Guest post by Paul Atkins

Around the world  fans of Les Mills Body Pump were elated to find out their favorite cardio Body Pump class could now be accessed via an in home workout program. The Les Mills PUMP Beachbody workout is first of a kind workout, and bridges the gap between group class style exercises and in home “do it yourself” fitness DVD based videos.

Although only being a few weeks old, the Les Mills PUMP Beachbody workout  seems to be doing very well and especially among female exercisers. This is not much of a surprise as the major demographic for Body Pump is women. However don’t think this workout is anything but a heart pumping, 1,000 calorie per hour total body burn. The Les Mills Pump Beachbody program is much more and is ideal for the person who desires Body Pump class results but would rather skip the crowds and get their fix at home.

The Secret To Les Mills PUMP Beachbody Workout

The secret to this program lies in the balance between high repetition exercises and low barbell weight. No more than 20 to 25 pounds in total weight are used in the base kit of the Pump workout. The term used to describe the technique behind the program is called The Rep Effect.  This effect works contrary to typical weight training exercise. Instead of bulking you up, the combination of lower weight and higher reps helps get you lean, strong, and sculpted. The constant change in pace and tempo is also at the heart of the Rep Effect. By continually changing the speed at which you exercise you push your muscles to the point of fatigue while at the same time staying in a high heart rate zone.

What The Les Mills PUMP Beachbody Workout Comes With

Like all Beachbody fitness programs the Les Mills Pump workout comes with everything you need. You not only get the 7 workouts on 7 DVDs and a bonus core workout only available through certain sites, but you also get just the right balance of equipment. There’s not too much equipment; it’s comprised of a barbell that’s easy to fold away and two sets of plates weighing five pounds and ten pounds respectively. The deluxe version of the program comes with an extra set of ten pound plates and a step platform that comes with four risers plus three additional DVD’s.

Whether you get the base kit or deluxe kit you will get a nutrition guide called “Get Lean” along with a calendar that’s easy to follow, and an exercise guide that defines each move you do in the workout. All of these materials are useful because they keep you on track and help propel the results you will already be getting from the program. 

The ideal person for Les Mills PUMP is someone who may have heard of Body Pump before, may have even attempted a class or two, but because of a lack of confidence or inability to keep pace with classmates felt like Body Pump wasn’t for them. This in home version of Body Pump was designed to start you off slowly and allow your body to build up strength which in turn will help you build confidence. When strength and confidence are built up, the hope and expectation of both les Mills International and Beachbody is that anyone who uses this workout will then be able to try Les Mills Body Pump classes. If you think les Mills Pump will help you in achieving your fitness goals, why not give it a shot?

Guest Post by Paul Atkins

Over the past 12 months there has been much in the way of news stories gracing our television screens and magazine covers.  We have had our fair share of stories from killer tornadoes, to rioting hockey fans, to the never-ceasing-to-amaze-us congressional scandals.

This week P90X fans finally got some good news in regards to the much anticipated sequel. The extreme secret nature of this project has left many fans patiently waiting for over a year now with little news as to the progress of it or its release date. This week marks the first release of a two minute P90X2 trailer that will give every fan a small glimpse of what the Tony Horton P90X2 project will be like.

The project that was originally referred to as P90Next and then P90X:MC2 has been in development since the middle of last summer. Although only being in the development stages for over a year, many P90X fans have been waiting since 2004 for a follow up to their beloved in-home workout program. This week Mr. Horton and his counterparts behind the newly-renamed P90X sequel– aptly named P90X2–released this trailer, giving us all a little preview into the intensity and new muscle confusion techniques Mr. Horton will use.

Beachbody, the producers of P90X and all of Tony Horton’s home videos, are touting this next program in the series to not just push the envelope, but change the rules of fitness and extreme training forever. Tony Horton and Beachbody have enlisted the help of world class Sports Medicine experts on this latest venture. The aim of P90X2 will be to push the bounds of muscle confusion and fitness science further than the original program ever did.

Watch a preview of the all new P90X2—the sequel to P90X. When you do, you’ll quickly realize that if this trailer is just a taste of what’s to come, the wait will have been worth it.

by Paul Atkins

When you're out with your friends and everyone's drinking and you decide you want a drink, have a drink that won't end up destroying all your weight loss hard work. This article is dedicated to helping you find the best drinks when your out with friends. We will skip all the boring reasons and scientific research into why it is you shouldn't drink especially if you're trying to lose weight and get fit, and focus rather on what to do when you have decided to go ahead and have a cold one.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know when you have had too much to drink and damage is done. Generally your body lets you know the next day with a serious hangover. When this happens it always seems that the best possible remedy is a greasy calorie loaded meal that is of course detrimental to anyone trying to lose weight and get fit. However you need to be realistic and know that having a drink occasionally is not so bad, after all a good drink has the ability to relieve a little stress, calm you down, and lift up your mood. Caution though is needed when you decide to drink as not all drinks are created the same. This is similar to the food that you choose to eat or not to eat, not all food is created equal, while some of it can be okay other types of food need to be avoided at all times, the same would be true for certain cocktails.

