Tag: gym
Ball Busting: Get Lean With Exercise Balls
Here are some exercises that can help you get in shape using exercise balls!
It is technically winter time but that is no excuse to allow your abs to be covered with all that visceral fat, so put the cookies and milk down and read how to stay or get lean and ensure your abs are on point this year only using exercise balls…. And with it nearly being the holidays I don’t mean borballs.
So let’s look at different balls you can use to keep those abs on point, starting with one of my favorites:
The Slam Ball
Now the slam ball is sometimes referred to as the medicine ball but that is not correct, as the slam ball is significantly different as it is specifically designed for throwing exercises and can take the impact against hard surfaces and will not bounce back and hit you in the face.
Slam Ball Exercise 1
Standing overhead slam
Feet shoulder width apart
Hold the slam ball with both hands
Extend the ball over your head
Then slam it to the ground with full force
Squat down to pick it up
Repeat accordingly
Alternative version:
Oblique focused
So rather than going straight on, lift the ball over your head but this time target the left and right side separately.
So lift over the left hand side
Slam down on that side
Squat to pick up
Then slam down on the right side
And repeat accordingly
Slam Ball Exercise 2
Slam Ball reverse scoop toss
This move seems to have a variety of names but this seems to sum it up perfectly, this move can also be done with a wall ball.
Feet shoulder width apart
Holding the ball with both hands
Then squat down and throw the ball over your head and behind you as far as you can
Variation:
Add a sprint
After each scoop sprint after the ball and reverse scoop toss in the direction you came from and continue doing so until you complete you desired reps.
The Wall Ball
Now the next piece of equipment I want to focus on is the wall ball, again the name is a dead giveaway, as it is usually used to hit walls with.
The wall ball is a lot bigger than the slam ball or medicine ball and is not designed for slamming but great for hitting against walls or throwing overhead.
Wall Ball Exercise 1
Wall ball rotational throws
Standing a few feet away from a wall
Hold the wall ball with both hands
If the wall is to your right then take the ball towards your back hip (on the left hand side)
Then while rotating your body throw the ball against the wall
This should be an explosive movement
Catch the ball
The repeat for desired reps
Repeat on opposite side and ensure you do same rep range
Wall Ball Exercise 2
Wall ball throws
Standing close to a wall
Hold the wall ball with both hands
Ensure it is chest height
Then squat down
And drive up and throw the wall ball uo and slightly forward so it hits the wall
Then catch the ball and descend into a squat and back into the next rep
Repeat for desired reps accordingly
Wall Ball Exercise 3
Wall ball partner squat toss
Standing opposite a partner about 5-6 yards away
One of you will be holding the wall ball
Then squat and toss the ball to your partner
Your partner will catch the ball and then squat and toss back to you accordingly
Keep repeating for desired rep range
This exercise can also be done with a medicine ball.
Make it harder:
Add intensity by mirroring your partner, so squat when your partner squats even when you do not have the ball.
Medicine Ball
So now let’s move onto the most commonly found ball in gyms up and down the country, it is of course the medicine ball.
Medicine Ball Exercise 1
Medicine ball stomach hits
So my first exercise is a real gut buster (pun intended).
Start by lying down on the floor
Have your training partner standing over you with the medicine ball in hand
Have your partner throw the ball towards your abdomen
Ensure you take the hit and try not to catch or block the ball
Once it has hit its intended target area grab the ball and throw it back to your partner
Then brace yourself again for the next hit
Repeat for desired rep range
Alternative target area:
Oblique focus
So if you want to only target the obliques only, have your partner stand much closer.
They will literally be towering over you.
They will be holding the ball constantly and not letting go at any point
Brace your abs
And ensure they hit the obliques with ‘mini’ hits on one side
Once one side has been annihilated, move onto the other side
Medicine Ball Exercise 2
Medicine ball kneeling partner twists
Make sure you are kneeling down
And back to back with your partner who should also be kneeling down
One of you should have a medicine ball to hand
Both of your brace your cores
Then slowly twist to one side and pass the ball to your partner (so your left will be there right and vice versa)
To keep things symmetrical ensure to twist and pass in the opposite direction also, so if you have been passing to your left for 20 seconds, pass to your right for the same duration of time
Alternative:
This can also be done standing up.
So there you have it, some great exercises to get you in tip top shape during the holiday season. And if your gym doesn’t have any of the balls mentioned in this article then you better add it your holiday wish list.
So until next time, keep pumping!
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How To Pick Up Girls In The Gym
How Not To Pick Up Girls In The Gym
Let’s face it, many of us get a gym membership so we can get in shape and impress some girls. Some of us take it even further by starting the search for our soul mate in the gym. Don’t deny it, you know who you are.
