Leg raises ExercisesNutritionWeight loss by GymRat - 3rd October 20203rd October 20200 Leg raises are a great way to target the stomach, strengthening lower abdominals and hip reflexors, plus it doesn’t require any gym kit. Add these moves to one of your home workouts for a simple, effective way to tone your tummy. Try 10 reps to start with, and progress to more once you’ve perfected your form.Try out these different variations of leg raises to challenge yourself, make sure you’re also hitting your fat-burning workouts hard, as you need to torch that fat to reveal your new toned tum!Lying down leg raises:-Lie on your back with your hands on the floor or under your bottom.-Keeping a slight bend in the knees and feet together, start with both feet up towards the ceiling.-Without allowing your lower back to overarch, slowly lower your legs towards the floor without bending the knees any more than they already are.-When legs are almost on the floor, squeeze the abs and lift them back up to the start and repeat.Hot tip: if these aren’t challenging enough for you, why not add some ankle weights?Leg raises with a ball Add a bit of weight to make your leg raises more challenging-Start similar to the lying down leg raises -With your feet on the floor, place an exercise or medicine ball between your feet, griping it firmly -Begin to raise your legs up, then slowly lowering your legs down, the weight will cause you to use more control -The weight will cause this exercise to me more challenging than the regular leg raises but effective works the abdominals.Hanging leg raises You can perform this exercise at the gym, in the park or at home if you have a door pull up bar-Hanging from a bar with your arms- grip firmly wide or medium -Begin to raise your knees/legs so that your body makes a 90 degrees angle – Lower your legs down and repeat the exerciseThis exercise can be difficult, some gyms provide a padded bench that can support your back and padded arm rests for your elbows.Side leg raises This exercise can be performed lying or standingFor standing– Standing on one leg, raise the opposite leg to the side as far as you can– Bring it back to the standing position and repeat this exercise for both legs For lying -Lie down on one side- with legs extended and stacked on top of one another-Raise the top leg up as high as you can, lowering it back down to the first poistion. -Repeat Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...
HIIT: the most efficient way to exercise? ExercisesNutritionTraining MethodsWeight loss by GymRat - 3rd September 20203rd September 20200 What do you get if you mix giant ropes, friendly competition and a heart-pumping workout? Answer: Whipped!It’s easy to get bored of treadmills, cross-trainers and slogging it out on your own in the gym. So a class that mixes effective results, competition and a fresh element is a welcome relief to an already busy day. Using battle ropes, that are more tug of war than skip in the park, Whipped!, is an exciting new circuit class at high-end London gym Equinox, bringing together the best elements of high intensity circuits, ramping up your cardio capacity while blasting fat (yey!) and using a great range of equipment.The backgroundThe HIIT class is designed to get your heart rate soaring to burn fat while sculpting you from head to toe in the most time-efficient way. Our instructor Rory explained that, unlike steady state workouts, intense bursts of exercise help put your fat loss in the fast lane. Sounds good, right? So if you want to change your body for the better, the Whipped! class is the perfect place to start.You work to your body’s maximum capacity in 30 seconds, doing as many reps, using good form, as you can and then have a quick rest. The circuit is cleverly designed so you work a different muscle group with each exercise, and simultaneously push your fitness to its limit.The classRory led a dynamic warm-up involving a quick jog around the room, followed by exercises like high knees and jumping jacks.We were then paired up and allocated a fitness station. As usual in circuits, each pair circled the room in a clockwise direction, performing high-octane exercises at each station for 30 seconds before moving to the next exercise. By the end of the class, we’d visited each station four times.My partner and I began in plank position on our forearms, pushing up onto our hands. The aim was to do these plank transfers as many times as possible within 30 seconds.Next, we moved to the battle ropes, which posed the biggest challenge of all the exercises. Holding a rope in each hand, we slammed them to the ground, making small rippling waves, and swung them from side to side.This was followed by a whole host of exhausting moves, from V-sits holding a 3kg dumbbell to barbell rows while wobbling on a BOSU ball. The class ended with another speedy jog around the room, followed by a series of stretches to ease our shaking muscles.Louise’s verdictIf you’re bored of the same old workouts, this class is brilliant. Yes, it’s punishing, but the fact that the HIIT exercises are short and sharp is a big draw. Our trainer was a great motivator and helped spur us on – even when our arms felt like they were about to fall off! There’s no denying the class is challenging but it’s also fun and there’s no risk of getting bored. We’ll be back!AT A GLANCE What’s the concept? A high-intensity 45-minute circuit using battle ropes, the ViPR, BOSU balls and hand weights.How much is it? The class is only open to members of Equinox. Monthly membership is £180.Where can I get more info? Visit equinox.com/clubs/Kensington.Difficulty? Whipped! is aimed at all fitness levels, but steel your nerves fora tough session!Subscribe to Women’s Fitness and get three issues for just £1!Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...
