Dan asked:
How long can I go without lifting weights before my muscles go away?
FitnessDude Answer:
Thanks for that great question Dan. Studies have showed that after 2 weeks of doing no activity, you will usually see a 10% decrease in muscle strength, but as long as you can stay active with other activities such as swimming or sports like tennis, you will probably not see any or very little decrease for about 6 weeks, because those workouts help to retain muscle.
What can I do to have a faster first step in sports?
Tommy – NY
In order to become fast from the moment you make your first stride, you will need to train fast, and also work on explosive drills. You will definitely want to do sprinting drills around three times a week, and involve some plyometrics. Plyometrics are great for your central nervous system, and teaching your nervous system to fire all at once will definitely help you to have a quicker first step. Plyometrics will also help you jump higher too. Some quick foot drills will also help you with getting faster out of the blocks. If you want to be fast, then do fast speed workouts.
Are weight belts necessary every time I lift heavy weights?
Samuel, OH
This might come as a shock to some readers, but…no. You do not have to wear a weight belt when you lift heavy weights. The reason being and the reason why professional lifters do not wear weight belts, except with competition weights, is because they need to build core strength. You, also need to build core strength. Before you decide to start lifting heavy weights, make sure that you are strong in your torso, hips and shoulders. You might want to start working on those areas regularly, so that you can start strengthening your core and handle more difficult weights without using a weight belt.
If you want to learn more about your abs and strengthening your core click here—>Get flat abs
Joe Asked:
I am currently doing weight training daily, is this okay to do or do I
need to give the muscles a break?
Ask The Fitness Dudes Answer:
Well Joe, it is okay to do weight training everyday as long as you are working out different muscle groups. It is bad when you are doing upper body workouts everyday, or even full body workouts everyday. You never want to workout the same muscles everyday. By alternating muscle groups, you will be allowing your body to recover and build. I would still allow yourself one day where you do not do any workouts at all. When you do weightlifting your muscles tear and then when you rest your muscles repair and rebuild. If you were to workout the same muscles everyday, they would never repair.
I heard if I were to sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair I will lose weight. Is that true?
Ask The Fitness Dude’s Answer:
This is actually a pretty common question, and there is always someone saying, “My cousin lost 20 lbs. by sitting on a ball!” It is those statements that give life to this rumor. Although it would be nice if we could lose weight by sitting on a ball, that is just not the case. Sitting on an exercise ball will help strengthen your core, but it will not allow you to burn off enough calories to shed off fat. People might experience some weight loss if they have not worked out in years, but for the most part people will see very little weight loss. Exercise balls are great though! There are tons of workouts you can do with an Exercise ball that can strengthen your whole body, but unfortunately sitting on an exercise ball is not one of those exercises.
Thank you for the question Katie, sorry if it was not the answer you were hoping for.
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Does it matter what order I do my workouts in? What should I do first…Cardio or Weight Lifting?
Ask The Fitness Dude’s Answer:
That is a great question Carlos! It actually depends. It depends if you are working out the same muscle group. Let’s say you were doing some weight lifting for your legs or lower body and running for your cardio. You would actually want to do the weight lifting first, because lifting weights help you retain your muscles, especially if you are dieting. Cardio does not retain your muscles.
On the other hand…Let’s say you were lifting weights for your upper body and running for cardio. The order simply does not matter. Begin with whatever you feel like.
Thank you for the question Carlos, I hope that helps.
Do you have a question? Then Ask The Fitness Dude and get an answer! Just click on the notepad located at the bottom of the screen. Fill out and submit the form.
I have actually been to Uganda before, and have seen people carry tons of stuff on theirs bikes, but I have never seen anything like this. Even though those boxes are probably pretty light, it is still an impressive sight to see. I hope that kid is getting paid well. Remember, if you have any fitness related questions…just ask me. I will try to give you the best personal trainer advice possible.
If you have a fitness related question, then go ahead and ask me. You can fill out a question form at the right hand bottom of the page. It’s easy…just fill out the form and ask me a question. Your question will go to my email, once I recieve your question, I will post it and my answer on the website. So don’t be shy I will try to answer you to the best of my ability.
