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Valentine's day Shape Up Plan
Here are some simple exercises you can perform at the gym or even at home to get yourself in top shape for the most romantic holiday of the year. 
Workout brought to you by Esteban Lutz – Lifestyle Family Fitness Regional Vice President of Personal Training

As quickly as the holidays and New Year passed, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This year, look beyond all of the traditional gifts like chocolates and flowers and surprise your sweetheart (and yourself!) with a newly trim and toned body. Give a gift that is not only good for your sweetheart, but a treat for yourself too! And it will last a lot longer than candy or roses. Here are some pointers to improve the typical problematic areas to show your one and only a new, smaller you. 

Begin with the shoulders. Lateral raises for your deltoids/ shoulders can do wonders. If the machine that focuses on this is taken use dumbbells. Follow this up with bicep curls and triceps extensions. Two to three sets with a 10-15 rep maximum is recommended.

In addition, a well conditioned back will help spine alignment and posture. Good posture can give the appearance of losing ten to 20 pounds. Rows are an excellent exercise, seated or standing. Alternate by doing two arm and single arm rows and make sure to focus on your spine alignment and shoulder blades. Try to pinch them together while performing the row. Cobras are a great movement, on a stability ball, on the ground during Yoga or Pilates.

While working your chest and arms is important, ensure you compensate for what is lacking in your back muscles. Otherwise you could experience a curved back. A weak back can also push extra skin and fat rolls towards your stomach; taking the focus away from defined pectoral muscles and abs.

When working towards fitness goals, be consistent in your training. Never give 
up or quit. Small changes week by week add up to large results. Cut out a soda per day and that can equal one pound of fat per month. Park your car four rows further than you normally do when you go to work and the store. Don’t ruin a weeks worth of disciplined training with a night of careless eating and drinking at a restaurant, use portion control.

Stay focused and determined, join a group fitness class or work with a personal trainer for accelerated results. When you walk in to the gym know what you are working towards and have a goal in mind.

Be determined and you will look great and impress your date. Here is a recap:
  • Be consistent with your exercise- DON’T give up
  • Do functional based core exercises- Pilates, Yoga, and Body Flow
  • Try the Group fitness classes
  • Guys- try the group fitness classes
  • Side shoulder raises
  • Bicep curls
  • Tricep extensions
  • Rows- standing or seated
  • Cobras
  • 2 to 3 sets with 10 to 15 repetitions
   
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