Category: Fitness

You have probably had some of those unplanned workouts in the past. You know, the ones where you walk into the gym excited. Ready to crush chest, tris, back, legs... or maybe cardio today...or maybe all of the above...or maybe none of the above. Who knows? Not you, because you came in without a plan. So you might wander around for a few minutes trying to decide, confuse yourself a bit more, and then ultimately you end up stretching out for 45 minutes which is all fine and dandy if you knew exactly what you wanted to do after, but you still haven't made up your mind and you are now just wandering around the gym asking everyone how many sets they have left so that maybe the next machine…

I used to be terribly against using the Trap Bar for any exercise at all and I was never really sure why. However, with time I started to use it more frequently for a wide variety of exercises. Well, lately I took a step back and wondered why I had so much hate for the Trap Bar in the beginning. What I realized is sort of disturbing. There is really no reason to hate the Trap Bar. I was listening to so many of these "Macho-Man Only" style lifters that only believe in doing things their way and I forgot to really look at the science behind lifting and the loads that certain lifts can put on your body when not executed perfectly. Let's face it, if you're a human…

I know that every time I start working out again after a break, I usually end up pretty sore. Even if you are just mixing up your regular routine for a little bit of muscle confusion you are probably feeling some serious muscle soreness. So what tips and tricks are out there that help with fighting muscle soreness after your workout? Well I have a few things that will ease your pain...but first let's understand why we get sore in the first place. What Causes Muscle Soreness? I know you read that question and probably think, "I already know what causes muscle soreness, exercising." Well, you're not wrong, but let's dive a little deeper here and truly understand why your muscles lock up on you after any intense workout. Delayed…

So I am a huge believer in transparency. I don't hide the fact that if you purchase something through one of my affiliate links here on my site, I will receive commission. In fact, I appreciate the support of anyone who does so and supports me and my efforts here at Incite Fitness. I will always explain exactly how it works to anyone curious enough to ask. No it's not some absurd amount, but it helps when I have a little bit of monetary incentive to motivate me to share my knowledge and spend time writing. However, I have stood behind the fact, and always will stand behind the fact that the only products I am willing to market are products I have personally tried, and personally enjoyed. If I…

If you are struggling with your weight, chances are you've thought at least a couple times about sweating it out. This has been done multiple ways, and is very popular among wrestlers and fighters cutting to make weight. You have seen time and again people on the treadmill or elliptical with trash bags taped around their body, or wearing that full body nylon ski suit to really get their sweat on. However, based on the title of this article you are probably wondering if the average person should be sweating for weight loss. Let's start by talking about why we sweat, the benefits of sweating, and the drawbacks of excessive sweating. We can then relate this more directly to weight loss because we can then fully understand the process of…

In order to fully understand how to go about the rest day workout properly we first need to discuss why rest days are a necessity. Some of you may not be the type that can manage to stay away from the gym for long periods of time. This can be a serious struggle for those who have worked out for a long time or aren't sore from their most recent workout. However, rest days are still important and intense workouts every day can actually harm your body. Read my article on some of the negative effects of overworking yourself and practicing bad habits here. You should also know that a rest day doesn't necessarily mean you have to lay in bed like a vegetable. It's actually good to get up and…

Let's talk about the benefits of listening to music while working out. Over the decades countless studies have been performed that analyze using music to alter or control mood. If you take the time to reflect upon (from memory) or listen to some different classical works, you will realize that there are heavy mood driving sounds woven throughout these compositions. This is the very reason that the greats like Beethoven were able to play out hours upon hours of concert and take audiences "on an adventure" of sorts. This still holds true today when we go see our favorite artists live. Imagine the last concert you attended...think about the emotional journey that their music took you on. Now think about the music you listen to every single day...Do you listen…

Many people avoid the gym. There is a wide variety of reasons why. Maybe the stigma against the gym stems from an insecurity when first starting out. Maybe it is too expensive to pay so much every month for a place to workout. Maybe they have children to attend to and cannot leave them alone to head to the gym. Maybe you are on a limited time schedule and really just need to get something quick in before an important appointment. Many people are investing in video programs such as P90X or some sort of Ab Ripper Pro. While these are great and they are guided and do usually show you some results if you work through the program with the proper intensity, they are usually a little longer than…

Hiking is one of those things that someone can easily fall in love with. There is no better feeling than strapping on a backpack, loading it full of the basics, and embarking on a journey out into nature. Whether you live in a city and love it, or live right on the edge of the great outdoors, you cannot deny that hiking brings out a newfound love for nature, health, and fitness. Hiking isn't always about getting out and getting active. Many people really focus on the active benefits of hiking, but what about the passive benefits that result from this activity? Did you know that hiking actually has mental health benefits as well? The Reason I Started Hiking I grew up in a really rural area, so being outdoors…