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Weight Loss Exercise

A Body Building Routine That Works


Finding a body building routine that works is not as easy as many beginner bodybuilders think. First, there is such a huge number of possible routines. This is not surprising when you consider how many muscle groups there are to work and how many possible exercises there are for each one. When you think about all the combinations you could make, you can see that the number of possible workout routines for body building is almost infinite.

Copying somebody else’s routine is not usually the best way to go. You are not going to develop the same body as the current Mr. Universe by reading up on his routine and doing the same thing yourself. It is very unlikely that your body is ready for exactly the same workout that he does right now.

A Starting Body Building Routine

A Body Building Routine That Works

Starting Body Building Routine

So what do you do? If you are just starting out, then probably any standard beginner body building routine will do fine. It is true that what works for one person will not necessarily work for anybody else but in the beginning it is okay to figure out your best plan by trial and error.

However, you do need to be sure that your workout routine covers all of the bases. Check it out against the following scheme. And if you want to plan your own body building routine, this is a good way to go.

First, note down all the muscle groups that you need to work. That is pretty much all the muscles in the body. Do not forget the core and especially the muscles of the back. It is dangerous to overdevelop the chest, shoulders and abs while neglecting the back because you can so easily cause an injury there.

Then choose an exercise that works each group. This could involve dumbbells, a barbell, or gym machines such as the bench press. Some exercises will work out more than one muscle group.

Now you are ready to plan your body building routine so that each muscle group is worked around twice a week with at least one full day of rest between. It is good to give yourself a couple of days of complete rest from working out, too.

Watch Your Results – Is your Body Building Routine Working?

What if nothing seems to be working? First, consider whether you are giving your muscles enough rest. Bodybuilders who do not get the results they expect are often guilty of overtraining. Remember that the muscles are broken down during your workout. The time that they build mass is during the recovery time. So do not be tempted to overtrain.

Second, look at other factors such as your diet. Are you getting the right amount of protein and carbs at the right times? Have you looked into possible supplements that you might take?

Lastly, keep in mind that it is good practice to change your routine around from time to time. This counters boredom and more importantly, works the muscles a little differently than what they may be used to. You will often find that changing out one ab exercise for another or using a different press at the gym will be the catalyst that you need to start gaining muscle mass again. All of these tips will help you figure out a body building routine that works.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Female Body Building: Your Workout Routine


Many women are afraid of getting into female body building because they are not sure they want to go all the way to having a seriously muscular body. However, there is no need to be concerned. You need never go further than you want to with female body building.

A sculpted, well toned body is a very attractive look for a woman. In many cases, this is as far as women want to go. That is fine. If you later decide that you want to take it further and work up to entering contests and taking it seriously, you can.

Why You Should Try Female Body Building

Female Body Building: Your Workout Routine

Female Body Building

Female body building is a great way to lose unwanted fat and build muscle. Be aware from the get go that muscle weighs heavier than fat, so you may not necessarily lose weight. Instead, you will redistribute your weight and end up with a strong, lean, sexy body.

The secret to success with female body building is to make sure that the muscles are worked and built evenly. Do not do the same workout every day. You need to give your muscles time to recover and build between sessions. You only need to work any particular muscle group once or twice a week.

This means developing a workout routine that works different muscle groups each day. Make sure that you cover everything without ever exercising the same muscles two days in a row. This is probably even more important than how many reps you do or what weight you lift. Let’s say you want to work out four days a week. That is enough for a female body building beginner. You will surely see results if you concentrate on really working one muscle group intensely at each session. A full week of recovery for each muscle group gives them a chance to build really strong.

Here is how your Female Body Building routine might look

  • Day 1 – legs
  • Day 2 – back and abs
  • Day 3 – rest
  • Day 4 – chest and biceps
  • Day 5 – rest
  • Day 6 – shoulders and triceps
  • Day 7 – rest

In addition you can do some cardio exercise, but again, three to four sessions a week is enough. You might start with 20 minute sessions and work up to 30 minutes. Overdoing cardio is a mistake for female body building because it can increase cortisol which breaks down the muscles. Do not be afraid of weights. You will not turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger by just picking up a dumbbell. Weight and resistance training is what really tones your body. It is not just for the arms either. Many back and chest exercises involve weights.

Motivation in Female Body Building is Key

Keeping motivated can be a challenge, especially if you have a lot of demands on your time. You will find, of course, that when you are fitter and stronger you can actually pack more into a day. You will have more energy and more of a positive outlook. Remind yourself of that any time that you are beginning to think that you do not have the time to go to the gym. Drink plenty of water during your workout and the rest of the day too. And of course, take care of your nutrition. That is essential for fat burning and effective female body building.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Review


Elliptical trainers do not come cheap and you may find yourself spending more than a thousand dollars on a decent machine. If you think this is too much you’ll be happy to know that the Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer is now selling for about $699 at Amazon, with free shipping.

The Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer is actually made by the popular fitness equipment company Nautilus. While it is considered a low-end model, the Schwinn 431 is surprisingly durable and comes with features you often see only on more expensive models.

Elliptical Trainers – Why Are They Popular?

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer ReviewElliptical trainers or cross-trainers provide an impact-free cardiovascular workout that engages the upper and lower body. It improves body flexibility and coordination. Elliptical machine workouts emulate the natural motion of the foot while climbing stairs, walking or running. They are much easier on the joints and knees and can be safely used by the elderly or those with joint problems. Working out on an elliptical trainer helps increase your cardiovascular capacity and burns more calories.

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Product Features

  • Comfortable and compact design
  • Multiple workout programs
  • A total of 19 programs, including 3 heart-rate control programs
  • 16 computer-controlled resistance levels
  • Improved backlit LCD display
  • BioFit design for more comfortable stride
  • Console comes with a fan and a holder for an MP3 player
  • 300 pounds maximum user capacity
  • Measures 59″ long, 26″ wide, and 68″ tall
  • 15-year frame warranty; 6 months service warranty
  • Versatile

The Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer can accommodate a wide variety of users. It offers a full-sized 18-inch stride length. It also provides bi-directional pedaling action. This means the user can use the pedals forward or backward to target specific muscle groups.

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Workout Programs

The Schwinn 431 operates quietly and smoothly, using a variety of workout programs to help achieve your fitness goals. The machine’s built-in workout programs include three heart-rate controlled workouts, a calorie goal program, fitness test, and time trial. It also includes 10 profile programs and 2 custom programs, as well as a manual option.

Eddy Current Brake

Like other Schwinn elliptical trainers, the 431 uses magnetic ECB or Eddy Current Brake for a total of 16 levels. ECB technology has the advantage of quiet operation, reliability, no friction, and little or no maintenance costs. This technology is usually found only on higher-end elliptical machines. ECB magnetic resistance is considered to be the best form of resistance in these machines. The Schwinn 431 is equipped with a 25-pound flywheel to provide smoother strides.

BioFit and BioGlide Motion Technology

The elliptical trainer’s exclusive BioGlide motion technology offers a comfortable and natural 18-inch stride. The BioFit design provides a comfortable feel on the footpads and handlebars.

Other Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Features

The Schwinn 431 operates on alternating current or AC with a maximum user weight of 300 pounds. It can benefit all members of the family, giving everyone a good aerobic exercise for the whole body.

The 431 elliptical machine is compact and will easily fit anywhere in your home or office. It makes working out more convenient. You no longer have to waste time going to the gym, and you can workout anytime you please.

The console has a built-in 3-speed fan to help keep you cool. A grip heart-rate monitor tracks your cardio progress on the LCD screen.

Transport wheels on the bottom of the Schwinn 431 make it easy to move from one place to another in your home or office.

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Easy to assemble
  • Comes with 19 fitness programs
  • Smooth and quiet operation
  • 18-inch stride length
  • Solid and durable
  • 25-pound flywheel provides smooth ride
  • 16 levels of resistance

Beautifully designed, the Schwinn 431 elliptical comes with 19 fitness programs, something you see only on more expensive models. The machine is stable and operates quietly and smoothly, thanks in part to its 25-pound flywheel. It is comfortable to use and offers an 18-inch range of motion, which is generally fine for most people.

Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer Cons

  • Considered a low-end elliptical machine
  • May not last long with multiple users

The Schwinn 431 is not a high end machine is not designed to be used by multiple users. It is an improvement on the Schwinn 430 but is not without its own limitations. For one thing, the model only comes with a 6-month warranty while many similar models offer a year on labor.

As an economy model, the Schwinn 431 may not last long if several people intend to give the machine heavy usage every day.

What Customers Say about Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer

Positive reviews say a great deal about what customers think of a particular product and the Schwinn 431 certainly gets one of the best endorsements with over 150 reviewers giving it an average 4.5 stars out of 5.

Many customers say the Schwinn 431 is an excellent machine for the price. It takes a couple of hours to assemble but the instructions are very clear and assembly is easy to do. The machine is stable and comfortable to use and provides a very good cardio workout.

A number of customers complained that the machine makes a squeaking sound. This can be corrected with the use of a good lubricant. Also, nuts and bolts should not be over-tightened.

The Schwinn 431 offers good value for the money. It is a budget model with high-end features and most customers are happy with it.

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