Tag: strength

Do you foam roll?

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I’m sure you’ve seen them at your gym. People rolling and contorting their bodies on this foam cylinder, and you think “what does that even do?”

A foam roller is a very helpful tool that helps your body recover and can help to prevent injury. When you use the foam roller  it digs into muscles to release tension, specially Self-myofascial release. It a massage technique that require longer low pressure on a muscle until it releases and the mobility and tissue are restore to their proper form. A foam roller allows you to have this type of massage by yourself.

Benefits

  • Increased blood flow throughout the body
  • Better movement and increased range of motion.

Ideally foam rolling should be down both during your warmup and your cool down. It’s so important to get your body prepared for a lift and to stretch after a workout!

Now why does it hurt?

Now if you’ve tried foam rolling and feel like you are almost forced to tears, chances are you are doing it right AND you really need it. Similar to the pain you get while stretching. It should be uncomfortable, but not unbearable, and when you release you should feel looser.

How do I do it?
I like to start with my calves and work my way up to my hamstrings. Then I move to IT bands (which usually hurt a lot because I hold a lot of tension in my hips). When I find a spot that’s tight I hold in place and bend my knee to increase the pressure. Then I move onto my quads and then inner thigh. Then the other leg – IT band, quad and inner thigh. After that I sit on the foam roller rolling over my glutes sometimes crossing my leg putting my ankle to my opposite knee to dig in deeper, switch sides. At the end I lay on the foam roller in line with my spine and up my arms up like a touchdown signal and am just still for about a minute (which is actually really long time to be still). I usually feel my shoulder and neck tension release and a great sense of calming to do nothing for a minute.

This is just my routine. There are many ways to foam roll you can what works for when you consistently include foam rolling into your workout regime.

Here are some pictures!

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I promise after a week or two of consist foam rolling your body will recover faster and your muscles will be looser over all!

references here and here

Move of the Day – Bent Over T-Bar Row

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I love working my back in different ways. There is the T-Bar machine so it’s really preference because that will get a great workout as well. I like using this set up because I can easily change grips. In the picture I’m using a rope attachment from the cable machines but there are many other ways to do similar moves. You could use a triangle grip attachment or a wide bar attachment or you could place your hands close together and make a more narrow row – the possibilities are endless. I like using the rope attachment because it really engaging not only my back and glutes to keep my back straight and supported but also by biceps are flexed during the move. Be smart when lifting up weight for back exercise – you need to use your legs to get into the proper form – improper form can lead to injury and you won’t be lifting anything for a while!
Try doing this at a weight you can get 10-12 reps for 4 sets!

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Be your own #1 fan

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Happy Monday! Start the week off right, exercise, eat well and drink lots of water! But most of all remember to be your own #1 fan! Learn to push yourself! 👊

I’ll bet many times (probably more than you’d like to admit) you put yourself down or discredit yourself, question your worth, beat yourself up..and let me tell you – that will get you no where!
So here’s your little reminder – Don’t be afraid to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments whether they are personal, at work, at the gym – whatever!
You have to be able to tell yourself “good job” “stick with it” “don’t give up” you can be your own cheerleader!
Self motivation is something you need to reach your goals no matter what they are.
So when are doing great at work, take time reflect and pat yourself on the back OR when you make it to the gym like you planned that week – tell yourself “good job, let’s try to make it two weeks straight!”

That little saying “your catch more flies with honey than vinegar” it works not just for others but for yourself too! Be nice to yourself! Don’t put yourself down and expect to have a positive self image.

Little tip: take pictures and measurements to remind yourself where you started and acknowledge your accomplishments!

Just a little reminder to love yourself – so look in the mirror and tell you yourself you’re great!

Here’s a little food for thought!

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Start today! Email maketimforfit@gmail.com for your personalized workout program!

Positive Thinking

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You over slept, late for work, missed a meeting, spilled your coffee – it’s easy to chalk the day up as a loss and continue living in that mindset. But if you change the way you think, you can change your attitude and in turn changing your focus off the bad and onto the good!

We often set the bar so high it is almost impossible to be reached leaving us feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. With so many unattainable expectations we have each day, we overlook all the good things we have in our lives!

Try to take time to name 3 things that you are happy about at the end of each day. Big things, little things it doesn’t matter what, just anything that made you feel good! Training yourself to focus on the good will help you keep the negatives from creeping in! I bet you’ll be surprised at all the wonderful things in your life that many times go over looked!

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Sunday BUNSday

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Happy Sunday!  If you can’t make it into the gym today don’t worry, I got you!

3-5 rounds of this booty blasting routine will keep you on track and best part, it will take at MOST 35 minutes of your day! Get everyone involved family, friends and neighbors!

Pin,  share,  tag your friends and tackle this Sunday BUNSday workout!

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