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Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 6

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 6. Woman standing doing a cable rope pulldown. There is an American flag behind her. There is a full workout and it is written out below.

This week marks the end of the Titan Fitness Challenge – 6-weeks that we hoped improved your health and life. Way to go! Give yourself a pat on the back (at the end) for finishing the whole challenge.

If you’re just finding out about our Challenge, feel free to start at Week 1 of our Titan Fitness Challenge and complete the workouts on your own 6-week block! It’s never too late to get fit.

These workouts are part of our 6-week fitness challenge, where one of our top personal trainers put together a series of workout routines meant to challenge all fitness levels. Tweak the weights and rest times to your level of fitness.

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 6

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 x 10
  • Cable Chest Flys | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Chest Flys
  • Reverse Cable Flys | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Reverse Dumbbell Flys
  • 1-Arm Row (Each arm) | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 Rounds:

  • 30 sec. Plank
  • 15 sec. Side Plank (Each side)
  • 50 Jumping Jacks

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Split Squat (Each leg) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10, (2 x 1 Tempo)
    • Take 2 seconds to lower the weight, and a 1 second pause at the bottom
  • Dumbbell Straight Leg Deadlift | 3 x 8

Conditioning: 20 – 15 – 10

Do 20 reps of each exercise, then 15, then 10

  • High Plank Opposite Knee to Elbow
  • Jump Squats

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Barbell Overhead Press | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Lateral Raise | 3 x 10
  • 1-Arm Row (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Curls | 3 x 10

Conditioning: For Time (Finish As Fast As Possible)

  • 50 Jumping Jacks
  • 40 Walking Lunges
  • 30 Sit Ups
  • 20 Box Jumps
  • 10 Burpees

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Hyper Extension | 3 x 10
  • Kettlebell Goblet Step Through Lunges | 3 x 5
    • 1 rep is forward and reverse lunge
  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10

Conditioning:

  • 1 Mile Run
  • 50 High Plank Shoulder Taps
    • Opposite hand to opposite shoulder

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • 1-Arm Dumbbell Push Press (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Barbell Row | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Row
  • Cable Tricep Rope Extension | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Kickback
  • Dumbbell Curls (Each arm) | 3 x 10

Conditioning:

Partition any way, meaning any order and rep scheme

  • 1 Mile Run
  • 50 Doulbe Unders or 100 Jumping Jacks
  • 50 Burpees
  • 50 Sit Ups

Congratulations. You made it to the finish line. Now that you’ve completed the last week of the Titan Fitness Challenge, don’t let your momentum slip away! Go check out our workouts playlist on YouTube, pick a workout, and keep up the great work!

Visit our Instagram to see how others did, and remember to post your own pictures! Use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge and you could be featured on our Instagram! Once again, congratulations on finishing the Titan Fitness Challenge!

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Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 5

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 5. Woman on a seat doing a lat pulldown. There is a full workout and it is written out below.

You’ve made it past the halfway point and you’re almost to the finish line. Congratulations! This week we have new exercises, such as Zottman Curls, to challenge you while providing a fun and effective workout.

At Titan, we believe that fitness is for everyone, and shouldn’t be overwhelming to begin. So, if you’re finding out about us, feel free to start at Week 1 of our Titan Fitness Challenge and work your way here! It’s never too late. These workouts are part of our 6-week fitness challenge, where one of our top personal trainers put together a series of workout routines meant to challenge all fitness levels. Tweak the weights and rest times to your level of fitness.

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 5

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Flat Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 x 6 , (2 x 1 Tempo)
    • Take 2 seconds to lower the weight, and a 1 second pause at the bottom
  • Seated Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension | 3 x 10
  • Lat Pulldown Machine (Supinated Grip) | 3 x 12
    • Alternative exercise: Chin Up
  • Zottman Dumbbell Curls | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 Rounds:

  • 10 Dumbbell Strict Presses
  • 20 Jumping Jacks
  • 30 sec Hollow Hold

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Walking Lunge (Each leg) | 3 x 10
  • Reverse Hyper Extension | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Squat | 3 x 10, (2 x 1 Tempo)
    • Take 2 seconds to lower the weight, and a 1 second pause at the bottom

Conditioning: 3 Rounds:

  • 30 Mountain Climbers
  • 15 Sit Ups

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Seated Dumbbell Overhead Press | 4 x 6
  • Seated Dumbbell Reverse Flys (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • 1-Arm Kettlebell Bent Over Row | 3 x 10, (2 x 1 Tempo)
    • Take 2 seconds to lower the weight, and a 1 second pause at the bottom
  • EZ Bar Skullcrushers | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 20 – 15 – 10

