Super-Charge Your Exercise Machines for Better Performance

Most fitness maniacs love to use exercise machines for toning the body and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, one must use the fitness equipments in the right way for getting the most out of them. We provide few tips regarding how you can make the exercise machines work better for you.



• It is important to change your body position regularly while using the equipments. This will prevent boredom from creeping into your fitness routine and challenge the muscles on a consistent basis. For example, while using exercise machines such as seated chest press and leg extension, change the position of the seat by an inch or two, down or up.

• Another way you can maximize the benefits of the fitness equipments is by avoiding the use of support pads. For example, while doing leg extensions do not use the back support and for hip extensions, avoid using the chest pad. These little tips will help you to tighten the core muscles and thus enhance your fitness levels.

• Opt for triceps and biceps equipments that come with different handles for each hand. Select a heavy weight that can be lifted for 6-8 times with one hand. Once exhausted, hold the other handle with the opposite arm. This means that you are taking help of both the arms for lifting the weight. Execute 8-10 repetitions. This trick will exhaust muscle fibers in the first arm and help the muscles to grow faster.

Incorporate these simple suggestions in your fitness routine and you will be getting the most out of the exercise machines. Enjoy!

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Tips for Building Toned Muscles Fast

It is popularly believed that to build toned muscles quickly, you need to visit the gym more often and aim to lift more weights. For all of us who lead a busy life, this may be tough to implement. However, you don’t need to fret. We provide few simple tips for people who want to build muscles fast, but are unable to devote long hours at the gym.



Set Realistic Goals- Chalk out an exercise routine depending on your fitness goals. If you want to become big and gain weight, your exercise routine must be different from someone who wants to build lean muscle mass. Also, ensure that your fitness goals are realistic. Successful completion of the goals will provide you the confidence to achieve higher targets with renewed vigor.

Spice up Your Fitness Routine- Repeating the same exercise routine for a long stretch of time makes your body comfortable and it takes longer to respond. It is important to challenge your body consistently so that it is forced to react. You can spice up your fitness routine by incorporating simple changes such as executing more weight with lesser reps or more reps with lesser weight. You can perk up your strength training routine with fitness accessories such as exercise balls, dumbbells, bands etc.

Concentrate on Form- Most people find it difficult to focus on form while working out on any fitness equipment. However, it is crucial to remember that you won’t be deriving benefits from any kind of exercises if the arms and legs are not in the right position.

Add these little tweaks to your fitness routine and you will build toned muscles in no time! In our next post, we will provide some more useful tips.

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Tips to Single Out the Best Fitness Center

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In the wake of New Year resolutions, many people would rush in to join gyms to lose the pounds quickly. However, it is important to consider few factors before you sign up for any gym that you come across. Read on to know more.



Location-It is important to join a gym that is located near to your home, office, or somewhere in between. If you choose a gym that is located at other side of the city, chances are high that you won’t visit it regularly. A fitness gym that is located nearby will help you to incorporate the fitness sessions in your daily routine easily.

Timings- Inquire in details about the timings of the fitness center. Some gyms remain open 24 hours, while others remain closed during the weekends. If you prefer working out on the weekends, make sure that the gym operates on those days. Otherwise, you will have to pay for something that you cannot avail.

Members- Give importance to the environment while you shop around for the suitable fitness center. Some people are fine with co-ed gyms while others prefer men-only or women-only fitness centers. Others are comfortable with people of similar age category. If you prefer a peaceful atmosphere while working out, avoid signing up for a gym that appears overcrowded.

Exercise Equipments- Exercise equipments should be checked out carefully before you agree to be the member of the gym. Are there are enough of fitness equipments? Or members have to wait for long before they can use the exercise equipments?

Staff- The staff members of the fitness center should be polite and ready to help. Find out if fitness trainers are available or not. Are they qualified enough to provide you guidance during the fitness routine?

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Tips for Choosing the Right Exercise Ball

Exercise ball is one of the fitness accessories that have gained much popularity over the years. These fitness balls can be used in various ways and they add a sense of thrill and fun in the regular workout routine. However, one needs to consider few things while shopping around for the exercise balls. Take a look at the following tips.



