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<title>Latest Articles by cliffbaker</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>Helpful Tips for Building Muscle</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/helpful-tips-for-building-muscle.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/helpful-tips-for-building-muscle.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Bodybuilding is a discipline, and it involves much more than simply pumping iron three times a week. In many ways, it will involve big changes in your lifestyle. The good part about it is that these changes will always be for the better, ultimately adding more healthy years to your life. Now who wouldn't want that?

Do some cardiovascular exercises to start each day at the gym. Before hitting the weights and exercise machines, start with a warm-up. Cardiovascular workouts like biking, walking, and jogging are some of the many cardio workouts that warm the muscles and get them better able to handle the upcoming strain.

Throw some flexibility exercises into the mix. In a more subtle form of pre-weightlifting activities, you can also do some stretching. Common examples of flexibility exercises include Tai Chi, the Pilates method and Yoga. Standard stretching is actually okay, but why not crank it up a notch and avail of some additional spiritual and psychological benefits?

Speaking of cranking things up...

Go for the extra repetition, extra set, and extra mile. In every exercise, strive to put 110% into your effort. Testing and breaking limits is the only way to gain muscle and strength. Muscle failure happens when you find yourself unable to do anymore repetitions with proper form, and it is advisable to find weights that let you reach muscle failure between 8-12 repetitions.

Drink enough fluids to keep yourself going. When training, always keep yourself hydrated. Drink a cup of water before starting a workout and drink another cup every 30 minutes after. Sports drinks like Gatorade have added electrolytes and nutrients in them, which your body tends to lose through sweat after a very exhausting workout. If you can afford it, have a sports drink handy when you hit the gym.

Rest adequately to let your muscles repair themselves and grow. It is always advisable to give yourself at least 24 hours of rest after a workout. Muscles grow when they are resting, not while you're working out. This is the reason why the best bodybuilding routines involve three or four days as 'gym' days, spaced evenly with rest days in between.

Strive to keep a balanced diet, even if 'balanced' is a relative term. Gym instructors would tell you to follow a 40:40:20 (carbohydrate: protein: fats) ratio in your daily intake. Since you need to buff up, you don't need to eat less. In fact, ideally, you have to take 5 to 7 small meals a day! Carbohydrates give you the energy, protein builds muscle, and fat (the good types, such as Omega-3 fatty acids) keeps your health and body weight level. It's also a good idea to invest in supplements, such as a tub of Creatine powder, for an added boost in muscle gain.

Finally, don't give up. Bodybuilding routines may take a few weeks before any visible muscle growth becomes evident. But that shouldn't surprise you as nothing great comes easy. ]]></description>
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<title>Muscle Gain Supplements That Really Work</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/muscle-gain-supplements-that-really-work.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/muscle-gain-supplements-that-really-work.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Muscle gain supplements is an industry in itself, and the sheer number of muscle gain supplement products out there may be overwhelming for the new bodybuilder. Picking out the right muscle gain supplement for you is simple once you know what you're looking for, and this means knowing what these supplements really do.

The first and most common muscle gain supplement is Protein. Asides from being the secondary energy source next to carbohydrates, protein is quite essential for muscle activity as well. Protein is broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of your muscles. Protein also aids in the replenishment of tissue damage due to overexertion during the course of activity. Since some bodybuilders can't meet the one gram of protein per pound of body weight daily requirement, they may choose to take protein supplements.

Creatine is a another well known supplement in bodybuilding. Creatine functions in three ways: 

- It gives more muscle mass

- It releases more energy, prolonging workouts

- It maintains stamina

Glutamine is also derived from protein rich products. It is an amino acid that helps improve the immune system. When you work out, you tend to be susceptible to illnesses since your body will burn out along the way. Glutamine helps build white blood cells which composes your immune system. Glutamine is usually paired with Creatine for optimum results.

There are also Meal Replacement Powders (MRP's) that help you reach and maintain your ideal body weight. MRP's are as good as standard meals. They have all the nutrients needed by your body to oxidize during workouts. It contains the three major food components needed for building muscle: carbohydrates, protein and fats. Some MRP's throw in vitamins and minerals into the mix. Despite its convenience, MRP's are very low in fiber. This means that when you get too dependent on MRP's, your digestive enzymes dwindle, and you suffer from abdominal discomfort. In other words, it's still important that you keep having regular meals and not depend solely on MRP's. 