Being prepared ahead of time so that when a scenario is put before you that will more than likely end up in a way that could be bad you will have already had the knowledge and wisdom to know what to avoid or what to choose. When you read on further you will learn of the five best drinks and why they are okay. They're okay for you not because they are low cost or because they taste really good but for health-related reasons and how they affect your body. This should be primary concern for anyone who's losing weight and getting in shape knowing the reasons why their good and how they affect your health will make a difference.

Red wine is one of the best cocktails anyone can drink. This is mentioned first in our article not because it's better than some of the other drinks but because it is usually one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the world and because it is usually available anywhere. There has been much written about red wine in regards to its health benefits, from the fact that it has antioxidants to how it can even help with certain minor ailments. In fact not to get biblical or anything but I believe there are even a few scriptures in the Bible that talk about how a little red wine is good for your body.

Since red wine is what's mentioned in this article specifically do not wrongly assume that white wine is not equally if not better for your body. The research that has been done shows almost in every case that both wines offer health benefits. The really interesting fact as of late is that actually white wine has a little bit higher antioxidant level as well as being somewhat more beneficial in other health areas. What all this research really means is that for the health-conscious you cannot go wrong if you're going to drink a cocktail by choosing wine.

Crossing over the Atlantic now to the land that is just as much known for leprechauns and shamrocks as beer, Ireland is known for its most popular beer Guinness Stout which is said to be just as much a meal as it is a drink. What makes Guinness unique in comparison to other beers is that one Guinness can satisfy the average person about as much as a 12 pack of Corona light. What's really surprising is that even though it gives the appearance of being loaded with calories it actually is not and is also high in iron making it one of the best non-microbrewed beers you can drink.

If you've just had a horrible day and a little red wine or Guinness won't cut it, drinking some top shelf liquor on the rocks or with a little bit of water is also a good way to go. Top shelf liquor is recommended because it cost more and therefore is better but top shelf liquor usually comes without the impurities that lesser quality alcohol has. Due to the fact it has less impurities it typically taste better and therefore lends itself to being consumed without the addition of any colas or juices or anything like that that contains sugars and more calories. Top shelf liquor is designed to be consumed by itself with no help from any other additive.

If you find though that you do love hard liquor over beer but still feel the need to sprinkle something in with it. The best choice hands down is a vodka soda. Now this should not be confused with vodka tonic as tonic water a can be high in calories and sugars. Soda water on the other hand is basically just water with a few bubbles and when you add in a little bit of vodka and a dash of lime you end up with a refreshing cocktail that won't set your progress back a couple of weeks.

The fifth best cocktail for your body is really for all those beer lovers out there that don't just love beer but love good beer in different flavors. If you find yourself scoffing at a Guinness your still in luck as micro brewed beers can be a great alternative. If you're wondering why on earth microbrewed beer is better than the typical beer found in your local grocery store the answer is actually quite simple.

The mass-produced beers of America are typically quite a bit cheaper in price than their microbrewed counterparts. This is because mass-produced beers are made for profits with the ingredients usually being lower quality and their beers containing artificial colors and flavors as well as other junk that can be found on the ingredients labels of most snack foods. Microbreweries on the other hand have a tendency to stick to European brewing codes that do not allow for junk ingredients. That is why micro brewed beers tend to be a safe choice for those who are health conscious and watching their weight.

These five cocktails will always be a safe bet when you're out on the town with your friends. These drinks will go a long way to help you make sure that what you drink is not loaded with junk and calories. When the time comes and you feel like you need a cocktail you should have no reason to feel like you shouldn't have one or be nervous about the next day. The need to have a drink to relieve a little stress and anxiety is not a bad option for those that are trying to lose weight and get fit as long as you stick with these choices you can rest assured you made a good decision.

With these five cocktail choices you will be okay not to hinder your workout routines or dieting habits. One of the funnest and sweat inducing cardio options for those that like the idea of exercising in their home is Rockin Body you're high octane cardio dance party.

by Paul Atkins

A beginning step that anyone who is starting a new workout routine or diet plan needs to take is to look seriously at the foods they are eating. In order to get serious results you need to get rid of anything that can hinder your progress. This of course means anything that will work against you and slow your body down from being an efficient fat fighting machine. There are all kinds of things you can do to begin to eat healthy but for now let’s keep things simple. To start there are 5 things that you must cut from your eating and drinking habits if you want to reach your fitness goals.

Refined Sugars: Refined sugars for those that don’t know would be you plain old Dixie crystals white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, splenda or pretty much any kind of sugar that doesn’t come from a cane or piece of fruit but rather a factory. The reason refined sugars are so bad for you is because that affect your metabolism in a negative way. They also affect you insulin response, even your mood. Getting rid of sugar like these from your diet means you’re going to have to do some work as it will require the reading of labels. Since these kinds of sugars can be found in just about everything on the typical grocery store aisles doing your homework is a must.

Alcohol: First off it should be noted that not all alcoholic drinks are bad for you. That from time to time the circumstances warranted a drink is not only necessary but can be mentally helpful as well. However alcohol as a whole does carry many empty calories just like sugar. When you consider the fact that alcohol in general carries 7 calories per gram, you can start to see why alcohol generally should be avoided.

