Fitness For Dummies

What exactly is new in fitness? In the exercise world, there’s something new in equipment, research, classes, gadgets, videos, and Web sites just about every day. The last few years have also seen the invention and marketing of new schlock—like pills that claim to eliminate cellulite or burn extra carbohydrates and machines that purport to tone your thighs “without any effort on your part.” It’s all too easy to get confused by all the myths and mixed messages out there. But don’t sweat it! This thoroughly revised edition of Fitness For Dummies updates you on all the latest—the good, the bad, and the bizarre—tackles your fears about getting fit, and gives you the knowledge and motivation to stick with fitness for the rest of your life. Renowned fitness experts Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent show you how to: Test your fitness level and set realistic goals Pinpoint fat sources in your diet Create a personalized fitness program Find Internet fitness forums and Web sites Brave a public gym This is your essential get-fit guide, covering state-of-the-art fitness techniques, equipment, programs, and health clubs in a practical, friendly way. You’ll see how your individualized fitness program will help you strengthen your heart and lungs, burn lots of calories, lower your stress level, and even help you stay injury-free. You get the latest on low-carb eating, new food pyramids, the glycemic index and trans fats, and new carb guidelines. Plus, you’ll see how to: Take advantage of hot trends like Yoga and circuit training Incorporate weight training in your workout Choose the best fitness equipment for your home gym Stay fit at all ages and stages Complete with a list of ten great fitness investments under $100 (and ten fitness ripoffs!) as well as proven ways to stay motivated, Fitness For Dummies, Third Edition is your one-stop guide to a slim, trim new you!

A fun and friendly guide to enjoying the benefits of video games with actual fitness results! Lose weight, find serenity, and tone your muscles while playing a video game? It's almost too good to be true! Yet, the Wii offers all of that, with fitness games that focus on losing weight, achieving balance and building strength. Written by an author team of Certified Personal Trainers, this friendly guide is aimed at anyone who is eager to take advantage of combining the fun, interactive, and motivational aspects of video games with traditional fitness activities. You'll learn how to use Wii Fit Plus, EA Sports Active and other games as part of a sensible workout routine and lifestyle. The authors guide you through best practices for doing the exercises and explain how to incorporate a variety of other activities to maintain long-term results. Wii Fit Plus and EA Sports Active feature different fitness games that focus on losing weight, achieving balance and building strength An author duo of Certified Personal Trainers guide you through combining the fun, interactive aspect of Wii fitness with traditional fitness activities More than 100 color screen shots serve as helpful examples for performing the routines safely and effectively Using this instructional and innovative book, you'll be fit with your Wii!

How to make educated decisions regarding nutrition, exercise programs, choosing a health club facility and purchasing exercise equipment, clothing and accessories.

Every few months a new diet, wonder drug, or workout machine hitsthe market promising instantaneous results. Unfortunately, none ofthese fads ever seems to work. That's because the secret togood health is based on a balanced workout routine, which consistsof eating a healthy diet, exercising, resting your body, and doingyour best to find balance in all aspects of your life. If you candedicate yourself to this goal and are willing to work for what youwant you can have a healthy and fit body. Workouts For Dummies by Tamilee Webb, whose buffed bodyis the star of the Buns of Steel workout video series, will showyou how to get the most out of your workout routine no matter whatyour current level of fitness. If you're a workout enthusiastthis book will help you shape up with easy workouts you can doanytime, anywhere. Even if you've never exercised,don't worry--this book starts with basic topics such aschoosing shoes and warming up. Workouts For Dummie s covers everything you'll needto create an effective exercise program, starting with anexplanation of body types (so you don't think you'llend up looking like Cindy Crawford if you don't already) andthe workouts that suit your body type. You'll also finddirections for stretches, aerobic exercises, muscle conditioning(using weights, furniture, exercise bands, and bars), and workoutsfor different locations (home, office, gym), all withillustrations. Workouts For Dummies also deals with thefollowing topics and much more: * Creating a personalized workout * Warming up, cooling down, and stretching * Preventing common injuries * Targeting and toning trouble spots * Evaluating equipment, gear, and gadgets * Determining your fitness level * Working out while traveling Filled with expert tips, techniques, and step-by-step photos thatillustrate over 100 exercises, Workouts For Dummies willhelp you make exercising an enjoyable part of your life.

