Intelligent and Consistent Training Is The Key to Success When You Are Older

Nobody likes the thought of your bodybuilding or fitness workout regiment going downhill due to age. Yet it can be avoided if you follow a few simple steps. The key is to train intelligently and consistently. I can't tell you how difficult it is to get in a groove again after a layoff when middle age is creeping up on you. Your muscles aren't quite as pliable and metabolism not as fast which makes getting in a groove again so much harder. So follow these tips and stay on target with your training goals at any age:

1) Warm up prior to training - I can't stress how important this is. Older muscles are less pliable, get injured faster, and don't heal as quickly as younger muscles. Take 15 minutes prior to each and every training session to thoroughly warm up. It is worth your time.

2) Work up to heavy weights - If you are more than 2X past twenty years old it is more important than ever for your body and muscles to adjust to the heavy working sets. Pyramid up to the heavier weights and your muscles will thank you with an injury free session.

3) Watch your diet - As you get older your metabolism slows down and you cannot process food as efficiently as in your younger years. The saying that you are what you eat is more important than ever as you age. Eat clean and reap the benefits in your workouts and day to day living.

4) Prior to restarting or beginning an exercise program check with your doctor - As you get older there is greater probability of a hidden medical condition. Get a check up and clearance from your doctor. It will be well worth your time.

5) Stay consistent with your workouts - An older body loves regularity in routine. This is the case for exercise as well. Work out consistently and enjoy more peaks and less valleys in your physical well-being.

Heed these few words of advise and maximize the benefits of your workouts so you can live and feel well at any age.

Don't Be Intimidated If You Are New To The Bodybuilding Gym

Everyone has to start somewhere and that includes bodybuilders. Even the great champions such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, and Jay Cutler all had their first day at the gym as a novice weight lifter or bodybuilder. Often the initial goal of weight trainers differ at the start. For example, some start working out to enhance their sports career in football, baseball, or track. Others have a more personal motivation for working out with weights such as trimming fat or gaining muscle mass. Eventually when progress in the form of bulging muscle appear and the physique starts to come into shape the interest often turns to more advanced bodybuilding goals such as competing.

However, along the way all weight trainers need advice and help. Don't be intimidated by your fellow experienced gym members. You may be surprised, but most bodybuilders(there are always some jerks who won't) will be more than willing to spend a few moments with you for a spot, a correction of lifting form, or even posing advice. Their mindset is that that they were all in your shoes at one time and they want to promote and cultivate their chosen sport. Bodybuilding is a sport of gym camaraderie and you will soon be part of that fraternity when your face is seen enough times at the gym and you make friends with your fellow lifters who share a common goal. Someday soon you'll be the one assisting a beginner with a helpful smile!

My Favorite Giant Set Routine for Biceps and Triceps

One of my favorite giant set routines…

Out of any body part or muscle group I really love doing giant sets when I am training arms. You recover much quicker between sets as the biceps and triceps are relatively small muscles and you can really increase the intensity for a maximum pump once you get the hang of it. Here’s one of my favorite routines which has minor variations to avoid monotony and stagnation. Use weights or resistance which you can perform the following repetitions:

* Standing Barbell Biceps Curls: 8 – 10 reps
* Triceps Pushdowns: 8 - 12 reps
* Seated Dumbbell Curls: 6 - 10 reps
* Skull Crushers (lying triceps eye raises): 8 – 12 reps
* Preacher Curls: 8 – 12 reps
* One Arm Triceps Extensions: 8 -12 reps.

As you see I alternate bi's and tri's I perform four circuits of this for a total of 24 sets (12 for biceps and 12 for triceps) in around 30 minutes! I love it because of the intensity you can obtain along with the short workout time! However I usually do this about 1 out of every 3 - 4 times I do arms so the routine remains fresh which translates to higher intensity and more muscle growth. There you have it, the benefits of giant sets. They can really give you a lift when your arm workout routine needs a boost.

Please visit Unique Fitness Concepts for more workout routines, tips, and equipment.

Aging and the Benefits of Bodybuilding (Weight Resistance Training )

Bodybuilding or weight resistance training is often viewed as a young person's sport, but that couldn't be further from the truth. People of all ages can and have benefited from lifting weights. Studies have concluded that even people in their 90's have become stronger and have increased bones density through weight resistance training. Many years ago the top bodybuilding champions were often in their early 20's and by the time they reached the "advanced" age of 40 they were considered over the hill. Today that is far from the norm. Recently, Ronnie Coleman won the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding championship when he was well over 40 years of age. The current Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler is 36 years old and is showing no signs of slowing down. There are also many current champions in their 60's and even 70's who look decades younger than their chronological age. These people have all reaped the physical and mental benefits of weight resistance training well into middle and old age.