Another important supplement is Nitric Oxide or commonly known as NO. This compound aids in the circulation of blood in the body, making the most out of the nutrients you take in. In addition, this protects the blood vessels from accumulating plaque in the heart. Intense workouts also tend to tear the muscles, which might lead to inflammation. NO restores the muscles just like the amino acids. However, there are some common side effects that come with taking this supplement as it may cause gastro-intestinal discomfort for some individuals and may cause headaches when taken in high doses. 

Whatever combination of supplements you take, remember that they are only supplements and that is, something that you add on to your diet and exercise regimen. Muscle gain supplements will work best when you also keep a balanced diet and regular exercise. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Plan An Effective Weekly Bodybuilding Routine</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-plan-an-effective-weekly-bodybuilding-routine.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-plan-an-effective-weekly-bodybuilding-routine.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When planning a bodybuilding routine, it's important to know the basics about the exercises. If you're not careful, you might end up overtraining certain muscle groups, which may result in decreased muscle mass, the exact opposite of what we're trying to do in a bodybuilding routine. To avoid overtraining, you'll have to let the muscle groups you've worked out on a particular day to rest for at least 24 hours before training them again.

So how do you know which muscle groups to work in one day?

As a fact, most chest and shoulder exercises out there also works out the triceps. Similarly, almost all back exercises also works out the biceps secondarily. That means it's okay to combine chest, shoulder, and tricep exercises on the same day, and biceps and back on another, to keep all your muscle groups safe from overtraining.

Here are good examples of weekly bodybuilding routines that don't overtrain any of the muscle groups:

Sample Weekly Routine 1:

Sunday - REST DAY
Monday - Chest and Triceps
Tuesday - REST DAY
Wednesday - Back and Biceps
Thursday - REST DAY
Friday - Shoulders and Legs
Saturday - REST DAY

Sample Weekly Routine 2:

Sunday - REST DAY
Monday - Chest and Back
Tuesday - Shoulders
Wednesday - REST DAY
Thursday - Biceps and Triceps
Friday - Legs
Saturday - REST DAY

Sample Weekly Routine 3:

Sunday - REST DAY
Monday - Chest and Biceps
Tuesday - REST DAY
Wednesday - Legs and Shoulders
Thursday - REST DAY
Friday - Triceps and Back
Saturday - REST DAY

These samples show how you can mix and match your muscle groups into a weekly routine that works for you. You may take them and try them out for yourself, but remember that you'll have to tweak your routine until you find the one you find enjoyable and works best for you. As you get more and more familiar with the exercises, you'll have a better idea of how you'd like your day at the gym to go.

As always, it's best to start every day at the gym with some stretching and mild cardiovascular exercises (10-20 minutes on the treadmill or exercise bike, sparring with a boxing partner (take your pick!). Doing so will maximize muscle growth and protect against any accidental injury.

It's also important to remember not to pig out on your rest days, or it's just going to make it harder to shed the excess fat and make your bodybuilding efforts more obvious. You can make your rest days an integral part of your bodybuilding routine by ensuring you eat six small meals, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water. Rest days are also excellent chances to work on other types of exercise, such as those for flexibility. Yoga, as an example, is a great way to beat stress and feel good about yourself. ]]></description>
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<title>What Muscle Building Diets Should Be Made Of</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/what-muscle-building-diets-should-be-made-of.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/what-muscle-building-diets-should-be-made-of.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ It has been said that exercise and diet go together, and if the two don't complement each other, the muscle building regimen won't work as well as it's supposed to. In this article, we will discuss the diets and the types of food that fits in best with a good muscle building regimen.

Many people make the mistake of eating less when undergoing rigorous muscle building regimens. Think about it: You're trying to gain muscle. If you skimp on food, you will miss out on important nutrients necessary for muscle growth. The best muscle building diets involve as many as six small meals a day, since this setup burns more of the bad stuff away while keeping more of the good stuff in.

Regarding caloric ratio, a well-balanced muscle building diet involves a 40-40-20 ratio (40% of your daily caloric intake from carbohydrates, 40% from protein, and 20% from fat). Individuals more interested in fat burn than muscle growth may opt for a 50-30-20 ratio instead. Whichever the ratio, it's a rule to remember that what you eat is just as important as how much.

