Making Exercise More Fun

Nothing beats waking up in the morning with the thought
of going to the gym to lift weights or jog on the
treadmill. After a hard days work, the gym is one
place you don't even want to think about. Sometimes,
even the thought of exercising at home with your own
equipment can be less than desirable.

Sometimes, just trying to get and stay motivated to
exercise on a regular basis can be a challenge. No
matter how you look at it, exercise can be downright
boring and even tedious at times.

So, you may be wondering just how you can get the
motivation you need to exercise on a regular basis.
If you've been wondering what you can do to make
exercise more fun, you'll find some ideas below that
just may help to make exercise more fun and a little
bit easier.

First things first, you should exercise with a friend.
You can challenge each other, help each other out,
keep each other motivated and on track, make each
other laugh or just make a game out of your exercise
programs.

You can also try something different. If you go
to the gym each and every day and use the same
piece of equipment or use the same piece of
equipment at home, you should try mixing things up.
Reverse your routine or just change the order of
your exercises.

Go to a city park that has playground equipment and
use the slide, climb on the monkey bars, do pull-
ups, hang from your knees, just let your imagination
guide you. You don't always need to follow a strict
routine, just get out there and have fun working
your muscles.

An outdoor circuit in the park is also something
you can try. There are some parks that have circuit
courses set up with a planned course where all
you have to do is walk or jog to each station and
then follow the instructions. If there isn't a
planned course, then you should do a combination
of jogging and walking, picking a distance of a
couple hundred feet. Jog 100 feet then drop and
do a couple of pushups, walk the next 100 feet
and then drop to do sit ups.

You can also ride a bike around your neighborhood
or hike on a hiking trail. A walk in the park or
around your neighborhood is also a great way to
get some exercise. Doing yoga in the park or on
a beach is also a nice and relaxing way to
exercise both your body and your mind.

Playing a competitive sport is also something you
can try. A lot of cities have team activities
such as softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer,
and so on. These types of activities will not
only provide you with good exercise but they will
also help you to meet new people as well.

When you exercise, try to picture your muscles
getting bigger. Research has shown that if you
focus all of your thoughts on the muscles that
you are working, they will respond better. Try
to watch them work with each repetition as your
muscles contract and relax.

As you can tell, there are plenty of ways you can
make exercise more fun and interesting. You don't
need to follow the same routine day after day,
as you can do many other things to get in some
exercise.

The important thing is that you should always try
to incorporate exercise in any various form into
your everyday life and make these habits the kind
of habits that will last a lifetime.

Free Weights VS Machine Exercise

Something you need to keep in mind and never forget
is that when you exercise, you are training for
life. You still may spend an hour a day in the
gym, although that will still leave another 23 hours
or so for your muscles to function without using
any fancy equipment.

Whenever you do any type of exercise, the movement
of your body during the exercise is known as the
range of motion. The more difficult the range of
motion is, the more effective the exercise will be,
because your body has to work twice as hard to
perform the movement.

Take for the instance the classic dumbbell bicep
curl. If you aren't familiar with the exercise,
it is performed by standing up straight with your
palms facing forward, and a pair of dumbbells held
down by your sides. You'll contract your biceps
to bring the dumbbells up to your shoulder height,
then repeat the exercise as many times as you wish.

Using that same movement for exercise on a bicep
curl machine, you should sit down, brace your
upper arms on a pad, grasp 2 handles that are in
front of you, then perform the same movement as
above to move the handles in an upward motion.

Now, looking at the muscle contractions in this
exercise, you are contracting essentially your
biceps if you are using the curl machine, and
that is pretty much all you are doing. When you
use the machine you are sitting down, which will
limit just how much your shoulders give. The
machine has several muscles used in this
exercise limited to the biceps, as well as
the muscles in your forearms and fingers.

Most of the time, when using machine weights, you
will always be limited as to what type of exercise
you can perform. You must always follow a strict
procedure, which is pretty much the same with
free weights. Unlike free weights, machine
weights offer a certain degree of resistance.

One of the best thing about free weights is the
fact that you move a little chuck around to
select the weight you want to use. Instead
of dragging it over to your exercise area,
you simply select it on the machine. When
you are tired during a workout, this can be
a blessing.

A lot of people argue in the fact that free
weights are the best for your body. While this
is normally true, many people out there feel that
machine weights are the best. There are pros
and cons with both machines, although free
weights have been around a lot longer and have
been proven time after time to achieve dramatic
results.