Do 20 reps of each exercise, then 15, then 10

  • High Plank Opposite Knee to Elbow
  • Jump Squats

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Box Step Ups (Each leg) | 3 x 8
  • Straight Leg Deadlifts | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 Rounds:

  • 10 Push Ups
  • 15 Ab Bicycle Kicks

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Barbell
  • Kettlebell
  • Cable Machine or Lat Pulldown with Rope Extension

Workout:

  • Barbell Row | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Row
  • Kettlebell Horn Curls | 3 x 10
  • Push Ups | 3 x 15-20
  • Cable Tricep Rope Extension | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Kickback

Conditioning: 10 min. AMRAP

  • 10 Sit Ups
  • 10 Box Jumps or Step Ups
  • 5 Burpees

You’ve completed Week 5 of the Titan Fitness Challenge. Just one more week until you’ve finished the entire 6-week Challenge! Congratulations on making it this far. If you’re struggling to finish your workouts, consider lowering your weight or resting for more time in between sets.

Visit our Instagram to see how others are doing, and please remember to post your own pictures! Use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge and you could be featured on our Instagram!

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Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 4

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 4. Woman on a seated stationary bench using dumbbells to do shoulder presses. There is a full workout and it is written out below.

Now starts the home stretch of the Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 4. When you finish this week, you’ll be more than 50% done, and can take away a renewed sense of motivation. Don’t give up now!

If you’re just finding out about our Challenge now, it’s never too late to get involved! Start by completing the first week of our Titan Fitness Challenge. These workouts are part of our 6-week fitness challenge, where one of our top personal trainers put together a series of workout routines meant to challenge all fitness levels. Tweak the weights and rest times to your level of fitness.

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 4

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 x 8
  • Banded Pull Aparts | 3 x 12
  • Lat Pulldown Machine | 3 x 12
    • Alternative exercise: Pull Up
  • Cable Chest Flys | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Chest Flys

Conditioning: 20 – 15 – 10

Do 20 reps of each exercise, then 15, then 10

  • Jumping Jacks
  • Crossbody V Ups

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Barbell Reverse Lunge (Each leg) | 3 x 8
  • Reverse Hyper Extension | 3 x 10
  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 8 Min AMRAP

  • 15 Jump Rope Double Unders
  • 30 sec Plank
  • 5 Burpees

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Overhead Press | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Upright Row | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Curls (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Tricep Kickback (Each arm) | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 rounds

  • 30 second side planks (30 seconds each side)
  • 30 Mountain Climbers

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Step Through Lunges (Each leg) | 3 x 5
    • 1 rep is forward and reverse lunge
  • Reverse Hyper Extension | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Box Step Ups (Each leg) | 3 x 8

Conditioning:

  • 1 Mile Run
  • Flutter Kicks | 3 x 50

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells
  • Barbell

Workout:

  • Overhead Barbell Press | 3 x 10
  • 1-arm Dumbbell Row (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Lateral Raise (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Reverse Flys | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 Rounds

Rest 1 Minute Between Rounds

  • 10 Dumbbell Thrusters
  • 20 Second Hollow Hold
  • 30 Jumping Jacks

That ends our fourth week of the Titan Fitness Challenge. Once again, congratulations on getting more than halfway through to the end!

If you’re struggling to finish your workouts, consider lowering your weight or resting for more time in between sets. If you feel like giving up, remember how far you’ve come to make it to Week 4.

Visit out Instagram to see your fellow challenger’s progress – and please remember to post your own pictures! Use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge and you could be featured on our Instagram!

Categories
Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 3

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 3. Person on a weight bench using a dumbbell with a single arm curl. There is a full workout and it is written out below.

Now starts Week 3 of The Titan Fitness Challenge. Since you’ve successfully completed Weeks 1 and 2 of the Challenge, you’ve built consistent and healthy habits. Congratulations! At the end of this week, you’ll be halfway done with the challenge, so don’t give up now!

If you’re just joining us now, it’s never too late to start the first week of our Titan Fitness Challenge. These workouts are part of our 6-week fitness challenge, where one of our top personal trainers put together a series of workout routines meant to challenge all fitness levels. Tweak the weights and rest times to your level of fitness.

