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	<title>Swimming Live</title>
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	<link>http://www.swimminglive.com</link>
	<description>The best blog on swimming for fitness</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:33:41 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Training With a Heart Rate Monitor</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/training-with-a-heart-rate-monitor/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/training-with-a-heart-rate-monitor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:11:46 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/training-with-a-heart-rate-monitor/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Training with a heart rate monitor is one of the most important things you can do for several reasons. First and foremost, your primary goal should be to train safely. Never begin a training regimen without first getting clearance from your physician. You don’t want to put yourself in a dangerous situation and compromise your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Training with a heart rate monitor is one of the most important things you can do for several reasons. First and foremost, your primary goal should be to train safely. Never begin a training regimen without first getting clearance from your physician. You don’t want to put yourself in a dangerous situation and compromise your health or your life by elevating your heart rate into dangerous levels. Training with a heart rate monitor will help you stay within safe limits.</p>
<p>Second, most people tend to over train. They may think that they need to have the “no pain, no gain” philosophy. This actually impedes your ability to achieve greater gains in your performance. If you consistently over train, you are setting yourself up for injury or at least burnout. If you get injured, then you will have to stop training to allow yourself time to heal and you will end up at square one anyway.</p>
<p><span id="more-1011"></span></p>
<p>Also, as your heart rate elevates, your body will transition from a primarily aerobic fat-burning mode into a cardiovascular mode and then into an anaerobic mode. Once you are into the anaerobic mode, your body will begin to draw on the energy stores in your muscles (glycogen). Not only are those energy stores limited, but you will also create lactic acid buildup in your muscles (which causes that soreness and burning after a workout).</p>
<p>There are a number of ways to calculate your maximum heart rate. The simplest formula is (220 – your age). For example, if you are 30 years old, your maximum heart rate would be (220 – 30) = 190. You should never exceed your maximum heart rate.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, if you train at a level that is between 55% to 65% of your maximum heart rate, then you will be training in a primarily fat burning aerobic mode. Between 65% and 75%, you’ll be in a primarily cardiovascular mode. Between 75% and 90%, you’ll be in a primarily high-intensity or anaerobic mode.</p>
<p>You’ll probably be surprised to know that you can actually train at a lot lower (easier) level and have incredible gains. It may initially feel weird to train at an easier heart rate level, but here’s what happens. First, you can go a lot longer in your training. Your body will adjust so that your metabolism increases over time. Your body will become very efficient at burning your body’s fat stores, which will enable you to feel like you can go forever. Your cardiovascular system will improve and you will probably have less joint and muscle pain.</p>
<p>Over time, your speed will continue to improve, but your heart rate will stay roughly the same. For example, let’s say you begin to train in a heart rate range of 127-134. When you begin training in this range, you might be just fast-walking or jogging lightly in order to stay in the range. You might be running a 12:00 mile. Over time, though, (a few months, maybe) you’ll find that you work down to a 9:00 mile and still stay within the same heart rate range. Eventually, your performance gains will level out. Once your pace levels out consistently for a month or two, it will be time to alter your workouts to intensify and do some harder intervals and anaerobic sprints for a few months. For example, you might need to train in a range of 134-152. (Again, your actual ranges will vary based on your age, your level of fitness and the advice of your physician).</p>
<p>You’ll find that as you work through the more intense phase of workouts for a few months, your performance will show similar improvement until it eventually flattens out. Once it does, you’ll then need to transition back to the easier aerobic phase. The difference is, you’ll be running at a much faster pace. You might be running a 7:00 mile now at the original heart rate range of 127-134.</p>
<p>If you keep working out using this training methodology, you can eventually run (or bike) very fast for sustained periods of time at a relatively low perceived level of difficulty. Your race times will dramatically improve.</p>
<p>There are a number of heart rate models and brands on the market (see our reviews of heart rate monitors). Most of them have a chest strap that is worn around the torso. The strap has electrodes that contact the skin just below the chest/breast area. The one I use has flexible electrodes and is very comfortable to wear for extended periods. Usually they transmit your heart rate to a wristwatch unit. The watch will display your heart rate and most will provide audible beeps if your heart rate falls outside of a programmed range. Some units will also transmit heart rate data to your computer to use with various software programs.</p>
<p>I use some training software when I train. The software allows me to enter information about myself such as age, gender, fitness level, the amount of time I have to train each week and the type of race I want to train for. It then calculates workouts in blocks of 3 weeks at a time. At the end of each 3 week period, there is a fitness test where I run a very specific distance at a very specific heart rate. This data is plotted over time so that once the software detects that the time to run the specified distance is no longer improving, it then switches the workouts into the anaerobic mode and it includes intervals and higher intensity workouts. The software lets me download the heart rate information from my heart rate monitor after each workout. Each workout is given with a specific heart rate range and a specific time frame. It doesn’t matter how far you run or bike – it only matters how long you do the workout in the heart rate range. For example, it might say to warm up for 15 minutes in a range of 108-127 BPM (beats per minute) and then do 40 minutes in a range of 127-136 BPM and then cool down for 15 minutes in a range of 137 to 80 BPM.</p>
<p>The bottom line is, you really can’t (and shouldn’t) train without a heart rate monitor. The benefits far outweigh the dollar cost of the monitor and you will have a much better training experience and help yourself to avoid injury and safely improve your performance.</p>
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<p id="sig" class="sig">Doug Wilson  <a href="http://www.triathlonsupply.com/" id="link_99" target="_new">Triathlon Gear- How to Train with a Heart Rate Monito</a></td>
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		<title>Fat Burning Exercises</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/fat-burning-exercises/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/fat-burning-exercises/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:10:54 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/fat-burning-exercises/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fat burning exercises are the slow, aerobic, long duration types of exercise that involve most of the major muscle groups. Your body will burn a higher percentage of calories from fat with lower intensity cardio exercises.
