Workout Blog 3: Intermediate Arms and Legs

Intermediate Leg Workout

Now's the time to introduce squats into your program which are often called the 'king' of lower body exercises.  Be sure to watch that you're always maintaining good form while executing this movement.  Keep the rest periods between the first two exercises to sixty seconds and then after that decrease it down to 30 seconds total.

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
	Squats	3	8-10
	Stiff Leg Deadlifts	2	8-10
	Lunges	2	10-12
	Standing Calf Raises	2	10-12
	Seated Calf Raises	2	10-12

Intermediate Arm Workout

This intermediate arm workout will have you performing a variation of the bench press as a means to target the tricep muscles. This not only works it in a different manner but will also help to fatigue the triceps before really targeting them with your tricep extension. Aim for forty-five minute rest breaks between the first two exercises and thirty second rest breaks between the last two.

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
	Barbell Curls	3	8-10
	Close-Grip Bench Press	2	8-10
	Bent Over Tricep Extension	2	8-10
	Hammer Curls	2	8-10

Annalise Dracopoulos.

Body Transformation Blog 3: Said 'Chestbrah' Sergeyevich

This is a body transformation of amateur bodybuilding sensation Said 'Chestbrah' Sergeyevich. Chestbrah in the space of 7 years put on 31kgs of muscle by working hard in the gym and eating a clean diet. Chestbrah said he began body building so he could get 'shredded' and impress girls as well as stop getting bullied for being small and skinny. Chestbrah is the older brother of late amateaur body builder Zyzz. Chestbrah like his brother Zyzz is also accused of taking steroids after he was found in possession of the drugs and pleaded guilty to possession of drugs. Besides his affiliations with steroids much can be admired of Chestbrah especially his dedication and hard work in the gym to achieve his goal. Chestbrah's transformation has inpired and motivated many to join the gym and to work towards their dream physique.

Patrick Jabbour

Supplements Blog 3: Protein

 Protein is a nutrient that is essential for growth and development. Our muscles are made of protein and some of our most important anabolic hormones are made of protein including insulin and growth hormone. In terms of sport, protein is the primary essential nutrient capable of building new muscle and repairing damaged muscle. Protein is found in both animal and plant sources, with animal sources being the best source of complete protein due to high availability of all amino acids. Consuming our protein through supplements is an easy way to maintain increased protein needs as a result of exercise without consuming bulky and often calorie high foods and meals. There is a huge variety of protein powders and formulas in the market.

The protein supplements can be broken down to either mass-gainers, lean-gainers, or weight loss protein to suit ones particular goal 

Mass-Gainers 
Gaining weight requires that you increase the amount of calories you eat. Specifically you must consume more calories in diet, than you expend in energy. Doing this with regular foods quickly becomes monotonous, expensive, and difficult after a couple of days if not sooner. So a great healthy way to gain weight is to supplement your regular diet with a Mass Gainer. The top 3 weight gainers are: 

                      

Weight Loss Protein
The prime goal for any strength trainer is to gain muscle weight without gaining dreaded body fat. Integrating Protein into your regular diet ensures that you can build muscle, increase strength, & gain lean muscle weight, whilst preventing excess body fat from creeping in. The only problem is that protein alone cannot sustain a healthy body. So, most protein formulas contain Carbohydrates, which can easily convert to fat if not managed correctly. The top 3 Fat loss proteins are: 

                                    


Andrew De Silva

Fitness Motivation - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Hollywood actress, former california Mayor, body building champion and fitness aspiring icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger born July 30 1937 dominates the fitness scene through his fabulously scultped body and controversial character. His success has been the back bone of his sheer determination, will and skill to be the best as he can, and for you readers this is the exact attitude which must be adopted in order to reach that glowing light at the end of that weightless tunnel.

Jiust like Muhummed Ali which was featured last week, Arnold stresses the importance of the energising nature of motivation when it come to getting up and achieving your tasks. Those days when your too tired from going to the gym, shut up. Those days when you claim you don't have enough time, shut up as arnold would put it. There are no excuses the gym releases serotonine, making you feel better after a great work out. Here are some of Arnold's most memorable quotes

- Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.

- For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer

- When your partying, drinking, resting there is someone out there that is working hard. There is 24hrs in a day, you sleep 8 of them you work hard for 16 of those hours. 

There you have it, a character a man a successor. A main with a vision, a man who puts 110% into everything he does. Why take up something if your not going to try. You may got to the gym and work hard, but your diet may be ordinary. He can not stress the importance to the approach. You only get out what you put in.

Conquor, strength, motivation, arnold schwarzenegger, fitness, inspiration, character, 

Diet Tips for a Healthy Life Blog 2: Low Carbohydrate Diets for Losing Weight

Most people these days want to be lean and shredded and your diet is the best way in order to achieve this want. In this blog I will show you the most effective way in order to lose fat while at the same time ensure you keep your lean muscle mass. This is through the "Low Carbohydrate Diet". This diet comes in many shapes and forms you may have heard about such as the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet, however some of these can be unsafe and even unhealthy. I will show you the best way to undertake a low carb diet.

