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Author: Eva Stoddart

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Is Weightlifting At A Young Age Bad For You?

child in boxing ring weightlifting at a young age for fitness

If your child has shown an interest in tagging along to the gym sometime, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea. While weightlifting is great, it can be hard to know if weightlifting at a young age is going to be safe for your child. And doesn’t it stunt their growth? 

Luckily, so long as you don’t have the kid power cleaning 50 kilos or anything in that realm, then you’re likely to cause far more good than harm. Here’s how to help your child safely kickstart their (hopefully lifelong!) gym career.

Weightlifting? Yes! Powerlifting? Maybe Not…

To be clear, when we endorse weightlifting at a young age, we’re talking about strength training. Bodybuilding and powerlifting are a no-go for kids. Trying to build big muscles can put a lot of physical (and mental) stress on a child. Their muscles, tendons and underdeveloped growth plates are at a high risk of injury when moving large amounts of weight.

If your child is interested in weightlifting, don’t worry about how much they’re lifting. Don’t put them on any progressive weight training program until they’re well into puberty. Instead, focus on using these formative years to help them develop great technique. Compound exercises are some of the most valuable to do. If your kid learns great deadlift, bench press and squat form, it will serve them well later in life.

What Are The Risks Of Weightlifting At A Young Age?

It’s a fairly common belief that weightlifting will stunt a child’s growth. However, this is a total myth. The rumor came from a Japanese study of child laborers in the 1970s who ended up below average height. However, it is now known that they ended up short due to malnutrition – not weightlifting. No studies have actually ever shown that weightlifting stunts growth.

Instead, most of the risks associated with weightlifting at a young age are to do with the kid trying to lift weight that their body isn’t strong enough to support. Such injuries can be serious. They include herniated disks, muscle strains, fractures, growth plate injuries, and cartilage damage. 

Children’s bones and muscles don’t finish developing until the end of puberty. This makes them prone to sports-related injury. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your kid doesn’t overdo it in the gym. Stick to low weight and high rep workouts to avoid injury.

What Are The Benefits Of Weightlifting At A Young Age?

Weightlifting is a key part of a varied physical fitness program. Like many exercises, they’ll reap some great benefits from it. They’ll get stronger and gain better muscular endurance, which will help them perform in any sport they’re interested in. 

If they start out with free weights early, they’ll develop great form and technique that will stay with them later in life. Weightlifting at a young age can help your child maintain a healthy weight, and develop strong bones and muscles. 

Plus, weightlifting is really fun! For many kids, weightlifting will boost their confidence and get them interested in physical fitness, which is an awesome hobby to have!

How To Get A Kid Started With Weightlifting

When your child shows an interest, take them along to the gym with you sometime. If you’re confident in your technique, you can show them good form for activities like squats, deadlifts, bench presses or any other weightlifting exercises they want to try. If you’re less experienced with a movement, any of the gym staff will be happy to help teach your kid how to perform the lift safely and efficiently.

Most advice out there recommends avoiding any kind of strict regimen or routine. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you don’t want your kid to put too much pressure on themselves and get stressed. Secondly, strict regimens get boring. People of any age find that to be true, not just kids. But, children in particular often get bored of things, so it’s best to mix things up. 

Aim to let them play around and try out lots of activities and exercises that interest them. Hopefully it will spark a lifelong interest in fitness. A passion for physical health will help them live a healthy lifestyle for decades to come.

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What Would Happen If I Did Pull Ups Every Day?

pull ups every day for intense fitness

Pull ups are the classic back exercise. You probably learned to do them as a kid, but they’re a useful addition to a workout routine at any stage of life. They’re challenging, require minimal equipment, and are awesome for developing muscle and strength. You’ve surely seen trends of “100 Pull Ups Every Day For A Month” or similar. If you really enjoy this movement and see great results from it, you might be wondering what would happen if you tried doing pull ups every day.

There are some real pros and cons to doing, well, any movement each and every single day. This is particularly true of an exercise as intense and challenging as pull ups.

Let’s say you decided to do 50 pull ups every day for three months. Here are some results you could expect to see. Some are good. Some…not so much. 

You’ll Get (Way, Way) Better At Pull Ups

Pull ups are hard. Many people can’t even do a single one. At the start of your pull up challenge, you may only be able to complete five or so at a time. But, if you dedicate yourself to doing pull ups every day, you’ll quickly start seeing improvements. You may even get to a point where you can do all 50 in a row. That’s bound to feel good.

