Physiologists have long known that High Intensity Training is one of the most effective ways to build strength, develop muscle and increase your fitness level. However it is also a training method that is often misunderstood and consequencely is not used very often or very well by the many men and women who engage in weight training. The high intensity training system is based on extensive scientific research and is backed by exercise science and many studies have shown just how effective it can be.
High Intensity Trainning Tips!
To get the most from high intensity weight training you should first get a thorough understanding of the workout principles and than put them into practice. One of the first things to understand is that high intensity training means brief but strenuous workouts. It is not possible to train with a high intensity level for an extended period of time.To workout for long periods of time it is absolutely necessary to lower the intensity level. Such a lower intensity workout will not yield the maximum in strength training results. It is not the quantity of weight training that is important it is the quality!
Proper form and High Intensity Training
Another import aspect to high intensity training is the use of proper form. It is a natural tendency for people training with weights to simple do the exercise in whatever way is possible to get it completed. This usually results with the specific exercise beeing done in poor form. This cheating is just a way to make the exercise easier. Obviously to enhance your workout results you want to make your muscles work harder. This is accomplished by using strict form which puts more tension and stress on the working muscles. Using a slow and controlled speed of motion while working against the resistance is the most important part of using good form. An example of this can be seen with a chin-up. To start you should be hanging still in a complete hang position. Than smoothly pull up, taking about two full seconds until your chin is above the bar. Pause and hold this position for one full second. Lower back down slowly, taking about four full seconds,all the way down until you reach the full hang position. Do all your reps with this same strict technique.
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Failure Means Success with High Intensity Training
Along with using this strict form the other very important aspect of fitness training is to continue each exercise to the point of momentary muscle failure. This simply means to do as many reps as you possible can until you fail to do the next one. Don’t just do as many as you think you can do. Don’t select a number and pre-determine how many reps will be done. Your muscles cannot count but they do know when they have been exercised thoroughly. This high intensity training effort will stimulate the muscles to get stronger by recruiting more muscle fibers to use for the next workout.
The Fitness Center Handbook goes into this topic in more detail. You can learn the exact principles you need to follow to get the maximum benefit from you high intensity training. There are also answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning weight training and fitness.
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For a look at High Intensity Training with famous Bodybuilder Mike Mentzer watch this great video -
Selecting the Best Gym – Are you looking for some tips to select the best gym for you? A lot of people get stuck in their fitness training routine when it comes to selecting a fitness center or gym to join. It may at times be an easy choice but than at other times it can be tough to choose. If you have several gyms to select from your selection may be easier but here are a few tips to help you select the best gym to suit your needs. Of course the type of fitness training equipment that you like to use is vital and when you tour a gym you should focus on exactly what equipment they have. Can you perform the type of workout you want? Are they missing something that is important to you?
Convenience is the key - Having a convenient workout location is probably one of the most important things to consider when selecting the best gym. If the top gym in your area is hard to travel to such as being on the far side of your town but there is another decent gym close by it may make more sense to join the closer location. This way you will not have to go very far out of your way to get to your workout. If your gym is real easy to get to it becomes very easy for you to workout regularly. Not skipping your workouts will be a great benefit for you. Obviously exercising regulary is one of the real keys to getting long term benefits. The best gym is one that is easy to get to!
Tips to find the Best Gym
When are you going to workout? When looking to select the best gym to join you should plan to visit at the same time of day that you are expecting to workout. You will want to see how busy it is at that time and what type of members and staffing are there as well. Is is too busy at that time? Are you going to get access to the equipment you want to use? Are they even open during the hours you want to use the gym? Do you feel comfortable there and does it seem like it will be fun to be a member there? Keep in mind that the time of day and the time of year greatly effects how crowded the gym will be. It is well known in the industry that the winter months are much busier then the summer. In the morning (before work) and late afternoon and evening (after work) are the peak times each day. Is the social atmosphere of the club what you are looking for? All of these things should be taken into consideration when selecting the best gym for your needs. Of course the cost is also an important consideration.
Best Gym Selection
Are you looking for training instruction? This is another aspect to consider when selecting the best gym. At some gyms you just sign up and you are on your own as far as training goes. Other facilities may offer just basic instruction in the use of their fitness equipment. Many places will have personal trainers available to set up a workout routine for you and train you on a regular basis if you desire that service. This is almost always a separate fee above the membership fee. This may be a good way to go for some people. However it should be noted that just because a person has a personal trainer certificate does not mean that they are very knowledgeable able concerning proper training methods. In fact many professional find that may “personal trainers” are very limited when it comes to knowledge of proper training methods. It pays to do your own research first. The books recommended on the right side of this page are an excellent place to start. These books written by extremely knowledgable authors and were carefully selected to provide very helpful and useful information. Doing your fitness research can greatly improve your workouts.