Fat burning exercises include walking, jogging, running, elliptical exercise trainer workouts, cycling and swimming. The key factor to keep in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Fat burning exercises are the slow, aerobic, long duration types of exercise that involve most of the major muscle groups. Your body will burn a higher percentage of calories from fat with lower intensity cardio exercises.</p>
<p>Fat burning exercises include walking, jogging, running, elliptical exercise trainer workouts, cycling and swimming. The key factor to keep in mind is the more muscle groups you use, the more fat you&#8217;ll burn.</p>
<p><span id="more-1010"></span></p>
<p>Different type of exercises will burn more sugar rather than burning fat. Sugar burning exercises involve brief spurts of movement followed by rest which results in more sugar that is used for fuel instead of fat.</p>
<p>Sugar burning exercises include sprinting, tennis, racquetball, basketball, and golf. While these are great sports that benefit your overall fitness condition, they are different type of exercises that will not burn as much fat like fat burning exercises will.</p>
<p>To burn fat effectively, exercise at a moderate pace for a longer period of time. The residual effect of this type of aerobic exercise gives you the most benefits.</p>
<p>These aerobic fat burning exercises increase your metabolism which means you&#8217;ll burn calories long after you exercise. People who exercise on a regular basis develop more fat burning enzymes than people who don&#8217;t exercise at all.</p>
<p>By doing just twenty minutes of fat burning exercises you get those fat burning enzymes working. So if you are just starting out, exercise for at least twenty minutes and work up from there as your fitness level improves. Try to set 3 days a week as your goal to workout and work up to 5 days as you become more fit.</p>
<p>Home treadmills and elliptical exercise trainers are perfect for fat burning exercises. These fitness machines will give you the slow, aerobic, long duration types of exercise that work best to burn fat.</p>
<p>They are the most popular pieces for home gyms because they allow you to stay fit in any weather condition. They are easy to use and cost efficient because quality fitness equipment will last for many years.</p>
<p>If you want to reduce body fat, eating properly will always help. But by combining it with fat burning exercises, it will give you the excellent results you are looking for.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2005   Treadmill Info.com   All Rights Reserved.</p>
<p>This article is supplied by <a href="http://www.treadmill-info.com/" id="link_79" target="_new">http://www.treadmill-info.com</a> where you will find valuable information, ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more fitness related articles go to: <a href="http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html" id="link_80" target="_new">http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html</a></p>
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		<title>Best Exercises to Lower Blood Pressure</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/best-exercises-to-lower-blood-pressure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/best-exercises-to-lower-blood-pressure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:10:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/best-exercises-to-lower-blood-pressure/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you once go to doctor and he discovered that you have high blood pressure, or as they name it in science &#8220;Hypertension&#8221; and this conditions keep with you for long time, so you must immediatly lower your blood pressure becouse it may lead to heart attacking or stroking. And from ways to lower your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">If you once go to doctor and he discovered that you have high blood pressure, or as they name it in science &#8220;Hypertension&#8221; and this conditions keep with you for long time, so you must immediatly lower your blood pressure becouse it may lead to heart attacking or stroking. And from ways to lower your blood pressure you may have to do some exercise.</p>
<p>Most of studies ths days found that most aerobic excerises that keep large muscles in use for long period like &#8220;workouts brisk wallking&#8221; is good way for lowering blood pressure bt it take several months.as a fact from the &#8220;National Institutes of Health conference&#8221; results, they found that erobic exercise reduces resting blood pressure in people who have hypertension by about 11 points of the top number and 9 points of the bottom number and. That for sure enough to lower blood pressure to normal.</p>
<p><span id="more-1009"></span></p>
<p>Every one has his specific needs upon how high is his blood pressure so, before doing any exercise, you have to talk to your doctor, they may want to supply your program with so changes or add some type of drugs.</p>
<p>Some thing to take care about that any exercise in begaining lead to diverts lot of blood to muscles and that couse highering in blood pressure but that effect is temporary so dont be afraid and people who have very high blood pressure there doctor may give them some drugs before exercise for that.</p>
<p>So, after what you know, you may ask what us best exercise to do to lower your blood pressure? Let me tell you then.</p>
