I know many of you go out to the gym or for a run and grab one of those well known sports drinks for your preferred beverage.  Well, we are going to take a look at the value of those sports drinks vs. plain old water.

If you plan to exercise under 45 minutes, water is your best choice.  It is sufficient for hydration:

• Water is easily absorbed
• Water is the best choice to drink before moderate length exercise
• Water is readily available and less expensive than sports drinks

Research suggests that for workouts consisting of at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise or any high intensity workout of any duration such as running, biking and intense weight training, a sports drink may be beneficial in delaying muscle fatigue by providing your body with additional energy:

• Sports drinks will replenish fluids while containing a small amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes
• A steady source of carbohydrates during prolonged exercise fights off fatigue and enhances performance by fueling the muscles
• The taste of a good sports drink may encourage you to keep drinking

So then the question is, “Which drink is right for the type of exercise I will do today?”

 Are you interested in burning fat, building muscle balance or increasing your strength and stamina!  Then kettlebell training is for you.

Kettlebell training started out as a “manly” activity, but because of the phenomenal results achieved, it didn’t take long for housewives, celebrities, female athletes and grandmas too, to start reaping the benefits.

For those of you who don’t know what a kettlebell is, let me explain.  Imagine a black small bowling ball with a suitcase handle on it.  It’s a hunk of iron that comes in several sizes and weights, ranging from 8lbs to 97lbs and for those super strong men and women, 105lbs.  The unique value of kettlebell training is derived from ballistic (fast exercise) work.  In addition to giving you incredible muscular endurance when done in high repetitions, any excess fat that you have will melt off rapidly.  If you want to lose weight and tighten up your glutes, quads, abs and arms, begin a kettlebell training ballistic workout, along with some low rep kettlebell strength workouts and you will be ready for your bathing suit and summer fun!

There are many great benefits of kettlebell training for women.  It helps you tone up and lose fat without over developing muscles.  Building muscle is not easy for men and it is especially not easy for women, so building muscle should be the least of your worries.  It’s kinda like worrying about making too much money.  Remember though, fat loss is 70% diet and 30% training.  A healthy nutritious diet is very important.  Kettlebell training is extremely effective in ramping up your metabolism. 

 Start your kettlebell training now and get the following benefits:

• Fat Loss  -  Kettlebell’s provide intense fat burning workouts. 

• Strong Bones and Joints  -  All kettlebell exercises are load bearing and help bones regain and maintain strength.  Kettlebell exercises are gentle on joints as there is no impact.  Many women notice joint health and improved range of motion when doing kettlebell training.

• Strength without bulk.  Kettlebell training increases strength without bulk.  You can enjoy a strong lean body and look like a fabulous women.  Noticeable improvement in strength and endurance can be achieved in as little as 7 days.

• Endurance and Stamina.  Kettlebell training will build endurance and stamina without running.  Many women athletes chose kettlebell training as their cross training tool.  It’s easy on their joints and incredibly effective in strengthening your cardiovascular system.  If you don’t have time for a run, grab a kettlebell.

• Muscle Balance and Function.  Kettlebells force your body to work as one unit.  As a result weak links are revealed and fixed.  Your body regains proper muscle balance and improved functionality.

• Confidence to handle anything that life throws you.  Kettlebell training is functional!  As a busy mom, trying to balance all that you do, from loading and unloading the trunk, moving furniture to playing with the kids in the park, you will have the muscle balance, strength, stamina and flexibility to do it all.  Enjoy improved quality of life and live your life to the fullest.

Antoinette is a fitness consultant specializing in small group and senior fitness. Antoinette provides her clients with the knowledge, support and motivation necessary to get to the next level of physical as well as mental, emotional and spiritual fitness.  Call today to make an appointment for you FREE fitness evaluation and consultation by phone.  We would be happy to assist in matching you up with a program that is right for you.  Contact me at 908-902-1207. 

I was at the supermarket checkout counter yesterday and couldn’t help but notice all the magazines with front page headlines enticing consumers with articles on reducing body fat in certain areas. The most popular being the midsection.

While waiting my turn, I flipped through a couple of magazines to see if there was some secret I failed to learn through all my professional training.

Most of these articles talked about doing excessive ab workouts “for those 6 pack abs”, or some other type of strength training workout for great legs.  Part of the deception is this:  We cannot spot reduce.  You cannot pick an area that you are unhappy with, focus all your exercise on that and get the results they claim unless you are at an ideal weight and only need to tone those areas.

Your body will decide which fat stores to attack.  Doing sit-ups and crunches will NOT eliminate the belly fat but WILL strengthen that area.

Therefore, if you need to lose weight around your midsection, a combination of interval training and strength will eventually reduce the fat throughout your body.  Leaving your body to decide which areas it will reach first. As for us women, too often, I find our bodies choosing our chest, which for some of us, I know it is not where we would like to begin.

Hang in there.  The good news is that consistency will show results.

If you have any questions about any articles you may read, email it to me and I will be happy to include it in an upcoming email.