Carbohydrates are your main source of energy, and they are burned much more easily and efficiently than calories from fat. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, pasta, whole wheat bread, and grains.

Protein builds muscle, and a diet with healthy servings of lean meat, poultry (without the skin), fish, non-fat milk, eggs, and nuts allows you to maximize muscle growth from your workouts. As a rule, bodybuilders must take in one gram of protein for every pound of body weight per day.

A fun way of reaching your recommended protein intake is to substitute the occasional bag of chips or cookies with nuts, such as peanuts and cashews. These are great at-work snacks, and they maintain energy levels better than junk food.

Fat is a great source of reserve energy, and helps keep the body warm and body weight steady. It is important to remember that there are good and bad types of fat. Avoid trans fats and other saturated fats, and take in more of the 'good' fats through avocados (guacamole), tuna oil, olive oil, and other vegetable oils. Stay away from coconut oil, though.

Other important parts of your diet include water, fruit, vegetables, and multivitamin supplements. It is important to replenish your body's supply of water every 2 hours, especially when working out. 8-10 glasses should be enough to keep yourself hydrated each day. Multivitamins help keep sickness at bay, fight stress, and make the body expend energy and absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Your dietitian and gym instructor can give you tips on good muscle building diets. Don't be shy to ask questions you might be pleasantly surprised at what you hear. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Lose Fat And Gain Muscle</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Health/how-to-lose-fat-and-gain-muscle.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Health/how-to-lose-fat-and-gain-muscle.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The pace of life is getting faster for most of us. This is one of the reasons why fast food restaurants are popping up like mushrooms wherever you go. It's easy to opt for quicker food stops since no one really has time to cook and fix healthy meals. It may be a quick fix, but done everyday, all the bad stuff in fast food is going to creep up on you and manifest in health problems such as obesity, hypertension, and heart ailments.

In addition, stress levels get so high that many people think that exercising only constitutes additional stress. So they skimp on working out and going to the gym.

I can't say I blame them - it's a little known fact that exercise actually helps decrease stress levels and increase resistance to burnouts and sickness. And with a proper health and fitness regimen woven into the daily grind, it's possible to lose fat and gain muscle while getting things done at work at the same time.

The thing to remember is that diet or exercise won't work on their own. Remember that there are two sides to a coin.

Improving your diet is important, as obesity is on the rise around the world. If you compare your daily intake with the new food guide pyramid, chances are you'll find you're taking in too much sugar and meat, and too little fruit, vegetables, milk and grains. Once you start making gradual adjustments towards a more balanced diet, you will find that you will begin to feel better and more energetic.

Exercise is also very important, since diets are only good for a few pounds. Cardiovascular exercises, such as jogging, biking, swimming, and ball sports, cause the metabolism to run faster and burn more calories. The increased intake of oxygen also improves circulation and maximizes fat burn.

Aside from cardiovascular exercises, flexibility exercises may also be worth a try. Practices such as Tai Chi, Yoga, and the Pilates method are all great flexibility exercises, and have been found to be great stress relievers, as well.

Once you've gotten into the habit of doing regular cardiovascular and flexibility exercises, then it's time to start some strength training. Weight lifting is the best way for muscle growth, and gym instructors can help suggest specific exercises to help you gain muscle in specific parts of your body. It's important to go the extra mile in your exercises, since working out without putting effort in won't help much in muscle growth.

When starting out on a new health regimen, another important thing to have is discipline. Some individuals start dieting in exercising with a mean streak that tapers off after a while, and ultimately return to the same sedentary lifestyle they used to have. Visualize yourself enjoying the rest of your life with the best of health, and have fun while working towards that goal. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Build Build Muscle Safely With Natural Bodybuilding</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-build-build-muscle-safely-with-natural-bodybuilding.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-build-build-muscle-safely-with-natural-bodybuilding.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Natural Bodybuilding simply refers to a special type of bodybuilding regimen. It's one of the many different approaches that an individual can take when competing in the sport of bodybuilding. Natural Bodybuilding is the most commonly used term when performance-enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, human growth hormones or other restricted drugs, are not used to aid in the building of muscles by a bodybuilder. Prohormone and diuretics are also substances that are illegal in the sport of Natural Bodybuilding.