Your Back Will Gain Some Impressive Lean Muscle

This movement mostly targets your lats. Therefore, doing pull ups every day will have an amazing effect on these muscles. When they’re well developed, great lats make the waist look small and the shoulders look big. Lats are also crucial for keeping your back in a healthy position when you’re doing deadlifts, squats and bench presses.

Although, Your Gains May Not Be Proportional

Yes, your lats (and probably your biceps) will look awesome. But while they’ll be looking great, you can’t neglect your other muscles. You need to do other exercises to even out your legs, chest, and the rest of your arms and back. Having an underdeveloped lower back, traps and rear deltoids but massive lats is a slightly strange look, to say the least.

Doing Pull Ups Every Day Will Boost Your Grip Strength

Supporting your body weight for one pull up, let alone 50, requires some serious grip strength. It will be challenging at first, but within a week or two you’re likely to start seeing some major improvements. Many people find that their grip strength negatively impacts their pull exercises such as deadlifts, rows, and flies. So, your daily pull ups will help you in other areas of your fitness. And pretty soon, you’ll be the go-to jar opener among your friends and family.

You’ll Develop Great Muscular Endurance

When you commit to doing pull ups every day, your muscular endurance will skyrocket. This will also be helpful in other areas of your workouts, such as cardio and high intensity training. Your hard earned endurance will help you power through almost any other workout, which is super helpful.

But, You Won’t Be Resting Enough

Doing the same movement every day can take a major physical toll. If you get injured, you won’t be able to keep doing pull ups every day. As an athlete, it’s responsible to take rest days. Otherwise, you risk painful inflammation or torn and strained muscles.

Research shows that it’s best to allow muscle groups 24-48 hours to properly recover between workouts. You should absolutely not push through injury.

And You’ll Get Real Sick Of Doing Pull Ups Every Day

You won’t just be tired physically. You’ll feel some mental strain too. Most people who have committed to daily pull up challenges report really struggling with the mental side of it. Dragging yourself to the gym to do the same gruelling exercise over and over again is tough – especially when you’re overtrained and sore.

On the other hand, pushing through the pain may suit your personality type. You may find it really empowering to force yourself to get into the gym and do those pull ups every day for 3 months. At the end of those months, you’ll feel like a beast. One thing’s for certain though – doing pull ups every day is going to be tough. Consider the pros and cons carefully before diving into any daily exercise challenge.

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5 Workout Don’ts For Fitness Beginners

workout don'ts and workout do's getting advice in the gym

When you start working out, you’ll get hit with a ton of advice (often unsolicited) about what you should and shouldn’t be doing in the gym. Even though these tips surely come from a good place, all the ideas can get overwhelming. However, there are a few key workout don’ts that you do not want to forget about!

These 5 tips are super simple and easy to implement. If you follow them, you’ll definitely be on your way to a great and effective workout. Here we go:

1. Don’t Forget To Warm Up And Cool Down

Structuring your workout correctly is crucial for meeting your goals. When you remember to warm up and cool down, you’ll perform better and have faster recovery times. Plus, you’ll minimize your risk of injury. What’s not to love?

A good warm up prepares your joints and muscles for exercise. A cool down then gently returns your body to its pre-workout state. Spend five to ten minutes doing each at either side of your workout.

There are many resources online with ideas for fun and effective warm ups and cool downs. Try lots and see what works for you.

2. Don’t Focus On A Single Form Of Exercise

CrossFit is all about avoiding routine. A strict workout regimen will only make you get bored and stuck in a rut. There’s no fun in that – and fitness should be fun!

Throughout the week, combine your lifts, movements and exercises in as many creative ways you can think of. Maybe one day it’s a game of basketball. The next day, a run in the park. The day after that, a high intensity WOD. 

Sure, if you find an underlying structure that works for you, that’s great. But try and mix things up as much as you possibly can. This will keep your workouts exciting, fresh and a part of your day to look forward to.

3. Being Selfish In The Gym

This is one of those fitness don’ts that is less to do with your physical health, and more to do with your mental. If you’re new to working out, just remember that it’s important to be courteous to other gym-goers. This keeps them happy, and also keeps you in a positive headspace. It’s a win-win.

When in the gym, don’t hog equipment, clean up after yourself, and be polite to those around you. If you’re kind and respectful to others, they will be to you too. Being friendly will get you a long way. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a new workout buddy!

4. Workout Don’ts: Overdoing It

When you start working out, you may find it tempting to go super hard all the time. No pain, no gain, right?

Wrong – this is one of the major workout don’ts! If you consistently overdo your workouts, you might feel fatigue, frustration and a lack of motivation. It can even affect your sleep.

