Search
Related Links




 

 

Informative Articles

Borderline Division 1? How To Make It
As a former NCAA Division 1 Athlete, I have parents ask me quite often what their son or daughter needs to do in order to make it to the highest level of college athletics. First, mom and dad need to know where they fit in the equation to success....

Cintron Starts Training At Historic Ali Camp
Cintron Starts Training At Historic Ali Camp by: Jeff Julian on June 20, 2004 Welterweight contender Kermit “The Killer” Cintron started his training camp on June 14th at the site of Muhammad Ali’s former training camp at Deer Lake, Pennsylvania....

Fishing In Canada
Fishing in Canada If you would like to experience real adventure in fishing, then Canada is the perfect location for you. Canada has a wide area of rivers, ponds, freshwater lakes, saltwater and streams. Freshwater and saltwater fishing are...

What is snowkiting?
As if snowboarding and kitesurfing actually meshed into one single sport it would be Snowkiting. Imagine taking a lift high atop a beautiful mountain, you set your kite in motion and get your feet firmly planted you start your run down a long white...

Why Coach Soccer? And How To Have Fun.
Warren Buffet might not know soccer, but when he said, "Tell me your heroes and I'll tell you how your life will end up", he was onto something. When it comes to coaching, everyone wants a say but few are willing to turn their words into...

 
Fitness In Five Minutes A Day?

What is the minimum amount of exercise needed for health and fitness? While it depends on the person, lifestyle, and goals, the general wisdom is that 20-60 minutes per day of cardio pumping, iron lifting, or muscle stretching is necessary.

While no one could deny that these numbers produce optimal results, it is possible to accomplish great things in a shorter time.

The truth is that most badly out-of-shape people have lost a crucial "body-mind" link, a connection that helps them to feel the physical hunger for healthy movement. They hate sweating, don't like walking, and often confuse thirst or emotional pain for hunger.

For those of us who have to ease our way back into an exercise routine, even five minutes a day can be a life saving door into a healthier world.

Here are the rules:

1) In order to get the most out of this routine, it should be spread out over the day. We're suggesting sixty seconds of work at 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. This approach is called "Greasing the Groove" and has an exceptionally powerful effect.

2) Concentrate on the abdominal muscles. They are the most important group of voluntary muscles in the body, aiding posture, digestion, and sexual function. Critical to athletic performance, they transfer power from the lower to the upper body. When it comes to appearance, the abdominals are called "the window of health"--we are judged more often by our belt-lines than any other single physical factor.

3) It is virtually impossible to tone the abdominals without benefiting other muscle groups.

What


exercises are best? I would suggest a tri-pronged approach: a "killer" exercise, a light exercise, and one that can be done in public--while walking or driving.

1) A roller wheel. These are available in any sporting goods store for about five dollars, and are the only ab exercise devise worth your money. Beginners roll out from their knees, more experienced exercisers from their toes.

2) Hip lifts. Lay on your back, brace your hands at your sides, cross your feet, lifting feet and knees from the floor. Now contract the abdominal muscles and lift the hips from the floor. Relax and repeat the hip lift for sixty seconds.

3) Power breathing. Contract your abdominal muscles HARD as you walk or drive. Combined with proper breathing techniques, this can actually be the perfect ab exercise. There are many yoga, Tai Chi and martial arts teachers who can teach you proper breathing technique--if you haven't had training or studied this, don't assume you already know how--seek out a teacher!

While the "Grease the Groove" technique is powerful (and can be used to develop strength, flexibility, or coordination) it is not intended to substitute for your longer cardiovascular workouts. It is offered as an addition, or for those days when you just can't exercise, or as a way for the non-exerciser to begin. Consider it a doorway to a fitter, healthier world.

About the author:

NY Times bestselling author Steven Barnes CST (Circular Strength Training) is a dual black belt, yogi, and the creator of the Five Minute Miracle exercise system. Learn more at: www.lifewrite.com

Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.