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 3

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 x 6
  • Incline Dumbbell Chest Flys | 4 x 12
  • 1-Arm Dumbbell Row (Each arm) | 4 x 10
  • Reverse Dumbbell Flys| 4 x 10

Conditioning: 4 Rounds

  • 100m Sprints

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Step Through Lunges (Each leg) | 3 x 5
    • 1 rep is forward and reverse lunge
  • Dumbbell Straight Leg Deadlift | 3 x 10
  • Yoga Push Ups | 5 after each set of Deadlifts
  • Barbell Squat | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Kettlebell Goblet Squat

Conditioning: 3 Rounds

  • 10 Push Ups
  • 15 Ab Bicycle Kicks

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells
  • Barbell 

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 3 x 8
  • Barbell Row | 3 x 12
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Row
  • Dumbbell Hammer Curls (Each arm) | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension (Each arm) | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 15 – 12 – 9

Do 15 reps of each exercise, then 12, then 9

  • Burpees
  • Box Jumps or Step Ups
  • Sit Ups

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Kettlebell

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Step Through Lunges (Each leg) | 3 x 5
    • 1 rep is forward and reverse lunge
  • Kettlebell Russian Swings | 3 x 12
  • Lying Supermans | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 2 Rounds

  • 50m Walking Lunges
  • 50m Bear Crawl

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • 1-Arm Farmer’s Carry (holding on each side) | 3 x 50m hold
  • 1-arm Overhead Kettlebell Carry (holding on each side) | 3 x 50m hold
  • EZ Bar Curl | 3 x 10
  • Cable Tricep Rope Extension | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Kickback

Conditioning:

  • Burpee Box Jumps: 10, 8, 6
  • Lemon Squeezer: 20, 16, 12
    • Partition anyway you choose, meaning an order and rep scheme

That brings us to the end of our third week of the Titan Fitness Challenge. Congratulations on making it this far – you’re halfway through!

If you’re struggling to keep up, consider lowering your weight or resting more in between sets – but whatever you do, don’t give up or quit now!

Visit out Instagram to see your fellow challenger’s progress – and please remember to post your own pictures! Use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge and you could be featured on our Instagram!

Categories
Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 2

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 2. Person on a plyometric box and using a kettlebell. There is a full workout and it is written out below.

Welcome back to Week 2 of The Titan Fitness Challenge! With the first full week in the books, it’s crucial to push forward and practice consistency in your fitness journey. Now is not the time to take a break, continue pushing yourself, and get into the habit of challenging yourself.

It’s okay if you missed the first week of the challenge, you can always go back to that set of workouts. This is part of our 6-week fitness challenge, where we had one of our top personal trainers put together a series of workout routines meant to challenge all fitness levels. Join us as we strive to continually better ourselves and accomplish all the challenges that come our way.

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 2

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Alternating Dumbbell Flat Bench Press | 3 x 8 each arm
  • Barbell Row | 3 x 12
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Row
  • Cable Rope Tricep Extension | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Kickback
  • Cable Rope Curls | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Dumbbell Curl

Conditioning: 3 Rounds

  • 100m 1-Arm Kettlebell Farmer’s Carry
  • 20 Low Side Plank Reaches | 10 each side

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Reverse Lunges | 3 x 10 each leg
    • This exercise can be done holding a single dumbbell
  • Kettlebell Russian Swings | 3 x 10
  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10
    • (Tempo 2 x 1) 2 seconds lower, 1 second pause at bottom

Conditioning: 10 min AMRAP

  • 2 Hanging Knee Raises
  • 2 Box Jumps or Step Ups
  • 30 Jump Rope Double Unders
  • 4 Hanging Knee Raises
  • 4 Box Jumps or Step Ups
  • 30 Jump Rope Double Unders
    • Continue adding 2 reps after each set. Jump Rope remains the same.

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Standing Dumbbell Push Press | 3 x 12, 10, 8
    • Increase weight after each set
  • Lat Pull Down Machine | 3 x 10
    • Alternative exercise: Pull Up
  • Standing Cable Reverse Flys | 3 x 10
    • Dumbbell Reverse Flys

Conditioning: 3 Rounds

  • 25 Mountain Climbers
  • 50m Bear Crawl

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells
  • Workout Bench or Plyometric Box
  • Kettlebell

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Squat | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Straight Leg Deadlift | 3 x 10
    • Yoga Push Ups | 3 x 10
      • 5 reps immediately after each Deadlift set
  • Dumbbell Box Step Ups | 3 x8 each leg

Conditioning: 20-15-10

  • Jumping Jacks
  • Kettlebell High Plank Drag Throughs
    • 20 of everything, then 15, then 10

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Set of Dumbbells

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Curl to Press | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Lateral Raises | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Bent Over Row | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Kickback | 3 x 10

Conditioning:

  • 1 Mile Run
  • 50 Double Unders or 100 Jumping Jacks
  • 50 Burpees
  • 50 Sit Ups
    • Partition anyway you choose, meaning an order and rep scheme

This concludes the second week of the Titan Fitness Challenge! Continue to check back each week for the next set of workouts for this series. Don’t forget to post pictures of yourself participating in the Titan Fitness Challenge. If you tag us @betitanfit and use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge, you may be featured on our Instagram page!