<p>For sure most one can help you find your best type of exercise is your doctor who know what exactly is your case, BUT no two of doctors have differant thoughts that walking is not good for all cases, all bast studies show that walking is effective in lowering blood pressure than any other type of hard aerobics exercises, but for advise take it step by step dont begain it with high distances, begain it with little and increase it from time to time and may make it daily exercise.you can also try jogging, stationary or outdoor bicycling, swimming, rowing, using a stair-stepper, or low-impact aerobics, any of them can work out but you chose that due to your fitness level.</p>
<p>You may also chose to make exercises for upper part of body, sure its ok, you can use it in lowering your blood pressure, but take care of that any hard exercises may lead to highering blood pressure to dangrous level like lift heavy weights.</p>
<p>At last what i want to say that after chose type of exercise according to your interest, you and your doctor must arrange the exercise programs and schedule to be effective and safe. At above of all you&#8217;ll feel healthy and good shape during exercise time that take months to lower to the blood pressure you want.</p>
<p>You may find useful this information about lowering your blood pressure using only exercises. Grojan Fabiola is a professional writer with a great are of expertise from agriculture to finance, even web development, now aiming medical issues. So, if you want to know more about <a href="http://www.lowerbloodpressure.info/" id="link_79" target="_new">lower blood pressure</a>, please click this link.</p>
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		<title>The 3 Easiest Exercises to Lose Weight From</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-easiest-exercises-to-lose-weight-from/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-easiest-exercises-to-lose-weight-from/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:09:49 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-easiest-exercises-to-lose-weight-from/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Exercising does not always have to be a hard thing for people to do there are tons of ways that you can exercise and it not takes a huge toll on your body. Even if you are not the most fit person in the world it does not matter because when you start out by [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Exercising does not always have to be a hard thing for people to do there are tons of ways that you can exercise and it not takes a huge toll on your body. Even if you are not the most fit person in the world it does not matter because when you start out by doing none strenuous activities and work your way to the big ones it is still helping out your body by making loss weight. Some of the none strenuous activities that you can do are swimming, walking, and stairs.</p>
<p>Swimming is a great none strenuous activity because you can go swimming lap after lap for hours and never get to sore. It is great being in the pool swimming up and down the lanes. When you are doing that you just feel like you are floating it is a great experience. I also love swimming because it keeps you body nice and cool when you are doing some exercise so this will not let you get to exhausted while your in the pool. Swimming works so many muscles that you have in your body that you probably have never used before.</p>
<p><span id="more-1008"></span></p>
<p>Another activity that is not very strenuous on your body while you are doing it is walking. Walking is a low impact activity that you can do over and over again everyday and still wake up the next morning and be like man I want to go walking. I try to make sure that I go walking at least every night for an hour. This has really helped me start to get my body back into tip top condition for any strenuous activities that I would like to pursue in the future. If you were to go and put walking into your everyday routines then in a matter of no time you should be able to see a huge change in your body and your confidence. The key to walking is that you have to make sure that you set up the pace that you are going to be walking at to be comfortable and able to maintain it for a long period of time that way you can burn more calories throughout the whole walk.</p>
<p>The next non strenuous activity that you can do to help you burn calories is stairs and by stairs I mean walking up and down them. Stairs really will help you get your abs into shape and they will help with your quads, calves, and hamstrings. Walking up and down the stairs is pretty low impact but eventually when you are more in shape it may be a good idea to do more strenuous jogging up the stairs.</p>
<p>Those are the non strenuous activities that you can do to help you burn some calories that you were trying to get rid of.</p>
<p>For more information, you can check out: <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/Fat-Loss-4-Idiots-411/" id="link_79" target="_new">Fat Loss 4 Idiots</a>.</p>
<p>If you are wondering what <a href="http://fat-loss-4-idiots-411.blogspot.com/" id="link_80" target="_new">Fat Loss 4 Idiots</a> is, it has said to be a diet plan specialized to help people lose 9 lbs in 11 days.</p>
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		<title>Guaranteed Best Exercises for Weight Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/guaranteed-best-exercises-for-weight-loss/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/guaranteed-best-exercises-for-weight-loss/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:09:14 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/guaranteed-best-exercises-for-weight-loss/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nine times out of ten when you ask fitness gurus what is the best exercises for weight loss they will tell you about various different programs and routines to try. While they all will help a person lose weight, the bottom line is this. Do you love or even like the exercise routine?
