Wed. August 22, 2012
By Michael Elder
It's hard to believe, but summer will be coming to an end before we know it. This article was written to give you some ideas on how to take your current routine to a new and more demanding level. If it happens to also improve our bodies' aesthetic appearance before the end of the summer, then so be it! The tools discussed in this article can be extremely beneficial in bringing about new fitness gains; however care must be taken to use them at the appropriate times and in the appropriate manner. Otherwise, overtraining symptoms, and/or injury can occur. And that's never a good thing. So please read carefully. Below, I discuss some advanced training techniques in detail that will surely help to boost your workouts to that next intense level.
Assisted Reps. Again, this technique requires the assistance of a trainer or workout partner. This time, as the client starts to reach muscle failure on a particular exercise, the trainer steps in and helps him complete a few more reps. For example, let's say the client is on the Leg Press machine. He manages to do about 12 reps before he really starts to fatigue. He's just about at muscle failure when the trainer or workout partner steps in and helps him achieve about three more reps. This simple act of kindness can allow the client to "shock" his muscles into achieving added strength gains and muscle hypertrophy.
Again, the one thing that I cannot enforce enough is that these techniques should not be performed on a continual basis. They are advanced techniques only to be used once in a while to stimulate new muscle fibers and to boost someone's current workout program. Too much of any of these techniques can lead to overtraining and/or injury. Just be careful. Give them a try but be cautious. They just might be able to help you improve your physique for a few last strolls down the beach this summer. I'll be watching!
Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last thirteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be contacted directly through his website, www.MichaelElder.com.
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