Categories
Health and Lifestyle Workouts

The Titan Fitness Challenge – Week 1

The Titan Fitness Challenge. Week 1. This is a workout plan that is laid out in the copy below the image.

We’ve all heard it before, “With the New Year comes a new YOU!” It’s an age-old tradition to start the new year off with a few New Year’s Resolutions. The idea of these resolutions is to challenge yourself to be better than you were the year before. They can range from mental and mindset changes to more physical ones. One of the most common resolutions is “I want to work out more.” Here at Titan Fitness, we are all for that! And if your New Year’s Resolution is similar to that, we have just the thing to help you get started. We met with one of our top personal trainers to put together a 6-week fitness challenge that will help you get started on your resolution journey. 

Titan Fitness Challenge: Week 1

Day 1 Workout

Equipment needed:   

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Flat Bench Press | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Flat Chest Flys | 3 x 10
  • Lat Cable Pulldowns | 3 x 10
    • Pull-Ups are a great alternative if you do not have a cable machine. And for an added challenge, you can try weighted Pull-Ups using a weighted vest.
  • Barbell Curl | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 3 Rounds

  • 10 Burpees
  • 15 Sit-Ups

Day 2 Workout

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Kettlebell Goblet Squat | 3 x 10
    • If you do not have a kettlebell, this exercise can also be done holding a single dumbbell
  • Banded Lateral Slides | 3 x 10
    • Place the bands around your ankles
  • Kettlebell Deadlift | 3 x 10
  • Body Weight Walking Lunges | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 4 Rounds

  • 30 seconds on the Fan Bike
    • Alternative exercise:  30 seconds of Jump Rope Double Unders
    • Rest 1 minute, then repeat

Day 3 Workout

Equipment needed: 

  • Workout Bench
  • Set of Dumbbells
  • Workout Bands 

Workout:

  • Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 3 x 10
  • Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raised | 3 x 10
    • Keep the weight light and the movements controlled
  • 1-Arm Dumbbell Row | 3 x 10
    • Pull elbow through hip
  • Banded Pull Aparts | 3 x 10
    • Keep arms straight and in front of you

Conditioning: 20-15-10

  • Mountain Climbers
  • Ab Bicycle Kicks
    • This means you will do 20 reps of each movement, and once you have completed that first set, you will then do 15 reps of each exercise, and then so on

Day 4 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

Workout:

  • Dumbbell Straight Leg Deadlift | 3 x 10
  • Dumbbell Split Squat | 3 x 10
  • Single Leg Elevated Glute Bridge | 3 x 10

Conditioning: 12 Min AMRAP

  • 5 Yoga Push Ups
  • 10 Box Jumps or Step ups
  • 15 Double Unders or 30 Jumping Jacks
  • 20 High Plank Shoulder Taps
    • As Many Rounds As Possible

Day 5 Workout 

Equipment needed: 

  • Incline Weight Bench
  • Set of Dumbbells
  • Cable Machine
    • Dumbbells can be used as an alternative to the Cable Machine

Workout:

  • Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 x 8-12
  • 1-Arm Cable Row | 3 x 8-12
    • Alternative exercise: 1 Arm DB Row
  • Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raises | 3 x 10

Conditioning:

  • 1 Mile Run
  • 50 Double Unders or 100 Jumping Jacks
  • 50 Burpees
  • 50 Sit Ups
    • Partition anyway you choose, meaning an order and rep scheme

This concludes the first week of the Titan Fitness Challenge! Stay tuned as we will publish the next week’s challenge soon. Don’t forget to post pictures of yourself participating in the Titan Fitness Challenge. If you tag us @betitanfit and use the hashtag #TitanFitness30DayChallenge, you may be featured on our Instagram page!

Categories
Workouts

Master Chest Day with the Perfect Chest Warm-Up

Male on a workout incline bench lifting 135 pounds of weight

We all have our favorite day at the gym, but let’s be honest it’s hard to beat Chest Day! To many, the routine is simple: hop on a bench and lift heavy. But what is oftentimes overlooked is the all-important warm-up. Sure, you could slap on a few 45lbs plates to a barbell and do a quick set of 10, but is that really considered a warm-up? A warm-up benefits you not only by helping avoid injuries but is also a top way to improve your overall performance. Coach Chris Lane, a loyal Titan Fitness customer, and Certified Personal Trainer stopped by to talk about the benefits of warming up before you hit the bench.