A user-friendly guide that teaches you the origins and philosophy of the Pilates method and helps you set realistic fitness goals and custom tailor a program Once the secret fitness weapon of professional dancers, athletes, and movie stars, Pilates is sweeping the country and becoming more popular than ever. If half of what its many fans claim is true, then it’s easy to see why. Combining elements of yoga, dance, gymnastics, and boxing, along with many original movements, Pilates exercises build muscle tone, improve flexibility and balance, lengthen the spine, increase body awareness, and repair past injuries. Most people who’ve done it, even for a short time, say they feel stronger and more energized, centered, and physically confident than ever before. They also like having the flat tummies, tight buns, and long lean thighs of a dancer. Pilates For Dummies is your gentle introduction to the Pilates method without the high cost of private instruction. Packed with easy-to-follow exercises an plenty of photos, it helps you develop your own Pilates fitness program to do at home or in the gym and how to use eight basic Pilates principles to get the most out of your mat-based routines. With this practical guide by your side, you can: Look and feel better than ever Get stronger, more flexible, in control, and less prone to injury Target and tone problem areas Tone and strengthen your abs, buns, thighs, and arms Repair chronic stress and sports injuries Whether you’re just starting out with Pilates or know a few exercises and want to learn more, the book covers: Basic, intermediate, and advanced mat exercises How to use Pilates exercise equipment and accessories How to target specific areas of your body including the stomach, back, thighs, and chest Pilates for the pregnant and recently pregnant body How Pilates can help heal injuries and reform your posture The fun of combining Pilates with other forms of exercise, including yoga, swimming, aerobics, and more Additionally, you’ll learn simple ways to incorporate Pilates into your everyday life, changes you can expect to see from practicing Pilates, and questions to ask if you decide to join a Pilates studio or hire a Pilates instructor. Get your copy of Pilates For Dummies to start designing a Pilates fitness program just for you.

Have you put off starting a fitness program because you don't know where to begin? If so, let Fitness For Dummies, Australian & New Zealand Edition, be your user-friendly, cost effective personal trainer.This book includes plenty of photos and illustrations that will help you understand fitness jargon, show you how to exercise, and help you maximise your workout.

Tone up, burn calories, stay strong Weight Training For Dummies makes it easy to get started with weight training by offering trusted and straightforward guidance on the latest circuit and resistance training, and all-new information on the highly popular bodyweight and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Whether you're working with dumbbells, free weight sets, or machines, you'll find out how to combine weight training with other exercise to properly strength train and get in the best shape of your life. Along with aerobic exercise and flexibility, body weight training is an integral part of a complete physical activity program. But with all the different equipment and techniques available, getting started can feel overwhelming. Want to get pumped about weight training? Consider these facts: strength training, whether via free weights or a machine, builds muscle. And the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism and the less prone you are to injuries—in and out of the gym. Plus, strength training promotes bone strength, which can significantly reduce your odds of developing osteoporosis. If that's not enough, strength training—unlike cardio workouts like running—reaps benefits almost immediately. So what are you waiting for? Weight Training For Dummies has everything you need to get started. Provides examples and directions for powerful 20-minute weight training routines for the time challenged Features advice to help you choose a weight training system that you enjoy and that fits into your lifestyle Includes new coverage devoted to warm-ups and the hottest and most beneficial stretches Introduces using weight training to address specific health or orthopedic conditions Whether you're already in the gym several times a week or are just starting out with a fitness routine, Weight Training For Dummies shows you how to use free weights or weight machines to get results—fast.

Paleo workouts that are heavy on results—and low on equipment investment Paleo Workouts For Dummies offers a program of back-to-the-Stone-Age exercises with specially designed workouts that burn fat, fight disease, and increase energy. The paleo workouts found in this step-by-step guide, promote sound activities with a strong emphasis on practicing and mastering fundamental/primitive human movements such as squats, hinges, pushes/pulls, sprints, crawls, and more. Paleo Workouts For Dummies caters to the anti-gym crowd who want a convenient program that can be used anywhere, anytime. In addition, vital details on healthy Paleolithic foods that maximize energy levels for the intense workout routines are covered. Companion workout videos can be accessed, for free, at Dummies.com The video content aids you in mastering paleo moves and techniques covered in the book Offers a complete cardiovascular and strength workout By focusing on the primal movements that humans evolved to perform, Paleo Workouts For Dummies is for anyone following a paleo diet routine as well as those curious about how to maximize their paleo workouts.