Body builders for example, have used free
weights over the years to build very impressive
bodies. If you ask most of them about machine
weights, they would probably laugh at you and
tell you that you need to quit joking around.

In a nutshell, free weights will use more of your
muscles than the machines do, which makes them
more effective overall. This doesn't mean
that the machines are a waste of use, as they
offer some great advantages. In some cases,
it is best to stabilize the muscles that are
being used in a movement, which is where machines
are the best to use.

The decision on which to use for you should be
based on what you hope to achieve with lifting
weights and where you plan to use the equipment,
such as home or at a gym. Both systems are
great for your body, although the free weights
are best to use if you want the best possible
workout, and always ensure that your muscles
are getting the right workouts they need.

Exercising Properly

There are two main types of exercise that you can do -
aerobic and anaerobic. The first one, aerobic, means
with oxygen. Aerobic type exercise has an important
distinction, it burns fat as the main fuel.

Anaerobic on the other hand, burns sugar as the
main source of fuel. Despite common myths, exercise
doesn't have to be drastic in any way to provide
massive benefits. Even if you choose light exercise,
you will still burn fat.

Light exercise will clear out lactic acid, which is
a waste of the body, and stimulate your cells to
regenerate. To be sure that you are burning fat
rather than sugar, it's very important to make sure
that you are doing several things as you exercise.

The most important thing you can do as you exercise
is breathe deep. You should always breathe in deep
into your stomach through your nose, hold it for
a few seconds and then exhale hard through your
mouth.

Second, you should make sure that you exercise at
a comfortable level. You should exercise at a level
of 7 out of 10, and still be able to carry on a
normal conversation while you exercise. You should
do this for 45 minutes or so each day, then
you'll begin to notice just how much your energy
will explode.

Even if you don't think you have the time to
exercise, rest assured that there is always time.
If you have to, use the time that you would
normally spend sleeping. With exercising, you'll
actually need less sleep than before.

You can also use the time of your lunch break to
exercise as well. The increase in productivity
will have you more on the ball, and you can save
your time through the dramatic increase in your
overall productivity.

Cellularise, or rebounding, is one of the best
forms of aerobic exercise there is. If you have
access to a rebounder, you shouldn't hesitate to
use it. Use any break you have at work to engage
in some type of movement and deep breathing.

Any type of exercise you do will strongly benefit
your heart. It will make it a stronger and larger
organ. Deep breathing will help your lungs
become stronger and larger as well. There is
research now that links exercise to helping benefit
and almost prevent each and every type of disease
or ailment.

Movement of the joints will promote proper blood
flow and create energy, as sitting down all day
will rob your body of much needed energy. If you
sit down all day, it's very important that you
promote blood flow, circulation, energy, brain
flow, and the strength of your heart. With just
a little bit of your time devoted to exercise,
you'll find yourself healthier than you have ever
been in the past.

Exercising During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, exercise should be light, especially
during your first few weeks of pregnancy while your body
adjusts to the changes.

Heavy exercise can divert the blood flow from crucial
areas, and most women that exercise on a regular basis
should tone down their workout regimen during pregnancy.

Swimming, walking, and yoga are two very popular
exercise activities that are suitable for pregnant
women. There are other forms of exercise such as
weight lifting that are acceptable as long as it
isn't too strenuous. Most specialists recommend
exercise 3 - 4 times a week, unless you have a
medical condition that prevents it. If you are ever
in doubt, you should consult a physician first.

Below, you'll find some of the best reasons as to
why you should exercise during pregnancy.
1. Exercise can help to reduce the length
of labor and recovery time. The right exercise
routines will also increase stamina that is needed
for delivery.
2. Improved mental health. Exercise can
lower stress and improve your emotional health,
making it easier for you to get through the
new experience of becoming a mother.
3. Exercise can also help with weight
management after the child has been born. A common
concern with most mothers is the weight they lose
after pregnancy. During pregnancy, exercise can
make postpartum weight loss easier.
4. Exercise is very good for your unborn
baby. By keeping your body healthy, you are also
looking out for your baby as well.
5. Exercise can help reduce the side effects
of pregnancy. Symptoms such as fatigue, headaches,
swelling, and constipation are all common with
pregnant women. Studies have shown exercise to
reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.
6. Exercise can also decrease the risk
of premature birth. Exercise has been proven to
decrease the risk of premature birth by at least
50%.