So please reconsider when you're thinking that you are too old to start or continue a bodybuilding program as age is no longer a valid excuse. Of course get clearance from your doctor prior to the start of any exercise program and be reasonable regarding the amount of weight you lift. Also, don't become a "weekend warrior" weight lifter, you'll only increase your chances of injury. The body at any age, needs consistency in exercise to get the most out of it and reduce the chances of injury.

Seven Important Factors to Consider When Choosing A Gym

A good gym should always motivate you to come back. The atmosphere should be conducive to your personal goals and should meld with your personality. Keep these seven factors in mind when choosing your gym:

1) Location: Choose a gym nearby. Having a gym close will allow you to fit time in your schedule. Usually a location between your home and office is convenient.

2) Hours: Make sure the gym is open for hours that will work with your schedule.

3) Staff: The staff members should be friendly and helpful. They should be able to answer questions whenever you need.

4) Cleanliness: Towels should be available around the gym to wipe off the equipment. This will help avoid health problems.

5) Equipment: Make sure that the equipment will benefit you. Also check if there are enough machines for everyone to use. There is no use in waiting in a long line to workout.

6) Classes: Classes are a great way to get motivated. Look at the list of classes and see if there are any you would enjoy. Also decide whether or not these classes fit into your budget.

7) Fees: The cost of gyms can be very expensive. This could also be a deciding factor of whether or not to join. See if you pay each month or if you are committed for a year or more. Choose according to your needs.

Featured Exercise - Seated Triceps Extensions

The seated triceps extension is a tremendous refinement exercise when completing your triceps routine. This exercise will help carve out that "horseshoe" look in your triceps. Perform this exercise while seated and begin the exercise by holding the dumbbell directly above your head. You can use your other arm as a brace to help keep your elbow in place. Slowly lower the weight behind your head until you feel a full stretch in your triceps. Then lift the weight back up to the point where your arm is almost locked out. Do not completely lock out your arm as this will keep constant stress on the muscle and will make it work harder.

Check out Unique Fitness Concepts for more exercise routines and tips.

Featured Exercise - The Preacher Curl

The Preacher or Scott curl, named after bodybuilding great Larry Scott, is the ultimate isolation exercise for biceps. Remember when you perform this exercise that it is NOT a power exercise. Use moderate weights which enable you to perform 8 - 10 hard fought reps. Lower the weight slowly as you will build your biceps during that motion as well as when you lift the weight up. Remember, do not bounce the weight as this can result in serious injury. Concentrate throughout the exercise and maintain a constant steady motion. Avoid resting or stopping during the exercise to maximize the impact.

Check out Unique Fitness Concepts for more workout tips and articles.

Working Legs After a Layoff

Legs are often the most neglected area for bodybuilding today. Novice,intermediate and even some advanced lifters often spend a great deal of their time and energy on the "flashier" muscles like chest and arms while back and legs are ignored. This is a poor choice as strong, well-developed legs are the foundation for your physique. You'll gain in strength and mass much faster if you are working your legs especially with squats as the "king" of all exercises with its aerobic and overall mass benefits.

With all of the benefits of leg work in mind I went to the gym resigned to the fact of the self-inflicted torture I'll soon be facing by doing squats. As it turned out I only did two sets, 135 x 12 and 185 x 15 due to the cramping I had in my hamstrings. It's interesting how in a relatively short time how your body so quickly loses it's edge for working out and especially squatting. Well after the soreness wears off from this workout I look forward to the next round of squats and I'm anxious to see my progress in strength and endurance.

Assess Your Physique for Maximum Gains

Monitor your body's progress and overall development by looking at yourself in a full length mirror. This is the best way to assess your overall progress as well as your body's strengths and weaknesses. A mirror will be brutally honest with you and if you heed its advice you can determine which body parts need extra work and be on your way to better more eye pleasing proportioned physique. Also get a qualified opinion as well. A training partner or a gym colleague with a keen eye will probably be able to give you an objective assessment. Remember to put you feelings aside when being critiqued by others. They will not look at you with rose colored glasses.

Visit Unique Fitness Concepts for additional workout advice, routines as well as one of the largest selection of fitness equipment and accessories available today.

Remember to Cool Down after Exercise

After working out, it is important to take about ten to fifteen minutes to cool down. Stopping abruptly will not benefit your body. Keep moving after a long run or workout in order to redistribute the blood in your body. This allows your heart rate and your body to slow gradually. Be sure to include stretching in your cool down. Cooling down and stretching will help prevent stiffness in your body.