Your body only builds muscle when resting. It’s absolutely crucial to allow yourself this time to recover from the stress of training. 

Make sure to get at least 24 hours of rest after a heavy workout. If you’re really getting antsy, feel free to do something light like some yoga, or an easy walk around the block. 

5. Don’t Set Unrealistic Goals

Starting a new workout plan is exciting. I’m sure you’re dreaming of your perfect body – and you can’t wait to get it! However, these things take time. And there’s going to be setbacks. You’ve got to mentally prepare for them.

When you set goals for yourself, consider the SMART acronym. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based. Goals that meet these guidelines will be useful for motivating you on your fitness journey.

A bad goal: look like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson by Tuesday.

A good goal: add five pounds to bench press within the next month.

Buffalo Nickel CrossFit can help you with workout don’ts (and dos)

At Buffalo Nickel CrossFit we know that all the workout dos and workout don’ts that get thrown at a beginner can get a bit overwhelming.

At our box, we always try to offer helpful guidance to new members. If you want to try a session with us, or have any questions about your fitness, you can contact us here.

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What’s The Best Plan To Lose Fat?

woman working out to lose fat

Okay, so you want to lose some mass and get your summer body back. Fair enough! This is a popular and totally attainable fitness goal. The best plan to lose fat involves eating a healthy diet at a deficit of your daily calories. Your diet is the most important aspect of losing fat.

It’s important to keep working out too! In the gym, you’ll be best to switch your focus to cardio fitness, toning exercises, and maintaining your muscles. When eating at a caloric deficit, too much muscle building work will just tire you out. Here are some pointers:

The Best Plan To Lose Fat: Your Diet

Step one for putting together your meal plan is to work out how many calories your body uses up in a day. Everyone’s different, so try using this calculator to find out how many calories you should be eating to lose fat.

Once you’ve got that information, it’s time to make your meal plan. When creating a meal plan for losing fat, you want to go for:

  • High protein. High protein foods keep you full longer. These include meat, fish, eggs and dairy. As you’re trying to lose fat, try to find low-fat versions of your favorite high protein foods.
  • High fiber. Fiber is so important for gut health and most people are actually low in it. Some great high fiber foods include lentils, avocados, pears, strawberries and bananas.
  • Low sugar. Or, if you can cut out sugar entirely, that’s even better. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
  • Low carb. When choosing carbs, make sure it’s a low GI option. GI is a measure of how much the carb elevates your blood sugar. The lower the better. Some great low GI carbs include sweet potatoes, brown rice and oatmeal.

Sample Daily Diet

Let’s say you want to eat 1,500 calories in a day. This might look something like:

  • Breakfast – egg and avocado toast: 2 poached eggs, 1 slice of wholegrain bread, 1/2 avocado.
  • Lunch – veggie wrap: 1 whole-grain wrap, 2 tablespoons of hummus, 1/2 avocado, 2 slices of tomato, 1 cup of lettuce, 1 ounce of cheese.
  • Snack: 1 banana, 1 yogurt.
  • Dinner:  chicken and veggies: 1 baked chicken breast, 1 cup roasted pumpkin, 1 cup of roasted broccoli.

This is only a sample of what a healthy and well-rounded fat loss diet may look like. However, there are thousands of ideas online for weight loss diet plans and healthy meal ideas. 

It’s fun to get creative in the kitchen. Plus, this often helps you stay motivated for your meal plan and diet.

The Best Plan To Lose Fat: In The Gym

If you’re looking to lose weight, you should focus on workouts that get your heart pumping. Shoot for around 3 hours per week of quality exercise. You can divide that up any way you like.

We love strength training, but the best plan to lose fat involves working on cardio and toning. There are so many CrossFit routines designed to help you reach your fat loss goals.

Sample Daily Workout

This workout is called the Filthy 50 and is just one of many great fat-burning CrossFit WODs. Complete 50 consecutive reps of each exercise before moving onto the next. Challenge yourself and see how fast you can get through all 500 reps.

  • Box jumps
  • Jumping pull-ups
  • Kettlebell swings
  • Walking lunge steps
  • Knees-to-elbows
  • Push presses
  • Back extensions
  • Wall ball shots
  • Burpees
  • Double-unders

If you find that a little too difficult, you can check out some modifications here to see how to make this workout more manageable. 

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How To Get Back In The Gym After A Break

woman getting back in the gym

For one reason or another, you took time off working out. You might be looking to get back in the gym after lockdown, getting busy with work, recovering from an injury, or any other reason.