If I tell [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Nine times out of ten when you ask fitness gurus what is the best exercises for weight loss they will tell you about various different programs and routines to try. While they all will help a person lose weight, the bottom line is this. Do you love or even like the exercise routine?</p>
<p>If I tell you that jumping rope everyday for an hour will put you in the best shape of your life and you don&#8217;t like jumping rope you aren&#8217;t going see the benefits that you are after and you won&#8217;t stick with the routine. The best exercise for anyone to lose weight is any exercise that they enjoy doing.</p>
<p><span id="more-1007"></span></p>
<p>Let me say it again, cause it is that important&#8230; you must find something that you love to do! Well, at least like to do. Then work your way up to 30 minutes 4 or 5 times per week. Bad news! You have to sweat a little bit for it to be effective.</p>
<p>An important factor to making sure that you are doing the best exercises for weight loss is that in order to lose the excess weight you need to increase your metabolism before lowering your caloric intake. This is very important, because even the slightest increase will help increase the amount of fat that is lost over the next months without any restrictive dieting.</p>
<p>The best way to increase your metabolism is by doing aerobic activities. These are the activities that you used to do everyday as a child, and I am sure that there is at least one that you will enjoy doing now.</p>
<p>Here is a brief break down of different activities and the amount of calories they burn to help you pick which activity you like the best. The first few are going are low to moderate intensity activities that you can do alone or with someone. These are activities that everyone can enjoy regardless of age.</p>
<p>The first is walking. Walking is on of the least strenuous cardio (aerobic) activities that a person can do. Walking briskly for 30 minutes will burn 180 calories. If you can add sprinting or inclines such as hills or walking on the beach you will increase the amount of calories burned.</p>
<p>Swimming is another favorite for a lot of people. This is an excellent full body workout activity. Doing the breast stroke for 30 minutes can burn 400 calories. The calories that are burned can be increased by the stroke that you choose to swim, if you are swimming in a wave pool against the waves.</p>
<p>Riding a bike whether you choose a stationary bike or an outdoor bike can burn anywhere from 250 to 500 calories in a 30 minutes time frame. The difference in burned calories is due to the amount of resistance and the speed that you pedal. If you enjoy riding and really want a high impact workout you should consider spinning. This is an activity that is done in a &#8220;class&#8221; and you get all the thrills of hills, valleys and mountains on your ride but you never leave the class.</p>
<p>Another activity that to consider is running and sprinting. A person that weighs about 145 pounds can easily burn 300 calories on a 30 minute run. Sprinting burns even more calories and it will help kick your metabolism into overdrive for days. Combining these two activities will produce absolutely amazing results.</p>
<p>Other things you may want to consider for everyday exercising is things like playing with the kids: some piggyback riding, playing baseball with them, walking or jogging along side them; they would love it. Gardening, yard work and house cleaning can also be considered exercise. Just keep in mind the intensity at which you are doing the activity and for how long. The more exertion used the more calories you&#8217;ll burn.</p>
<p>As you can see the best exercises for weight loss is any activity that you enjoy and will get you up and moving. The above list is only a partial list of the activities to choose from, but they are activities that anyone can do.</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://loseweightstayslimsecrets.com/" id="link_83" target="_new">LoseWeightStaySlimSecrets.com</a> to Lose 10 to 15 Pounds in 7 Days. <a href="http://loseweightstayslimsecrets.com/" id="link_84" target="_new">Lose Weight 300 % Faster and 99 % Permanent &#8212; While Enjoying the Foods You Love</a>!</p>
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		<title>The 3 Best Abs Exercises For Building That 6 Pack</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-best-abs-exercises-for-building-that-6-pack/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-best-abs-exercises-for-building-that-6-pack/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:07:47 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/the-3-best-abs-exercises-for-building-that-6-pack/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In recent years there has been a revolution in the emphasis we place on our bodies. With all the diet pills, powders and potions on the market, it’s no wonder we are heavier as a nation than we have ever been in history. One of the things that we all seem to desire is a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">In recent years there has been a revolution in the emphasis we place on our bodies. With all the diet pills, powders and potions on the market, it’s no wonder we are heavier as a nation than we have ever been in history. One of the things that we all seem to desire is a perfectly flat and well toned abdominal area. In this article we will briefly look at creating that perfect six-pack and the three best abs exercises.</p>
<p>There are primarily two reasons why we want to look good. Firstly we want to look good because it makes us feel good. When you feel good about your body it gives you an inner sense of pride and esteem for your ‘self’. Secondly, we want to look good to others because this makes us more attractive to them. In our culture there seems to be an emphasis on looking good and it is one of those things we value. A great body is something that is both valued and admired and looking good obviously makes you feel more ‘worthy’ and admired.</p>
