The Log Shed

Health and workout enthusiast

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Inactive

I have made very few posts lately, this is because I am on a study abroad in Holland. I get back next week and will be posting more then!

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LMAO

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Working out at an aiport, did 50 pushups. Mixed it up tons of pushup variations.

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Wearing a sweater while working out?

Many people wear sweatshirts to the gym, some with the misconception that the extra sweat causes more fat loss.

While the extra layers will cause more sweat, sweat should not be confused with weight loss. All of the water your body has lost will translate into weight loss, but it is only short term weight loss. The moment you re-hydrate all the weight is gained back.

Same goes for sauna suits or trash bags. Really the only time I've seen these though is at wrestling matches, for people trying to make weight. Honestly that is the only useful purpose of them. All the weight that is lost is water weight, and isn't helping with fat loss in any way at all.

Of course there are many other reasons to wear sweatshirts at the gym, but this particular notion is false.  

Josh

Personal Trainer

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Quick tip: Isometric exercises

Usually ignored and not added into routines, isometric exercises often add an unexpected twist to a workout regimen. For those who do not know what an isometric exercise is, it is when were the muscle fibers do not lengthen or shorten. An example of this would be pressing against a wall, the muscles are flexed but there is no contracting or extension of the muscle.

Door frame shoulder press - works the deltoids

Horse stance - great workout for the legs, really works hip flexors, quadriceps, and a little bit of hamstrings and glutes.

Plank - I am sure many of us know what a plank is, but did not know it was an isometric exercise. 

Isometric shoulder raise - instead of a conventional forward lateral shoulder raise where the weight is lifted and then brought back down, the weight is constantly held up.

Hold the weight there for 10-15 seconds. I guarantee it will burn.

Try incorporating some isometric exercises into your routine and break that plateau. 

Josh

Personal Trainer

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How is everybody today?

Hope all is well,

Josh

Personal Trainer

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Benefits Of Good Posture

Benefits of good posture in terms of weightlifting at least. Sitting up straight keeps your lungs open and strengthens your back. This provides numerous benefits for the weightlifter.

- More oxygen means more energy throughout the day.

- More oxygen also means a more oxygenated brain, which translates into clearer thinking, more thoughts and ideas.

- A stronger back means less squating, deadlifting, or other back related weight bearing injuries.

These are just a few examples of the immediate impact of having good posture. Try sitting with your back straight and see how much better you feel!

Josh 

Personal trainer

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If you are a fitness blog, I am interested.

I am constantly trying to find new ideas and new ways to create challenging workouts and engaging routines. If you have interesting and unique ways of approaching health and fitness, I am interested. 

My question is, is anybody alive out there?

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Yes, we all have moments of weakness. And no, I wasn't able to finish all of it. Just most of it.

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Would You Want Instructional Workout Videos?

I've been contemplating wether or not I should make instructional workout videos. What do you guys think?

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Finding A Healthy Hobby

Often times we just won't be able to hit the gym, or we will be too tired, or something will come up. It's important that we don't rely on the gym solely for our only source of exercise throughout the day. There are many studies out there suggesting and outright claiming that too much sedentary activity is killing you. 

Anybody who cares about health should find that fact troubling. So it is important to invest time in finding a hobby that will get make you active, without going to the gym. For people like me, this isn't a problem. I love going to the gym, its one of my favorite places, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks like this. But if you don't think along those lines, you should probably pick up a healthy hobby.

Biking, running, climbing, swimming, soccer, football, basketball, racquetball, any sport, any physical activity is great. Most of us when we aren't at the gym are sitting at a desk doing work. At that point, even standing is considered healthy. So fifteen minutes of even light exercise will get blood flowing to your brain, wake you up, and supply your body with some much needed activity. 

I hope I've pointed some of you in a positive direction. On a second note this is article number 101.

 - Josh

Personal Trainer

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Q and A: "Girlfriend Wants Smaller Arms".

Well, that is certainly an interesting question. However, I am going to need some elaboration. Does she have muscular arms, or more adipose tissue on her arms.

If she has muscular arms, she she be happy. 

If she has fatty tissue (I'm guessing mainly on the tricep, where in females thats where the fat is usually stored) then she needs to do more cardio and start eating right, if she isn't already doing so. There is no such thing as spot fat loss, so doing tricep exercises won't do a thing, except for put on muscle. 

I have a couple articles on cardio, you can check out my Fusion workouts or the plyometrics articles I've posted. 

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. 

- Josh

Personal Trainer

Does anybody else have questions pertaining to fitness and nutrition?

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Fitness or Nutrition Questions?

Have any questions relating to fitness or nutrition? I'll be happy to help you out, fire away.

- Josh L.

Personal Trainer

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Deep Breathing Meditation

Breath Awareness or Conscious Deep Breathing is one of the most simple ways to calm and integrate the mind and body. The body is always breathing. You are always breathing.

The first step toward having the breath be your ally is to become more aware of it. The next step is to make subtle shifts that will allow the breath to be easier and deeper. You might notice that your belly is tight and the breath is shallow. Or, the exhale is quick and unconscious while the inhale is almost non-existent. Whatever your particular patterns are, here are some simple directions toward breathing well and being well.

This short blurb taken from about.com. Click here for the full article.

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What have YOU accomplished this week?

Have you surpassed any major goals? Any minor ones? It's important to stay on track and keep the small goals in sight, to assist in accomplishing your final goal. I know this week I finally broke past my dumbbell bench press plateau and my fear of squats and deadlifts. What have YOU done?

Big hand wants to know, and so do I. I hope to hear interesting things!

[thelogshed-blog]

Mental Wellness as Well as Physical

I have not been focusing at all on the mental aspect of health, and this is something I am going to try and improve upon in the near future.You control your brain, yet at the same time your brain controls you. It's a strange relationship. 

I hope you are all well,

Josh

Personal Trainer

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