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Bob Peoples Deadlift Training

For those who don’t know of Bob Peoples, here is some background.

Peoples was born in 1910 in Johnson City, Tennessee and by the age of 9, he developed a passion for weight training. He excited that passion by purchasing the Farmer Burns course and reading “Strength” magazine.

By the time Bob had reached the age of 18 he had become very interested in the deadlift. He did all around training, but his specialty from this time on was the deadlift. He made a weight of 350 and in a year had worked up to 450 at a bodyweight of 165. His first competition of any kind was the 1937 Tennessee State Weightlifting Championships.

The next two years of training brought much improvement. Again he traveled to Chattanooga and lifted in the 1939 State Championships. His total had improved 65 pounds but the highlight of this occasion was a deadlift of 600 pounds.More competitions and higher lifts followed. His crowing moment came in during the great Red Shield Boy’s Club Variety Show of 1949. Peoples, at a bodyweight of 181 pounds, set a then world record (for his weight class) by deadlifting 725.5 pounds.

In 1979, Peoples wrote a book entitled “Developing Physical Strength,” which became an instant classic. Peoples passed away in 1992 at the age of 82.

Some of his top lifts are as follows:

Squat – 530 pounds

Bench Press – 300 pounds (didn’t work on it much)

Deadlift – 725.5 pounds

All drug free….

Here is just one of many routines Peoples liked to do.

Bob Peoples Deadlift Training

Deadlift 1 x 15-20, 1 x 10, 1 x 8, 1 x 6, 6 x 1 (10 sets total)

Squat 5 x 5

Press 5 x 5

Notes: Peoples would workout 4-5 days per week. He liked to lift heavy, so there was no light sets. On the deadlifts, he would up the weight for every set until he reached 90% of max, which he would pound out 6 sets of singles. Peoples would use the same weight on the squat and overhead press for every set. If you want to follow this routine, I suggest doing it 2-3 days per week. As always, get plenty of rest, eat good food and drink lots of water. Remember to lift heavy and with max intensity.

Understand that to be successful in any weight training program – hard work is a must! Half-hearted effort does nothing for you. If you’re new to weight training or grossly out of shape, consult a physician first. End of disclaimer.

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Use The Psychology Of Operant Conditioning To Improve Your Fitness

How can you trick your mind into thinking it actually WANTS to exercise?

We all struggle with motivation sometimes!

Some people pay thousands of dollars for the motivation of a personal trainer. We’re afraid that if we don’t have someone to keep us accountable to our fitness – we’ll let it slide.

What if we could turn our minds into our very own personal trainer instead? For free.

By deepening your understanding of a few simple psychological phenomena, you will be able to turn your mind from something that talks you OUT of going for a run…into your biggest motivator.

Your body craves a run, but your mind says no. How can you trick your mind into thinking it wants to exercise too?

Well the first thing you need to do is make a plan. Before you can even start to use psychological conditioning, you need to create a tangible workout schedule. Start with small, attainable goals – such as going for a run every other evening for a week.

Write your plan out as a list, or write it on a calendar.

Next it’s time to apply a psychological phenomenon called operant conditioning.

Operant conditioning is a term given to the psychological effect of positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is when we complete an action and as a direct result are given a reward. When we are given a reward, certain parts of our brains are stimulated in a way which encourages repetition of the action.

Just having a plan can really help with motivation.

How can having a check list activate operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning requires an action and a response. In this case, exercise is the action. You need to create a response for yourself in order to connect the desirable stimulus with the positive action.

Let’s start simple. Get in the habit of checking every exercise you do off of your list after you complete it. Just this simple “reward” will draw attention to your success. Repetition of this action-positive reinforcement patter will trigger pleasure in the brain. Eventually you will subconsciously look forward to checking each little achievement off your list. Suddenly going for a run is much more of an accomplishment than it was before.

Maybe list keepers aren’t as severe and strict as everyone makes them out to be.

They just know how to enjoy themselves. One little check at a time.

How else can you incorporate the action-reward mentality of operant conditioning into your workout schedule? Make running part of a more elaborate routine. For example, if you run every Tuesday at 7, reward yourself at 8 by watching your favourite TV show. The mind loves habits, routines, and patterns. Eventually, it will feel WRONG if you don’t go for your usual run.