Leg raises for great abs BodybuildingExercisesNutritionWeight loss by GymRat - 1st June 201929th May 20190 Leg raises are a great way to target the stomach, strengthening lower abdominals and hip reflexors, plus it doesn’t require any gym kit. Add these moves to one of your home workouts for a simple, effective way to tone your tummy. Try 10 reps to start with, and progress to more once you’ve perfected your form.Try out these different variations of leg raises to challenge yourself, make sure you’re also hitting your fat-burning workouts hard, as you need to torch that fat to reveal your new toned tum!Lying down leg raises:-Lie on your back with your hands on the floor or under your bottom.-Keeping a slight bend in the knees and feet together, start with both feet up towards the ceiling.-Without allowing your lower back to overarch, slowly lower your legs towards the floor without bending the knees any more than they already are.-When legs are almost on the floor, squeeze the abs and lift them back up to the start and repeat.Hot tip: if these aren’t challenging enough for you, why not add some ankle weights?Leg raises with a ball Add a bit of weight to make your leg raises more challenging-Start similar to the lying down leg raises -With your feet on the floor, place an exercise or medicine ball between your feet, griping it firmly -Begin to raise your legs up, then slowly lowering your legs down, the weight will cause you to use more control -The weight will cause this exercise to me more challenging than the regular leg raises but effective works the abdominals.Hanging leg raises You can perform this exercise at the gym, in the park or at home if you have a door pull up bar-Hanging from a bar with your arms- grip firmly wide or medium -Begin to raise your knees/legs so that your body makes a 90 degrees angle – Lower your legs down and repeat the exerciseThis exercise can be difficult, some gyms provide a padded bench that can support your back and padded arm rests for your elbows.Side leg raises This exercise can be performed lying or standingFor standing– Standing on one leg, raise the opposite leg to the side as far as you can– Bring it back to the standing position and repeat this exercise for both legs For lying -Lie down on one side- with legs extended and stacked on top of one another-Raise the top leg up as high as you can, lowering it back down to the first poistion. -Repeat Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...
10 online and app-based training programs ExercisesTraining Methods by admin - 1st July 20171st July 20170 10 online and app-based training programs Can’t get to the gym during the week? A new breed of web and app-based training programs takes the excuses out of the busy.Whether you do best with a real-life traininer to keep you accountable, learn best from demos or written instructions or prioritise tracking tools, here are 10 pocket gyms to suit those who don’t have access to a gym.1. trainingonline.comHIT: Devised by a qualified trainer, the customised programs on this free site answer goals such as weight loss, strength conditioning and general fitness. The fitness library contains more than 200 exercises complete with video demonstrations, iPod-ready instructions and printer-friendly versions perfect for lunchtime sessions. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...
Flat tummy exercises for women ExercisesTraining MethodsWeight loss by GymRat - 27th June 201727th June 20170 Flat tummy exercises for womenGrab yourself a hula-hoop to firm up, flatten down and have fun!May 29, 20151 of 6››Want to rock a flat stomach but sick of your usual abs routine? Hula hooping is a fun way to tone the whole body while focusing on the abdominal and core muscles and cinching in that waist. It’s quick, easy and can be done anywhere from the park to your own home. So take yourself back to the days of the playground, de-stress and tone up that tum.How to do itPerform each exercise for the required amount of time for your level, doing as many reps with good form as possible. Repeat the workout two or three times a week to upbeat music for the best results.Kit you’ll needAdult hula hoopRead more about:FitnessWorkout RoutinesFitness EquipmentWeight Loss Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...