Vertical Leap Workout – Increasing Your Vertical Jump Without Weights
November 8, 2009 by Brayden Fisher
Filed under Exercise
Is lifting weights necessary to increase my vertical leap? Many people have asked me this question in the past. Not everyone out there enjoys going to the gym to lift weights and they would like to know if they are able to improve their vertical leap without them. Well the answer to that question is…….YES you can definitely improve your vertical jump without using weights!
I have a passion for vertical jump training and I think everyone should be able to benefit from it. Let’s face it, not everyone can afford a gym membership these days. However, that should never stop you from training. Below I have listed several body weight exercises that are not only challenging but are excellent at increasing your vertical leap.
A Vertical Jump Strength Workout – (Without Weights)
Step ups – Step ups are a simple exercise and can be done pretty much anywhere. All you need is a bench or platform. Step up onto the bench and then step down. Once you are back on the ground step up again with the opposite leg. You can make this exercise more difficult by holding dumbells.
Bodyweight Squats - Squats are BY FAR the best overall exercise you can do to improve your vertical leap. They target every muscle group that we are looking for. When squatting make sure you come parallel to the ground. If you want to increase the difficulty, try one-legged squats….very difficult
Lunges – Lunges are a very common exercise and they are effective as well. Step forward with one leg while lowering your body. Try not to take too large of a step, you should have about 2 1/2 feet between your front foot and back foot. Keep your shin perpendicular to the ground and do not let your knee pass in front of your toes. Push yourself back up and repeat this with the other leg.
Rim Touches – Although these are called rim touches you can perform this without a basketball hoop if you want. Find a basketball rim and jump as high as you can. Do not take more than one step before you jump. Now EXPLODE up as hard as you can. We are only going to do this five times. Then rest for a minute and repeat this exercise three more times. DO NOT do more reps than this. In order to improve your vertical jump you need to train your EXPLOSION and if you do a bunch of reps you will be training your stamina and this will not improve your vertical.
It is possible to get significant gains in your vertical jump without weights. BUT…..yes there is a but, most people are not going to even come close to their true vertical jump potential without using a proper weight training program. If you only train using body weight exercises there will come a time when your vertical leap gains stop and the only way to further your progress is to improve your base strength.
I suggest using a strength training program that uses both weight training and plyometric exercises to get the best results. I was able to increase my vertical leap from 31 to 43 inches by using this type of program. For more information about how I was able to do this take a look at the links I have below:
Interested in learning more about how to increase your vertical leap? Then check out Brayden Fisher’s website at www.40inchvertical.net for the latest workouts and exercises.
Stress Management Advisor: Frequent Massage Chair Treatments
October 30, 2009 by Rebecca Baker
Filed under Health & Fitness
There is so much stress in our lives in this modern era that we live in. We are hit from all sides whether from home or from work. These pressures seem to be increasing. In previous eras danger from physical harm was the major cause of stress. This acute type of stress caused what is called the fight or flight reaction. We are under less physical danger these days as stress has shifted to more mental stress. The type of stress has changed, but not our reaction to it.
What happens when we come under stress? Our body’s natural reactions take over. Our breathing is increased as well as our heart rate. The major organs shut down all but the most vital functions to support hands and feet. Adrenaline is released to get the body primed for taking action. We feel a nervousness and tension as we are facing the unknown. All this chemical reaction is occurring with the build up of a physical action about to take place. However, when the stress is mental there is no physical release.
Stress management is learning how to cope with stress, redirect its energy and release it from the body. We may not be able to eliminate stress from our lives, but we can have strategies to deal with it positively. If you could take the heightened affects of being under stress and put it to positive pursuits, then we are working stress management. The toughest element of stress management is to release it physically.
Effective stress management requires a physical outlet to release the chemicals that the body is releasing when under stress. Physical exertion is one of the best methods, since that is what the body is primed to do. Another excellent method to release stress is massage therapy. There are many benefits with massage therapy. It is great to loosen up tight muscles and relieve tension. It can relax the organs in the body activated by the stress reaction. It will release toxins that are in our muscles and help to flush them out of our system. And best of all it helps us relax our mind and bring harmony back to the body.
Massage chair recliners have many effective massage therapies with proven beneficial effects. Massage chairs come equipped with Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, Deep Tissue and many others. Each of these massage treatments target specific areas and have different benefits. In general, they all help induce relaxation and help to ease aches and pains. Massage helps to remove toxins from the body and enhances circulation of the blood and lymph. Both the blood and lymph clean the body of toxins and other potentially harmful substances.
Massage cannot eliminate the causes of stress. Stress comes in many forms and individuals all respond differently to them. However, massage therapy can be an essential tool in stress management. Especially massage chairs which offer unprecedented convenience and availability. These massage chairs offer full body massage capability. They can massage from head to toe. Many advanced massage chairs have stretching capabilities to elongate and relax the lower body. They also may have built in music players which help take your mind off the mental stresses impacting you.
If you are feeling stressed, then just imaging taking a quick 20 minute power massage. Relieve the build up of stress and anxiety. Release the tension in your neck, back and shoulders. Give your mind a chance to be free from the tunneling affects of a stressful situation. This can be a powerful stress management tool in the comfort and convenience of home to better manage your stress. Life becomes much more manageable with your own massage chair recliner.
