Are you looking for time saving workouts for the new year? The lack of time continues to be a problem for many individuals. This is why it's a good idea to figure out ways to exercise while saving time, money, and still getting a good workout in several times per week.
Boot Camp Classes - These are very popular because you can get a full body workout in about an hour. You will stay motivated and have fun in a group setting with a motivated instructor. Classes are generally offered in the mornings and evenings and often conducted outdoors.
Time-efficient Workouts - These can include interval training/circuit training type workouts that work the entire body in a minimal amount of time. Check out Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training program.
Follow the Trends - Dance based workouts are a great way to keep things fun while getting in a good workout. Zumba is a popular dance workout. Other trends include pole dancing and hoop classes.
Training Online - There are gadgets and online programs that will help track your progress. You can track your calories burned, how much sleep you're getting, etc. Fitbit is a good example of this.
Workout at Home - I started this last summer and quit my gym membership. It saves me tons of time and I workout when I want. My favorite workout programs are produced by Beachbody® (makers of P90X® and others.) You can find a list on my products page at Beachbody products.
What are some of your time saving workouts or recommendations?
You have probably seen the commercials for fitness shoes that claim to help you get into shape by using them. The purpose of these shoes is to engage muscles in your legs, thus burning more calories, and helping to sculpt muscles. Rocker bottom shoes have been prescribed by podiatrists for years to help with foot and ankle issues. However, these trendy fitness shoes are probably more full of hype than what they claim to do for users.
But while podiatric physicians have used rocker bottom shoes for decades to help with pain in the ball of the foot, the ankle and heel arthritis, there’s little-if any—credible scientific evidence that these new fitness shoes provide a higher level of muscle engagement.
Moreover, “because these shoes have an unstable base, they also are inappropriate for people with balance problems, said Dr. Megan Leahy of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association. In addition, “all flip flops can exacerbate foot problems due to contractures of foot and toe muscles during gait in a subconscious attempt to keep the shoe on.”
Source: Chicago Tribune
What do you think? Have you bought a pair of fitness shoes?
I was curious to find out more about ballistic stretching and how it is different from dynamic and static stretching. What I've learned is that ballistic stretching involves bouncing and quick jerking motions. You are essentially stretching your muscles beyond their normal range of motion. For example, if you were to bend and touch your toes, you would also add some bouncing. Or if you were to stretch your arms, you could swing them across your body in a fast motion beyond their comfortable range of motion.
Some experts feel that ballistic stretching isn't safe and places excess strain on muscles and ligaments. There is also an increased risk of nerve or tissue damage. However, many athletes perform ballistic stretching as a quick warm-up.
Do you use ballistic stretching? Do you feel it is risky?
