Monday, August 23, 2010

Is Pilates Really That Great?

So, you’re wondering if all the hype is true about Pilates and is it possible that it can really give you what it says it will, which is great looking abs and sleek and sexy legs and thighs! Well, the answer is yes! Of course the degree of success depends largely upon how committed you are to the workouts, but in general if you do Pilates three to four times each week, you should start to see results in around a month. For a free Pilates exercise video, click here.

The basics: Pilates “claim to fame” is that it targets your abs, and it does. The moves are designed to make your abs strong, sleek and sexy. And while your abs are warming up, you may also feel some work into your thighs, hips and butt. And some positions in Pilates even help to strengthen and tone your shoulders, arms and back. And if you are one of the many Americans who is suffering from back pain, this may be the best form of exercise you have ever tried. Because what Pilates is so good at is strengthening your abs so that your abs can support your back and therefore help to reduce back pain. And some of the moves are also designed to strengthen the muscles throughout the lower back as well to create a mid section to die for. So the question really should be, why aren’t you doing Pilates with all these amazing benefits?

Why not add Pilates to your exercise program? Even if you only do Pilates a few times a week for five or ten minutes you will start to notice your abs getting stronger and as well as better posture. Also, don’t be surprised if the first few times you do Pilates that it seems a bit challenging. A good friend once said to me “Confusion is just a sign that you are learning something new.” Just keep at it for a few weeks and soon you will start to understand the breathing and the moves with more ease. You may consider trying a few exercise videos to help you learn. These days, you can get you’re workouts via the web by downloading exercise videos online. Now that is what I call a great solution – no need to buy expensive workout videos anymore, just get them online.

Monday, August 16, 2010

No-Sweat workouts that help you lose weight

The most common reason a women starts a new exercise program is to loose weight. And while cardiovascular workouts that make you work up a sweat are the most popular workouts when trying to loose a few pounds, there are several workout plans that will help you loose weight without having to sweat. So if you would like to loose a dress size or two but don’t want to get all sweaty, you are in luck, we have the answer.

To start, I must be honest, it is easier to loose weight with workouts such as Cardio Kickboxing, Group Cycling, or running. Those types of workouts increase your heart rate and burn a lot of calories. But how effective are workouts you don’t enjoy? If you don’t like how something makes you feel, how consistent are you going to be in the long haul? Wouldn’t it be a better idea to figure out what works for you and then do it all the time? So if you don’t like to sweat, it’s best to know that and choose your workouts accordingly.

The two most popular “sweat-free workouts” would be Pilates or Body Sculpting. Both of these exercise programs focus on muscular strength and endurance. They attempt to stress the muscle in order to make it stronger, leaner and more toned. By simply doing either for about 30 minutes a day, and reducing your daily calorie intake by 200 calories (that’s one big cookie or one can of Coke) you could loose six to eight pounds in a year. And if you are thinking you want to do it faster, add in a 30- minute brisk walk and could do it in as little as six months. Click here for more sweat-free workout ideas.

It may not seem like much, especially when the media has us watching TV shows with participants loosing 10-15 pounds a week. But remember, to loose weight that fast you need to exercise 5-7 hours each day! And your diet is typically restricted to about 1200 calories. These types of diets go beyond extreme and these programs require a physician’s constant supervision. How about taking a more sensible approach? An approach of slow changes over time that become part of your lifestyle, how does that sound?

Remember, consistency is more important than intensity. Start with 20 minutes a day and consider starting with exercise videos that are at your level so you can learn good form and technique. And don’t forget, creating healthy habits is the key to long-term weight loss.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

What with all the juggling and the balancing of roles, it is no surprise that mothers easily get tired and feel exhausted. On top of our day job, we are also expected to attend to our kids and to our husbands – we have to make sure that they are safe, well fed, and prepared before leaving the house for school and for work. But doing all these things every day can only bring us so far. There will come a time that we will need to take a break and clear our minds from our responsibilities and worries. One way of achieving that is by practicing Yoga, but with the little time that we have left for ourselves, enrolling in a Yoga class is impossible.


But today, even busy moms like you and me can already practice Yoga despite our hectic schedule. Thanks you Yoga exercise videos online, we can now enjoy the benefits of Yoga right at the comforts of our home. Through these exercise videos for women, we can now be relieved of the stress brought about our hectic lifestyle. Click here for a free Yoga workout video.


If you are one of the many busy moms who are feeling a little low on energy, are having mood swings, or are gaining weight and feeling muscle and joint pains, then perhaps the stress has caused you more trouble than you think. And perhaps, you need Yoga more than anyone else in the world.


Practicing Yoga can give us the mental clarity that we need. It will help us relax and handle stressful situations more easily. Aside from teaching us how to focus, it will also encourage us to think only of positive thoughts and slowly learn to accept ourselves and the things around us. When our minds are clear and focused, it will be much easier to make decisions regarding our family and our selves.


If you have also been thinking about doing Yoga but just could not find the time, this is your chance. Go and get an exercise video and start doing Yoga today!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Loose weight fast using exercise videos

Cardio exercise videos are great for burning fat, losing a large amount of weight and keeping the heart and lungs healthy. Cardio exercise will help improve your mood and increase your energy levels too! Running on a treadmill or even using a stairmaster or elliptical machine just doesn't provide the mental and physical stimulation that a cardio workout video can. Cardio videos are inexpensive, and much more economical than a membership at a gym. They can be done in the comfort of your own home and are almost always well under $20 - or free!

Types Of Cardio Workouts

There are a variety of cardio workouts out there, but most of them fit into just one of two categories. If you want to burn calories and melt away fat, choose a slower, more steady style of cardio workout. To really get the heart rate up, choose a video that alternates bursts of intense cardio with other exercises. This type of training is called high intensity interval training and can burn more calories than lower intensity workouts. The latter are better for people are short on time, as they are usually shorter workout videos, while the former are great if you have about 45 minutes to an hour to devote to a workout. Click here for more details on selecting a workout video.

Who Can Do Cardio Workouts?

Cardio exercise videos can be done by just about anyone, but a few special restrictions apply. Pregnant women, elderly people, very young children and those with heart problems or other health problems should not do heavy cardio workouts. Anyone beginning an exercise routine, especially a cardio exercise routine, needs to consult their doctor before starting. Combine cardio exercise videos with other exercise videos such as yoga or pilates for a custom workout that both melts fat and tones and strengthens the muscles.