If you want to get even MORE serious about operant conditioning, you could introduce punishments into your routine. For example – set a jar beside your check list. Each time you successfully go for a run, add a dollar to the jar. But each time you skip out on an exercise on your list, take a dollar out. At the end of the month do something fun for yourself – budgeted by however much money you collected in the jar.

Realize that lack of motivation to exercise is something that everyone experiences.

You’re not alone.

And you can beat this laziness!

Now get out there and go for a run!

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Tips To Prepare Your Body For The K2 Adventure

Whether you are planning a trek to K2 base camp or want to put your mountaineering passion to the test by attempting to climb the second highest mountain on earth, you’ll have to prepare yourself to fight against all odds of nature. Climbing the highest mountain in Pakistan or trekking to its base camp is not the novice adventurer’s task.

As you ascend to the base camp of the 8,611m mountain in the Karakorum mountain range of Pakistan, the air becomes thinner, oxygen becomes less available and breathing becomes hard. Also notorious as the savage mountain that tries to kill you, K2 poses serious risks to both the trekker and the veteran mountaineer; however, the risks for the passionate mountain climber augments as he or she ascends the mountain.

Height sickness, acute mountain syndrome and pulmonic edema are the common health risks associated with almost all types of adventure to this mountain, but as common sense would suggest, these risks are higher for climbers who aim to summit K2 than adventure lovers who’d simple want to trek to the savage mountain’s base camp. It is vital to understand that the health complications associated with high altitude, as mentioned above, can be life threatening.

The good news, however, is that you can minimize the high altitude risks by acclimatizing and training your body to cope with the environmental factors and to keep functioning even when there is shortage of oxygen. Below are some tips to prepare for climbing K2 and trekking to the K2 base camp:

• Start preparing and acclimatizing at least two months ahead of your adventure. This is particularly important because your body needs at least 60 days for high altitude acclimatization.

• Visit your doctor and get full body examination as your start your preparations and training. Your doctor may recommend you to undergo certain lab tests. If you are fit for the adventure, your doctor will give you a green signal.

• During your training period, make sure to hike and trek as often as possible, starting with lower altitude and gradually moving to higher altitudes if possible and available. With every session of your training, make sure to increase the distance and height, so your body and lungs get habituated to working at high altitude and under strenuous conditions.

• If possible, initiate interval training because it is one of the most effective methods to train your cardiovascular system for high elevations. It involves increasing the heart rate drastically and then leaving it to recuperate before increasing it again. Running on a steeper hill or faster sprint can help train your cardiovascular system for your K2 adventure.

• Train your breathing pattern for high altitude by working on breathing progression, and on deep inhalation and exhalation. This training will help you cope with low oxygen on K2 by enabling you to regulate and maintain your breathing capacity. Practicing deep breathing can also save your from exceeding yourself at high altitudes.

• Never miss a workout because it is very important to keep you safe and fit during your attempt to climb K2 or trek to K2 base camp.

Remember, climbing K2 or trekking to K2 base camp can be a very exciting, rich, adventurous and mesmerizing experience for you, but only if you are in good health and have trained your body for the adventure. It has also been noted that proper hydration is another important factor when it comes to adventure in the Karakorum mountains.

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The Ken Patera Workout

For those who are new to weight training/lifting and have no idea who Ken Patera is here’s a little background for you.

Patera is a former Olympic Weightlifter and USA powerlifter. He won several medals at the Pan American Games (including gold), and finished second in the 1971 World Weightlifting Championships. He was the first American to clean and jerk 500 (503 1/2) lbs, which he achieved at the 1972 Senior Nationals in Detroit. He is also the only American to clean and press 500 lbs, and he was arguably the last American to excel at weightlifting on an international level.

Patera also competed in the first World’s Strongest Man contest in 1977, finishing third behind Bruce Wilhelm and Bob Young.

Patera went on to have a long career on professional wrestling. Here is a typical Patera workout. Patera would switch up his routines constantly, as well as sets and reps. Use your own judgement based on your comfort level.

The Ken Patera Workout

Snatch

Clean and Press

Bench Press

Squats

Notes: Lift 2-3 times per week using whatever set and rep scheme your comfortable with except for squats. Perform one set of each squat exercise and one set only. Get plenty of rest, eat good food and drink lots of water. Remember to lift heavy and with max intensity.

Understand that to be successful in any weight training program – hard work is a must! Half-hearted effort does nothing for you. If you’re new to weight training or grossly out of shape, consult a physician first. End of disclaimer.

