What Steven Cousley Does

Abs Exercise – Flatten Your Belly

There are a lot of misconceptions on how to flatten your belly and get six pack abs. A lot of this comes from advertising campaigns that promise a quick fix solution. If it’s your goal to have a well sculpted body it’s easy to be misled by the promises you see by promoters on tv. The truth is that dietary supplements and pills, expensive exercise machines and other gizmos might help to get your flat belly, but it will take time. Depending on your current physical condition it may take a lot of time and a lot of effort. There are no shortcut quick fix solutions. Despite the claims of any product, the best results can be achieved by doing some very simple basic exercises.

First of all, if you are carrying some extra weight you will need to do some form of cardio exercise to burn off your belly fat. Fat that accumulates around your midsection is called visceral fat. it can be unsightly and may also lead to other health problems. No matter how much work you do on your abdominal muscles, you won’t see the results if they are hidden under a layer of fat. To burn the fat you will need some form of exercise that will raise your heart rate for 15 to 30 minutes each day. A brisk walk, running, swimming, going up and down stairs, are all simple activities that will burn off excess fat. Choose an activity that suits your lifestyle and current physical condition. Do something easy to start off and then increase the intensity as your fitness level improves.

The most common exercise to tighten and tone your abs is crunches. You start out by laying flat on the floor. Put both hands behind your neck. Now raise your knees and bring them towards your chest. At the same time lift your head and curl your body towards your knees. Then return to your original flat position and do the crunch again. Doing a series of repetitions really works the central abdominal muscles to sculpt a flat belly and nice six pack. Start with a number of repetitions that you are comfortable with and increase the reptititions as your abs get stronger. Do this exercise three or four times a week.

Now it’s important not to focus on just one type of exercise or your body will adapt to it and it takes longer to get results. Crunches work the central muscles but you need to work the sides as well. Do a simple situp exercise with a twist. Put your hands behind your head and as you sit up, twist so that your elbow points towards your opposite knee. For example, twist and turn your body so that your right arm moves towards your left knee. On the next repetition, twist the other way so that your left elbow moves towards your right knee. Just like the crunches, do as many repetitions as you are comfortable with and increase the number of repetitions over time. Also do this three or four times a week, ideally alternating days with the crunches.

Another variation that works on the central region is a very simple leg raise. Lay flat on the floor with your legs together. Keeping your legs straight, raise your feet 15-20 centimetres off the ground and just hold them there for 20 seconds. Lower them to the floor, rest for 10 seconds and then do it again. Start with 5 repetitions and over time increase the length of time your legs are raised and the number of repetitions. This is really great abs exercise flattens your belly within weeks.

For more information on easy exercises and simple diet changes to flatten your belly, click this link now and read the Flat Belly Book.

Describing the Zumba DVD Program

Zumba is an exercise program inspired mostly by Latin dance rhythms. It was originally created in the 1990′s in Miami by choreographer and dancer Alberto Perez. Initially he gave Zumba fitness classes in his own studios before joining up with entrepeneurs Perlman and Aghion. Together they began to produce and market a series of videos and dvd’s teaching the Zumba Fitness program. The dvd series includes levels from beginner to advanced or even the gold edition for seniors.

Today there are more than 25,000 Zumba instructors around the world and the hit Zumba Fitness DVD series is available in stores, on websites and by infomercials on tv.

What is Zumba?

Zumba is the latest craze in dance fitness. There are variations to suit any age or fitness levels. Even seniors get to burn off calories while having fun. It’s important to understand the basic principles of the program before starting so that you can get the most out of the workout.

Zumba fitness incorporates both hypnotic Latin music and easy-to-do moves that lead to a dynamic and effective workout program that will help you de-stress, have the greatest time and burn fat. The goal is to give individuals an entertaining time so they can consistently stick to a program and reach their health and fitness goals. Zumba fanatics get to have the long term benefits of the dance and exercise by doing body-energizing and muscle-pumping movements that are also very addictive.

The Principles

According to Alberto Perez, Zumba’s principles of resistance and fitness interval training enhances the use of calories and results in an overall toning and fat burning. It combines easy dance steps and movements the help to sculpt the entire body. The program itself is both fun and addictive and can be enjoyed alone by following the Zumba Fitness dvd program or in groups led by trained instructors.

Music and Inspiration

Zumba uses both slow and fast rhythms so dancers get a variety of exercise. The music is mostly based on Latin dance and the fitness program takes steps from several dance styles including meringue, reggaeton, pop, cumbia, mambo,  flamenco, rumba and calypso. Because Zumba fitness incorporates so much fun in the program it becomes addictive and individuals find themselves wanting to workout every day. This results in a very effective daily aerobic exercise routine.

The Blatant Truth on How to Flatten Your Belly

It can be frustrating to watch all those infomercials on tv telling you how easy it is to flatten your belly. You see lots of models or actors showing off their fabulous bodies and telling you they got that way by using whatever product it is they are endorsing. They make it look really easy to get a flat belly and six pack abs.

But is that what it’s like in the real world? It’s true that anybody can achieve a flat belly but in reality there can be a lot of factors involved and it does take an effort on your part. For some people it’s easy, others need to work really hard. There are lot of factors involved, some of them include gender, genetics, age, lifestyle and general health condition. Your basic body type naturally affects the shape of your midsection.

It’s important to realise that you need to do a range of exercises and control your diet to achieve and maintain an attractive flat belly. The simple fact is that to reduce your belly flat you need to burn off the fat around your midsection. You can target the musle groups in that area but unless you burn fat as well you aren’t going to see those toned muscles. Control the fat in your diet but you still need to eat some fats to remain healthy. Use cardio exercise like walking, running or swimming to burn off excess fat and more targettedd exercise like crunches and sit-ups to target your ab muscles.

