Recession Special

If you can't afford a fitness facility or going to the gym turns into a huge drag and you are urging for a six-pack, check out the couch potato routine.

What is an efficient workout?

When is it not enough or when is it too much exercise? Because not everyone's muscle growth is the same, there is no concise answer. As a starter, meaning you probably have never been to a gym before, its good to do one or two different exercises for every muscle. Do this for about a three week period and your body will be ready to begin a real workout. Consider it the warm-up phase.
For those who have been lifting weights for a while but do not know what type of routine to stick with, there is the basic session that works for everybody. This workout consists of making active two muscle groups. A major group, for example your pectorals, and a minor like your triceps. Exercising muscles that complement each other make for a better, more productive, session.

Ideally, an hour well spent at the gym will have you do the following:

1. Warm-up your muscles
2. Exercise
3. Stretch

The portion you are actually lifting weights should look like this:

Muscle Group A

1. Exercise 1 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
2. Exercise 2 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
3. Exercise 3 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
4. Exercise 4 (4 sets, 12 reps each)

Muscle Group B

1. Exercise 1 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
2. Exercise 2 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
3. Exercise 3 (4 sets, 12 reps each)
4. Exercise 4 (4 sets, 12 reps each)

What makes each set different is how you increase the weight. It does not have to be a constant 5-10 lbs increment every time. What you want to do is do a set on a weight that will challenge you, but enables you to complete the 12 repetitions to the end.

If you are constant with such a routine, you'll start noticing those sexy differences in no time!

Organic Fruits

For any balanced diet, fruits are very important. For doing exercise, fruits provide you with natural energy to see you through any session. When buying fruit, the best to get is always organic. But this purchase might be costly. Avoid buying certified organic, you can save a few dollars when purchasing instead organically grown fruits. Look out for sales and discounts too, you'll be surprised how much a month you can save on fruits.

Keep in mind, as well, that some fruits have a protective layer that we don't eat. Farmers might spray on the pesticides, but the fruit will remain intact. Some examples of fruits (or even vegetables) you can buy that don't have to be organic are:

• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Onion
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Kiwi
• Mango
  

Examples of fruits (and vegetables) that are recommended to be bought organic:

• Apples
• Grapes
• Lettuce
• Peaches
• Strawberry
• Tomato
• Celery
• Bell Pepper
  

Time management

To obtain results, lets face it, you have to be serious. That means consistency. Exercising once a week won't do anything. At least try hitting the gym 3 days a week, for at least an hour. But it has to be an hour worth your sweat. If you do your sets efficiently and and pause a short yet adequate amount of time in between, then you will have a productive and safe workout.

Athletes train every day, and so do bodybuilders. But bodybuilders let their muscles relax. He can train a muscle group one day, do cardio the next, a different group on the third day, cardio the fourth,....and so on until reaches the muscle group he started with. Above everything, bodybuilders know the importance of consistency and they have strategic days off rest so their body can recuperate.

For the averge health-oriented, fitness enthusiast, or gym monkey, a steady routine is just as important. Exercising is about conditioning the body. So respect your workout schedule (no slacking!) and you'll speed up results guaranteed!