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.