Saturday, 30 January 2010
Workout Shoes - Shoes for Strength Training
I've always worked out in just a plain pair of tennis shoes. Rarely to I see or even think that using special shoes would make any difference at all. However, I began to think of better shoe support when I started doing heavy squats. This prompted me to do a little research in specific type shoes for working out that would give me better ankle support and put my feet in a more level position for squats and leg presses.
After some Googling around, I came across the Otomix brand of shoes. There's virtually nothing on the net about workout shoes. There's even less in bodybuilding forums about the subject. Yet soccer players have special shoes, and so do most other athletes. Tennis shoes are great for running but they didn't seem to be wonderful when it came to squatting and doing other heavy leg exercises.
These shoes ( a few versions are available) sell for around $95 on average depending on the website you find, and the sales being offered. With some clever searching, you can find a great price. I ordered my Otomix Ultimate Trainers online and was pleased to see many e-mail and tracking notifications about my order. According to Otomix, these workout shoes were specifically for:
Ultimate Trainer has been designed specifically for weight training and incorporates the new High Performance Bodybuilding system. The HPB system provides a combination of comfort and support utilizing a special wrap around strap adjusted by our innovative lacing system. This shoe is a must for the serious bodybuilder.
Note: Their shoes run a half size small compared to your true shoe size. They suggest that you order a half size larger.
Quickly I opened the box and found everything intact and in brand new condition. I was ready for my leg workout.
Adjusting the laces properly is a must. It came from the factory like most shoes. It wasn't laced thru each of the holes. I fixed the laces and found the shoes to fit nicely and very snug. I felt ankle support and was able to tighten them like a snowboarding boot but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. I headed off to the squat rack.
Doing squats is something I enjoy. Honestly, I enjoy them a bit more now with full support for my feet. These shoes were great first time. NO break in period was necessary. They were comfortable, gave strong ankle support and allowed me to do full squats without any annoying feet issues. I felt like my feet were flat and firmly place on the floor with good traction. Moving onto the leg press, same thing. NO odd arches, no slippage, and good solid firm foot placement for a good pressing motion.
I only use these shoes on leg days. That is really where I want the support. I do not wear them outside for walking around. They are just like gym gloves. Used in that environment as appropriate. The soles of the shoe are good for traction in a smooth, flat gym environment. These particular shoes are not made to be worn as a street shoe. That would be a big mistake. You'd wear out the tread in days and be out $100 very fast. However, in the gym, where they are meant to be, these shoes were incredibly superior.
My overall reaction and opinion of my Otomix workout shoes are very favourable. I would recommend them to anybody looking for some comfortable, high quality, long lasting footwear that is designed specifically for the gym.
Marc David is a bodybuilder, writer, and author of the the e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding" (BGFB): What Every Beginner Should Know but Probably Doesn't. Marc has written over 20 articles and has been featured in several health and fitness websites. Marc's opinionated and informative articles on bodybuilding, weight loss and training are featured regularly on: http://www.freedomfly.net
To subscribe to Marc's free b-weekly e-zine, visit the Freedomfly website here: http://www.freedomfly.net/fitnessnewsletter.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_David
After some Googling around, I came across the Otomix brand of shoes. There's virtually nothing on the net about workout shoes. There's even less in bodybuilding forums about the subject. Yet soccer players have special shoes, and so do most other athletes. Tennis shoes are great for running but they didn't seem to be wonderful when it came to squatting and doing other heavy leg exercises.
These shoes ( a few versions are available) sell for around $95 on average depending on the website you find, and the sales being offered. With some clever searching, you can find a great price. I ordered my Otomix Ultimate Trainers online and was pleased to see many e-mail and tracking notifications about my order. According to Otomix, these workout shoes were specifically for:
Ultimate Trainer has been designed specifically for weight training and incorporates the new High Performance Bodybuilding system. The HPB system provides a combination of comfort and support utilizing a special wrap around strap adjusted by our innovative lacing system. This shoe is a must for the serious bodybuilder.
Note: Their shoes run a half size small compared to your true shoe size. They suggest that you order a half size larger.
Quickly I opened the box and found everything intact and in brand new condition. I was ready for my leg workout.
Adjusting the laces properly is a must. It came from the factory like most shoes. It wasn't laced thru each of the holes. I fixed the laces and found the shoes to fit nicely and very snug. I felt ankle support and was able to tighten them like a snowboarding boot but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. I headed off to the squat rack.
Doing squats is something I enjoy. Honestly, I enjoy them a bit more now with full support for my feet. These shoes were great first time. NO break in period was necessary. They were comfortable, gave strong ankle support and allowed me to do full squats without any annoying feet issues. I felt like my feet were flat and firmly place on the floor with good traction. Moving onto the leg press, same thing. NO odd arches, no slippage, and good solid firm foot placement for a good pressing motion.