There are governing bodies that regulate and compose the rules on Natural Bodybuilding.  Such organizations include NANBF (North American Bodybuilding Federation and NPA (Natural Physique Association). On the professional front, organizations such as the WBNF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation), INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association) and OCB (Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders) look over and govern the sport. These organizations state that the natural bodybuilding method is more centered on competition and healthy lifestyle.

Drug testing bodies also work hand in hand with Natural Bodybuilding organizations. All of the different local and national drug/anti-doping bodies are organized under the jurisdiction of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The agency includes such anti-doping agencies as Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) and New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA). These anti-doping organizations work closely with the different Natural Bodybuilding organizations. They help each other implement and test the rules to keep different competitions safe, legitimate, and within the bounds and rules of Natural Bodybuilding.

Natural Bodybuilders are just as strong and big as bodybuilders who take performance-enhancing drugs. They might even be healthier than their 'unnatural' counterparts since they do not take in any damaging chemicals in the process of training. Some studies have shown that bodybuilders who have admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs grow older more quickly and their internal organs, such as the heart, kidney, and liver, tend to show signs of premature aging or damage. This is a heavy price to pay for taking a shortcut to a good physique! 

Natural bodybuilders tend to be less bulky than bodybuilders who use performance-enhancing drugs.  This is because the natural size or development of the body is not overextended or overexerted.

Natural Bodybuilding takes time, passion and discipline to achieve.  There is no shortcut to achieving this, nor should there be. Consistency is the key in achieving the desired strength, size and physique. Natural Bodybuilding involves a well-balanced diet, enough sleep, and regular and vigorous exercise. Some people tend to build muscles quickly while others need a little more time and effort to see or notice any results at all. While results may vary from case to case, virtually everyone agrees that Natural Bodybuilding is the only way to go to achieve muscle gain. ]]></description>
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<title>Bodybuilding Without Going to the Gym</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/bodybuilding-without-going-to-the-gym.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/bodybuilding-without-going-to-the-gym.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Bodybuilding is best done in a gym complete with free weights and exercise equipment. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford going to the gym. This includes students, teenagers, and individuals still working out their bills and debt payments. Does this mean that bodybuilding is a luxury only afforded by those with good credit scores?

Thankfully not - there are many ways to build muscle without having to go to a gym. You may not have the benefit of free weights, but your own body weight may be all you'll ever need.

Push ups are a good simple exercise that works out the chest, triceps, and shoulder muscles. The position of your hands relative to your shoulders dictates which parts of your pectoral muscles are being worked out. If they're in line with your shoulders, then they'll work out the center areas of your chest muscles. If they're slightly further in, push ups will work on the inner pectorals, and if they're slightly further out, they'll work out the outer pectorals. It's a good idea to work out the entire muscle group by alternating hand positions in a push up routine.

It's important to do enough repetitions to cause muscle failure (when you can't push yourself up anymore with proper form) to encourage muscle growth. For starters, muscle failure may occur after 6 - 8 repetitions. As you get stronger, you may want to increase resistance by placing your feet up on a box or table while doing this exercise.

Pull ups are a great exercise for the biceps and back muscles. Find a smooth bar sturdy enough to support your weight - this is easy to find in a park playground. Grasp the bar with your palms facing in and slowly pull yourself up, breathing out as you go, until your chin passes the bar's level, then ease yourself down. Make sure you don't bounce when you go down, and keep your feet off the ground. Do as many repetitions as you can until you can't pull yourself up anymore. Rest for a few minutes, and then do another set. 3-4 sets per workout should be enough.

Crunches are still a great exercise for the abdominal muscles. There are two areas of the abs that can be worked out with sit-ups: (1) the upper abs, and (2) the middle and lower abs.

To work out the upper abs, lie down with your back on the ground, your hands at your sides, and your legs bent at 45 degrees with the floor. Slowly lift your head and upper back while keeping your lower back on the ground. Then hold the position, squeeze your abdominal muscles for three seconds, then return to starting position. Repeat until it hurts, then rest for two minutes.

To work out the middle and lower abs, assume the same position as above, but with your hands on your thighs. As you go up, slide your hands up until they touch your knees. Hold, squeeze for three seconds, then go back down.

