Tag: Gym

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 27, 20175:54 pm

Who Invented the EZ bar?

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A piece of equipment so commonplace on the gym floor that we often take its very existence for granted. That, at least, is my impression of the E-Z Bar. Having previously discussed the history of barbells, the ancient origins of the dumbbell and even the Swiss Ball for God’s sake, it’s somewhat shameful that the E-Z Bar’s history has been neglected. Especially after it helped me to rehab my elbows following an overzealous few months doing triceps extensions with a straight barbell (Not the smartest in hindsight).

So who do we credit for the EZ Bar and when exactly did this handy piece of equipment come into being?

Is Cardio Necessary?

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It’s a question many hardcore gym goers will ask themselves from time to time, is cardio necessary? A lot of people view cardio as the antithesis of gaining strength and taking valuable time away from compound exercises that will do more for your physique and strength than any half hour session on the treadmill would be capable of. While a lot of people have heard that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym, there are lots of bodybuilders that take part in mild bouts of cardio just to get a couple of percentage points down on their overall body fat. Is it something that we need as part of our overall workout routine?

Training by Conor HeffernanJul 26, 20177:12 am

Guest Post: How To Effectively Use Cheat Meals

Our latest post comes from the wonderful and talented Samantha Olivier from Ripped.me. We’re delighted to have Samantha featured on the site again and know you’ll enjoy her latest piece.

Yes, I know, the word “cheat” sounds awful, but before you go all negative on cheat meals, you should know that they can be a valuable tool that can boost your metabolic rate. There are cheat strategies that people of all fitness levels and sizes can implement successfully. However, considering factors such as your previous dieting failure/success, daily eating habits, and fitness goals is a must as part of your self-evaluation.

Eating clean for the most of your week, staying active and rewarding yourself is at the heart of this matter. After a sudden intake of those extra calories, your metabolism starts burning hot, and the effects of enhanced fat loss and muscle gains are increased. Your body utilizes protein better, your cravings are reduced as well as metabolically damaging gut bacteria. So, there’s no need to feel guilty after consuming a cheat meal from time to time, because it actually helps you to become and stay lean.

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 25, 20175:45 pm

The Essential Guide To Getting Stronger

It’s not just body builders and weight lifter that want to be stronger. It’s dads that want to lift their kids up in the air and be able to swing them around without hurting themselves. Or single ladies that want to be able to carry their own groceries without asking for help from the door man. Luckily it’s not just weightlifters and bodybuilders that can build muscle either, but we can learn from them the most effective ways of doing this. Read on to find out more.

Nutrition by Conor HeffernanJul 21, 20173:37 pm

Your Body Is An Engine, Give It The Right Fuel

If you put diesel into a petrol engine, your car isn’t going to run properly. Your body is exactly the same. If you want it to run at peak performance, you need to put the right fuel into it. We all know the benefits of cutting fat out of your diet, but too often, we focus on what we shouldn’t be putting in our bodies instead of what we should. It isn’t always about calories and protein; there are so many different parts of your body that all have their own specific requirements, and they all contribute to the overall state of your health. Building muscle and burning fat is only part of the battle, you need to start eating these foods to make sure everything else is in perfect working order.

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 21, 20177:22 am

Guest Post: A Comprehensive Look At The History of Physical Fitness

Photo courtesy of Flickr The way we look at physical fitness today is way too different from the way people used to consider it during the stone age or bronze age. Today, joining a fitness […]

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 19, 201711:17 am

Guest post: Nike’s waffle shoes or how inspiration comes from the unexpected

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Running shoes do not have too long of a history, with the first pair being developed around 200 years ago. They were initially made from leather and each decade brought a number of changes, such as the rubber soles and spikes. Companies began manufacturing sneakers in the 1930s, with running shoes being used by athletes from all over the world and in major competitions, including the Olympics. In the 1970s, Bill Bowerman, the co-founder of Nike, one of the major names in the industry, changed the world of the running shoe forever. And it all started with a waffle iron.

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 17, 201710:25 am

The History of the Leg Press Machine

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Though oftentimes derided on the gym floor, the leg press machine has nevertheless become a staple of weight lifting life through the globe. Yes it’s not as ‘hardcore’ as the squat and yes it’s oftentimes abused by bros quarter repping but this piece of equipment has a long and interesting history behind it.

A long and interesting history, which will take us into today’s post. We felt that having only really covered the Smith Machine in detail, it was time we began to look at the history behind some of the more popular machines known to lifters.

Training by Conor HeffernanJul 14, 201710:05 am

Guest Post: 3 Home Workouts for Anyone Interested in Natural Bodybuilding

Photo courtesy of Flickr

For many aspiring bodybuilders, natural bodybuilding is an appealing choice. “Natural bodybuilding” refers to bodybuilding that does not involve the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs, whereas “traditional bodybuilding” allows competitors to take drugs. If you’re a natural bodybuilder, the lack of drug use may mean that it can be harder to get to a low body fat percentage.

However, there have been many impressive physique transformations by naturals. Incorporating elements of plyometric circuits into training can help natural bodybuilders stay lean and achieve the physique they’ve always wanted. Below are three challenging circuits to help you reach your dream physique.

Resources by Conor HeffernanJul 12, 201710:43 am

Tricks and Tests of the Muscles (Health and Strength, 1908)

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Recently I had the privilege of going through the British Library’s fantastic collection of physical culture books, workout courses and magazines as part of my PhD research. Though this was work, in the lightest sense of the word, I made a point of reading as much as the great institution had to offer.

One book which caught my eye is the subject of today’s post and I’m sure in a few moments you’ll understand why. Published in 1908 by Health & Strength magazine, the famed British physical culture magazine, Tricks and Tests of the Muscles is an incredibly detailed and imaginative way of testing one’s own strength. Of course, we’ll be attaching the book in its entirety at the end of the post but before that I want to run through some of the more interesting tests.