First of all, congratulations! It’s great that you’re ready to get your fitness back on track. However, don’t be overzealous. It can be tempting to go really hard to make up for lost time, but this can lead to burnout and injury.

In this post, we have some key pointers for getting your mind and body back into the workout grind safely and sustainably. If you use these tips, you’ll be able to start working out again in a way that’s positive for your long-term plan.

When you get back in the gym, expect a change in ability

No matter if you used to be a weightlifter, a CrossFitter, a cardio lover or whatever else, you should remember that your physical ability will have suffered. Don’t feel bad about this – it’s normal! 

But, it is important to keep in mind when making a new plan. If you jump straight back into the same workouts you used to do, you may overexert yourself and get injured. Or, you might not be able to perform like you used to and get frustrated. Make sure to start working out again in a sustainable way, so you don’t burn out.

Be patient and take it slow

Take some time to think about your old workout plan, and how you can scale it back. It’s important to set yourself up for success. This means thinking about keeping it sustainable.

Think about your previous high intensity workouts. A good rule of thumb is to start working out again at 20 percent of the intensity of your hardest workouts.

If you had to take time off from exercise because of an injury or illness, check in with your doctor before getting started.

Plan your workout with exercises you enjoy

You’ll be far more motivated to get back in the gym if you’ve got a killer workout plan. When you’re getting back into the swing of things, try to keep it simple. Get back to the basics, and focus on your functional movements. There are many great resources online to inspire you.

Create a workout plan with two to four heavy compound lifts at the start. From there, you can be flexible. Work in some isolation lifts, cardio, bodyweight exercises, or anything you want.

Many people like to ease themselves back into exercising with group fitness classes, such as CrossFit. You could also opt for a game of soccer, tennis, basketball or any sport of your choosing with friends. 

Expect to be sore when you get back in the gym

Every fitness junkie has had a bad case of DOMS at some point. DOMS stands for delayed onset muscle soreness. When you do any kind of resistance training, it causes tiny tears in your muscle fibers. This is why you feel sore after a workout, particularly after your first session in a while.

After you get back in the gym, you should expect some muscle soreness. However, you can minimize it by warming up, drinking enough water and applying ice to the affected muscles after the workout.

Don’t let your sore muscles put you off too much. And luckily, the more often you go, the less noticeable your DOMS will be.

Set (healthy) goals

Getting back in the gym can seem a bit daunting. Setting yourself some goals can help you measure your progress and boost your motivation as you smash through them.

When you set goals for yourself, remember the SMART acronym. A goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-based. When you reach a goal, reward yourself with some new workout gear, or anything else you like!

At the end of the day, getting back in the gym should be fun. If you take it slow and manage your expectations, this will help you ease back into the lifestyle. Before you know it, you’ll be back where you left things – or better than ever!

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What’s The Hardest Part Of Getting Fit?

the hardest part of getting fit lifting weights

Don’t get us wrong, getting fit is awesome. You feel great and you have lots of energy. You’re healthy – your bones and muscles are strong. Your body looks amazing and you feel confident. Maybe you get a little more attention from the opposite sex than you used to! Going to the gym is satisfying and makes you feel accomplished. Yep, getting fit is a rewarding process with so many benefits.

However, we can acknowledge that you’ll run into some challenges on your fitness journey. In this post, we’re going to acknowledge some of the most common issues you may face. There are definitely things you can do to deal with them.

You may disagree that some of these things are the hardest part of getting fit. For some people, one aspect is a huge challenge, but for others it’s no problem at all! Remember, everyone’s different.

So, what are the hardest parts of getting fit?

Sticking to a healthy diet

Even if you don’t think diet is the hardest part of getting fit, I’m sure you’ll agree it can be tough to manage. If you’re bulking, it can be hard to force yourself to eat enough. If you’re cutting, you’ll have the opposite problem. It can be hard to say no to your favorite snacks. So what can you do? 

  • Learn to cook. It’s so much easier and cheaper to eat healthy when you make the meals yourself. Plus, cooking for yourself makes you feel accomplished. Being familiar with spice blends and seasoning makes a huge difference to how your food tastes. Look up some recipes and spend some quality time getting to know your kitchen.
  • Meal prep. After a long day, who wants to spend time cooking up sweet potato and chicken when you could just get fast food on the way home? You can beat this problem by cooking meals in advance and storing them in the fridge. This makes it easy to just grab something healthy at dinner time. There are so many great meal prepping resources to explore online.
  • Eat healthy foods that you like. Try lots of foods, and ditch the ones that you think are gross. Just because everyone at your gym seems to eat oatmeal every day, you don’t necessarily have to jump on that train. There are so many amazing healthy foods, just be open minded and find ones you actually enjoy eating!