<p><span id="more-1006"></span></p>
<p>Well toned abdominal muscles (abs) or a six-pack, as it is commonly referred to, is in many ways a symbol of health and fitness. Mainly because it is probably the most problematic area of anyone’s body. We therefore value it highly and someone with six-pack abs must be incredibly committed, healthy, fit and strong – or at least that is the ‘hidden’ reasoning behind it and that is why you subconsciously want great abs. So, how do you get those great abs? Here are the three best abs exercises:</p>
<p>Best Abs Exercise #1  -  Sit-Ups<br />
This is the one that everybody seems to know about but the majority of people do wrong. Remember that the smallest adjustments can make all the difference and we want our workouts to be as effective as possible to get the most out of every minute we exercise. Here’s how to do proper sit ups:</p>
<p>Lie flat on the floor with your legs stretched out and your arms beside you. Lift your knees up by bringing your feet closer towards your body – about the distance from your heels to your carve muscle. Cross your hands over your chest and lift your body all the way up so that even your lower back lifts off the floor. Stay there for about 3 seconds and then gently lower yourself. Repeat about 20 of these in 3 to 4 sets, but don’t strain yourself – especially if you haven’t done it for a while. As you build your ab muscles you can start making it more challenging by sitting on an inclined bench or by holding a weight over your chest.</p>
<p>Best Abs Exercise #2  -  Crunches<br />
Once again, lying flat on your back, pull your legs towards your body slightly. With your arms crossed over your chest tighten your abs by ‘pulling’ your abdomen towards your spine as you inhale. Now lift your shoulders off the floor and don’t lift your body all the way up – you just need to lift your shoulders to tighten your abs. As you lift your shoulders you want to exhale. Stay there for about 3 seconds and gently lower your shoulders. In the lowered position you should relax your abs. Now repeat.</p>
<p>The key here is to focus only on your abdominal area as you do this. Flexing your abs and proper breathing is essential – remember that your breathing originates in your abdomen with your diaphragm. Repeat 10 to 20 times and do 3 to 4 sets of these.</p>
<p>Best Abs Exercise #3  -  Leg Lifts<br />
Your abs are a very important muscle group as it is a ‘pivot point’ in your body. With leg lifts we use this deliberately to tone our abs. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended and your arms beside you. Place your hands flat on the floor beside you and in this position, with your legs straight, lift your legs up as far as you can. Preferably your legs should be up in a 90 degree angle with the floor, but this might be difficult for some at first. Then, slowly lower your legs, but do not let your feet touch the ground. Repeat 10 to 20 times and do 3 to 4 sets of these.</p>
<p>These three exercises are by no means the only way to get great abs. In my opinion they are the best abs exercises, but you still have to combine them with proper cardiovascular exercise like running, swimming or cycling as it will help you loose weight while also targeting the abdominal muscles. And last, but not least, you have to control your diet. Fatty foods tend to ‘gather’ around the abdominal area which might make your workouts worthless.</p>
<p>Article by Deon Du Plessis<br />
For more information on how to build that perfect set of abs  faster than you ever though possible, visit <a href="http://www.sincere-advice.com/perfect_abs.html" id="link_91" target="_new">http://www.Sincere-Advice.com/Perfect_Abs.html</a> for more information and practical tips. You can also get your FREE exercise and nutritional guide to get you started on your way to perfect abs</p>
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		<title>4 Benefits Of Adding Water Aerobics Equipment To Your Routine</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/4-benefits-of-adding-water-aerobics-equipment-to-your-routine/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/4-benefits-of-adding-water-aerobics-equipment-to-your-routine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:07:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/4-benefits-of-adding-water-aerobics-equipment-to-your-routine/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you have a want to try aerobic exercise, but cannot handle the high impact variety? Why not try a water aerobic workout for minimum impact but maximum aerobic benefit. Water aerobics are gentle on the joints as well as the back, so they can be done by people with joint and back problems. Water [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Do you have a want to try aerobic exercise, but cannot handle the high impact variety? Why not try a water aerobic workout for minimum impact but maximum aerobic benefit. Water aerobics are gentle on the joints as well as the back, so they can be done by people with joint and back problems. Water aerobics are also good for pregnant women, people who get overheated easily and those who are obese and want to get in shape safely. You don&#8217;t need to know how to swim for water aerobics workouts, since many are done in waist-deep water. The benefits of using specially designed water aerobics equipment follow.</p>
<p>1. The instructor will generally use music and choreography as in other aerobics classes, and you might also work with equipment such as kick boards or wrist weights. Some water aerobics equipment is helpful for the aerobics routine. Products such as the AquaJogger, which is a buoyancy belt, helps to suspend you comfortably in deep water up to shoulder level, enabling you to breathe in a normal fashion as well as move about freely.</p>
<p><span id="more-1005"></span></p>
<p>2. Water dumbbells are ideal for medium resistance and help tone, strengthen and support the upper body. They have soft padded grips and are well constructed and provide great value for money.</p>
