Yoga - ohm your way to major muscle!

To begin with, I thought yoga was a big waste of time and not something a guy like me would ever do. But I was talked into it one day and gave it a try...and it kicked my butt. Not only did I stretch muscles I wasn't aware I had, but I found out the strength required to do some of the poses is insane.

Now, I am not into the whole spirit side of yoga, the meditation and connecting to whatever is a little too much for me. But the physical side of the exercise is something I would recommend for anyone. For those of you in Memphis check out classes by Maggie Reese, she knows just how to challenge levels from human pretzels to the more immobile human statues.

I am including an article that gives 77 health reasons to give yoga a try. See what you may be missing!

77 surprising health benefits of yoga

Build Muscle and Strength the Right Way

Gaining strength and muscle is really very simple, but it takes hard work. It can be intimidating for you if you are just starting out or "have a long way to go,"but the reward is limitless. Studies have shown that having a fitness routine that includes weight training will make you healthier, live longer, get more done in your day, increase your energy, improve your sex life and boost your confidence just to name a few.

There are a lot of different ways you can take on a strength training program, but these 10 tips below are a great base to start from. Once you master the basics you can move on to just about any workout you want. If you are interested in learning the fundamentals, or have a customized workout made for you, give me a call and I can get you started.

10 tips for strength training

Why should you start strength training right now

I am going to give you several good reasons on why you should be strength training. These reasons may make you want to stop reading this post right now and go find some type of weight to start lifting. I would advise you to either do some research yourself or give me a call before you start strength training. Because if you don't train the correct way you could get hurt or these reasons I am about to list may not happen. Something to think about. But no more talk...here is a list of some great benefits of strength training.

1. You will lose more fat and keep the muscle. If you diet and do cardio but don't lift weights you will lose not only fat but also muscle which can then make it harder to burn fat.
2. You will burn more calories. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn. Muscles take energy to move and to repair so the more you have the more calories you burn.
3. You will build stronger bones. Lifting weights increases bone density and elevates blood levels of osteocalcin (a marker of bone growth).
4. You will get into shape faster. Research has found that circuit training raises your heart rate 15 beats a min faster than you running at 60-70% of your MHR.

Don't forget your lower half

Have you noticed the guys at the gym who are huge up top but have sticks for legs? A lot of people feel like they are on their feet all the time and therefor do not need to work their legs out. This is just not true. Because you are on your feet all the time you should work your lower body out even more. This will help you stay injury free and allow you to do more in your day. I am including an article that gives so good workouts for you to try. Once you start working your lower body along with your upper body you will be amazed on how much better you feel and how much stronger you will be with the rest of your workouts.

Lower Body Training