2009 Mr. Olympia Results and Summary - Jay Cutler Regains Title

Jay Cutler at age 36 looked huge, ripped, and conditioned, in his successful quest to regain the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding title. Dexter Jackson was a bit off and finished third in a major upset loss to Branch Warren who placed second. Jay was the first Mr. Olympia ever to regain his title after being defeated on the Olympia stage. Jay, a Las Vegas resident, was the clear crowd favorite who won 40% of the first place vote in an audience poll. The enthusiastic crowd who cheered Jay who garnered $200,000 for the victory, was pleased with the decision. Joe Weider, the master blaster, was also on stage to congratulate the winner.

The 2nd year of the now popular 202 Mr. Olympia also proved to be a great contest with Kevin English edging a tremendously shaped and conditioned David Henry, last year's victor, for the overall title. Crowd favorites Mark Dugdale and Richard "Flex" Lewis were in great shape and also finished in the money. I would have liked to see a bit more prize money for the 202 as this contest has really soared in popularity and the athletes were all in outstanding condition. Maybe even the have the winner and runner-up automatically placed in the Olympia top ten and compete for that title as well? I thought that English and Henry would have easily cracked the top ten. Bob Cicherillo as always did a tremendous job behind the mike as MC for the event. All in all this was a great event with the muscle quality as high as it's ever been.

How should you Train? Fast Twitch or Slow Twitch Workouts

Generally speaking high reps work the fast twitch muscle fibers and are for definition and low reps work the slow twitch muscle fibers for mass. This is true as a general rule but to have a more complete and full physique you should be doing both high and low reps at some point during your weekly workout regiment. You can have a "light" or "heavy" day or you can finish out an exercise with some high rep burns. You'll feel the muscles more and you'll also be attacking both the fast and slow twitch fibers for a more complete workout which will result in an overall more eye-pleasing physique.

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Day Number One Of Bodybuilding Comeback

My name is Harvey Reich and I'm currently 49 years old. I've been bodybuilding (on and off since age 30) for 35 years. The last time I devoted myself to the sport was 2005 when I last entered and won a contest, Natural Masters Illinois. I was 45 years old then. At that age I performed squats with 275 x 15 for multiple sets and I was also able to do pullups for 15 reps per set. I'm quite proud of those lifts. I still did supersets, giant sets, etc. and I was able to get into the best shape of my life culminating with the aforementioned title.  Subsequently, I started Unique Fitness Concepts (a fitness equipment supply company) and my energies have been fully devoted to the company. As a result my hard fought gains slowly faded with sporadic training over the past few years. I want to make a comeback and again win a masters title at age 50. This will be a daily journal of my quest to accomplish that goal.

DAY 1:  Worked chest today. I am coming off a shoulder injury which I occured while bench pressing back in May. I've rested since then (4 months) and today is the day! I started my chest workout with bench presses 135 x 12 (2), 155 x 12 (2) and 145 x 12. Shoulder felt pressure during the set but no pain. Hopefully it has healed. I was up to 225 x 8, but I must ease back into the routine so I don't re-injure my shoulder. Next I did three sets of dumbbell incline presses 60's x 10 (2) and 55's x 10.  I usually do barbell presses but the bench was well occupied and I didn't want to wait around or do another exercise instead. I finished chest off with dumbbell flyes 45's x 8 (3). My pecs were VERY fatigued early on but I pushed through ok. I finished with three sets of leg raises for abs, 60 reps total. At this stage I don't have great intensity but I think that will return in time with consistency of my workouts.

Working Out Should NOT Be Painful!

Working out should be a challenge, but it never should be painful. Being a little bit sore is normal, but if you are in pain after exercising, then you are probably doing something wrong. Here are a few things to remember if you are feeling pain.


* Make sure you are exercising at the proper level. Do not try to overdo yourself. Starting out slow will benefit you in the end

* Stretching before and after working out will reduce some pain that you may be feeling, and it will allow the muscles to relax.

* Give your body enough time before workout in order to rest. Working out the same muscles too often will wear them down. Try to work different muscles when you go, instead of working all the muscles all the time.

* Lastly, use proper form! There is no use in executing an exercise if you are not using an adequate form. Using improper form can cause added injuries to the body and more pain.

Perform Barbell Squats

Do Squats! Barbell squats may very well be the best overall weight exercise that you can do. In addition to the direct work you receive on your quads, hamstrings and glutes, squats also indirectly hit almost every muscle on you body including back, calves, traps, and even chest. I always find it much easier to perform other exercises when I am squatting intensely. In my opinion there is no exercise that is more difficult and beneficial!