<p>The trifit adjustable swim bar is ideal for upper body workouts. Its movable foam rounds help make up different exercise options and is a great flotation aid for children as well as being a balance bar for grown-ups.</p>
<p>3. Step up the intensity of your water aerobics workout with weights. Water aerobic weights are different from the metal and plastic weights you find in the gym. Constructed from a dense foam material water aerobic weights can be used for buoyancy as well as resistance. Instead of coming in a variety of weight, they come in selections of resistance.</p>
<p>Water aerobic weights let you perform upper body exercises such as the biceps curl and the chest press in the water for additional resistance to work your muscles harder. You can also use water aerobic weights to work your legs with kicking motions in the water.</p>
<p>Always start with a lower resistance and slowly work your way to the more challenging weights.</p>
<p>4. You need proper water aerobic shoes to help provide added traction for greater stability in the water. Water aerobic shoes also protect your feet from cuts or scrapes in case the pool has a rough surface. Most department stores and sporting goods stores carry water aerobics shoes.</p>
<p>The aquarunners water fitness resistance footwear allows for an increased cardiovascular workout and is good for strengthening and toning the lower body. It&#8217;s soft and durable and doesn&#8217;t react to chlorine. It has a slip-on design with straps that can adjust to the width of the feet and an adjustable floating heel strap.</p>
<p>Water aerobic shoes should be breathable and made with single layer of air mesh uppers for quick drying. They should ideally be low-heeled because they are great for training and swimming in the water, be it a pool, in the ocean or a lake. A good pair of water shoes should also fit the shape of the feet while providing adequate protection for all types of water workouts. Another benefit a pair of water aerobic shoes have is they provide you with buoyancy to the water fitness workout. This increases drag to tone the muscles in a low impact way. They should be made of soft and durable EVA foam.</p>
<p>There are plenty of benefits gained through water aerobic exercises. If you decide to add water aerobics equipment to your workout, it is a good idea to follow a few basic guidelines. Always begin your program with a warm-up to prepare your heart and muscles for the work that lies ahead. Finish off with a cool down that will give your heart rate a chance to return to normal. Be careful not to overdo your workout - sometimes it is more difficult to measure how hard you are working while your body is in the water, but you will know after your program if you were working at the proper level by how tired and sore you are.</p>
<p>Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit <a href="http://www.wateraerobicexercise.net/" id="link_83" target="_new">water aerobic exercise</a> to learn more about <a href="http://www.wateraerobicexercise.net/water-aerobics.php" id="link_84" target="_new">water aerobics</a> and other <a href="http://www.wateraerobicexercise.net/water-aerobics-equipment.php" id="link_85" target="_new">water aerobics equipment</a>.</p>
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		<title>Doctor - What Kind of Exercise Can I do if I Have Knee Arthritis?</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/doctor-what-kind-of-exercise-can-i-do-if-i-have-knee-arthritis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/doctor-what-kind-of-exercise-can-i-do-if-i-have-knee-arthritis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:06:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/doctor-what-kind-of-exercise-can-i-do-if-i-have-knee-arthritis/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Interestingly, running has not been shown convincingly to be a risk factor for knee arthritis. Some studies have suggested an association but an equal number of studies have not. One of the best studies to date has shown that if you keep your mileage under 30 miles a week, the risk of osteoarthritis of the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Interestingly, running has not been shown convincingly to be a risk factor for knee arthritis. Some studies have suggested an association but an equal number of studies have not. One of the best studies to date has shown that if you keep your mileage under 30 miles a week, the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee is pretty low.</p>
<p>That being said, once arthritis does develop in the knees, then other types of exercise should be considered. Now the purpose of this article is to discuss only the aerobic component of an exercise program. Patients with arthritis need to include aerobic, strengthening, as well as stretching in a comprehensive program.</p>
<p><span id="more-1004"></span></p>
<p>One option is an elliptical trainer. While these are most often found in fitness clubs, they are available for home purchase and use. An elliptical trainer provides a movement that is midway between a bike and a stairclimber. The feet stay on the pedals and the movement is a smooth elliptical (oval) motion so there is no impact. Some models have attachments for a back and forth arm movement so that there is a total body workout. The angle of pedals as well as the resistance to pedaling can be adjusted. This provides an excellent cardiovascular, low-impact workout. The elliptical trainer is my personal favorite.</p>
<p>Another option is swimming. Swimming provides the best cardiovascular workout and is completely non-impact. The primary concern with swimming is that patients with shoulder problems may have more pain and aggravation of their shoulder symptoms with certain strokes. In addition, patients with low back arthritis may also notice their symptoms worsening with certain maneuvers. If your problems are only knee related, swimming is a great choice.</p>
<p>A stationary bike is another good form of aerobic conditioning. It is a no-impact workout. People with knee problems should use a very low tension and start out slowly. Otherwise worsening of knee symptoms can occur. Quad strengthening and hamstring stretching should also be performed if a stationary bike is used.</p>