You should always make sure that you drink plenty
of fluids before you exercise, follow a nutritious
diet, and avoid over exertion. You should also
listen to your body, and if you start feeling
sick you should immediately stop and rest.

If you exercise during your pregnancy, you'll find
it a lot easier to deliver when the time comes.
Exercise will help your body strengthen up, which
will make it very easy on you when you go into
the delivery room. Women who don't exercise find
it much harder when the time comes to give birth.

Exercising during pregnancy is one of the best
things you can do for yourself and for your unborn
baby. Your baby will reap some of the benefits,
which is reason enough to exercise. Always be
safe when you exercise, and don't hesitate to ask
a doctor for advice if you have any questions at
all. As long as you exercise safe and use good
common sense, you'll do a world of good for
your pregnancy.

Exercise For Diabetics

The most common types of diabetes are known as Type
1 and Type 2. The Type 1 diabetes, which is also
known as adolescent diabetes, differs from Type 2
in the sense that the body will stop producing
insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes is normally
diagnosed in older adults and occurs as the body
stops producing enough insulin or the individual
becomes resistant to their own body insulin.

No matter what form of diabetes it is, you'll lose
your ability to adequately utilize sugar. The
blood sugar levels will increase due to the body's
difficulty in transporting sugar into the cells
and out of the blood stream. There are several ways
to lower your blood sugar levels, including diet,
exercise, and medication.

As a whole, exercise is a very important part of
diabetic management for both Type 1 and Type 2
diabetics. Those that have Type 1 will find regular
exercise helps to maintain insulin sensitivity,
helps to prevent the accumulation of excess weight,
and also increases the use of glucose by muscles.
Although there is really no way to prevent Type 1
diabetes, it is possible to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

The things to consider when you attempt to prevent
the onset of Type 2 diabetes are regular exercise
supplementation with vitamins and herbs that will
help to prevent insulin resistance and proper
control of weight.

Not only with exercise help directly with diabetic
management by lowering blood sugar levels and
maintaining insulin sensitivity, but it will also
help minimize several of the complications that
can occur in a diabetic individual. Research has
shown that walking 30 minutes each day can
diminish the possibility of developing Type 2
diabetes.

Almost all diabetics tend to develop circulatory
problems and exercise can help lower blood
pressure and improve circulation throughout the
body. Seeing as how people with diabetes tend to
have poor blood flow to their lower areas and
feet, better circulation is a great benefit.

Even though there are risks associated with
exercise, the potential benefits will outweigh
the risks. Exercise does indeed lower blood sugar
levels, so those with diabetes should measure
their blood sugar both before and after they
exercise. Since your body uses more sugar while
you exercise and makes you more sensitive to
insulin, there is a risk of blood sugar becoming
too low and causing hypoglycemia as a result.

Whenever you exercise, it is important to let
others know that you are diabetic. They should
also be informed about what they should do in
case of hypoglycemia. To be on the safe side, you
should always carry candy or fruit juice with you
to treat low blood sugar when it occurs.

During and after you have exercised, you should
pay very close attention about how you feel, since
rapid heart beat, increased sweating, feeling
shaky, or hunger can signal that your blood sugar
levels are getting too low.

With diabetic management and treatment, exercise
is very important. Exercise will help with blood
sugar control when the muscles use more glucose and
the body becomes more sensitive to insulin.
Exercise will also help to prevent and minimize
common diabetic complications which include heart
problems, high blood pressure, and circulatory
deficiencies.

If you are a diabetic, exercise should be part of
your daily routine. You should always exercise at
a slow pace and never overdo it. Also, you
should be sure to exercise around people you know
or at a gym, so there will always be people around
you in case something goes wrong. Being a diabetic
doesn't have to hinder your life or your
performance, as exercise can help you get your life
back on track and heading in the right direction -
the healthy direction.

Exercise Bikes

When you decide to purchase an exercise bike, you
should first find a place in your home where you
can place it. Then, you'll need to think about
whether or not you want an upright exercise bike, a
semi recumbent bike, or a recumbent exercise bike.

Once you have made the decision of which type of
bike you want, check out the reviews that are
available in bike magazines and also on the internet.
You can also take the advice of family and friends
who are currently using the same as well as
personal trainers who have experience. The reviews
on exercise bikes are normally rates in accordance
to their performance, functions that they have, as
well as the type of material that is used for
constructing the exercise bikes.

