You have heard it countless times. And if you’ve been to a gym ever, probably by now you’ve come to realize that it is the only mantra for that coveted biceps. Well, 18 inch biceps do not come easy, agreed. But is it the only yardstick for the ultimate physique? Is the road to attaining high fitness levels always a painful one? Let us analyze this.
Building a healthy body does require diligence. But it need not be a painful process. In fact, extreme lactic acid build up is for professionals. Let us leave it to them. For normal individuals, exercising should be a fun activity. The first reason for many to shy away from regular exercise is that abominable pain. Why exercise so hard that you cannot get yourself back on feet for the whole week? As mentioned earlier, extreme power training is a necessity for the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronnie Coleman. If you wish to be one of them, you do not have a choice. For the others, the rest of this article can be useful.
Various exercises that we are going to discuss about do not need painful movements, yet can yield rewarding results.
1. Yoga
This ancient Indian mind-body therapy needs no introduction. It emphasizes on the stretching capabilities of the muscles rather than contraction, along with proper posture and breathing. Besides having a strong impact on one’s mental concentration and mind power, yoga is great for attaining a toned, slim body. It can not only help you stay fit but also fight diseases, promote anti-aging and delay ugly wrinkles. With celebrities like Madonna and Anthony Keidis taking to yoga, you have reasons to give it a serious thought.
2. Kickboxing
The latest fad these days, kickboxing can do wonders to your core muscles. It is also a great strength training exercise. Besides burning calories, kickboxing builds agility and flexibility. Those vying for washboard abs should know that kickboxing utilizes all the muscles of the Rectus Abdominus, a must for the popular six packs.
3. Running/Jogging
Have you ever paid attention to the sprinters and marathon runners? You will notice that they have ripped bodies, extreme cardiovascular fitness and high endurance levels. Research shows that people who run for at least a kilometer a day have 30% less chances of cardiac complications than their passive counterparts. Half an hour of a brisk walk or jog early morning can benefit your body beyond limits. So grab your ipod, put on your tracks and start running.
4. Swimming
Whoever said that swimming is the best exercise for the body was absolutely right. No other exercise utilizes a larger number of muscles together at a time than swimming. Swimming can also be a fun filled activity when done with your partner, wife or kids. It can help you maintain a healthy weight irrespective of the lifestyle you lead.
5. Light Weights
Those dumbbells are not that bad after all. As long as lifting weights doesn’t cross the threshold of pain, you have no reason for considering it undesirable. In fact, only way to get a good tone is weight training. You can take light weights and go for increased sets or repetition to double it up as a cardio exercise. Lifting weights can also help increase bone density and prevent shock related injuries.
6. Other Fun Stuff
There are many other ways to burn calories as well as maintain optimum fitness besides monotonous exercise regimes stated above. Any kind of sports is good for the body. So a game of basketball during weekends or occasional games of softball or soccer on weekdays can be fun. Household chores, taking your dog out for walk, fishing or bowling with friends can all test your fitness levels effectively.
7. Make Love not war
It is more than just a message to President George W. Bush when talking about fitness! Jokes and censors apart, spicing up your love life can tone you up for good. Research shows that people who perform well in bed and have sex regularly have considerable fitness levels. Vice versa, a good sex life can boost the muscles too besides the hormones. No wonder you have reasons now to gift her that dress, and healthy ones at that!