Motivation and discipline

Many people find maintaining motivation to be the hardest part of getting fit. Maybe you finish a long day of work and you just can’t face the idea of going to the gym. Living a sedentary lifestyle wasn’t so bad, right? Right? To overcome issues with motivation, try to:

  • Do fun workouts. No one’s going to feel motivated to do something they hate. Ditch the thirty minutes of running on a treadmill. Replace it with fun lifts you love, high intensity and varied cardio workouts, or social sports with your friends.
  • Try group fitness classes. Group fitness classes, such as CrossFit, usually have a fun and motivated atmosphere. The collective vibe will boost your motivation to new heights.
  • Create a workout schedule and stick to it. If you know in advance that you’re going to the gym and know why you’re going and what you’re doing, you’ll feel far more excited to go. Work in your favorite exercises.

Being patient: waiting to see progress

Wake up, eat a thousand eggs, work yourself to the bone at the gym, drink a protein shake, repeat. Sometimes a fitness journey can feel like you’re working so hard, and for what? 

If you don’t see results or feel like you’re meeting your goals, your motivation can really drop. Many people find patience to be the hardest part of getting fit. Here’s how to stay on track:

  • Set small, short term goals. You’ll be waiting a long time to lose 50 pounds. But, if you set a goal for each 5 pounds, you’ll feel much more satisfied with your progress. Reward each 5 pounds with something such as new workout gear or an item of clothing.
  • Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s human nature to look at others, and this can make us feel discouraged. Try to push these thoughts out of your mind. Everyone has their own path.
  • Take photos of yourself. When your body changes just a little each day, you might not notice. Every month or two, take a few pictures of your body to document your progress. When you look at them, you’ll be surprised at the changes you do see.

Fighting the stereotypes that come with getting fit

Before getting shredded, you would probably never consider this to be the hardest part of getting fit. However, many gym buffs really struggle with the stereotypes they face. Big and muscular people, particularly men, are often assumed to be vain, superficial or even stupid. These assumptions can be hurtful!

To overcome this challenge just remember:

  • People at the gym won’t think this way. Try connecting with other fitness junkies. Be kind to those you meet at the gym, and they’ll be kind to you. Of course they know that there’s far more depth to people at the gym than just caring about working out. 
  • Remember you’re doing this for you. There are so many benefits to fitness that go beyond aesthetics. You’ll be the one laughing when you’re well into old age and in great health and amazing shape.
  • It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. At the end of the day, you know there’s more to you than the gym. If someone assumes you’re vain just because you work on yourself, they aren’t someone you want to associate with anyway!
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Can You Get 6 Pack Abs From Running?

man building 6 pack abs from running on the beach

If running’s your cardio of choice, you may be hoping that you can race your way to some 6 pack abs. 

Along with looking great, having a strong core is important for your health. Solid abs keep you stable, reduce the risk of injuries, and even prevent heart disease and diabetes.

So, is it possible to get 6 pack abs from running?

Running Works Your Abs

Your abs get a great workout every time you go for a run. These muscles help to generate the force needed to move forward. They also stabilize the body, preventing you from falling.

The cardiovascular nature of running also helps you to lose body fat. If you’ve built the muscles of a 6 pack through hard work, diet, and strength training, you’ll be able to reveal it to the world if you maintain low body fat. 

Run In Different Ways To Build 6 Pack Abs

One of the best ways to get 6 pack abs from running is to mix up the types of runs you’re going on. Different types of running workouts have different benefits. Plus, if you do things different, it will prevent you from getting bored. Consider trying:

  • Sprints. High intensity dashes between 50 and 100 meters are one of the most effective types of cardio. Being so explosive, they work your abs (and most of your muscles) hard. This is a great way to build strength and burn calories at the same time.
  • Steady endurance runs. Doing a long run at a steady pace will develop your endurance and aerobic strength. A long and relatively slow run on flat terrain for 30 to 90 minutes will increase your lactate threshold. This means that next time, you’ll be able to run for longer. Plus, going for a relaxing morning jog is great for the soul.
  • Hill repeats. After a good warm up, try running up and down a hill of around 100 – 200 meters. The steepness, speed and number of repeats depend on your goals and experience. Hill repeats are tough, yes, but they’re a great way to develop your running endurance and strength at the same time.
  • Workouts which combine running and strength. A workout which combines running and strength will be high intensity and help you to build the 6 pack of your dreams. Try switching between sprint drills and lifts or bodyweight strength exercises to build your endurance and work your core hard.