I only use these shoes on leg days. That is really where I want the support. I do not wear them outside for walking around. They are just like gym gloves. Used in that environment as appropriate. The soles of the shoe are good for traction in a smooth, flat gym environment. These particular shoes are not made to be worn as a street shoe. That would be a big mistake. You'd wear out the tread in days and be out $100 very fast. However, in the gym, where they are meant to be, these shoes were incredibly superior.
My overall reaction and opinion of my Otomix workout shoes are very favourable. I would recommend them to anybody looking for some comfortable, high quality, long lasting footwear that is designed specifically for the gym.
Marc David is a bodybuilder, writer, and author of the the e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding" (BGFB): What Every Beginner Should Know but Probably Doesn't. Marc has written over 20 articles and has been featured in several health and fitness websites. Marc's opinionated and informative articles on bodybuilding, weight loss and training are featured regularly on: http://www.freedomfly.net
To subscribe to Marc's free b-weekly e-zine, visit the Freedomfly website here: http://www.freedomfly.net/fitnessnewsletter.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_David
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
What Is In Your Bodybuilding Gym Bag?
There are numerous personal items that will increase the comfort of your workouts and boost effectiveness. You are guaranteed to see at least one of the following items in a bodybuilding gym bag. We’ve narrowed the list to give you what we believe are the most effective and useful items.
1) Gloves. After your first couple of training sessions, you’ll notice that your hands will begin to develop blisters. The only way to prevent this is by wearing weight gloves (or alternatively, golf gloves). Keep in mind that your hands will adapt to wearing gloves. They will never get a chance to toughen up and calluse over.
2) Sponges. Sponges are a cheap way to protect the hands during a workout. They come in different sizes, but the 4 X6 by ½ inch variety will probably work best. Place a sponge in each hand and grab the bar, dumbell, or machine handle. The sponge will protect the skin on the hands from blistering.
3) Wraps. No matter how conscientious you are about maintaining proper technique, your joints will still suffer a tremendous amount of stress. Many people find that by wrapping common “trouble areas” - such as the knees, wrists, and elbows - reduces the possibility of injury to the joint. Wraps come in many shapes and sizes. Some are elastic in nature and have a pre-set tension. Others are nothing more than simple first-aid bandages that allow you to adjust the tension. It’s probably a good idea to experiment with wraps on such bodybuilding exercises as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
4) Belts. The most popular piece of weightlifting equipment is the belt. We suggest treating belts like gloves – only use one if you really need to. Wearing a belt at all times never allows the lower back muscles to become stronger. Our advice is to only wear a belt for lower back protection on exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and barbell rows (average cost of $30 to $40) and will offer solid lower back support.
5) Straps. Straps are short (one and a half to two feet) pieces of woven cloth that wrap around the barbell or handle on a machine. You’ll discover that on exercises such as deadlifts, shrugs, rows, pulldowns, etc, your forearm grip will be the ‘weakest link’. Straps allow you to handle more weight in these exercises. You can buy a set of wrist straps for $15-$20 or make your own.
6) Headbands. Also called sweatbands, headbands are another simple piece of equipment that will make a big difference to your workouts. Nothing is as irritating as getting salty sweat in your eyes. Even training in an air-conditioned bodybuilding gym does not make you immune to having beads of sweat rolling down your forehead. Investing in a headband will prevent this problem.
7) Chalk. The next time you watch a gymnastics competition, take a close look at the hands of the athletes. They are virtually white with chalk. The body’s primary cooling mechanism is to release water to the skin’s surface in the form of sweat. While sweat does wonders for cooling the body, it makes gripping actions difficult. Weightlifting is like gymnastics in that a firm grip is an absolute necessity on all exercises. Chalk is cheap ($2-$3 for a six-inch block) and is extremely effective at absorbing sweat. Just check with your gym’s policy on chalk before buying.
8) Water Bottle. The human body is about 90 percent water. While we have water conservation systems, there are times when our hydration levels will fall dangerously low. Always consume copious amounts of water when training. You can use the gym’s fountain, but that creates a lot of potential germs. Buy a water bottle and keep it filled. Rather than gulping large amounts, try sipping it throughout your workout.
Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his bodybuilding articles? http://www.bodybuilding-news.net ©Bob Howard 4/7/2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Howard
1) Gloves. After your first couple of training sessions, you’ll notice that your hands will begin to develop blisters. The only way to prevent this is by wearing weight gloves (or alternatively, golf gloves). Keep in mind that your hands will adapt to wearing gloves. They will never get a chance to toughen up and calluse over.
2) Sponges. Sponges are a cheap way to protect the hands during a workout. They come in different sizes, but the 4 X6 by ½ inch variety will probably work best. Place a sponge in each hand and grab the bar, dumbell, or machine handle. The sponge will protect the skin on the hands from blistering.
