Adam Khan asked:


g Equipment  Buyer’s Guide

When starting a boxing or fitness-boxing regime, it is important that you use the appropriate equipment to ensure your safety and give you the most effective boxing workout.

Boxing Gloves

Generally, there are two types of gloves that boxers and fitness boxers use are boxing gloves and bag gloves.

Boxing gloves are typically used for sparring. However, many people choose to wear boxing gloves to add additional weight to their aerobic or kickboxing workout programs. Boxing gloves range from 10-20 oz, and the weight of the boxing glove will determine the intensity of your workout.

For professional and amateur bouts, boxers tend to use 10 oz gloves. However, they prefer to train with heavier gloves to increase arm strength.

Boxing gloves may be constructed of many different materials. The outer cover may be made of top-grain leather (the highest quality) or similar synthetic leather materials (generally less expensive). Most gloves are lined with cotton material and hand stuffed with shock-absorbing foam and/or wool blends.

Most boxing gloves have a thumb-lock feature that prevents accidental gouging of an opponent’s eye. Boxing gloves have varying wrist closures. They may be laced, laceless with elastic and/or Velcro or any combination of these. For workouts, athletes prefer the elastic and Velcro gloves, which allow them to easily take the gloves on and off.

Bag Gloves

Bag gloves may be used to train on heavy bags and speed bags. Bag gloves tend to have less padding than boxing gloves and are usually less expensive. Bag gloves are designed to withstand the repeated pounding on heavy bags and speed bags and are usually constructed of top-grain leather. They may also be made of cowhide, horsehide or synthetic materials (horsehide tends to be more durable, but may be heavier). Padded palm grips and metal palm grips provide better fit and comfort.

Heavy Bags

When selecting a heavy bag, there are many variables that need to be considered?

Do you want a hanging bag or a freestanding bag?

Hanging bags may mount to the wall or ceiling or to a bag stand.

Standing bags, on the other hand, stand alone. Their bases may be filled with sand or water.

What sort of filling is best?

Heavy bags may have a thick synthetic foam filler for shock absorbency, while others are filled with shredded rags and sand. These bags have a more solid feel and provide a lot of resistance.

Still other manufacturers offer heavy bags that may be filled with water. Water-filled bags are much easier on your hands and wrists, in fact your whole body, than a traditional bag because the water helps to absorb the impact of your punch, however, it still provides a great workout. An added bonus is that because the bag is shipped unfilled, it is much less expensive to send.

Should you get an unfilled bag? If so, what should you fill it with?

An unfilled bag is a good alternative, especially for international customers, who do not want to pay the high cost of shipping a pre-filled bag. The bag is filled with bits of rag or other soft material and small bags of sand for added weight. Pre-filled bags are hydraulically stuffed, so you will not be able to achieve this if you fill the bag by hand. However, we have not had an unfilled bag returned. We recommend talking to your local fabric shop to see if they have anything you can use for filler.

What size bag should you get?

Heavy bags range from 25 pounds to 200+ pounds. You want to have a bag that is sufficiently heavy to not move around too much while you are pummeling it. For the average person, a bag in the range of 70-100 pounds should be heavy enough. Most gyms, fitness centers and health clubs prefer 100-150 pound bags to accommodate extensive use. Visit  www.argos-sports.co.uk  for quality boxing bags.

What type of outer covering should you choose?

The covering really depends on your budget and expected use. A leather bag will last longer than either a synthetic or canvas bag, but is more than twice the price. For the home user or commercial club that is unsure how much use the bag will get, we suggest a synthetic bag. We recommend a synthetic covering over a canvas one because the synthetic bag is much easier to clean and resists mildew. For professional, military or heavy commercial use we suggest a professional leather bags. If your budget can afford it, you may want to opt for the professional bags which are the most durable.

Free Standing Bags

Free standing boxing punch bags offer nearly all the advantages of a ceiling hung bag. Free standing punch bags are built to last, and just require either water or sand in the base to keep them firmly in place. Free standing bags are good visible target pratice, a boxer can see oponent part being targeted and hit.

Speed Bags

Speed bags are pear-shaped bags that hang from a solid platform.