An adequate warm-up should last 5-20 minutes and achieve the following:

  1. Elevated heart rate
  2. Increased respiratory rate
  3. Increased flexibility
  4. Stimulated CNS and neuromuscular systems

By priming ourselves for movement, our training becomes much more focused and efficient. An adequate warm-up also decreases risk for injury. For those of us still in a time crunch and ready to dive under the bar, here is a “quick and dirty” shoulder health, mobility, and bench activation sequence that will get you activated and ready to bench!

The Perfect Bench Warm Up:

Equipment Needed:

The Warm-up:

Each exercise is performed at one set with the recommended rep count. Once you complete an exercise, jump immediately to the next.

  1. Up and overs | Reps: 10
  • How to perform: Start by standing sideway to your bench so that it is positioned to your right, you are going to step up with your right leg and place it on the bench. You are then going to step up and bring your left leg on to the bench. Now that both feet are on the bench, you will step down to the right starting with your right leg and then follow with your left. You should now be positioned so that the bench is on your left. You will then repeat the process. This time you will start by stepping up with your left leg and placing it on the bench and then follow with your right. Once both feet are on the bench, you will step down to the left, starting with your left leg and then followed by your right. This is one rep. Continue until you have completed 10 reps on each side.

2. Halos Right & Left | Reps: 5 each side

  • How to perform: Halos can be performed with a medicine ball, weight plate, dumbbell, or kettlebell. Do not choose a heavy weight, as this is meant to loosen up the muscles, not strain them. You will begin by standing straight with your shoulders relaxed. Hold your weight of choice in front of you. Lift the weight slightly above your shoulders in front of your face. Now take the weight and begin moving to the left, making a slow circle all the way around your head. Keep the weight close to your head throughout the circle but move slowly as to not bump your head throughout the movement. Once the weight has made a complete circle around your head, do the same movement in the reverse direction.

3. Internal Rotations | Reps: 10 each side

  • How to perform: This exercise will be performed with either a light dumbbell or exercise band. If you are using an exercise band you MUST safely secure it to a stationary object that will not move when tension is applied to the band. Tuck your right elbow into your side. With your right hand, hold either the dumbbell or exercise band at waist height, in front of you. Tuck your right elbow into your side and at a slow, controlled speed, rotate your arm so that your right hand is now in front of your torso. Once you are in this position, slowly rotate the weight back out to the starting position. This is one rep. Repeat with both arms.

4. External Rotations | Reps: 10

  • How to perform: This exercise is similar to the internal rotations, but this time instead of rotating your arm so that it ends up in front of your torso, we will be rotating it away from your body. This will be performed with either a light dumbbell or exercise band. If you are using an exercise band you MUST safely secure it to a stationary object that will not move when tension is applied to the band. Tuck your right elbow into your side. With your right hand, hold either the dumbbell or weight band at waist height, in front of you. Tuck your right elbow into your side and at a slow, controlled speed, rotate your arm so that your right hand and forearm are now perpendicular to your body. Once you are in this position, slowly rotate the weight back out to the starting position. This is one rep. Repeat with both arms.

5. Overhead Slams | Reps: 10

  • How to perform: For this exercise, all you need is a medicine ball. Start by standing with your feet nearly shoulder-width apart. Grab your medicine ball with both hands and hold it over your head. With a slight bend in your knees, slam the medicine ball to the ground in front of you as hard as you can. Do not lean over the area that you slam the ball and be careful that the ball does not bounce back and hit you. Catch the ball on the bounce and repeat the motion, starting again with the ball over your head.

6. Chest Slams | Reps: 10

  • How to perform: For this exercise, all you will need is a medicine ball. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. With both hands on either side of the medicine ball, pull the ball up to your chest with your fingers pointing away from your body. Hinge at the waist so that your upper body is almost parallel to the floor. Now push the ball away from your body to the floor, as if you were doing a chest pass in basketball. Once the ball bounces back, catch it and do it again. Be careful not to let the ball bounce back and hit you. Choose a pace that you are comfortable with.

7. Barbell Pushup | Reps: 10

  • How to perform: Take your barbell and place it on the floor. If you have any 5 to 10 lbs. weight plates, place one on each side of the bar. Start by grabbing the bar with both hands, roughly shoulder width apart. Get into normal push up position, while still holding on to the bar, and perform a push up. Be careful to keep the barbell stable, as it will want to roll away during the push phase. Keeping the barbell under your shoulders adds additional core resistance.