The exercise bike that you select should be very
comfortable to sit on and the seat should be easy
to adjust, as it otherwise it would be really hard
to cycle on. If the height of the seat is wrong,
it can put a lot of pressure in your lower area,
specifically the groin. To find out more about
these types of features, it is very important
that you read a review as the reviews can give
you valuable information about the features
of exercise bikes.

Reviews have other advantages as well. A lot
of times, websites on the internet will offer
special discounts on the exercise bikes as well,
which is just another benefit to reading the
reviews. After you have read the reviews,
you'll be able to negotiate for a better price
once you talk to the sales person.

No matter how you look at it, you really can't
go wrong with reading a review on exercise bikes.
You can find out anything you want to know, as
well as get opinions from those who already
own the equipment. A majority of the time,
you can find out flaws as well, which can save
you a lot of time and effort.

Going to local gyms is also a great way to
find out about exercise bikes. If you don't
want to buy one or if you don't have the space
to keep one at home, you can always join a local
gym and use one there. There are several
different types available at your local gym,
with everything from standard exercise bikes to
the newer electronic versions.

Whether you choose to buy on for home use or
use one at the gym, an exercise bike can help
you stay in shape. All you need to do is ride
it a few minutes a day, and you'll be amazed
at just how much it helps you. Considered to
be a part of cardio, an exercise bike can help
you lose weight and tone your body down like
never before.

Exercise And Harm

When you exercise, your brain releases chemicals
known as endorphins that produce a feeling of euphoria,
which is known as "runners high", which is also very
easy to become chemically addicted to.

Without this rush, you'll feel irritable and out of
it until you exercise again. Therefore, you'll go
to exercise and not listen to what your body is
actually telling you - which is to stop.

The main reason addicts will continue to push themselves
lies in what will happen when they don't work out.
Normally when they are unable to exercise, they will
display signs of depression, anxiety, confusion,
and be less happy with themselves.

Aches and pains
Over exercising doesn't only affect the mind, but the
body as well. Exercise will initially do what it
is intended to do, give you a fit body but once you
cross the line however, it can drastic. Muscle
damage, osteoarthritis, and heart problems will all
be waiting in the wings if you continue to overdo
it. The body has limits and if you push beyond
that limit, you'll do nothing but harm yourself.

Obsessive exercise tends to happen among those who
are new to exercise. Therefore, if you are keen
to reap the benefits of getting fit, you'll tend
to overstep the limits.

The initial signs of over exercise are exhaustion,
which can lead to a build up of fatigue. Keep in
mind, it isn't only the muscles that are at risk,
but the bones as well. Many people who exercise
push themselves to the point of injuries such as
shin splints or even stress fractures, then refuse
to rest, which causes greater and sometimes even
permanent damage.

Even a brisk walk in the morning doesn't come
without risk, as walking too much can lead to
osteoarthritis. When you walk, you are working
against gravity. Even though you are exercising
your muscles, you are also harming your knee joints
as well.

Many people who walk up to an hour or more everyday
end up with complaints of aches in the knees. The
fact is, jogging also harms the knees, and too
many sit ups can hurt as well. As with any type
of exercise, moderation is the key.

You should always start off gradually, and combine
several different types of workouts, which is one
thing that obsessive exercisers forget to do. One
of the biggest complication factors of people who
get addicted to exercise is that they will tend
to perform the same workout each and every day,
which further increases the risk of permanent damage.

Think right:-
You should never work out to the point where you
feel completely exhausted once you have finished.
Your limit with exercise should be 45 minutes to an
hour, four or five days a week. When you are
finished, your workout should leave you feeling
fresh and energetic. Every week should make it a
point to take a day's break - as your body will
need to relax and rejuvenate.

The key to achieving this completely lies in your
attitude, as exercising is the way to a healthy
life. If you do it only to please yourself, you'll
defeat the entire purpose when you stand there on
the weighing machine.

If you take things one day at a time and don't
over do it, you'll be well on your way to a healthy
body. Exercising can be a lot of fun and a way
to relax, if you don't rush it. Start off slow
and gradually work your way up. Before you know it,
you'll know how to prevent injuries before they
happen and you'll know exactly what you need to
do to remain healthy.