Speed bags are great for developing coordination. So what kind should you get?

The size of the speed bag determines how fast it will be. Smaller speed bags require more coordination and skill.

If you are a beginner, you may want to start with a larger bag until you learn the rhythm. We recommend a middle-sized bag for beginners. When starting out, don’t fill the bag all the way (the bag is slower with less air). Practice for a while and as your skill increases, add more air to the bag to speed it up.

Intermediates and experts will probably want a smaller bag. The smaller the bag, the faster it rebounds-the harder it is to hit.

Double-End striking bags are round and secured to both the floor and ceiling. DE striking bags may be used for punching and kicking, bobbing and weaving.

Speed Bags and Striking Bags are usually made of durable high quality leather.



Gloria

Rachel Saunder asked:


Being one of the largest muscles in the body, the inner thighs or quadriceps, is a very prominent part of the body. It affects the physical look and can cause frustration for those who have larger, disproportioned thighs.

But fret not, this article will give you the perfect work out routine to shape up those thighs, firming and slimming them to get your body ready for the beach, a vacation or a simple stroll down the park.

First and foremost, know what you want. Do you want thin thighs or do want to merely tone them? Your work out routine should keep these goals in mind as different exercises produce different results.

For slimming, couple this routine with a lot of cardio training like running or cycling. For toning, add strength training with more reps and medium weights. Also, consult with your trainer and physician before undergoing any work out routine.

It also helps to get enlightened about some concepts: one cannot exercise the thigh alone, in order to achieve discernable results, this guide to thin thighs has to be coupled with a total body, preferably aerobic, training regimen and a sensible diet. This guide recommends three sets of 12 repetitions for beginners, increasing in weight and repetitions as advised by your trainer.

Here are the four best exercises to get the shapely, thin and attractive thighs that you have always wanted:

Squats: This classic guarantees that you develop strength and work the entirely of the thigh muscles. Simply get a barbell with the appropriate weight, normally half of what you bench press, and place it along the length of your shoulder, supporting it with your hands. Bend your knees as low as you can while maintaining a straight back. Squats work because they put the strain on your entire thigh, effectively training the specific area.

Leg Press: Gauge the weight you train with carefully. A regular person should be able to leg press at least half of his or her body weight. Leg presses offer a relaxed position, supporting the back while on an inclined position. This is safe and offers maximum toning.

Leg Extension: Standard bench presses have leg extension and curl attached to them. Simply sit on the edge of the bench with your back on the barbell support and place the weight you prefer on the machine. Secure the weight with your foot and raise your legs to a vertical position. This exercise works the front of the thighs, toning them. As with any machine or weighted exercise, get maximum results by doing this slowly, maximizing the burn on your thighs.

Leg Curls: With the same machine, lie flat on your stomach and secure the weight with the back of your leg. “Curl” your leg inward but not all the way down. A 45-degree angle is recommended. Leg curls are the opposite of Leg extensions, working the back of the thigh area.

This work out routine, done religiously and correctly, tone, tuck and thin your thighs to cat-call worthy shape.



Jo

Niall Roche asked:


If you have been researching trampolines, you’ve probably come across the name JumpKing. There’s a good reason these trampolines are so popular. JumpKing has high quality trampolines and a venerable reputation as one of the oldest trampoline manufacturers in existence. These trampolines are plenty of fun to use and can usually be counted on to lure the kids up off the couch and out of the house to get some much needed exercise and fresh air. Kids love trampoline and it usually doesn’t take a whole lot of convincing to get them out there.

Of course, while a JumpKing trampoline is fun to use, there’s another reason people use these products. People who are concerned about damaging their backs and joints by doing high impact workouts to strengthen their cardiovascular systems often prefer using a trampoline to work out. This is because there is a lot less stress placed on their bodies when they bounce on the trampoline’s mat, or bed. There is no hard surface beneath the trampoline’s mat. If they do an aerobic workout using floor mats instead, people have a much higher impact surface to work on because the floor is right under the thin mat. Besides helping people exercise without as much stress on their joints, JumpKing trampolines are also great for improving coordination, balance, reflexes and flexibility.

