Posts Tagged ‘Muscle Building’

body weight exercise
The key to effective & permanent body toning lies within the definition of the word itself. In short, it means to form, reshape and modify the composition of the body that you currently have. The main focus being on fat-reduction/skin tightening and muscle firming (maybe even a little bit of muscle building). Unfortunately, there are many myths and mis-perceptions that put a more confusing, and often times harmful, meaning behind the simple concept of body toning.

Print ads, radio advertisements and television commercials trying to push the latest fitness gizmos, spas selling body-wrap treatments, ******** personal trainers delivering painful & time consuming ‘weights and machines’ type exercise programs and even supplement companies marketing body toning pills are all trying to tap into the emotional pain zones in people of all ages, body types and fitness levels to make more sales without delivering the desired results as safely as possible with as little cost as possible.

In speaking of cost, I not only speak of financial loss but also the loss of one’s self confidence and trust in others who are supposed to be helping and not taking unfair advantage of people in desperate or uncertain circumstances. When hopes are dashed by continuous failure, the spirit tends to get worn down.

But let not your hopes be crushed here because effective, safe and permanent body toning can in fact be achieved without a health club membership, without expensive visits to a ‘skin-wrapping’ clinic, without fraudulent or harmful ‘diet’ supplements and, most of all, without painful and time consuming workout sessions.

As a career fitness pro and trainer I’ve had the great opportunity to work with many people coming from different life situations, physical abilities, fitness levels, and most importantly, emotional starting points. This history of experience has taught me what the books can’t teach.

As each brought their own definition of body toning into the evaluation process it helped me realize that all people have their own personal definition of what it would mean for them to be in great physical condition. Some want to lose weight while getting firmer and stronger. Some want to maintain weight and tone up with shapelier, curvier muscles. Some want to build up certain body areas, such as the **** and thighs or core and shoulders and add a little bit of healthy body weight in the process.

What most people do not understand is the method by which their goals can be achieved is quite realistic and surprisingly simple as compared to what they previously thought they knew or had been told. Weights, machines and ‘bodybuilder’ type workouts are not for everyone. This type of fitness routine is not realistic for most people – let alone busy people with careers and/or families. Being young and single may allow for this consuming, almost obsessed, type of lifestyle. But as we develop careers and grow our families, spending 2 hours in the gym every day is not a realistic or healthy routine.

By utilizing a wide choice of body toning exercises with some simple fitness tools (mat, exercise ball, step), a you can make consistent progress in your specific fitness and body toning goals. Form, tempo, sequence and progression are all underutilized variables in the workout routines of many fitness seekers. By using these misunderstood variables and crafting a body toning program that can be done literally anywhere and anytime, (such as at home when the kids are asleep or before getting ready for work) most of the excuses and obstacles that would prevent long term fitness success are erased.

By replacing your past failures, mis-perceptions, excuses and obstacles with proper information, proven fitness principles and targeted exercises you have cleared a path pointing directly at your body toning success and long term fitness of the mind, body and spirit.



By: Joey Atlas

About the Author:

Joey Atlas, M.S. – Exercise Physiology, is the creator of the Best Body Toning Exercises and Workout DVD Program.

Also see Best Stretching Exercises for Flexibility Fitness tips.



Body Weight Workout

body weight exercise
Is strength training without weights really effective? And will those exercises really benefit you to strengthen your body? The answer to both of those questions is YES, and I will show you why. Body weight exercises can be some of the most beneficial ways to build muscle without any weight training equipment. One example is you can use the resistance of your own body weight performing pull ups. This is a wonderful exercise for building muscle in your back, shoulders, triceps, and chest.

There are many strength training exercises without weights using your own body weight that you can do, they are:

Pull-ups (chin-ups) A Pull-up will build muscle and strength in the back, shoulders, triceps, and chest. You will even seem some growth in the biceps. Pull ups are considered one of the best muscle building and strength training exercises. If you don not have your own pull up bar available at home, you can visit your own local playground to be able to make it happen. You don not need a whole lot of space to build some incredible strength. Do pull ups for about five minutes and then rest for about two. Repeat this for roughly three to five times or sets. I promise that as you do this you will witness tremendous strength increases over the next few weeks.

Push Ups The push up works the chest, the front part of the shoulder, and the triceps. Often times athletes and body builders will use this exercise to warm up before a workout and for cooling down after a high intensity workout. As you do this exercise consistently, you can really build muscle and develop a higher level of physical strength without having to use weights.

Abdominal Exercises Obviously these are great exercises to work the Abs. When you are working your abs or any muscle group for that matter, you don not need to be in a hurry, take your time and really feel your muscles working. Abs are meant to be done in a controlled movement, while making sure that you are able to rest in between sets. Some of the best abdominal exercises are: bicycle crunches, side-to-side, frontal and side-body stabilization, leg-raises, and of course sit-ups. While following a proper diet and cardiovascular schedule, you will begin to see the abs appear and gain that six-pack you have been working towards.

Squats This exercise is excellent for the lower back, calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps. Squats are easily the best and quickest way to gain muscle mass without the use of any weights. If you are just getting back into your workout routine, start out slowly with about 10-15 squats a day while slowly working up to 20-30 a day. As you do this you will quickly work up to being able to do at least 50 repetitions a day.

It is very important to do these exercises right to avoid injury.

As you do these exercises you will begin to build muscle mass. These are by far the best strength training exercises without weights. Many people believe you need the gym and weights to build muscle, but these exercises really work. Use the exercises daily and you will see the results come. There is not always a need for expensive weight training equipment that you might think there is.

Before anybody begins any exercise program, one must consider the following:

1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.

2. Listen to your body. Start out slowly and build up to what you can do.

3. Make sure you always warm up and cool down before and after your workout.



By: David Taggart

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Body Weight Fitness