Size of the ball- It is advised to choose a fitness ball, which is in accordance to your height. The general guidelines are mentioned below.

• If you have a height of less than 5'6", opt for a 55 cm exercise ball.

• If your height varies between 5'6" and 6'1", it is advised to choose a 65 cm ball.

• Those who have a height of 6'1" and higher, must opt for the 75 cm ball.

• Remember that all these sizes indicate the diameter of the inflated ball.

After you have chosen a fitness ball, sit on it and ensure that you are feeling comfortable. Remember that when you are seated on the fitness ball, your hips need to be slightly above or even with the knees. If the hips are placed at a lower position than the knees, then there is unwanted stress on the legs.

Burst resistance feature- It is crucial for an exercise ball to have burst resistance property. This means, the air will be released slowly even if the ball gets punctured accidentally, and not just pop out underneath you.

Other features- It is recommended to choose a fitness ball, which can be incorporated in different workout routines. For example, many people love working out on exercise balls and use dumbbells for added resistance. Opt for a ball that provides support for any kind of exercise.

Now that you have read our tips and suggestions, we hope that choosing the perfect exercise ball will not take up much effort. Have fun!

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Lou’s Equipment – Deadlift Jack

While loading the bar for deadlifts most of the powerlifters expand a lot of energy. As a result, they need to rest even before starting their deadlifts. Even if one tries to roll the bar up onto a plate that weighs 5 pound, chances are high that either it is going to roll off or the users will not be able to get their plates tight. In both the cases, they will flop over. At Westside Barbell, Louie Simmons use the Deadlift Jack for making loading and unloading the bar an easy task.



To use this exercise equipment one simply needs to hook it under the bar and then pull the deadlift jack back on the handle. Also, remember to add the plates before you raise the handle and put the bar back on the ground. In general, the standard model of deadlift jack that you get at Westside Barbell will fit a standard IPF bar. Better yet, they also work on the wider bars. Since the deadlift jack of Westside Barbell bolts together, it will help you to keep the shipping costs in check. However, welded version of this exercise machine is also available.

In case you are using the dedicated wide deadlift bar, it is better to go the deadlift jack that has wider jack. Such exercise equipment will ensure added stability. To make hooking under the bar easier, this exercise machine comes with taller bar cradle and also has added a handgrip. In addition, long handle facilitates increased leverage and at the same time can reduce the effort that you usually require to lift a load. The round tubing pivot and the three points of contact make this exercise equipment stable on uneven ground.

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Lou’s Equipment – Battling Ropes

Louie Simmons has been the inspiration of many powerlifters since he made one of the top ten in the Powerlifting News in 1972. Simmons is one of the six lifters who totaled Elite in five weight classes and the only powerlifter over the age of 50 who squatted 920 pounds and total of more than 2100 pounds. Being the owner and strength trainer of the legendary Westside Barbell, Louie worked with around twenty-five National and World Champion powerlifters. His strength training routine does not including big numbers of squatting, bench or other regular deadlifts. Instead, you are required to do a series of exercises to work on your targeted muscles. In addition, Louie uses certain special fitness equipment, better known as “Lou’s Equipment” among the powerlifters of Westside Barbell. One of these equipments is the battling ropes, developed by John Brookfield.



Battling ropes has been one of the favorites of Simmons for achieving the utmost conditioning for all sports. It also helps to build a death grip and can increase your range of motion greatly. Simmons believes that these ropes can be a serious strength-training partner for sore shoulders. In addition, it can push your muscular and cardio endurance. He recommends battling ropes for those who want to train alone or with training partners.

Simmons use the Manila ropes and those who are buying them from Westside Barbell will get end-capped Manila ropes. It is 1.5” in diameter and 50 ft in length. While using the Manila ropes, anchor it around any smooth surface such as power rack, a pole, bench, or kettlebell. This way, you can reach to whole new level of conditioning and can also develop your power, grip strength, cardio and muscular endurance.

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