6 Pack Abs Are Made In The Kitchen

You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: to have an amazing 6 pack, you need to cut down on your body fat to let the muscles shine through. And what has the most impact on your body fat? 

Diet.

You need to eat less calories a day than you use to lose weight. Then, to build muscle, you need to fuel your body with protein.

Start by calculating your BMR. Aim to eat at a deficit of 500 to 1000 calories per day. You should also aim to consume at least 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.

Focus on eating fatty fish, lean chicken and beef, eggs, dairy and lots of leafy vegetables. If you stick to a relatively low calorie and high protein diet, then that 6 pack will be making an appearance before you know it.

Work Strength Training Into Your Routine

While it is somewhat possible to build 6 pack abs from running, adding strength training to the routine will make a huge difference to your progress.

Compound lifts that work many muscle groups at a time are a great way to push your abdominals to their limits. Try squats, deadlifts, bench presses and overhead presses. Each of these exercises involve stabilizing your core, which is great for building a 6 pack.

You can also supplement the workout with isolated ab exercises. These include press ups, V ups, crunches, bicycle crunches, L sits, planks, and so many more. There are many excellent and effective ab exercises to add to your workout. 

Putting It Together: Building 6 Pack Abs From Running, Diet, And Strength Training

Running is a great addition to an exercise routine. It’s effective cardio, and many people absolutely love getting outside and working out in nature. To a degree, you certainly can build a 6 pack from running. 

You’ll have an easier time building your core if you try different types of running workout. Add a quality diet and strength training regimen to the routine, and you’ll be on your way to Greek god abs in no time.

Once achieved, your strong abs will continue to boost your running performance, keeping you stable and strong. Plus, you’ll look amazing. What’s not to love?

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10 Core Exercises For Your Workout Routine

amazing core exercises

Core exercises are a crucial part of your daily workout routine. These muscles, which include the abdominals, back and pelvis, are important for your balance and posture. 

Many trainers recommend spending ten minutes building your core every day. A quick and simple workout that easily fits into your day is a great way to stay motivated and make steady progress on your fitness journey.

Of course, you don’t want to do the same exercises every single day. In this post we have some core exercises that won’t get too monotonous day in, day out.

Every day, pick 3-4 from the list below and perform a few sets of each. You’ll be on your way to having washboard abs in no time.

Hollow holds

This is an awesome isometric core exercise. Lay on your back and slowly raise your legs and shoulders off the ground, with your arms extended above your head. Imagine your ribcage is glued to the floor.

Hold the pose for 10-60 seconds, depending on how challenging you’re finding it. You can make your hollow hold harder by gently rocking your body back and forth, using your core to propel the movement. 

V Ups

Lie down on your back. Perform a crunch by raising your feet to the ceiling, and bringing your upper body off the ground. Reach with your arms to touch your toes. 

From the side, your body will look like the letter V – hence the name. V ups are a great way to develop a tight and stable core. Try doing 2-3 sets of 10-25 reps.

Hanging Knee Raise

This movement challenges your lower abs, which can sometimes be neglected by other ab exercises. Hang straight from gymnastic rings or a pull-up bar, and simply bring your knees up to your chest. With control, slowly straighten your legs. Perform 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.

You can easily turn these core exercises into an L-sit instead, which is more challenging. Rather than bending your knees, bring them straight up, bending only at your hips. Your body should look like a 90 degree angle.

You can also alter this exercise by raising your knees off to the side, rather than pulling them straight towards your chest. This will focus on your obliques. 

Burpees

Burpees are notoriously tiring, but super effective. Begin in a standing position and then squat down. Bring your hands to the floor, and jump your legs back into a prone position.

Perform a push up, then jump your legs back into a crouch position. Finish the rep by jumping in the air as high as you can.

After 3 sets of 12-15, you should have your heart rate up, and your core will be on fire!

Box Jumps

These are another cardio-heavy core exercise. Begin your box jump by standing in front of a sturdy box. Powerfully jump with both feet onto the box, and stand up straight on top of it. Softly jump back down. 

The bigger the box, the bigger the challenge. If the box is small, do reps of 15-20. If the box is a very challenging height, you may find just 2-3 reps per set is enough to get your heart rate up.

Mountain Climbers

Begin by facing the floor in a prone position, with your palms flat on the floor, arms extended, and your body supported by your toes.

