you lift your child or grandchild, or help you get up if you fall.
"But, but...what about toning", I imagine some of you are thinking. Read this from Craig Ballantyne.
There are some knowledgeable trainers out there who believe that lower weights work better for women. Valerie Water's Red Carpet Ready is one such program. However, Valerie uses challenging bodyweight exercises, doesn't restrict women to 3 pound dumbbells, and doesn't expect her clients to work out for 2 hour sessions, 6 days a week in 80 degree heat. (Remember, we're not talking about getting in super shape for a role, this is Gwyneth's and supposedly Madonna's regular exercise schedule.)
Not to be totally negative, I do think Tracy's resistance band set-up at Gwyneth's house looked interesting and would be worth exploring more.
If you want to read what others are saying about this, check out the links below. Warning, although highly entertaining, some of the blogs contain course language so if you are easily offended stay away from the last two.
Clothes Make The Girl
Daily Spark
The Fitness Fixation
Boston Herald - Tony Gentlicore blog
I love this quote from Tony Gentlicore:
I’m pretty sure if she were still alive today, Susan B. Anthony would shit a pink dumbbell if she knew there were women still walking around with this “I’m a frail, delicate creature” mentality.
Amen, Tony.
.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Women Should Not Lift More Than 3 Lb. Dumbbells
The name of this blog tells you that I totally disagree with that statement but I actually heard a celebrity trainer say that on T.V. recently. Unbelievable.
I'm not going to post the trainer's name or those of her star clients. I googled her and found her website but, not surprisingly, it listed absolutely no exercise credentials. Then again, maybe she has a degree or a certification and just didn't bother to mention it (although I did find multiple comments around the internet claiming that she had no certifications or degrees).
I'm also the first one to say that there are trainers out there with alphabet soup after their names who say / believe some pretty stupid stuff. So, I'm not automatically dismissing this trainer's opinion strictly due to her lack of formal education. I'm slamming it because it makes no sense.
So, what's her magic formula for a killer body?
Two-hour workouts 6 days a week doing hundreds of reps using no more than 3 pound dumbbells.
Are you kidding me?
1. Who has the time for this?
2. How incredibly monotonous to be performing moves over and over and over and over, all because of the irrational fear that actually challenging muscles with some decent resistance will "bulk."
I would think that even most celebrities have better things to do than spending 2 hours exercising every day. Oh, excuse me, it's not every day- it's "just" 6 days a week.
Many actors spend months at a time working 12 hours on a T.V. or movie set. Two-hour workouts are an incredibly inefficient use of time. They could use those wasted hours playing with their kids, enjoying a hobby, reading, visiting friends, or a million other things.
Any of my clients who could workout for 2 hours straight are not working hard enough. Period.
You want the kicker? During the clip, the celebrity said that because she carries her child around in her one arm that her trainer makes her exercise the other arm more because the arm that she carries the kid in is in better shape. Did you follow that run on sentence?
The arm that lifts and carries the obviously heavier than 3 pound child is in better shape than the other arm!
Can you say contradiction? Too bad it's lost on this fitness "guru" who's making a tidy sum bilking uninformed celebrities and other moneyed clients.
If you're in the Lancaster, PA area and looking to drop body fat, get stronger and improve your health, call Mickey at (717) 509-7777.
If you're not close by and you're not afraid of quick, challenging workouts, check out the programs listed below, all of which were designed by knowledgeable, reputable fitness pros.
Turbulence Training
7 Minute Muscle
Fighter Workouts for Fat Loss
.
I'm not going to post the trainer's name or those of her star clients. I googled her and found her website but, not surprisingly, it listed absolutely no exercise credentials. Then again, maybe she has a degree or a certification and just didn't bother to mention it (although I did find multiple comments around the internet claiming that she had no certifications or degrees).
I'm also the first one to say that there are trainers out there with alphabet soup after their names who say / believe some pretty stupid stuff. So, I'm not automatically dismissing this trainer's opinion strictly due to her lack of formal education. I'm slamming it because it makes no sense.
So, what's her magic formula for a killer body?
Two-hour workouts 6 days a week doing hundreds of reps using no more than 3 pound dumbbells.
Are you kidding me?
1. Who has the time for this?
2. How incredibly monotonous to be performing moves over and over and over and over, all because of the irrational fear that actually challenging muscles with some decent resistance will "bulk."
I would think that even most celebrities have better things to do than spending 2 hours exercising every day. Oh, excuse me, it's not every day- it's "just" 6 days a week.
Many actors spend months at a time working 12 hours on a T.V. or movie set. Two-hour workouts are an incredibly inefficient use of time. They could use those wasted hours playing with their kids, enjoying a hobby, reading, visiting friends, or a million other things.
Any of my clients who could workout for 2 hours straight are not working hard enough. Period.
You want the kicker? During the clip, the celebrity said that because she carries her child around in her one arm that her trainer makes her exercise the other arm more because the arm that she carries the kid in is in better shape. Did you follow that run on sentence?
The arm that lifts and carries the obviously heavier than 3 pound child is in better shape than the other arm!
Can you say contradiction? Too bad it's lost on this fitness "guru" who's making a tidy sum bilking uninformed celebrities and other moneyed clients.
If you're in the Lancaster, PA area and looking to drop body fat, get stronger and improve your health, call Mickey at (717) 509-7777.
If you're not close by and you're not afraid of quick, challenging workouts, check out the programs listed below, all of which were designed by knowledgeable, reputable fitness pros.
Turbulence Training
7 Minute Muscle
Fighter Workouts for Fat Loss
.
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