8. Lat Stretch | 20 seconds

  • How to perform: For this exercise, you will need either a bench, chair, or exercise ball for support. Start by getting down on all fours and placing your support item in front of you. Fully extend both your right and left arm and place both of your hands on top of your support item. The outside of your hands should be resting on the support item with your thumbs facing the ceiling. Slowly begin pressing your chest towards the ground, as if you were trying to touch the ground with your chest. Hold for 20 seconds and then slowly pull yourself back up.

Now that you have completed your warm-up it’s time to tackle chest day. Always remember to lift with controlled movements and ask for a spotter whenever you are lifting weights over your body.

For more fitness tips follow @coachchrislane on Instagram.  #BeTitanFit

Categories
Workouts

Fan Bikes vs Running Cardio – What are the Differences and Similarities?

Muscular athletes training in a crossfit gym – Functional training workout in a gym

Cardio can be a great way to enhance your performance and burn a few extra calories. When it comes to cardio, you’ve got a few different options. Cardio machines, like a fan bike, or outside running both can benefit your body but what are the key differences between the two?

Equipment & Environmental Differences

Let’s take a look at equipment & environmental differences. The obvious difference between running and using a fan bike is access to the equipment. You can either join a gym or purchase your own fan bike. Depending on the bike you pick, price can range anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. The Titan Fitness Fan Bike runs under $700.

Running is definitely more budget-friendly, but there’s still some equipment you need to select. You’ll have to find a pair of high-quality running shoes, if you want to avoid repetitive stress injuries. In addition to shoes, you may also need to consider other equipment like exercise clothing, water bottles, and fitness trackers.

When selecting equipment for your cardio, remember there is a major difference between environments. Using a fan bike is almost always done inside, which has the added perk of avoiding extreme heat, cold, and rain from ruining your workout.

Meanwhile, running has to be done outside if you want to achieve any real distance. There are some perks to exercising outside. Studies have found that time spent outdoors boosts your mood and reduces stress. Just keep in mind that you may not be able to exercise unless the weather is nice.

Difference in Impact

Another difference between the two is impact. Impact essentially refers to how much stress you put on your joints during the exercise. It’s important to consider impact and how much your body can handle during cardio. Doing a high-impact activity all the time can end up increasing your risk for injuries.

Overall, a fan bike has a lower impact than running due to being seated during most of the exercise. The bike supports some of your weight, so your joints are not put under as much stress. This does not mean air bikes are entirely impact-free, but there is just a little less risk of injury when using an air bike.

The difference in impact means that a fan bike might be better for those who have bad joints. If you’re older or worried about injury, a fan bike can also be safer. People who want to run outside but are worried about the impact can opt for shoes with better shock absorption along with running on softer surfaces 

Cardio & Calorie Comparison

Of course, the main thing people want to know is which exercise works better. Figuring out a cardio & calorie comparison for the two can be tricky since they use different sets of muscles and different methods for calculating intensity.

There is no definitive amount for how many calories running will burn versus a fan bike. Things like your weight, the bike’s resistance level, the type of ground you run on, or the speed you pedal at will all change how many calories you burn. In general, when a typical person runs or pedals at an average speed and average difficulty for the same amount of time, running will burn more calories.

Running tends to burn more calories because it uses more muscles and requires you to move your own body weight for the entire exercise. For example, the typical runner might burn around 400 calories in a half-hour run. Meanwhile, the typical 30-minute session on a fan bike would just burn around 300 calories.

When it comes to improving endurance and building muscle, things are even trickier to measure. Generally, if you were running at an average pace, you would build a bit more muscle and aerobic capacity than you would cycling. 

However, your actual results may vary a little more. Some people just naturally perform more intensely with one exercise. If you hate the heat, you might find yourself working out more vigorously on a fan bike inside. If you get bored easily, you might end up running faster or longer when you have changing scenery outdoors.

Ultimately, it all just comes down to your exercise goals and your individual preferences. Both fan bikes and running can be a great tool for getting in shape.Regardless of which choice you pick, success really depends on your own motivation. The best exercise for you will always be one that you find yourself able to do on a regular basis.

Categories
Workouts

Best Chest Exercises to Build Muscle

When you’re working out, you want to make sure you’re targeting all areas of your body. One of the areas you may want to target is your chest. Exactly what is the best chest building exercise? Keep reading to find out.

How Can I Build My Chest Muscle Fast?