JumpKing Trampolines have had a reputation for creating great trampolines since 1948 and also manufactures replacement parts and accessories. This Texas based company is a certified member of the International Trampoline Industry Assoiciation. In addition, ASTM International certifies JumpKing as a manufacturer of products that meet their exacting quality standards so you know you’re buying a quality product that’s safe for your family to use.

Despite the high quality of JumpKing trampolines, this company makes sure its products remain affordable for its customers. For a little over $300, you can buy a standard basic trampoline. Of course, as you add on accessories, the price will increase. However, this manufacturer does offer free ground shipping on your trampoline order and has offered additional incentives in the past, such as giving away a six foot tent for trampolines with online orders!

In addition to shopping for a basic trampoline, you may want to look at some of the other products JumpKing offers, such as a combination package of a trampoline and a safety enclosure. Also, JumpKing makes another product that is ideal for the young, and young at heart, members of your boucy household – inflatable bounce houses.

With its excellent customer feedback and years of experience, it’s no wonder that JumpKing is usually given first choice for trampoline buyers all over the world.



Bernice

Maverick Taylor asked:


If you are a bodybuilder, have you ever thought about combining bodybuilding and martial art? You should seriously think about it. Martial arts, like Judo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido, take a lot of strength, power and endurance, just like bodybuilding.  Doing both can give you a very intense and unique exercise routine. It’s not just about lifting weights, after all. If you combine bodybuilding and martial art, you can really build up your muscles much faster and better. Of course, you’ll also get the added benefit of learning a self-defense method, too.

Martial art consists of “applied bodybuilding”. That hardly has bear in mind that you can’t help but combine bodybuilding with martial art, if you’re a martial artist. That’s because martial art is a concerning sport, thus you will mechanically build up muscle through performing it.

Another great thing about martial art is that it’s a very interesting form of exercise. Instead of just lifting weights every day, you’ll be learning to kick, punch, defend, and attack and more. You’ll never be bored. 

Likewise, since martial art involves numerous aerobic exercises, they are complete compliment on weight training, which bodies forth an-aerobic. Subsequently, martial art involves punching, kicking, jumping and many more. In that respect, they are in addition to numerous mental benefits to martial art.

There are more untold benefits regarding the martial art. For example, you’ll be able to burn your body fat, strengthen your joints and experience energizes your life. You will be able to improve health as well. I’m sure you will feel more energized.

Martial arts techniques are also great for women. Aside from just the obvious, self defense, they are a great way for women to build up a little strength and self-confidence. Toss in a little weight training and it’s a winning combination.

Truthful, just about people think of martial art equally nothing more than fighting, merely that’s exactly not true. As a matter of fact, a beneficial martial art expert learns to command their temper and apply martial art for defense only.

Since you are able to assure, martial art is an avid form of physical and mental exercise. Compound it with weight training and you will be able to genuinely improve your wellness. You accept nothing at altogether to lose aside trying them and they can genuinely be fun, in addition to because utile. So, discover the decently combination of bodybuilding and martial artistic creation for you and keep an eye on your body steady amend.

You should take this chance to reveal the secrets of bodybuilding and martial art if you tired with the boring and time consuming bodybuilding exercises.



Claude

Robert Edmonds asked:


There are simple steps that you can take to lose weight fast all by yourself and without spending money. With some simple knowledge on foods, you can easily make your own food plan with all the healthy and natural foods which if you are ready to stick to can help you start to lose weight within 2 weeks or even less. Some of these step by step instructions to losing weight include:

How to Lose Weight Easily and Fast Tip # 1: Make a List of your Weekly Menu

Get a note book and list down all the types of food you eat in a week. At this point, include everything that you have eaten in that week including brunch, snacks, and other small bitings. You can concentrate on some of the foods that you regularly take.

One this is done, you can read a few information to know what are the good foods that can lead to weight loss. There are many free sources of free dieting information online that you can read and have the basic knowledge on healthy and natural foods for dieting.