While some people have a game when it comes to picking up girls, the majority sucks at it. The risky part about hitting at girls at your gym is, you have to see them every day. So, if things go wrong you won’t be walking around with the same confidence you do now. Before you go embarrass yourself in front of pretty girls, this is a list of what you should and shouldn’t do.
Show-Off
You might be a pro bodybuilder with a ripped chest and shredded abs, but women don’t really care. You don’t want to be labeled a show-off. It’s a direct ticket to women’s blocklist and since you’re reading this article, you don’t want to end up there.
On the other hand, you should mind your own business. If you’re good at working out, work out as if no one is watching. There is something about guys who don’t give a shit which attracts girls.
Draw Attention By Doing Stupid Things
Every gym has a guy who starts grunting out loud when there are chicks around him. We get it, you have muscles and everything, but why do you want to sound like you’re going into labor?
If you think dropping heavy weights to the floor is badass, you’re mistaken. It’s considered to be douchebaggery rather than badassery. Doing nothing has a better chance of getting you noticed as compared to doing these things.
How To Pick Up Girls In The Gym
Offer Help
Helping can never go out of fashion. If your gym crush needs a spot, find a way to get there first and offer help. Make sure you’re not too buggy. Don’t give her tips on every exercise she is performing.
Don’t just limit your help to her. Your dream girl will appreciate you more if she sees you helping other people as well. Most gyms are full of broscientists and jerks, being there for everyone will definitely make you stand out.
Start A Conversation
You can never be short on opportunities to talk to your lady love when you’re in the gym. You can talk to her at the water coolers or during one of her rest breaks between sets. If you’re afraid that she will walk away, you can strike up a conversation when she is using the cardio equipment.There is nowhere she can go if she is on the treadmill.
When you walk up to her, you need to be on your A-game. Look straight into her eyes and don’t be scared or shy. Also, strike up a meaningful conversation. “How much do ya bench?” will not be a good ice-breaker in this case.
Ask To Go Out For A Quick Snack
When you become acquaintances, and if you’re not in the ‘no-talk’ list already, you stand a chance to take her out. Take it slow, you shouldn’t ask her out for a dinner date straight away. Since you’re in the gym, you can ask her out to a smoothie bar right after your workout.
Who isn’t hungry after a workout? This is the best time to get to know each other and figure out if you’re a good fit. The door to future dinner dates is wide open after this. This is all you need to know to pick up girls in the gym.
Have you ever picked up chicks in the gym? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
How To Bench More Weight
Lift Heavier Weights Instantly
The bench press has been the benchmark for machoism for a long time. ‘How much do you bench?’ is one of the most common questions thrown around in the gyms by beefed-up bros trying to prove their superiority.
The bench press is a compound exercise and takes some time to get better at. If you’re gearing up for a contest or want to build a ripped chest on a schedule, this article will help you put a few extra pounds on your bench press.
Use Lifting Gear
Lifting accessories can be of great help in your workouts. Not only do they reduce the chances of injuries, but can also help you lift heavier weights. Lifting gear like wrist wraps, elbow supports should be a must in every serious weightlifter’s gym bag.
Modern weightlifting has seen the introduction of special bench press gear like the slingshot. Most people make the mistake of flaring out their elbows which can lead to a pec tear. Gym gear like slingshots can help eliminate this problem.
Perform Negative Reps
Negative reps are one of the best ways to increase your strength. You need a spotter to perform a negative rep. Make sure the spotter can handle the weights in case you fail a repetition.
Let’s say you have the target of lifting raw 200 lbs by the end of the month. Put on 200 lbs on the bar and ask the spotter to help you with the positive movement. Instruct the spotter to put in minimal help during the negative part. As you get stronger and feel more comfortable with the weights, eliminate the spotter on the negative and then the positive movement.
Ask for a Spot
Another way of getting stronger is to get a permanent spotter. Having someone to spot you gives you instant motivation and a confidence boost which can help you in lifting heavier weights.
If you don’t have someone to spot you at your gym, it is a good idea to sign up for personal training. Before you get yourself a personal trainer, read through this article. It will help you make a better decision.
Perform Heavy Isolation Exercises
Isolation exercises are a great primer for performing heavy compound exercises like the bench press. Isolation exercises allow you to have leverage by fixing a range of motion which can allow you to lift heavier weights.
You can lift heavier weights in isolation exercises as you don’t have to use your muscle stabilizers to balance the weights. Isolation exercises like the hammer strength chest press can help you in building strength which you can carry over to the bench press.
Fix Your Form
Many people fail to increase their bench press because they have the wrong form. Your form while performing the bench press has a big impact on how much weight you can lift. Following a powerlifter stance can help lift heavier weights.