Bend your left leg up to your chest, and then return it to its original position, and quickly switch to your right leg. It will feel like running in place in a plank position. Almost all the pressure should be felt on your core.

Perform reps of 20-40 (10-20 on each leg). 

Russian Twists

This core exercise has its name because it was developed for Soviet soldiers during the Cold War. So it’s bound to be effective!

Holding a medicine ball or dumbbell in both hands, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your heels raised off the floor. Use your abs to twist to the left, and tap the weight gently onto the floor beside you. Then, use your abs to tap the weight over onto the floor on your right side. Continue like this until your reps are complete.

By holding your heels off the floor, you’re forcing your core to work hard to stay stable. Do 3 sets of 10-20 on each side.

Crocodile Walk

Begin in the lowered part of a push-up, in a prone position with your arms bent. Then, simply crawl. You need to engage your abs and glutes to keep your body as low to the ground as possible.

Aim to crawl in this position for 30 seconds. You might find it easier if you set a physical target to crawl towards. This whole-body movement is very difficult. You’ll quickly be feeling the burn. 

Overhead Squat

Hold a barbell above your head, and simply perform a classic squat. 

The weight being above your head will shift your center of gravity to be far higher than it usually is. Your core will have to work extra hard to keep you stable. This core exercise is awesome because it’s a compound lift, so it works many muscle groups all at once, so your legs will also get a great workout.

If you’re lifting heavy, try 3 sets of 5. If the weight is on the lighter side, try 2 sets of 10.

Battle Ropes

This is one of those core exercises that feels powerful and really fun to do. Battle ropes are a whole body movement that, when done correctly, require 100% of your energy. It’s great cardio and blasts your core.

Grab a rope in each hand, and simply ‘throw’ waves through them, in an alternating fashion. You can use the battle ropes while standing, kneeling, or performing a squat movement. 

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Is Weightlifting After 50 Dangerous?

does weightlifting hurt your joints after 50

We all know that getting injured at the gym really sucks, and can be especially common if you’re weightlifting after 50. A painful tendon or pulled muscle can keep you out of action for weeks. When weightlifting hurts your joints it’s particularly nasty, and can impact your performance for months. So much hard work and progress can all be undone in an instant. 

It may seem like weightlifting, particularly weightlifting after 50, is bound to cause some damage. All that heavy lifting is sure to put stress and strain on your body, right? 

Well, kind of. Like any exercise, weightlifting is attached to a risk of injury. However, evidence indicates that weightlifting actually strengthens your joints. 

For instance, this study compared the joint health of 25 weightlifters against non-weightlifters. The researchers found that the weightlifters had healthier, or as healthy, joints as their non-lifting peers of the same age.

So, you don’t need to worry too much about weightlifting hurting your joints. It’s never a bad idea to take steps to decrease the risk of injury, though. Here are some ways to make sure you avoid getting hurt:

Warm Up And Cool Down

Warming up your joints before exercising is a key part of preventing injury. Cold joints are injury prone, because they’re not very good at handling shock and impact. Warm joints are much more receptive of stress.

At the other end of your workout, you should cool down with some light cardio and stretching. This slowly brings your heart rate back to a normal resting range, which is important for healthy and even blood flow. 

Stretch

Stretching helps keep the joints limber. Taking time to stretch promotes healthy blood circulation. It speeds up the healing process after muscles begin breaking down, which also prevents next-day soreness. 

You can finish up your workout with a few minutes of dynamic stretching. Try lunges, yoga poses and leg swings as a starting point.

Many people also like to work foam rolling into their stretching time. Using a foam roller to pinpoint spots on muscles can loosen tight tissue, improving blood flow. Again, this helps your muscles to recover from the workout faster.

Keep Good Form

This is the most crucial aspect of preventing weightlifting from hurting your joints. Proper form is key when lifting anything heavy – even just when you’re carrying groceries.

Keeping good form is particularly important when performing heavy compound lifts such as squats, deadlifts and bench presses. When dealing with such heavy weight, you risk serious injury if just one part of your body isn’t aligned correctly.

If you’re unsure of your form, any trainer in the gym will be happy to take a look and give you some tips. This will not only help you perform your workout safely, but also give a boost to your performance and fitness progress.

Work Deload Weeks Into Your Routine

A deload week is a week when you still go to the gym, but you go easier on yourself than usual. Your workouts should be much easier during a deload week, whether it’s because they’re shorter, the weights aren’t as heavy, or you’re doing less sets.

This gives your muscles a chance to relax and heal to prepare them for the next phase of your training. Many people do a deload week every fourth week. If this is right for you depends on how often and how hard you usually train.