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Top 10 Fitness Tips

“I don’t exercise. If God wanted me to bend over, he’d have put diamonds on the floor,” comments Joan Rivers. It’s true, many of us simply do not enjoy fitness and exercising. It’s also true that every single person in this world can benefit from a proper fitness and nutrition program.

Use these top 10 fitness tips to get your workout routine started today. As always, talk with your doctor before starting a new fitness or nutrition program.

Tip #1- Set Realistic and Tangible Goals

Simply stating that you want to lose weight is not effective. Be specific. For example, I want to lose 5 pounds of fat by February 14th.

Tip #2- Measure Your Progress

Take your base measurements and then re-take them on a regular basis. You cannot measure your progress if you have no idea where you started from.

Tip #3- Log Your Workouts

Each and every workout session should be logged. Keep all of your fitness logs in a binder and create your very own success journal.

Tip #4- Mix Up Your Cardio Workouts

Cardio sessions should vary in intensity and in length. Try new cardio activities and keep things fresh.

Tip #5- Strength Training Is Not Just for Men

Everyone should strength train. Strength training builds muscle and increases bone density. Train all major muscle groups 1-3 times per week.

Tip #6- Rest

Get 7-9 hours of deep sleep each and every night. Also rest your muscles by not working out 1-2 days each week.

Tip #7- Warm Up

Warm up for 5-10 minutes before every workout session. You should feel a rise in your body temperature.

Tip #8- Cool Down

Cool down by stretching out your entire body. This helps increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness the next day.

Tip #9- Nutrition Is Half the Battle

Eating small meals throughout the day complements your fitness routine. Learn to eat healthy and kick diets out of your life forever.

Tip #10- Stay Motivated

Find a workout partner. Sign up for a marathon. Work with a personal trainer. Do whatever it takes to remain committed. If you falter, let go of guilt and get back on your routine as soon as possible.

These top10 fitness tips build the foundation of a safe and effective fitness program. Anyone can drop body fat and gain lean muscle mass by following a realistic workout and nutrition plan. Stay the course and you will be healthier and happier for it.

Copyright 2005 www.strength-training-woman.com

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Full Body Workouts Versus Partial Body Workouts – Which is Best?

Knowing what you want to get out of a workout routine can greatly help you choose whether you want to go for full or partial body workouts. Perhaps you want to lose some fat and be more in shape, or you are a woman who wants to drop some inches and tone up so you can get into the slinky sexy dress. Maybe you are a man who wants to bulk up or you might be looking to carve up a six pack.

Here are the break downs of both the benefits of a full and partial workout for your body so you can get a better understanding and choose accordingly.

Benefits Of A Full Body Workout

Full body workouts work your whole body in one session. That is you are working different muscle groups from your upper body to your lower body. This workout is typically done three times a week.

If you want to lose fat, while building lean muscle tissue, want total body toning, or increase fitness level, then this is the workout you should be doing. Working out the total body shift your body’s metabolism into fat burning mode. So it helps you burn a great amount of calories during and even after the workout.

Full body workouts can last up to an hour but shouldn’t be longer. The sessions can be anywhere from 30 minutes up to an hour. The workouts can range from light to very intense depending on fitness level. You are not required to do this routine every day. Most full body workouts are scheduled for three sessions each week. This is a great choice for anyone who has less time to spare but wants to work their full body.

Benefits Of A Partial Body Workout

Partial body workouts are when you work each body parts with weights on different days of the week. Typically you concentrate on only working one to two body parts each time you work out. When working with a partial routine, each body part has at least a day’s rest before you work that body part again.

Since only one or two body parts are worked at one time with a workout for partial body, each body part is being worked intensely. So bear in mind that with this type of training regimen you have to work out at least 5 days a week, in order to effectively train every body part.

The Best workout For Your Goal

When choosing a workout program, it is wise to choose the one that best suits your schedule and your fitness goals. Some fitness experts say that total workout of the body are the best way to work out while others recommend partial workout programs. The best body workouts are the ones that better suit your fitness needs, time allowance, and one you can consistently stick with.

Besides with the endless possibilities of body workouts regimens you can always switch it up according to your needs and to keep your workouts interesting and fresh.

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Simple Summer Exercises to Beat Back Pain

Follow the proven exercises below and you will help to stretch, strengthen and mobilise your lower back.

If you can manage it, aim to do this routine at least once a day. Once you’re feeling confident, you can even compliment your new exercise plan with walking, cycling and swimming.