Get an complete battery of Stress Management tools from the best massage chairs available on the market today. We carry the top name brands like Omega, Sanyo and Panasonic. Leisurely browse our library of articles to assist you research and decides what is right for your needs. Check out the Montage Premier or the DR7700 for daily stress relief.
Best Tips To Dieting And Burning Fat
October 20, 2009 by Jim Evans
Filed under Health & Fitness
Although supplements are meant to help you lose weight, they still require a healthy diet and exercise. Fat loss supplements help your body to increase its energy, stabilize metabolism and suppress your appetite. Supplements can be very beneficial to your physique if you take them in the right dose and stick to a good diet. Non-stimulate fat burning supplements are an excellent choice for body builders who do not take caffeine or stimulates. Another supplement that is very popular and has good outcomes is food suppressants, which help with your body’s desire to eat.
To have the right body you must do the right things. One of them is to drink enough water. Our body contains a lot more fluid than the meat and fat that we normally see. One gallon a day is very healthy and should be consumed through out the day. This means that the kidneys will be able to do it’s job correctly and be able to turn fat cells into energy. If not enough water is drunk though out the day, the livers are forced to work more than usual for the kidneys and your weight loss strategy also decreases.
Eating 5-6 meals a day is the best way to start your body building diet. Smaller amounts mean more speeding up your metabolism and burn more fat cells. Try eating the foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates. Especially protein, it helps rebuild the muscles quickly and the carbohydrates will give you the energy to do it. Now, here are some foods to hunt for that are good in protein: Fish, Red Meat, beans, dairy products, poultry, and egg whites. If you’re that serious, you might even want to learn about healthy raw food.
By eliminating the stress in your life you are also decreasing the bad habits that your body and mind can acquire while under stress. Over eating is very popular among stressed individuals, as a body builder and having a strict diet, stress it not in your best interest to keep around. Stress also can cause your digestive system to shut down, causing your body to store extra fat that cannot be easily burned.
Fast walking or jogging is a good way to tone down the fat in your body. Walking is fine but it will take way more time than jogging. Perhaps age is the factor, fast pace walking is very good with a small weight dumbbell. Jogging is the best to expand that diaphragm. Learn how to control the breathing rhythm so the lungs don’t overwork too hard. Also, doing this in under one month will be small results, if done for quite some times then results will be very visible.
There’s always another article at Ezine. Don’t wait too long before you get all the body building information to start.
Massage Chairs Help to Treat Lower Back Pain
May 28, 2009 by Steve Esquire
Filed under Health & Fitness
Do you ever get back pain in your lower back? We depend so much on our back that sometimes we take it for granted. Statistics tell us that 80% of the population is affected by low back pain at some point in their lifetime. It is estimated that over $50 billion is spent every year in the treatment of lower back pain. Most reported back pain is due to job related injuries. There are many treatments for lower back pain including surgery and natural therapeutic methods. One interesting method being employed is with the use of massage chairs.
What is lower back pain? Lower back pain can be either acute or chronic. Acute is a short term problem lasting a few days to a few weeks. Chronic back pain can last weeks or months. Some forms are progressive and can go on for years.
There are two schools of thought on treatments which are blending together more and more. The blending of Eastern medicine and Western medicine has increased the options available. This is very good for patients as now they have more natural therapies as options as well. Although in certain situations surgery may be the only option.
Lower back pain is most often treated by Doctors of Osteopath or Doctors of Chiropractic medicine. These are both specialists in musculoskeletal problems. Doctors of Osteopath are experts on joints whereas Doctors of Chiropractic medicine are experts in spinal health. Either can treat lower back pain.
Some conditions such as degenerated disc disease or back injuries can be of a more chronic problem. These types of conditions can cause scar tissue which makes the soft tissues more brittle. In these situations the soft tissues need to be stimulated and stretched. Some of these more chronic conditions have been where massage chairs have been used to help improve the flexibility of these harder muscles.
In most situations where the soft tissue has sufficient strength (i.e. not damaged from an injury) massage chairs are used to help increase the flexibility of the soft tissues. Normally, your spine will evenly distribute your weight across the spinal column. Lower back pain is the result of a concentration of force or uneven distribution of weight on the lumbar region.
This concentration of force can happen because of poor posture, incorrect sitting position, or improper lifting techniques. This makes a few of the muscles, tendons and ligaments take the majority of the weight which causes them to become fatigued. This will lead to increased stiffness and eventually pain.
The focus of a natural treatment to a healthy spine is to help it redistribute the weight back across the spine. The pain is stemming from a concentration of force on a particular muscle group. These muscles become fatigued and stiff. A natural treatment seeks to improve the elasticity of the muscles. Massage chairs help to soothe and relax muscles as well as stretch them out.
There are quite a variety of treatments available in many massage chair models. Massage chairs have replicated many different massage techniques which are available at the touch of a button. Many massage chairs also have stretching of the lower body and the upper body. Also, you can find heating elements built into massage chairs for applying heat to muscles throughout the body.
You can use massage chairs to warm you up prior to stretching or exercise. They are also perfect for your warm down after activities. They offer enormous convenience and flexibility to your schedule. A quick 10 minute massage after a stressful day can be very relieving. You should check with your physician to find out what options may be appropriate for you. Ask your physician if a massage chair for radio in home use may be appropriate for your situation.