I Have Hurt My Joints! What Do I Do?

Unfortunately, while you can take steps to minimize risk, there’s no guaranteed way to prevent injury. If you do get hurt at the gym you should apply ice to the affected area and then wrap the affected body part in a bandage. You can take over the counter medication to deal with pain.

The most important part of recovering from weightlifting hurting your joints is resting until it heals. You will likely need to take a break from exercise. Yes, this is a bit miserable, but you need to take your time to heal. If you get back into the gym too early, you risk making the injury worse.

What About Weightlifting Above 50?

If you’re creeping past middle age, you probably feel more concern about your bone, joint, tendon and general health than you used to. Luckily, weightlifting above 50 is a great way to keep healthy, strong and in shape.

Humans lose muscle as they age. This process is called sarcopenia. However, exercise helps to combat this. Weightlifting will keep your metabolism healthy and decrease your risk of falls. There is also plenty of research to indicate that weightlifting is a great treatment for osteoarthritis. 

Weightlifting in your golden years is a great way to stay in shape and improve your quality of life. If you remember to warm up, cool down, stretch, keep good form for your exercises, and take deload weeks, you’ll find there are many more physical benefits than risks for weightlifting. Exercise is a crucial way to keep healthy well into your life.

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How Do I Get 6 Pack Abs As Quickly As Possible?

how to get 6 pack abs as quickly as possible

There’s many reasons to work for 6 pack abs. Strong abdominal muscles are super important. They help you have great posture, boost your workout endurance, and provide a base of support for your whole body. Plus, they’ll help you look a little more like Chris Hemsworth.

Getting shredded and looking your best is all about gaining muscle while maintaining minimal body fat. Even if you build the core muscles of your dreams, no one will know if they’re hidden behind too much bulk.

Here’s how you can get those washboard abs as quickly as possible – and no, it doesn’t require 1000 sit-ups a day.

Focus on your diet

You know what they say: abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. For an enviable core, yes, you need to work out often. More importantly, you need to eat a healthy diet. 

As a general rule, you should aim to get 40% of your calories from carbs. 30% should come from protein and 30% from fat.

Don’t skimp on healthy carbs such as brown rice, sweet potatoes and whole grains. Eat enough colorful and leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli and spinach.

To build abs, you need to build muscle. This means eating enough protein to fuel your gains. Aim for 0.6 – 0.8 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, depending on how much muscle you wish to build. Some great protein sources include chicken, fish, eggs, lean cuts of beef, and dairy.

Finally, make sure you work enough healthy monounsaturated fats into your diet. Think nuts, avocados, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, and olive oil.

Do more cardio

Cardio is a crucial aspect of your general fitness. Getting your heart pumping helps your body burn fat. In turn, a low body fat percentage reveals the ripped 6-pack abs you’ve been working hard for.

Most CrossFit workouts are energetic and have a big cardio component to them. Checking out a class at your gym could be a simple and easy way to break a sweat, without having to waste time deciding what exercise to do. Plus, group fitness is really fun.

There are also many other great ways to work some extra cardio into your daily routine. You could consider walking, running, biking, swimming or rowing. Team sports you enjoy, such as soccer or basketball, are a popular and fun way to get a workout in without feeling like you’re slaving away at the gym.

Do core exercises

In addition to your cardio, take some time to strengthen your abs. There are many fantastic CrossFit moves that will get your core burning. You can get creative with which exercises you want to use during your workouts. 

Some of the best and most popular functional movements you could consider using include:

  • Overhead squats

Hold a weight above your head and complete a full body squat. This forces your abs to work super hard to stabilize your body. 

  • Toes to bar

Hanging from a pull-up bar, slowly and steadily bring your toes to the bar while keeping your legs straight. Most of the pressure will be on your core, making this an incredible ab workout.

  • Farmer’s carry

This is a simple exercise that consists of carrying two dumbbells. Your arms, back, shoulders and abs will all be exhausted after completing a few of these. The farmer’s carry is a popular CrossFit move and a great way to work your whole upper body. 

  • V ups

These modified sit-ups involve lying on your back and bending at the hips. With arms above your head, slowly bring your hands and feet towards each other – shaping your body into a V. This exercise works your obliques, core and hip flexors. V ups will improve your stability, balance, and most importantly, set your core on fire.

  • Burpee box jump

This explosive bodyweight movement upgrades a classic burpee by adding a leap onto a box. This is a great way to work your core, while also getting in some intense cardio.

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