If you are wondering, “How can I build my chest muscle fast?” it’s best to use primarily free weights as opposed to machines. The slight differences in the angle during each repetition are likely to create more muscle growth, but you’ll be performing each repetition exactly the same if you use machines. 

In addition, the key to building muscle in any region of the body fast is by varying your exercise routine. If you simply perform the same exercises over and over, your muscles will adapt to those specific movements only, which results in less muscle growth. The best way to be sure that you’re varying your exercise routine enough is to use a rotation, which includes different chest exercises each session or each week. 

Not only is it important to vary your chest exercises by doing different exercises, but you can also vary how quickly the exercises are performed and how much weight you use. Remember that if you lower the weights very slowly, you won’t need to use anywhere near as much weight as you normally would. 

Luckily, if you want to build up your chest muscles at home, there are lots of ways that you can do it. One great way to bulk up your pecs at home is by using the proper equipment. You can get a wide range of dumbbells, barbells, and machines to build up your chest at home. 

What Is the Best Chest Building Exercise?


If you’re looking to build chest muscle, then you need to do the right exercises. However, you’re probably still wondering, “What is the best chest building exercise?” and the answer to that question varies greatly from one person to another. However, these are a few of the best chest exercises that you can choose: 

  • Barbell Bench Press: In order to perform this exercise properly, you’ll lie down on the bench, and then you’ll raise the barbell up until your arms are fully extended but not locked. Then, lower the barbell back to the level of your chest. The barbell should remain in line with your mid-chest at all times. Do not arch your back. This exercise is one of the most popular ways to build chest muscle.
  • Flat Bench Dumbbell Press: This exercise is the same as the barbell bench press, but the only difference is that you’ll be using dumbbells instead of barbells. Many weightlifters feel that this exercise is an even better way to build chest muscle than the traditional barbell bench press.
  • Machine Decline Press: While this exercise involves using a machine, it can be a highly effective way to build chest muscle in your lower pecs. This exercise involves performing a bench press on a bench that is slightly elevated, which means that the bar is being brought down to a lower part of your chest.
  • Seated Machine Chest Press: The seated machine chest press involves sitting upright in a chair while pressing the bar out from the center of your chest. This exercise is performed on a machine. However, it can be an effective way to add some variety to your exercise routine.
  • Incline Bench Cable Fly: Chest fly exercises are perfect for building up your entire pectoral region. This exercise requires you to use a machine, but the fact that cables are used makes it more similar to free weight exercises in some ways. Perform this exercise by arcing the cable handles toward the center of your chest prior to lowering the cables back to the sides. Use a bench that’s angled 30 to 45 degrees, and position the cables on each side of you.
  • Low Incline Barbell Press: The low incline barbell press involves sitting on a bench that’s tilted 30 to 45 degrees. The bar is lowered to your upper pectoral region, which makes this a great way to build up your upper chest. This exercise can be performed with a free barbell or on a bench press machine.
  • Svend Press: This exercise focuses on building the muscles in the central part of your pectoral region, and you can perform it by pressing two barbell discs together and moving outward from your chest. You can perform this exercise in three different ways to target specific areas of your chest muscles.

    If you move the discs upward and out from your chest at a 45-degree angle, it will target your upper part of your central pecs. If you move the discs downward from the center of your chest at a 45-degree angle, it will target the lower region of your central chest.

    Moving the discs outward from the center of your chest will target the middle region of your central pecs. Unlike the other exercises on this list, you won’t want to use too much weight starting out. In fact, you may want to start with as little as two 2.5- or 5-pound discs.

How Do You Build Your Upper Pecs?


If you are wondering, “How do you build your upper pecs?” it’s essential to make sure that you consider the angle of the barbell, bar, or dumbbells. You want to make sure that you perform chest press or bench press exercises with the bar in line with the upper region of your chest. Even if your main goal is to bulk up your upper pecs, you should make sure that you perform a variety of chest exercises to ensure that you build up your entire pectoral region. 

There are a number of ways to improve your chest muscles. You can use a barbell bench press, barbell discs, or a chest machine to get the results you want. Consider combing these tools so your chest muscles get a variety of workouts in. Whatever method you choose, it’s important that you have a dedicated schedule.

Categories
Workouts

Best 5-Day Workout Splits

To get fit, many start routines with serious effort and commitment. After a few weeks, the results begin to show. People begin to notice and comment on the progress. After a while, though, the traditional three days of cardio and three days of weight training in the gym leave some looking for diversity in their workouts. Strength training at home utilizing a five-day workout routine is a great solution for this. What should a 5 day workout consist of, though, and what makes it so effective?