<p>Cross-country ski machines are not quite as popular as they once were. And that’s too bad because this is a wonderful piece of equipment. This device provides a workout for both the upper as well as the lower body. The feet move in a back and forth gliding motion (make sure you get a good quality machine that moves smoothly rather than in a jerky fashion). No pounding or other impact accompanies this type of exercise. The attachments for the arms provide a brisk workout for the upper body also. Resistance can be changed for both the legs as wells as the arms.</p>
<p>One note of caution… people with low back problems should exercise caution since back symptoms can get worse.</p>
<p>Treadmills are also an alternative. For people with knee problems though, these may not be a good choice. There is impact. Very high end treadmills have a softer more forgiving deck. If you notice that the treadmill makes your knee pain worse, you’re probably better off using something else.</p>
<p>Stairclimbers are probably not a great idea. The reason is that the motion of bending and straightening the knee with loading from the rest of the body often times will hurt. This is particularly true for people who have significant arthritis between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (upper leg bone).</p>
<p>With all exercise equipment, it is critical to get clearance from your physician before embarking on a vigorous program. Also it is a good idea to use a heart monitor to make sure your heart rate stays within the range appropriate fro your age group. Obviously, a lot depends on the condition you’re in before you start.</p>
<p>Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (<a href="http://www.aocm.org/" id="link_83" target="_new">http://www.aocm.org</a>). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: <a href="http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/knee-arthritis.html" id="link_84" target="_new">Knee Arthritis</a></p>
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		<title>3 Flat Belly Cardio Exercises To Get You A Flat Stomach Fast</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/3-flat-belly-cardio-exercises-to-get-you-a-flat-stomach-fast/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/3-flat-belly-cardio-exercises-to-get-you-a-flat-stomach-fast/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:05:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/3-flat-belly-cardio-exercises-to-get-you-a-flat-stomach-fast/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the ways to get a flat belly is to engage in rigorous cardio activity. But some kinds of cardio are better than others for this purpose and that is what this article is about: flat belly cardio exercises.
3 cardio exercises for a flat belly

1. Running - We all know this cardio activity which [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">One of the ways to get a flat belly is to engage in rigorous cardio activity. But some kinds of cardio are better than others for this purpose and that is what this article is about: flat belly cardio exercises.</p>
<p><u><strong>3 cardio exercises for a flat belly</strong></u></p>
<p><span id="more-1003"></span></p>
<p>1. Running - We all know this cardio activity which is a great exercise for a flat belly. The reason is that our stomach is naturally tucked in while we run (especially during sprinting) so that besides the benefit of calorie burning and fitness enhancement, your stomach muscles are also working in each second in which you run. This means that your developing your abs muscles while you&#8217;re running.</p>
<p>2. Swimming - When you&#8217;re swimming, your stomach muscles are again working since you have to keep yourself balanced in the water. Again, you&#8217;re getting a great cardio workout, but you&#8217;re also working out your abdominal muscles. Swimming is an excellent flat belly and upper body exercise since it works the entire upper body muscles.</p>
<p>3. Jumping rope - Jumping rope is a special cardio workout since it&#8217;s usually done for a very short period. However, jumping rope is massive cardio and flat belly exercise. When you jump rope, your stomach is held in firmly and is developing as you jump. Just so you&#8217;ll know, jumping rope is a massive workout and burns a lot of calories in a very short time.</p>
<p>Make these 3 exercises for a flat belly a part of your workout routine and you&#8217;ll see an improvement in the appearance of your stomach.</p>
<p>To read more about how to get flat abs, click here: <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-get-flat-abs" id="link_75" target="_new">Flat Belly Exercises - How To Get a Flat Belly</a>.</p>
<p>John Davenport lost over 30 pounds in his twenties after being overweight most of his life.  To read how you can start to lose as much as 9 lbs. in 11 days and keep it off, visit this webpage:  <a href="http://squidoo.com/fatloss4idiotsdiet" id="link_76" target="_new">Lose 9 Pounds in 11 Days and Never Gain Them Back</a>.</p>
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		<title>Total Body Workout – The Never Fail System a Workout For All Part 1</title>
		<link>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/total-body-workout-%e2%80%93-the-never-fail-system-a-workout-for-all-part-1/</link>
		<comments>http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/total-body-workout-%e2%80%93-the-never-fail-system-a-workout-for-all-part-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:05:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Swimming Workouts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.swimminglive.com/2008/04/18/total-body-workout-%e2%80%93-the-never-fail-system-a-workout-for-all-part-1/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Going to the gym has become part of the lives of a lot of men and women, but many people feel they cant get going or don&#8217;t have the time.
