Posts Tagged ‘Gym’

What are different myths that surround fitness?

Avoid believing everything you hear. There are lots of myths in fitness that might cause injury and stop you from getting the best workout.

Myth 1: Even after you finish your workout, an aerobic workout helps to boost your metabolism.
It is true that the metabolism continues to burn at a slightly higher rate after finishing an aerobic workout, but the amount is too small to be taken into consideration.

Myth 2: Running on treadmill puts less stress on knees than running on roads.
Running impacts the knees as your body weight relies on the joints, which causes stress. It does not matter whether you run on a treadmill or on road. Reduce this impact by varying the workout instead of running for a long time at a stretch.

Myth 3: Swimming helps in reducing weight quickly.
Swimming increases lung capacity, tone your muscles and even helps de-stress you. It does not really help you lose many pounds. Swimming also makes you feel hungry and you end up eating more.

Myth 4: Sweating is a must while exercising.
It is possible to burn a number of calories without breaking a sweat. Light weight training or walking are also effective methods of workout.

Myth 5: Ab machines help to get rid of belly fat.
It helps to strengthen muscles around your middle and improve posture, only a strict diet and exercise regime will help you burn that fat. Follow a workout that includes both cardiovascular and strength training factors that will decrease your overall fat.

Myth 6: Pain is good while working out
Some amount of soreness is normal but searing pain while working out is not a good sign. An exercise should not hurt you while you are doing it.

Myth 7: Yoga helps relieve all types of backache
Yoga helps when your backache is muscle-related because the stretches and positions work to relax the muscles. but if your back problems are related to ruptured disc or some other similar problem, yoga is definitely not the answer.

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Sauna Health Benefits : Are saunas healthy or harmful?

A sauna is an enclosed room which can be heated with the use of an electric heater, infrared heater, or wood stove. The elevated temperature in the room can be made more intense with the use of steam, or left dry, depending on the taste of the sauna bathers.

- During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure.
- Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities.
- One of the main health benefits to owning a sauna is that using it rids your body of unwanted materials and helps to improve overall circulation.
- Another health benefit to owning a sauna is that it can help prevent heart disease.
- Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands.
- When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon.
- Relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
- Steam is an excellent treatment for respiratory problems, such as; chest congestion, bronchitis, laryngitis and sinusitis.
- Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion.
- The cleansing effect of profuse perspiration helps provide healthy skin and a clear complexion.
- Burns calories. About 600 calories burned in 30 minutes while sitting in a sauna.

Precautions before using sauna

- Avoid alcohol and medications that may impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna.
- Stay in no more than 15–20 minutes.
- Cool down gradually afterward.
- Drink two to four glasses of cool water after each sauna.
- Don’t take a sauna when you are ill, and if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door.
Caution
Pregnant women, heart patient with low or high blood pressure condition or suffering from any disease which has negative effect of sauna bath should first consult a physician regarding their physical condition and the length of period they can take sauna bath.

NOTE : Using a sauna for weight loss is not a sole method. Used in conjunction with eating correctly and getting regular exercise a sauna can help a person to lose weight. It is also a great way to relax after a stressful way, which will also help keep the body healthy. A healthy body losses weight much better than one that is not healthy.