Alcoholic beverages do not hydrate you but rather dehydrate you which slows down your recovery time and can hinder the growth of lean muscle mass. Even though many consider alcohol to be a stimulant it is actually a depressant which negatively impacts your metabolism slowing it down and hindering your body from becoming efficient at burning fat. When it’s all said and done eliminating alcohol from your diet will help to promote a body that grows muscle and burns fat, exactly what you need in order to accomplish your weight loss goals and fitness workout routines.

Caffeine: The thought of eliminating caffeine for many can be a very touchy subject. The touchiest seems to always center around the elimination of coffee. If we were to take coffee out of the equation for a moment and just focus on caffeinated drinks, almost all of these types of drinks should be eliminated from the diet of anyone is looking to get in shape. Why this is the case is because caffeine in general affects your body so as to dramatically slow down the process of lean muscle mass growth. In addition it can greatly impact the amount of sleep you get during the night which happens to be the main time your muscles recover and grow.

Drop Anything With A Butt. The days of being able to find some really good lean meats and proteins seem to be behind us. We live in a decade where meat is ruled by, hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals that have been used to process the meat and fish you need rendering them basically a useless source of high-quality protein. Many might not like to hear this, but there are several good vegetarian sources of protein from beans to tofu and nuts.

Gluten: Eliminating gluten from your diet will result in a diet that is healthier and one that lends itself to receiving the benefits from exercise and eating right. Similar to many other ingredients in our food today gluten does not occur naturally in the world but was created in a lab to increase the taste and texture of many foods as well as increase profitability. For those that don’t know, gluten is a protein that actually comes from grain and seems to show up in just as many of our food products as does high fructose corn syrup. Why gluten is named what it is is because it comes from the Latin word for glue. Gluten does have a gluing effect to the products that contain it allowing our breads to be softer and more moist.

When considering what a healthy nutritious diet would contain you probably would never add glue to that diet. So why on earth would you eat foods that contain a main ingredient whose name is derived from the Latin word glue? The simple answer is you wouldn’t. There are millions of people out there that are forced to cut gluten from their diets because they are allergic to it, yet for everyone else you would be wise to follow that same course. Finding foods that do not contain gluten is not too difficult, but if you need a little help select foods that contain millet, amaranth, quinoa, or oats and you will be just fine.

When you take time to separate out these basic harmful foods from your diet your body is able to free up what has been keeping it down and therefore work more efficiently than before. By eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you can give your body the high-quality fuel it needs to get you into the best shape of your life.

Getting Rid of foods and ingredients that harm your body will go a long way in helping you maximize the results of your work out routines and dieting programs. An in home workout program that combines healthy eating with intense physical fitness is P90X by Tony Horton.

by Paul Atkins F.B.O.

If you've ever read about simple three-day workout routines and found them to be regarded as a wonderful format for bodybuilding and losing weight then continue on reading below. This article's purpose is to highlight the key factors as to why a three day workout routine can be more effective for the average Joe then working out either at home or at a gym each day of the week.

It is all too common a story when people believe that going to the gym and begin workout routines that will give them the body of the models who pose in magazines. The mistakes that we are making is to assume that whatever the magazines tell us is the best training routine to get the body of your dreams and to simply follow without question. This is the problem!

When it comes to finding out the absolute best training routine for yourself you need to go beyond the obvious and look at what's going on behind the scenes and examine the various advantages that three day exercise routines can bring you.

Let's assume for a moment that you go to the gym to exercise on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A key factor that makes the three-day workout routine successful for all types of people is what occurs on the days when you're not working out, what occurs on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday otherwise known as the recovery days.

The most important part of any fitness routine are the recovery days. Your body works in such a way that allows the days when you're not exercising to be the days that end up becoming more important than when you are exercising. What many people fail to realize is that your body does not build muscle nor remove fat when your are training but rather when you rest.

The next time you find yourselves flicking through the latest bodybuilding magazine trying to find the next big thing that will guarantee you the body you have always wanted to have check out what the actual recovery time for the workout routines are. The great thing about a three day exercise routine is that you are forced to recover and rest and that is the key.

Try thinking of it this way. If someone guaranteed you that by doing more situps you would be given the ultimate best looking body you could ever have than the simple thing you would do would be to do situps each and every day endlessly. in order to squeeze the most of any training exercise routine you do there must be a balance between the intensity of the training each week and the recovery time you dedicate to that training.

When it's time to train and you truly want workout routines that deliver results then employ the three day routines as it will deliver what you're looking for. What's needed to be remembered is to stress your muscles as much as you possibly can without crossing the line of injury. Do not fall back on the old myth that less weight with more reps will do just as much.

The three-day exercise routine has two primary keys to it. The first of these keys is to make sure that when you exercise you push your muscles as hard and as far as they possibly can go without incurring an injury. The next key to the three-day program and more than likely the main key is to remember that rest and recovery are essential to success. Stick with these easy steps and you'll personally experience the success that three day workout routines can bring.

These are just but a few of the main advantages that 3 day workout routines can deliver to you. If you are in search of something more intense than 3 day routines consider P90X the 90 day program that gets you in peak physical shape.