The basic principle of the low carb diet is to significantly reduce your carbohydrate intake to reduce the amount of glycogen that your body recieves in your blood. Remember, glycogen is what carbohydrates break down to in the blood and is your bodies preferred energy source. Basically, when your body is depleted of glycogen it will look other forms of energy such as fats. This is where you can lose those stored kilos on your body! However, the problem with many low carb diets is they reduce carbs way too much and  do not include enough emphasis on nutrition. My low carb diet plan ensures carbs aren't reduced to dangerous levels (after all your body does need them) and vitamins and minerals are not sacrificed.

Breakfast

• 4 eggs cooked to your liking with olive oil (scrambles, fried, boiled etc.)
• 1/8 medium melon, such as rockmelon or 50g of blueberries
• 30 grams almonds – either slivered on cereal, or whole – can save as a mid-morning snack if preferred

Lunch

• Throw It Together Salad: Bag of salad greens – about 6.5 oz or 4 cups, tossed together with half a sliced avocado, 2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds, 150g of whatever protein you like (I used deli turkey for the analysis, but egg, beef, chicken, fish, or tofu would be fine), and 2 Tablespoons of balsamic dressing and olive oil.

Snack

• Swiss and Ham Roll-Up: 50g sliced ham and 25g sliced Swiss cheese, with sugar-free mustard if desired, rolled around a medium dill pickle 

Dinner

• Basil Chicken with Vegetables
• Dessert: ½ cup ricotta cheese with desired flavorings, such as Sugar Free falvoured syrpus, coffee and sweetener, unsweetened cocoa and sweetener (check carbs), or mixed berries

Nutritional Analysis: This menu provides 49 grams effective carbohydrate plus 36 grams fiber, 101 grams protein, and 1569 calories. It contains at least the minimum requirements of all essential vitamins and minerals.

Following a plan like the one above is the perfect way to lose those extra kilos while at the same time remaining healthy and storing that lean muscle.

James Hallab

Body Transformations Blog 2: Zyzz

This is a body transformation image of the late Aziz 'zyzz' Shavershian. Zyzz transforned his body for the better and was at the peak of his life we he unfortunately died from an undiagnosed heart condition. His sudden death had a large impact on the amateur body building world as he was an image of inspiration and hope for all who aspired to get 'shredded'. This worked hard day in and day out at the gym and even took steroids to achieve his goal body. Many people have said that Zyzz inspired and motivated them to lose weight and start going to the gym and even in death he is still inspiring people to lose weight. Zyzz's body transformed from small and skinny to ripped and buff, he said that ever since he got big he and his brother said 'chestbrah' Shavershian stopped getting bullied and it made them feel better about themselves. Getting your ideal body is good and a fit body leads to a fit mind but this blog doesn't endorse steroids as they are an illicit substance and have detrimental effects to the human health. Zyzz is another example of an amazing body transformation and his dedication and hard work can be replicated to achieve success in almost any field.

Patrick Jabbour

Workout Blog 2: Beginner Abs and Back

The following exercises are basic moves targeting the abs and back. Always avoid any exercises that cause pain and, if you feel lower back strain, modify the move to a comfortable range of motion or place a rolled up towel under your hips to support your lower back.



Crunches
Lie on your back with your hands crossed across your chest or with your fingers on the sides of your head. Place your feet on the floor with legs bent. To begin the exercise, lift your torso, lifting shoulder blades off the floor and crunching your rib cage towards your lower belly. Hold for two counts, then lower slowly to the starting position. Repeat.

Reverse Crunches
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet a few inches off the floor. Slowly contract the abdominals, focusing on rotating the pelvis up and bringing your knees towards your rib cage. Concentrate on letting your abs do the work. Hold at the top then slowly lower your knees to the starting position. Repeat.

Oblique Crossover Crunches
Lie on your back with knees bent, hands behind your head. Keeping lower back pressed into the floor, lift your shoulder blades off the floor and then curl your upper body diagonally across your body towards your right knee. Contract your abs and obliques as hard as you can at the top of the movement. Lower back down and repeat on the same side before switching sides.

PlankBegin by placing elbows on the floor and resting body on the knees. Pull the abs tight to hold your body in a straight line from head to knees without sagging in the middle, eyes looking naturally forward. Hold this position for as long as you can, relax and repeat 3 or more times.

Back Extensions
Lie face down with hands either behind the back or lightly cradling the head. Lift upper body off the ground a few inches, keeping head and neck in alignment. For a challenge, then lift feet off the ground keeping legs straight (knees don't have to be together), hold for 2-4 counts and lower.

Superhumans
Begin on hands and knees, hand directly under shoulders, knees under hips and back straight, abs tight. Slowly raise right arm and left leg up until level with the body, holding your balance and keeping torso tight. Lower back down and repeat with the left arm and right leg. Take your time--this exercise will challenge your balance! 

Annalise Dracopoulos.