Squats can work your legs even without the use of free weights. To squat, stand with your feet at shoulder-width apart. Slowly bend your knees and bring your butt down until your legs are at 90 degrees, keeping your back straight all the time. Hold the position for three seconds, then come back up. For starters, 2 sets of 10 squats per set should be enough. Slowly increase the number of sets and repetitions as you get stronger. Alternatively you can use an exercise ball placed between a wall and your lumber region, with your feet forward a little you then lower yourself (the ball will roll up your back at this stage) till your legs are at a 90 degree angle them push back up, using an exercise ball this way gives you great back support. 

Make sure to start each workout with some cardio and stretching exercises. Also make sure to take at least 24 hours of rest between workouts, and it's also advisable to do only two of the exercises above on one given day (e.g. push ups and sit-ups on one day, pull ups and squats on the next). ]]></description>
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<title>'How To' Body Building For Beginers</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-body-building-for-beginers.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-body-building-for-beginers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ There are 6 basic muscle groups that you need to develop when bodybuilding. These are as follows: 

Chest 
Triceps
Biceps
Shoulders
Back
Legs

There is an array of exercises that work these muscle groups, many of which involve free weights (dumbbells, barbells, etc.) and exercise machines. Of the two, free weights are better for building muscle mass as these involve more muscles for balance and stabalization. But whatever the exercise, it's important to reach muscle failure at every set to experience muscle growth. For many bodybuilders, the best way to do this is to find a weight that you can lift 6-8 times per set before muscle failure. It is important to do two sets as a warm up with the first set at about half the full weight you normally do for the exercise. So, five sets which would include two warm up sets is good. Failure is a term used for the last repetition you can perform in a set of which you are using correct form.

Chest:

A basic exercise for the chest is the bench press. The bench press is usually done by lying flat on your back on a bench. You then press a barbell (or a pair of dumbbells) over your chest with both arms. Repeatedly extend your arms until they straighten without locking, exhaling as you go, then lower the weights to chest level. Keep the back of your hand in line with the back of the forearm when performing this exercise.

Triceps:

A popular exercise for the triceps is the overhead triceps extension. This may be done with a barbell or E-Z bar, but beginners can use a lighter weight dumbbell and do one arm at a time. With two hands, hold the barbell, or E-Z bar firmly over your head. Repeatedly bend your elbows until your forearm forms a 90-degree angle with your upper arm, then return the weight over your head again. The important part to remember is that with any tricep exercise the upper arm should not move, just the lower arm.

Biceps:

The easiest and probably the best-known biceps exercise is the barbell curl. In this exercise, you simply hold the barbell at thigh level with both hands facing forwards and shoulder-width apart. Tuck your elbows in beside your ribcage and keep them close to your hips and steady. Bend your elbows and curl your forearms up towards your upper arms, then lower the barbell to thigh level again. Do not bring your elbows forward as so many people do, also try to keep the back of your hands in line with the back of the forearm.

Shoulders:

There are also a number of exercises that can be done for the shoulders. You can use free weights or specialized machines. The exercises for the shoulders include the military or dumbbell press, lateral raises, rear raises and the upright row.

Back:

For the back, there are three basic exercises that can be done with free-weights or specialized machines. These are the front pull down (note: lat pulldowns should never be pulled to the back of the neck), barbell row, one arm dumbbell row and  pullovers.

Legs:

Working the legs can be tricky as specialized gym equipment is sometimes needed to target specific areas or regions. The workout routines include barbell squats, Smith Machine squats or leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls and calf raises.

The abdominals can be worked by either performing crunches of which there are many variations or leg or knee raises. The important part to remember to achieving a 'six pack' is that it is what you don't have, i.e. much body fat that makes this achievable. You can have the best abs in the world, but if they are covered with too much body fat you will not see them. Diet is the important factor here, and body fat reduction.

Your gym instructor can give helpful advice regarding the best gym routine for you. Whatever your routine, 
however, it's important to do some warming up with 5 to 10 minutes of cardiovascular exercise and stretching of 
the muscles you are going to work before pumping iron. 

This will loosen your muscles up, improve blood circulation, and help prevent injury. You should also stretch the muscles worked after exercise to help reduce the build up of lactic acid and soreness. Keep these things in mind to have a safe, enjoyable trip to the gym, every single time. ]]></description>
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<title>Body Building for Teenagers</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/body-building-for-teenagers.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/body-building-for-teenagers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Many are not aware of this fact, but bodybuilding is different for all ages (well, between adults and teenagers anyway). Teens generally need less rigorous workouts than adults do, since you have to consider the growth spurt factor. Regular, vigorous workouts may actually decelerate growth in teens. Teenage bodybuilding should focus on getting and maintaining good health through proper diet and mild cardiovascular workout. 