Getting the right routine is never easy, but with a total body workout, and the Never fail system, you cannot help but succeed.

You need some dedication, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="body">Going to the gym has become part of the lives of a lot of men and women, but many people feel they cant get going or don&#8217;t have the time.</p>
<p>Getting the right routine is never easy, but with a total body workout, and the Never fail system, you cannot help but succeed.</p>
<p><span id="more-1002"></span></p>
<p>You need some dedication, some free time, the “smart diet” (in part 2 of this article) and will…that’s it.</p>
<p>The Never fail System.</p>
<p>The Never fail system works in the following way. It conditions your body and mind to the goal of getting in shape.</p>
<p>In fact, the basic principles of the Never fail system can be applied to any area of your life you wish to improve. Here are the basic principles</p>
<p>1. Right Resolve.</p>
<p>You must decide and believe in your decision to make a positive change</p>
<p>2. Time Management.</p>
<p>You must put aside regular time segments, on the days required, and do no deviate from them.</p>
<p>3. Envision the Result.</p>
<p>See yourself in your expected success mode. Do not envision yourself with your current state, but actually visualize yourself the way you wish yourself to be.</p>
<p>4. Treat Setbacks as Stepping Stones and NOT Obstacles.</p>
<p>If you are building a house and break a few nails, it doesn’t mean to stop building! There will be setbacks, lots of them. Look at them as stepping stones to your goal only. Something like tests you must pass.</p>
<p>The Total Body Workout – Preparation</p>
<p>You must set aside 3 days per week, and no more. You must follow the smart diet. You must begin slowly and keep at it, without deviation.</p>
<p>Find a gym that is not too crowded, or too social. It must have a good selection of the modern gym machinery and some relaxing areas, like a sauna, swimming pool, and so on.</p>
<p>Get some basic record keeping forms, or make them yourself to write down your routines, the weight increases, and your progress. Get yourself some comfortable workout clothes, and shoes and you are READY.</p>
<p>The Total Body Workout – Basic Routine (90 days)</p>
<p>You will start with the legs, move to waist and stomach, then back and arms, and that is it.</p>
<p>Do three sets of 8 repetitions, the first a warm-up set, with a low weight, the second with a weight in between your warm-up weight and your workout goal weight (for that exercise), and the third set your goal weight.</p>
<p>Try to increase your goal weight ever so slightly from week to week. The workout session will last no more than 45 minutes.</p>
<p>Ask any gym instructor to show you the correct form of the exercises below (done with various types of gym equipment)  Legs  Exercise 1 – The leg press</p>
<p>Exercise 2 – Leg extension</p>
<p>Exercise 3 – Leg curl</p>
<p>Exercise 4 – Standing calf raise</p>
<p>Midsection</p>
<p>Exercise 5 – Crunch</p>
<p>Exercise 6 – Back extension</p>
<p>Upper Body</p>
<p>Exercise 7 – Underhand-grip laterals pull down</p>
<p>Exercise 8 – Machine chest press</p>
<p>Exercise 9 – Machine row</p>
<p>Exercise 10 – Lateral raise</p>
<p>Exercise 11 – Seated dumbbell concentration curl (each arm)</p>
<p>Exercise 12 – Triceps pushdown</p>
<p>While you are still sweating, eat a banana and drink some water. Don’t eat again for 3 hours. Drink all the water you wish.</p>
<p>This routine will last 90 days, and a follow up routine utilizing the same principle of total body workout, section by section with more difficult exercises can be used. At the end of 90 days, you are a new you, you will see, and proficient at the gym.</p>
<p>Its simple, effective and anyone can do it and you can read more about it in parts 2 and 3 of this article.</p>
<p>MORE FREE HEALTH and FITNESS ARTICLES</p>
<p>On all aspects of health and more on  <a href="http://www.net-planet.org/health.html" id="link_83" target="_new">fitness</a> visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and  at <a href="http://www.net-planet.org/index.html" id="link_84" target="_new">http://www.net-planet.org/index.html</a></p>
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