3) Wraps. No matter how conscientious you are about maintaining proper technique, your joints will still suffer a tremendous amount of stress. Many people find that by wrapping common “trouble areas” - such as the knees, wrists, and elbows - reduces the possibility of injury to the joint. Wraps come in many shapes and sizes. Some are elastic in nature and have a pre-set tension. Others are nothing more than simple first-aid bandages that allow you to adjust the tension. It’s probably a good idea to experiment with wraps on such bodybuilding exercises as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
4) Belts. The most popular piece of weightlifting equipment is the belt. We suggest treating belts like gloves – only use one if you really need to. Wearing a belt at all times never allows the lower back muscles to become stronger. Our advice is to only wear a belt for lower back protection on exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and barbell rows (average cost of $30 to $40) and will offer solid lower back support.
5) Straps. Straps are short (one and a half to two feet) pieces of woven cloth that wrap around the barbell or handle on a machine. You’ll discover that on exercises such as deadlifts, shrugs, rows, pulldowns, etc, your forearm grip will be the ‘weakest link’. Straps allow you to handle more weight in these exercises. You can buy a set of wrist straps for $15-$20 or make your own.
6) Headbands. Also called sweatbands, headbands are another simple piece of equipment that will make a big difference to your workouts. Nothing is as irritating as getting salty sweat in your eyes. Even training in an air-conditioned bodybuilding gym does not make you immune to having beads of sweat rolling down your forehead. Investing in a headband will prevent this problem.
7) Chalk. The next time you watch a gymnastics competition, take a close look at the hands of the athletes. They are virtually white with chalk. The body’s primary cooling mechanism is to release water to the skin’s surface in the form of sweat. While sweat does wonders for cooling the body, it makes gripping actions difficult. Weightlifting is like gymnastics in that a firm grip is an absolute necessity on all exercises. Chalk is cheap ($2-$3 for a six-inch block) and is extremely effective at absorbing sweat. Just check with your gym’s policy on chalk before buying.
8) Water Bottle. The human body is about 90 percent water. While we have water conservation systems, there are times when our hydration levels will fall dangerously low. Always consume copious amounts of water when training. You can use the gym’s fountain, but that creates a lot of potential germs. Buy a water bottle and keep it filled. Rather than gulping large amounts, try sipping it throughout your workout.
Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and steroids. Are you looking for more of his bodybuilding articles? http://www.bodybuilding-news.net ©Bob Howard 4/7/2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Howard
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Weight Lifting Belts - The Protection You'll Need for Weightlifting
Protecting your back from injuries when weight training is now possible with weight lifting belts. These are used in exercises putting a lot of strain on your lower back like heavy squats and dead lifts. They protect your lower back from getting strained by supporting it, causing the weight to be distributed to your upper body instead.
The importance of wearing the belt
Weight lifting belts have a limited purpose and are only good for certain exercises. Never wear them throughout the workout especially if the workout requires more movement out of you, as the belt can restrict movement and overusing can weaken your lower back, making it more prone to injuries.
A necessity for weightlifters
Not all weight lifting belts are alike. In fact, each type serves a different purpose, even if they are all used for weightlifting. Choose a weightlifting belt that can give you not just support but also comfort so that weightlifting can be easier for you.
Pick your weightlifting belt
Lighter than leather and flexible, a nylon weight lifting belt is recommended for beginners or for those performing less strenuous exercises.
The leather weightlifting belt, on the other hand, is made of saddle-skirting or synthetic leather, or other common leather variants. Leather is typically thick and heavy so expect this type of weightlifting belt to be heavier and more rigid than the nylon belt, which is why professional weightlifters prefer using this.
Tips for buying your belt
There are two things to consider when buying a weightlifting belt: the thickness and the fit. Make sure it hugs close to your lower back for adequate support and make sure it is adjustable yet thick enough to cover your whole lower back.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ilse_Hagen
The importance of wearing the belt
Weight lifting belts have a limited purpose and are only good for certain exercises. Never wear them throughout the workout especially if the workout requires more movement out of you, as the belt can restrict movement and overusing can weaken your lower back, making it more prone to injuries.
A necessity for weightlifters
Not all weight lifting belts are alike. In fact, each type serves a different purpose, even if they are all used for weightlifting. Choose a weightlifting belt that can give you not just support but also comfort so that weightlifting can be easier for you.
Pick your weightlifting belt
Lighter than leather and flexible, a nylon weight lifting belt is recommended for beginners or for those performing less strenuous exercises.
The leather weightlifting belt, on the other hand, is made of saddle-skirting or synthetic leather, or other common leather variants. Leather is typically thick and heavy so expect this type of weightlifting belt to be heavier and more rigid than the nylon belt, which is why professional weightlifters prefer using this.
Tips for buying your belt
There are two things to consider when buying a weightlifting belt: the thickness and the fit. Make sure it hugs close to your lower back for adequate support and make sure it is adjustable yet thick enough to cover your whole lower back.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ilse_Hagen
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