Don’t just use one form of exercise for your abs because your body will adapt to it and it will be harder to get results. Try a different exercise each day, perhaps focus on central muscles one day, then do twisting exercises to work the sides the next day.

Some of the gadgets you see on tv may help in your exercise program, but don’t be fooled into thinking they are all you need. Anything that promises a quick fix might just sound to good to be true.

Getting a well toned flat belly does take some work but you can do it without expensive exercise devices. For more specific tips on diets and exercises to lose belly fat, click this link to read the Flat Belly Book.

How Does Exercise Help Your Hypertension?

Do you want to take control of your blood pressure? If so, exercise may be the key for you to do just that. Many people may not realize exercise can help you control your blood pressure. Fortunately, it is all rather simple.

As you probably know, you are more prone to high blood pressure as you age. Unfortunately, we all age and this cannot be helped. But you can learn how to lower your blood pressure

By exercising you can prevent risks of high blood pressure which can cause stroke and kidney disease. If you already have high blood pressure, exercising can help you get it under control.

As you exercise your heart gets stronger. When your heart is stronger it can pump more blood more easily causing less pressure on your arteries. While exercise may not work for everyone you can easily lower your blood pressure by around ten millimeters.

Even if you do not have high blood pressure, you can take these precautions to prevent getting it. Along with controlling your blood pressure you can lose weight or maintain your desired weight which also affects your blood pressure.

Overweight people are prone to having high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke or kidney or heart diseases. If this is you, get moving and start exercising! This doesn’t mean you have to overdo yourself, take it slow at first and work your way up. You will start feeling better as you continue a regular routine.

It is suggested to do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day if possible. Thirty minutes can be hard to do for some people, mainly because they can’t find the time. If this is the case, you can do short bursts of exercise. You could exercise for ten minutes at a time throughout the day. At the end of the day you’ve done thirty minutes.

Like with starting any exercise routine, you will want to talk with your doctor first. There are certain things you will have to have your doctor’s okay for. If you are a man over forty or a woman over fifty it might be better to talk with your doctor first.

Smoking increases blood pressure as well as makes it hard for some people to exercise. Being overweight has an effect on everything and you definitely want to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Having a chronic health condition or high cholesterol and even high blood pressure can put you at risk when exercising. Be sure to talk to your doctor first. If you do not visit the doctor regularly, do so now. It is better to know exactly what health you are in before doing any strenuous activity or even exercising.

Always warm up before starting an exercise routine. Begin slowly so you can slowly build the intensity. Be sure to continuously breathe throughout your routine. Holding your breath can cause your blood pressure to increase and the key of exercising to help control or lower your blood pressure.

If you experience any discomforts or pain while exercising notify your doctor immediately. It is better to take full precaution even if it ends up being something little. Once you start your exercise program, you want to track your progress.

A great way to do this is if you can’t see your doctor regularly; purchase a home blood pressure tester. You want to check your pressure before you begin and when you are finished. You want to make sure it’s working and how much it’s working.

By exercising you are lowering your chances of getting high blood pressure and if you already have it, you are helping to control it. This means you are lessening your risks of strokes or heart diseases. It is never too late to start, no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity. Talk with your doctor today about an exercise program that is right for you. Understanding blood pressure problems and what you can do about them will lead to a longer and healthier life. Your body will thank you in the end.

Golf Swing Exercises To Help Your Game

To be successful on the golf course you need more than just talent and skill. You also need lots of practice. Sometimes, the assistance of others and a few golf swing aids will be needed to improve your game.

The first of the golf swing exercises is to practice with a weighted club. This club is two to five pounds heavier than what you normally use when you play golf. This is useful because it helps you practice your swing in slow motion so that you get the correct form and will do this properly during a tournament.

Some golfers have a hard time keeping their arms together during the course of the swing. If you have this problem, practice with a stretchable arm band. This should be placed in between your triceps so that you are forming the letter “V” from the moment you start your swing until the follow through.

Your golf swing grip is also very important in the game. To help you practice look for a device which is simply called “the golf grip”. The nice thing about this device is that it fits all kinds of clubs. It is made of plastic so you can easily take it off and remove. If you have a problem with your hands getting slippery, try putting on some golfing clubs.

To get the most power from your swing you have to use your whole body and this starts from your stance. Perhaps, your footing needs to be improved and for that, the foot wedge was invented so for you right handed players out there, your weight starts on your fight foot.

Apart from using golf swing aids on the green, there are other exercises you can do at home. You can buy a golf DVD and then try to practice what you learn.

A very simple thing you can do at home is practice in front of a full length mirror so you can watch yourself swing. Alternatively, get a video recorder and record yourself in action on the course and then play it back when you are done.

Can you hire someone as a golf swing coach? That will be great because you get feedback from another person instead of just second guessing if what you did in the mirror or video is correct.

Golf clinics may be done regularly but how often does it happen where you live? The golf swing devices mentioned can easily be purchased from the sporting goods store. Most of these are sold for under $20 so it will not hurt your pocket so much just to improve your game. If the swing aids mentioned are not available in the store, check for them online. It is possible that they are much cheaper here even if you add shipping costs so check what is available.

There are many brands to choose from in these various golf swing aids. Before you buy one, check if this is good value compared to other brands. Look for feedback from other golfers. If the feedback given by other golf enthusiasts is good, try it out yourself and see if it can improve your game or not. Don’t forget to practice because the golf swing aids can only do so much. What really matters is how well you can do without them during a game.