Saturday, January 24, 2009

Fitness Training for 2009

By Paul Simons

Any physical trainer will tell you to perform some stretching exercises before you start any form of fitness training to prevent possible injury. This is not the only thing that it is important to remember if you intend to carry out fitness programs. Many people consider it unnecessary but people who do not perform stretching movements before and after a workout are more likely to hurt themselves. Almost everyone knows that stretching before workout prevents injuries, but only a few people know that stretching after workout, when muscles are still warm, can increase flexibility.

While holding a position for a mere twenty seconds is enough for a warm, to really get the benefit when you have completed your workout you need to hold that position for a good minute. Do not go into a stretching position then immediately return to the relaxed position; and, do it repeatedly which is more appropriately termed bouncing while in a position. The way to do this is to maintain the position of a few seconds and then return because it is possible to either strain or pull muscles or joints if you return to the starting position too quickly. If you work the exercises in stages it will be easier and build up to the hardest stretches as you warm-up, this will also ensure all your muscles receive equal attention.

A commonly forgotten area of the body to warm up, and one that is easy to injure, is the neck so make sure that the neck is warmed up by applying pressure to the head at the front, back and sides using pressure from the palm of your hand. It is always a good idea to continue with this stretching at certain points in the fitness training workout particularly if a difficult exercise is about to be performed as it will help make the routine easier. It is never worth attempting certain moves because others can manage them; wait until you are ready. Remember not to over-stretch yourself and you will gain more from it. There are days when your body may be too tired that you may have to consider reducing your range of motion so learn to rest in between sets and stations to make sure that the body has enough time to recover its energy.

Every athlete knows that muscles need to heal and grow from physical exertion so give yourself a day off between fitness training and exercising with weights; your body will appreciate it. Aerobic exercises are the best for you because they will improve your cardiovascular system, improve your stamina, lung capacity and overall fitness; exercises like skipping running, rowing, swimming, stepping machines etc. Many people find music good for exercise, especially something with a regular beat that can be worked to; of course mp3 players are ideal for this. Even though every mp3 player or instance comes complete with a set of headphones, it will be a worthwhile investment buying a decent pair as there is less likelihood of any sound leakage; other people just might not want to listen to your choice in music! Stretching is good for you even if you are not performing it before exercise and many people use it for relaxation purposes prior to sleep. - 16732

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