Dumbbells are among the most versatile weights that you can use in your workout routine. This article details five highly effective dumbbell exercises. Just remember that for each exercise you should select a weight that’s going to let you perform 2 sets of 8 – 12 repetitions, pushing yourself too hard and with weights that are too heavy can result in an injury. So, with that being said lets take a look at what we have found the top five dumbbells exercises to be.

1 – Dumbbell Squats

To perform this you need to get the dumbbells laid out  parallel at either side of you. Make sure that your legs are positioned just a little wider than shoulder width apart and keep feet pointed forwards.

Keeping your back straight, kneel down and grab the weights, then push up until you are fully upright, pause for a second then repeat, lowering yourself until the thighs are parallel with the floor. Repeat 2 sets of 8 – 12 repetitions for good results altering weights accordingly. [Read more…]

Here’s the score: To lose weight you do not need to do hours upon hours of exercise every week. In fact, some people are actually exercise non-responders, simply meaning that even if they do a lot of exercise their bodies do not reap the rewards.

So, if hours in the gym is not the answer to losing weight, what is? Well, in short it is simple – eat less and be more active.

More active you say? Hang on, isn’t that the same as exercising? Well, no. Another problem with exercise is that most people tend to overestimate how effective it is at burning calories.

For example, if you do spend an hour in the gym you may burn around 500 Calories, if you push yourself hard. Many people will only burn around 300 Calories though, as much of the time is spent getting changed, talking, resting, watching the big screens and waiting for machines! [Read more…]

While it may be more difficult for disabled people to find a suitable exercise, it’s not impossible. Although restrictions may exist, there is an individual or group activity to suit most people.

Exercise keeps the body strong and supple and can prevent tiredness and improve energy levels. There are also many other benefits, including the ability to lift your mood and combat stress.

It can seem daunting to enter a gym or fitness centre with a disability, but most will be welcoming and offer a level of support if requested. Everyone has the same right to improve their fitness levels and qualified instructors can provide assistance. The hand cycle is a popular option and one which is readily available at gyms. [Read more…]

Everyone loves a nut, so why doesn’t everyone reach for a handful of raw or roasted nuts instead of greasy chips? Perhaps shedding some light on the immense health benefits of this delicious snack will set things right. If it is a savory or sweet treat that one craves, nuts can be enhanced to satisfy both tastes.

When consumed in their raw form, all nuts hold many health benefits and are also naturally tasty. However, adding a little salt or flavoring doesn’t take away these health benefits. Even baking will not deplete the nutritional value of nuts, making it the perfect way to ease midday hunger pangs or late night cravings.

A Serious Health Nut

In regards to flavor and nutritional value, it is the wonderful walnut that wins out amongst the rest. Walnut benefits can be tasted and tested. Here are several reasons why everyone should eat more of this crunchy treat: [Read more…]

When it comes to losing weight, there’s plenty of advice out there. But there is one critical secret to weight loss that is hardly ever talked about, and that is portion control.  That’s because portion control doesn’t satisfy the public’s desire of a quick fix for easily losing weight, yet it is a crucial component of losing weight – and probably the one thing that will guarantee weight loss even if you do nothing else.

Whether you are counting calories, limiting carbs, lowering your fat or boosting your metabolism, one thing is for certain and that is that eating less food will result in a loss of weight.

Keeping Up The Volume With Portion Replacement

But eating smaller portions doesn’t necessarily mean having less food on your plate, there are certain things you can do so that you can make your volume of food equal to what you normally eat or even larger. For example if you currently eat a lot of sugary and fatty foods, replacing those with fruits and vegetables will allow you to keep basically the same volume of food and still be taking in a lot less calories. [Read more…]