How to Lose Weight easily and Fast Tip # 2: Review weekly Diet list

Now that you have prepared your weekly menu you will need to review it and see what kinds of food have been making you gain weight. You can look out for foods with too much fat and carbs. Remove the unhealthy foods from your list. This will leave you with a narrowed down list of foods that seem fairly healthy. You will need to use some of the knowledge that you had leaned on dieting from your little online survey.

How to Lose Weight easily and Fast Tip # 3: Remove and replace the unhealthy foods

Once you have removed the unhealthy foods from your weekly menu, you should replace them with healthier weight loss dieting food types. Foods with a lot of fat content need to be replaced. It is important to know that you should not make drastic changes to your daily calorie intake since this triggers the metabolism to burn just enough calories as taken in and nothing more.

Since you need to work with your metabolism, so it’s advised to be cautious and reduce your calories gradually rather than abruptly.

How to Lose Weight easily and Fast Tip # 4: Make a new weekly healthy weight loss diet plan

From the foods you have reviewed and removed from your original list and the information you have on dieting weight loss meal plans, you can now develop a weekly dieting menu to help you achieve your weight loss target weight.

Include natural and fiber foods with a lot of water to help in food digestion. Your DIY dieting weight loss program should include a balanced diet.

How to Lose Weight easily and Fast Tip # 5: Control your Food portions

You may find it a little bit difficult to quit your eating habits and sometimes you can’t resist the temptation. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to take a bite of the cheese burger, chips or greasy foods, try and divide the whole portion and eat the smaller part. This is an active way of checking the portions you are eating making sure that you are not working against your fat loss dieting program.

How to Lose Weight Rapidly Tip # 6: Eat your fiber

For the success of any weight loss program, you need to eat a lot of fiber foods. Fiber rich foods help in the digestion of foods in the stomach. Fiber acts like a catalyst surface area that food is digested on and should always be present in your tummy for successful weight loss. Foods that contain fiber include dried apricots, tomatoes, nuts and most fruits.

How To Lose Weight Quick Tip # 7: Drink Water By The Gallon

Water is an essential part of losing weight. The success of many weight loss programs depend on the amount of water you take in. water forms more than 60% of your body mass and is therefore very important. However if your body detects that dehydration in your body, your systems retain more water in some not very nice areas.

This water retention adds on to the weight at the scale and you will not realize your weight loss targets as desired. It is therefore important to drink lost of water during your weight loss program.

How to Lose Weight Quick Tip # 8: Do lots of exercise

Exercise is the faster methods to losing weight since it directly and actively burns the fat in your body and turns it into lean muscle. However not all people are able to do serious work outs and their alternative to faster weight loss is through a dieting plan.

How to Lose Weight rapidly Tip # 9: Get into Aerobics

Aerobics are very good in turning the belly, tummy, thighs, back and side fat tissue into muscle. You need to start doing some serious aerobics even on your own. The best part is that you don’t have to pay the expensive costs of joining an aerobics club to lose weight.

You can do aerobics on your own and in your own way. Aerobics have another added advantage in that they help you to keep your heart in good condition and reduce the risk of a heart problem. Some of the aerobics that you can try on your own include brisk walking, jogging, machine, swimming and many more.

How to Lose Weight Faster Tip # 10: Discipline and Motivation

Once you have settled on a self developed weight loss plan, you need to see to it that you stick. It not easy to suddenly drop such favorite foods like pizzas but this is where resilience and discipline is required. You have to see to it that you eat exactly the foods that you know will help you achieve your results.

Cheating on the plan to grab that snack here and there is always the easy way out but the long term consequences will not be good to you. There are many people out there that are dieting junkies coz they just never seem to stick to any diet plan.

You also need a lot of self motivation to follow through your developed diet plan. Instead of saying you want to lose weight without any set goals, you need to say that you want to achieve a size XYZ or loose ABC no of pounds within a certain period. This helps you to keep focused and motivated to achieve your desired weight loss targets.

You can get more advice, tips and guidelines to losing weight easily by downloading an online copy of several diet plans-Clicks Here: Fat Loss for Idiots

This is one of weight loss guide that I found highly recommended by most online critics: Everloss



Kim