The key is to start gently to get your back used to the movements and work out how far you can go into each position without worsening your pain.

So let’s learn the routine and start getting your spine back to great health…

Bottom to heels stretch

Starting position: Kneel down on all fours. Place your knees under your hips and your hands under shoulders. Don’t over-arch your lower back and make sure you keep your neck long, your shoulders back and your elbows unlocked.

The exercise: Slowly pull your bottom backwards while ensuring you maintain the natural curve in your spine. Hold this stretch for one deep breath and then return to the starting position.

Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times.

Top tips for success:

If you have a knee problem, avoid sitting back on your heels.

Perform this exercise in front of a mirror or an exercise buddy to ensure you maintain the correct position.

Only stretch as far as feels comfortable.

Knee Rolls

Starting position: Lie down on your back and put a small flat cushion or a book under your head. Bend your knees and keep them together. Make sure your upper body is relaxed and gently tuck in your chin.

The exercise: Keeping both shoulders on the floor, roll your knees to one side and follow this action with your pelvis. Hold this position for one deep breath and then go back to the starting position.

Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times, alternating sides.

Top tips for success:

Only stretch as far as feels comfortable.

For extra comfort and support, place a pillow between your knees.

Back Extensions

Starting position: Lie on your tummy while propping yourself up onto your elbows to lengthen your spine. Keep your shoulders back and neck long.

The exercise: Arch your back up by pushing down on your hands. In this position, you will feel a gentle stretch in the stomach muscles as you arch backwards. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds before returning to the starting position.

Repeat this exercise 8 to 10 times.

Top tips for success:

Try not to bend your neck back.

Keep your hips grounded.

These simple stretches can make a significant difference to the health of your spine.

Remember to contact your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine and to stop any activity immediately if your pain or symptoms worsen.

Good luck!

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Cindy Crawford – Shape Your Body Workout – Review

This video consists of two workouts, one 40-minute workout where the legs, abs, shoulders, and arms are worked a 45-minute workout where you work your back, abs, chest, buttocks and a focus is placed on stretching and toning the legs. Also included is a full body routine that uses no equipment and lasts for 10 minutes. You really have to be ready for this workout because it is power packed. I am drenched by the time it has finished. Each video starts off with a warm-up then you are introduced to exercises that work the abdominal, legs, arms, shoulders, followed by a cool-down. She consistently reminds you to drink plenty of water and breaks are given often but she did not have to remind me because I sweated so much I drank about 40 oz of water throughout the video.

The exercises that focus on the legs are good because you work them in a way that you feel the burn without feeling pain. I have to warn you that the leg exercises consist of a lot of kicking and leg swings so make sure you have the room for it.

The warm up in each of the workouts are the same for which I do not have a problem because they are short and she moves on into the workouts. I especially like the up-beat music that goes along with the moves because really gets your energy going.

I have read some reviews about the Shape Your Body workout video and they are mostly positive but some reviewers stated that the moves are too fast and unsafe. Some feel that she is not adequately trained to instruct people in such an intense style of workout. I would have to admit, this one is not for a beginner, but those who are use to Cindy Crawford’s previous workout videos will know what to expect. Many customers’ reviews also stated they felt they got a real challenging workout when using it. I believe the best thing to do when you feel that you are not ready to do something like the amount of reps per exercise is to reduce them until you are ready.

If you think you are going to be put off by Cindy’s bare feet and the fact that she wears a bathing suit and pouts her lip from time to time, as she has in some of her other workout videos then this may not be for you. However, if you are able to get past that then know that Cindy and her personal trainer Radu do a great job in bringing forth a high performing workout video. Beginners need not apply!

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Important Facts About Steps Aerobics You Should Know

If you are an enthusiastic fan of most aerobic exercises, you may have considered escalating your workout intensity with step aerobics equipment. The objective of participating in step aerobics are the mostly the same as other aerobics workouts which is to raise your heart rate and maintain it for at least twenty minutes and at the same time toning your muscles and burning fat. Step aerobics will help you achieve all these goals, while adding an extra dimension to your exercise program. To start with step aerobics program, you can sign up for a step aerobics class, or you can purchase the stepper with the instructional videos learn to do it at home.

