Use very light weight and high reps for the first set of each bodypart worked. (Begin with 25% of one-rep max and use strict form.) Slowly increase the weight used over the course of your workout, pyramiding stressreleases up to the heaviest amount. For a cardio workout, your warm-up should: increase your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, dilation of blood vessels, joint lubrication and muscle and tendon elasticity. It should also include: Low-level aerobic activity that uses the same muscle groups and similar movement patterns that will be used during the main workout. Static stretches stressreleases for all major muscles groups, stressreleases especially the lower body.

For all types of exercise, your warm-up activities should: Take each of the joints through full range of motion. Increase body temperature. Get you psychologically tuned to what your body will be doing. Physiological reasons for warming up. Warm-ups help the body and its muscles to perform more effectively by: Slowly increasing muscle temperature. Serving as a dry run, which alerts the individual to potential musculoskeletal and other problems that may occur at higher intensity. Reducing the stressreleases risk of exercise-related heart problems by increasing coronary blood flow. Improving the elasticity of soft tissues. Preventing early lactic-acid buildup and fatigue. Stimulating motor units of the muscles in preparation for a heavier workload.

No more driving to the gym, waiting for equipment, over-crowded classes and expensive fees. You can be your own personal trainer. Variety: As they say, Variety is the spice of life. The same is true for exercise. One of the reasons some people fail at fitness routines is because boredom sets in. Not a problem with the wide selection of different exercise programs available. Do step aerobics one day, maybe some kickboxing aerobics or yoga the next. The possibilities are endless and this is an excellent way to keep enthusiasm up and weight down! Confidence: Looking better and feeling healthy are directly tied into self-confidence and energy. If you know you look good, it shows in all aspects of your life. Having the body you want shows in your personality, how others see you and most importantly, the renewed vigor and attitude will carry over into all you do.

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