Regular cardiovascular workouts can give you a good health boost. Cardio workouts don't require that much energy. It primarily focuses on keeping your muscles conditioned for more rigorous exercise as you go older, as well as serving as a measure of protection against common teenage problems (studies actually show that exercise can prevent or minimize acne!). Resting is also necessary for teen bodybuilding - cells regenerate fastest when resting after a workout, and adequate rest is necessary to keep from stunting your growth. Cardio workouts include walking, jogging, biking, and swimming - basically fun things to do with friends.

For the boys, some mild weights training can be a good idea. This builds strength and endurance, as well as help you get the figure that makes the ladies take a second look. Going to the gym two or three times a week would be a good idea, but for those who can't afford it, simple pushups, pull-ups, squats, and sit-ups can be enough for a full-body workout. 

As for the girls, the focus is more on cardiovascular workouts. Aside from maintaining good health, cardio workouts also work to shed those flabby areas and excess pounds - for many teenage girls, figure is everything. The more adventurous girls can even try Muay Thai, Aikido, or other martial arts for self-defense.

Teenagers usually can't afford to go to the gym regularly, but fortunately, you don't really have to. When in school, you can always take the stairs instead of using the elevator. When getting to school on time isn't a problem, get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way. And on the weekends, make time for some sports with your friends.

Diet is also important - it's important to get all the nutrition you need from a balanced diet. Protein is especially important for teenagers, since it's the main building block of muscle. Protein-rich foods include fish, milk, nuts, and meat. Take in more carbohydrates and less fat, since carbohydrates are burned much easily through cardiovascular workouts. Occasional 'dorm food', such as pizza and chips, are okay - just treat them as snacks and not meals.

With obesity (and all its associated medical conditions) on the rise in society today, it's important to get used to having regular exercise in your system early. The teenage years, with all the physical, social, and emotional opportunities present, is the best time to get started. Aside from staying healthy and maintaining a trim figure, teenage bodybuilding is also a great way to meet like-minded friends. ]]></description>
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<title>How to Become a Professional Body Builder</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-become-a-professional-body-builder.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/how-to-become-a-professional-body-builder.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ There is no one route to becoming a professional body builder and contrary to what you might think it is not just about having great big muscles. Thousands of people around the world have fantastic bodies but not many of them have the right stuff to compete professionally.

First of all it is very competitive, like the modeling world. It takes more than ambition. You must really be outstanding in terms of your form, discipline and posture.  You must also be really passionate and ambitious with regards to accomplishing your goals and develop "a thick skin." This is because like any business that deals with judging people on their appearance, bodybuilding is full of rejection and criticism. 

Of course in order to make it as a body builder you also need to be able to bulk right up and without much effort. This of course takes a lot of hard work and organization. Many body building careers are sabotaged simply because the person simply could not find the time to exercise.  Furthermore you have to love exercising and not find it tedious or else you will just be spending hours and hours in misery. You have to love exercising or you will probably not find the motivation to keep at it in the gym.

It also helps if you are realistic about what the limitations of your body actually are. For one thing most people are born with a certain set of genes that dictate what they can and cannot do.  The types of things that are included with your genetics are your capacity to build muscle, become lean and your ability for your heart to take a pounding as you lift very heavy weights. Your body should also have great symmetry. For instance flatfooted people or people with scoliosis (a curved spine) do not make great weight lifters as their musculature systems are distorted in the first place.

You also need to do your homework in terms of knowing what competitions you are eligible to participate for your class and weight. There is lots of information about this type of competition online. It also helps to join as many organizations and leagues to do with the professional bodybuilding and attend as many competitions as you can so you can make professional contracts. This is because before your career can go very far you will probably need both a trainer and a professional manager.  The best place to meet trainers, professionals and sponsors is where they hang out which is at annual conventions, shows of equipment and at the actual competitions. The more people you meet in the business the more contacts you will make and the more you will be on your way to pumping your muscles before a crowd.

Yet another qualification is the ability to be personally resilient and give the endeavor your best effort day in day out, as this is a career in which you will face a lot of ups and downs (and not just with dumbbells!) ]]></description>
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