The advantages of step aerobics are:

1) It adds extra fun to your regular exercise routine

2) It is simple and easy to learn

3) The equipment is fairly cheap

4) It utilizes the large muscles of the lower legs which helps strengthen those muscles

5) It strengthens the tendons and ligaments that connect the muscles and the bones to each other

How To Use Step Aerobics Equipment

You can buy a book or video or even join the local gymnasium to learn step aerobics. However, you can also simply begin with simple exercises by just stepping onto the platform and then stepping down. These simple exercises can then progress steadily from simple steps to more complicated aerobics routines.

Besides that, you can also increase the rapidity of the steps or raise the aerobics step platform which will result in increased fitness and skill. The step aerobics exercises can grow in complexity as you become more proficient.

The step aerobics exercise are usually choreographed to music just like other aerobics routines, but instead of exercising with side to side movements on the floor, you will be exercising vertically by stepping up and down from the platform of your stepper. The most important thing to an effective workout is to be observant of your posture. Always keep your head up, your shoulders back, and your back straight as you do your workout. When stepping onto the platform, your foot should be solidly on the surface and when you step down from it, your feet should stay close to the back of the stepper. This is to avoid the back strain of lunging backwards.

When you step on a steps aerobics platform there is no shock experienced by your joints.

Cost Of Step Aerobics Equipment

If you have decided to purchase your own set of step aerobics equipment, you should know that it will cost you anywhere from $30 to $100. However, if you can afford to purchase a higher end model, you will get some advantage. These more expensive models are usually adjustable in height so that it can accommodate different skill levels or workout intensities.

For a beginner a four inch step is sufficient, but when you increase your intensity, you can raise the aerobics stepper in two-inch increments. This is why the more expensive model which is adjustable may be more economical in the long run.

However, if you have a low budget, or you want to try out step aerobics without buying the equipment first, any household item can be an adequate substitute. You can use things such as a block of wood, a milk crate, or, even a short stool which can act as a raised platform for you to start practicing step aerobics.

Precautions To Take During Step Aerobics

As with any regular exercise activities, there are certain precautions that you should take when participating in step aerobics. One such precaution is to make sure that you execute step aerobics exercise routines properly.

Some of the proper techniques of working out with step aerobics are:

1) Stepping up onto the platform using the entire soul of your foot

2) Being close to the step when stepping up

3) Alternate the legs used to step up and down

4) Perform no more than five consecutive step ups per leg

5) Do not allow your knee to lock

6) Step up to and down from the step softly

Other precautions you must take include utilizing a step or platform that is at the proper height. This range is usually determined by the expertise of the step aerobic exercise participant. A height of four inches is usually suitable for a beginner and a 12 inches high platform only suitable for an expert.

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Exercises and Workouts – What Is Variable Intensity Interval Training and How Can It Help You?

If you are a regular in the fitness industry, chances are you have heard of high-intensity interval training. This type of training is said to give optimal fat loss results and can help to boost your fitness level faster than any other method of training as well.

But now, there is a new method of training that is catching on: variable intensity interval training. What is this training about and how can it benefit you?

Let us take a closer look…

1. What Is Variable Intensity Interval Training? This type of training is a combination approach where you will do some high-intensity interval exercise coupled with moderate intensity interval training, which is usually a strength-based focus, along with low-intensity training during the rest periods, which will include yoga based movements or stretch.

Putting these all together, you get a workout that is always changing and is varying its overall level of intensity.

2. The Benefits Of Variable Intensity Interval Training. So what does this mean for you? How will it help?

First, it is a great option for beginners. Since you are not doing quite as much high-intensity training here, it is easier for you to get started as a beginner. By mixing it up with the moderate and low-intensity training, this makes it more feasible.

Second, it also adds a more balanced approach to your fitness routine. You will be doing not only cardio-focused activities but in addition to weight lifting, focused workouts as well. Plus, you will get the benefits of yoga and stretch that come with the low-intensity intervals. As these are often overlooked by many people and left off the end of the workout, it’s helpful to include them right in with your training.

Another significant benefit is a lack of boredom. High-intensity interval training is often said to be useful for helping to combat boredom because it is always changing, but variable intensity changes it up even further. This is an ideal way to train if you frequently find you grow tired of your same old workout routine.

3. Adding This To Your Training Routine. How do you go about adding this exercise routine to your week? Since these are total body sessions, you can theoretically do just this one workout, three times a week, and be done with it.

The choice is yours. Do it with your other training if you wish but do make sure you have one day off between sessions to allow for recovery to take place.

Do not overlook variable interval training any longer. It can be an excellent method of increasing your fitness and creating a healthy balance in your workout routine.

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