What Should a 5 Day Workout Consist Of?


A five-day split workout is the optimal strength training routine that builds the maximum amount of muscle in the shortest amount of time. The focus of the program is to apply maximum effort to a specific body part on a consistent day of the week. The consistency exhausts the muscle and allows sufficient rest for it to build. So, what should a 5 day workout consist of?

The five-day workout should focus on muscle groups by promoting intense bursts and sometimes consisting of two body parts per day. Isolating muscle groups with targeted exercises encourages muscle growth and definition. 

The workouts will always address the commonly identified muscle groups such as the chest, back, biceps, triceps, shoulders, abs and legs. Many bodybuilders and fitness gurus adopt this training regimen to gain pure muscle and reduce overall body fat. Muscle-building calls for a proper combination of stress on body parts working together with focused intensity.

It is critical to identify the days you want to work out and the body parts you want to work out. You also need to allow a sufficient amount of rest in between days. There are certain muscle-building rules to maximize the development of the workout. Some of these rules include the following:

  • The chest, leg, shoulders and back workouts should be worked no more than once in five days.
  • The abdomen, bicep and tricep muscles should be worked twice a week, incorporating a light workday and a heavy workday and with a three-day rest period in between.
  • Monitor the number of sets and reps during each workout.
  • Incorporate no more than one hour of training per workout day.

The Benefits of a 5 Day Workout Split


Applying the combination of the above rules, the benefits of a 5-day workout split are tremendous. Maximizing your effort and intensity into one specific muscle group per day keeps the mind focused. This style of training also promotes muscle depth and striations.

One of the pitfalls that many fitness enthusiasts experience is overtraining. The five-day split routine, in combination with the above guidelines, minimizes the potential for overtraining and injuries. When someone who was injured returns to lifting, the potential to push too hard is real.

With the proper amount of rest and recovery, you are allowing the muscle to absorb nutrients and to develop and grow. Allowing the repair process to thoroughly cycle gives a boost to muscle growth. The results of targeting muscle groups are superior to full-body workouts.

Based on your intensity during each workout, there will be an uneven number of calories burned simply because each exercise has its level of “burn.” In other words, focus more on your fat-burning strategies during your cardio sessions. Your workout sessions are simply to build muscle. Hence, you will maximize the benefits of a 5-day workout split.

What Are the Best Muscles to Work Out Together in a 5 Day Split?

Figuring out the proper combination as to which muscle groupings would work most effectively in a workout needs some guidance and thought. When working out from home, you might need to get creative so you can maximize these muscle groups. What are the best muscles to work out together in a 5 day split? They are as follows:

  • Chest and triceps (light)
  • Back and biceps (light), followed by a rest period
  • Abs
  • Shoulders and triceps (heavy)
  • Legs and biceps (heavy), followed by a rest period

Here are some recommended exercises to complete from home for each muscle group:

  • Chest and triceps: Pushups, bench dips, triceps extension, dumbbell bench press and fly
  • Back and biceps: Upright row, bent-over barbell row, wide grip barbell curl and dumbbell biceps curl
  • Abs: Crunch, side crunches and 6-inch straight-leg toe lift
  • Legs: Squats, lunges and toe raises
  • Shoulders: Lateral raise, front raise, military presses and shrugs

Train your legs at the end of the weekly cycle because the leg workout is the most taxing one of all body parts. Due to the leg having long muscles that need stretching, it takes a lot of effort and intensity to maximize the benefits of this exercise. In many instances, the fitness enthusiast needs additional rest and recovery during the leg workout and the mental fortitude to maintain proper form during each rep and set. 

The recovery period from your leg routine will limit movement due to soreness and exhaustion. Allowing a full recovery day from any exercise on any body part is ideal. 

Many home-based products can assist you in building muscle, such as the Hex Trap Bar V2, the Seated Leg Curl/Extension Machine, the T-3 Series Power Rack and more. At Titan Fitness, these and our other fitness products are reasonably priced, and we provide fast shipping. Having professional equipment at home is everybody’s dream. You don’t have to wake up, get dressed and drive to the gym. You can roll out of bed and know that quality equipment is there to help you build your muscles from home.

The fast pace of life and commitments at work and home leave fitness enthusiasts looking for a way to efficiently increase the results of each workout. Hence, the benefits of a 5-day workout split are tremendous. The split-day program has been around for many years, and the most successful bodybuilders and fitness devotees utilize it because of the outstanding results derived in a short period. Having the right equipment gives you the comfort in knowing that you can reach your fitness goals.

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