THE FIREFIGHTER'S WORKOUT The Firefighter's Workout Book

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The Fitness Files
Tips and Tricks to Keep You Fit

September 8, 2001

Over Training
Exercise routines found on this website and in The Firefighter's Workout Book, make it particularly difficult to overtrain, if you stick to the guidelines.

For most people, overtraining (or training too much) will prove counterproductive. You'll get sick, feel tired, risk an overuse injury, and suffer a host of other nasty symptoms, including cessation of progress in the gym. Listen to your body and slow down!

Take a week or two completely off or ease up on the duration, frequency and intensity of your workouts. Allowing your body to have the rest it needs will ensure steady progress, and avoid the pitfalls of excessive training.

September 1, 2001

Exercise Can Improve Your Sex Life
Exercise is not only a great way to lose weight and tone up, studies show it can improve your sex life as well.

An article in the ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified News reports that sexual function is affected by general health, and the more you can do to improve your health, the better your sex life can be. Numerous studies cited conclude that regular, vigorous exercise can also be effective at lowering the risk of impotence.

Exercise increases sexual potency because it strengthens the cardiovascular system, and improves circulation. It also has the added benefit of increasing self esteem, and confidence. But beware, just because working out can do a lot to improve your sex life, too much heavy exercise can actually decrease testosterone levels, which may lead to a decrease in sex drive.

September 1, 2001

Fat Burning Factories
Muscle needs energy (calories) to function. Simply stated, the more muscle you can pack onto your frame, the more calories you'll burn just standing still.

Muscle cells are little fat-burning factories that require some sugar and a lot of fat for fuel. If you can put on some lean muscle mass, you'll have the added benefit of burnig more fat while the body is at rest. Strength training is an anareobic exercise--meaning that while the exercise is being performed, the primary source of fuel for the muscles is glucose (sugar), but the recovery from strength training (the time you spend resting after the workout) is aerobic, or fat burning. So while your body is recuperating after an intense training session, it's also burning fat--just one more reason to workout!

August 1, 2001

Core Training
Core training works the entire midsection. This includes the abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques), hip flexors (iliopsoas) and lower back (erector spinae).

Faster, more dramatic results are achieved when exercises that work all of the above mentioned muscles are performed on a regular basis. In other words, don't just do one exercise like sit-ups --perform a variety of movements that engage all of the muscles that form the body's core.

Spend at least five minutes performing the right exercises. Repeat the routine 3 or 4 times a week. For more details and complete animated instructions, check out FAB ABS, TAKE 2.

Advice found on this website is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice for dealing with a given problem. Always use common sense when exercising, and see your doctor for any, and all serious medical conditions.