Tuesday, 26 July, 2011 9:27 pm
Fitness Tips
FIT TIPS
by Gabe Jaramillo
Getting into, and remaining in, great shape is a lifestyle. There are no “quick fixes,” and this is true whether you are training to be a bodybuilder, power lifter, athlete, or simply just trying to get in the best shape you can be in. Making permanent gains, increasing your strength and endurance, and simply looking good require discipline and hard work, as well as making your exercise regimen a part of your daily routine.
I always stay in elite physical condition, and I have been this way for a long time now. I have an abundant amount of energy, I feel great, and I look great. I have been able to do this for two very important reasons. First, working out every day is part of my daily routine. Secondly, I have a terrific partner (my wife, Dominique), who keeps me focused and motivated.
You have to think like a professional athlete. If you take care of your body, by striving to be in elite physical condition, you will perform better not only at your job, but in your personal life as well.
Fit Tips Series #1
1) Do not procrastinate
Start working out today! Do not rely on excuses to postpone your workout routine until tomorrow. There are always 100 reasons not to do something, and you will always be able to find an excuse. The sooner you start, the sooner you will look and feel better. Your confidence level will also increase as soon as you begin.
2) Work out with a partner
Having a workout partner provides several valuable advantages. One advantage is safety. Your workout partner will be able to assist you with your reps, especially as your muscles begin to fatigue. Another advantage is consistency. Your responsibility to show up and be there for your partner holds you accountable and significantly decreases the chances of you missing a workout. Third, working out with a partner helps to keep your workout moving and prevents excessive breaks or down time. As soon as your partner finishes his or her exercise, then you immediately follow, and vice versa.
3) Have the right gear.
Wearing the right gear is not only important for safety reasons, but it also serves an important role in keeping you motivated. The goal should be to wear tighter clothes each time you work out, which will allow you to see the results of your workouts over time. When my partner, Dominique, and I work out, we wear the same type of clothing. It is not only visually impressive, but it is also motivating for us to be able to see the gains during each session.
4) Keep moving
Your workouts should take no longer than one hour when you are trying to build mass and get ripped. You should be in a constant state of continuous partial recovery, so it’s critical that you avoid taking long breaks in between sets and exercises.
5) Nutrition
When people think about nutrition, the first thing they think about is diet. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking about all of the foods and calories they have to cut out. Instead, they should focus on eating more of the nutrition smart foods. Here are some nutrition rules to live by:
• Eat protein at every meal
• Eat good carbs, such as potatoes, yams, and brown rice. (Avoid butter, sour cream, and cheese)
• Go easy on dairy products
• Use protein powders
• Eat controlled portions six times daily
• Make sure you drink enough water, which will help control your appetite and make your skin look better. Dehydration is one of the least recognized causes of fatigue.
• Avoid fruit juices and carbonated drinks.
6) Have the right program
A serious workout program template consists of six weeks, with workouts six days per week, and relies on the basics on strength, mass, and power development. It is critical that the person following this program thoroughly understand the basic fundamental lifts, most notably the bench press, back pull-downs, and leg squats. When you have the right program, you will always know what to do, and the exercises should be simple enough to be able to take to any gym.
