What is CrossFit training all about? CrossFit is an exercise training method that’s sweeping the nation. It is consistent with the tradition of Navy Seal and decathlon training.

The CrossFit philosophy of fitness is that people should be prepared for a variety of physical challenges.

What does CrossFit training involve? The fit person can crank out 20 pull-ups and 30 dumbbell swings and then do squats or stationary rowing without passing out or throwing up.

CrossFit training can be thought of as a “rainbow” training program, because it involves aerobic and anaerobic exercise, gymnastics, weightlifting, sprinting, whole-body exercises and calisthenics. (more…)

Your La-Z-Boy may make you look like one. That’s because sitting shuts down your fat burners, say scientists at the University of Missouri.

After examining the muscle tissue of people being active and of those kicking back, the researchers concluded that parking your butt switches off an enzyme that prevents fat storage.

“The enzyme is mostly found in the muscles that keep you standing up, so if they aren’t active, the enzyme doesn’t function,” says study author Marc Hamilton, Ph.D. One way to spend more time on your feet: Stand at your desk for part of the day, by installing a computer-monitor arm. (more…)

Have you heard about the Exhale spa in Midtown Manhattan? The spa, which boasts eight locations nationwide, offers classes and training sessions so unique that even Barbara Walters takes advantage of them.

Some fitness professionals have found Exhale’s Core Fusion classes to be very useful, says Fred DeVito, vice president of movement classes and training at Exhale. Those who think they are in great shape often find themselves sweating within the first two minutes of the workout. (more…)

Skipping workouts, whether it’s because of an injury, a hectic work schedule, or just plain exhaustion, may be hazardous to one’s mental as well as physical health.

For a study in Psychosomatic Medicine, people who exercised regularly – about three times a week – were instructed either to stop working out or to continue their usual regimen for two weeks.

Those who were forced to halt their workouts experienced an increase in depressive symptoms, including fatigue. (more…)

The question is not how to get skinny legs, but why would you want to have skinny legs? You probably want to have toned legs, right?

You would not want to be left standing on broom handles while making a hasty escape, would you? You need the king of all lowerbody exercises – the squat. Using discs trains your core as well. (more…)

Do you need to eat before exercise? Do you need to eat after exercise? For the best workout, eat a good size meal three to four hours before you exercise. If you must eat two hours or less before exercising, have a small meal.

What to eat before exercise Choose lean protein, carbohydrates, and a little healthy fat. For example, eat half a sandwich or an apple with 1 tablespoon peanut butter. (more…)

Continued from Fat Burning Workout.

Forget about a fat-burning cardio, some knuckleheads argue that a cardio workout is basically useless for fat loss. Do not listen to them, they will probably tell you to take clenbuterol for fat loss or something even more dangerous.

So what is the deal with cardio? Fat-burning cardio is not a myth, but it is important to understand that you can attain much better results from your cardio sessions if you maximize the efficiency of your cardio workout.

If you just run aimlessly for hours on end in hopes of a midsection miracle, you will be disappointed. (more…)

Body fat increases by enlarging existing fat cells (fat cell hypertrophy) or increasing the number of fat cells (fat cell hyperplasia).

Until recently, scientists thought that the number of fat cells was fixed in adults, but could be influenced by exercise and diet during childhood.

Now, we realize that things aren’t that simple. Scientists discovered that overeating combined with decreased physical inactivity can trigger increased fat cell production.

This makes people more prone to obesity, because they have more places to store fat. (more…)