Lie down on a flat bench with an arch in your back so only your shoulders and lower back are touching the bench. There should be enough space between your middle back and the bench that your hand could pass through it. Place your feet under your knees as doing this helps you in generating thoracic pressure.
How much do you bench? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
5 Weightlifting Mistakes That Keep People Small, Weak, and Frustrated
Doing the Wrong Weightlifting In and Outside the Gym There is a reason why the majority of the gym-goers who work out on a regular basis don’t have that much to show for it and why only a small number of them build impressive physiques. If you thought that the […]
The post 5 Weightlifting Mistakes That Keep People Small, Weak, and Frustrated appeared first on What Steroids.
Choosing the Right Powerlifting Gym
While some of you guys are already training in a hardcore gym or are on a powerlifting team. There are always a few people that are looking to join their first powerlifting gym. Hell, there are even people who are training at a powerlifting gym. They are considering switching […]
The post Choosing the Right Powerlifting Gym appeared first on What Steroids.
Gym Equipment Dirtier than Public Toilet Seats
If you are one of those people who is always looking forward to an excuse to quit the gym then here you are. Exercise equipment may be dirtier than you could even imagine. Health officials have been testing the gym equipment around the country. They have concluded that treadmills […]
The post Gym Equipment Dirtier than Public Toilet Seats appeared first on What Steroids.
Eight Best Dumbbell Exercises For Your Forearms
Here are some of the top dumbbell exercises to pump your forearms.
Why are the forearms so underappreciated? They’re front and center, playing a role in every lift in the gym, to say nothing of everyday movements such as typing, texting, and opening doors.
With the possible exception of soccer, the forearms play a pivotal role in most sports, handling rackets, clubs, paddles, bats, and balls, providing both touch and force. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 7-footer sometimes referred to as the Greek god of basketball, in part because of his physique, relies on his forearms to provide the soft touch on his free throws and power behind his thunderous dunks.
Michael Phelps won 28 Olympic gold medals thanks in part to a freakish 6-foot-7 wingspan that’s three inches longer than his height. But it’s his forearms that allowed him to pull through the water, unlike any other swimmer. Studies suggest forearm training is especially effective for baseball players, which is no surprise given the importance of quick wrists when swinging a bat.
So, while you might be hitting the forearms in any gym workout, it’s worth spending a dedicated 30 minutes on occasion with a pair of dumbbells to target these unsung heroes which by the way also look damn good bulging from beneath rolled-up sleeves. Just ask Popeye.
In this 30-minute dumbbell workout to build your forearms, we’ll hammer through four sets of these eight moves in a circuit fashion, resting only briefly between sets, to produce maximum results.
Pete Williams is a NASM certified personal trainer and the author or co-author of several books on performance and training.
1. Seated Wrist Curl
What it does: This iconic wrist isolation exercise blasts the forearms.
How to do it: Hold a dumbbell in one hand and sit on a bench, allowing your elbow and forearm to rest on your thigh. Your hand dangles off your knee, palm up, the elbow bent at 90 degrees. With the dumbbell hanging down, curl your wrist so your palm faces your biceps. Lower slowly and repeat for a set of 10.
How many? 4 sets of 10 reps.
2. Bent-Over Row
What it does: Though the movement is initiated from the shoulder and also works the back, the forearms play a key stabilizing role.
How to do it: Stand slightly bent over at the waist holding a dumbbell in one hand, holding onto a bench with the other hand for support. Bring your shoulder blade back and then drive your elbow toward the ceiling, pulling the weight up. Lower to starting position and repeat.
How many: 4 sets of 10 per side.
3. Palms Down Wrist Curl
What it does: This is an everyday movement that’s not used nearly enough in the weight room, thus it’s tougher than you think it would be.
How to do it: Sit on the end of a bench, a dumbbell in each hand, wrists against your knees, and palms facing down. Raise the dumbbells by lifting only your hands, keeping your arms still. Lower after a one-second pause.
How many? 4 sets of 10.
4. Bicep Curls
What it does: It’s simple yet challenging and a mainstay of any bicep workout.
How to do it: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and biceps at your sides. Keeping your elbows still, lift the dumbbells to your shoulders as you rotate your palms to the ceiling. Keep your back still and stomach tight. Return to starting position.
How many? 4 sets of 10 reps.
5. Farmer’s Carry
What it does: Ever see a farmer with spindly arms? This lift helps the shoulders and overall core strength, but the forearms are on overload in this lift.
How to do it: While carrying a dumbbell in each hand, walk 10 yards out and 10 yards back. Don’t hunch over. Keep your shoulder blades pulled back and down and fire your glutes as you walk. This can be a challenging move at first, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re able to walk further or increase the weight.
How many? 4 sets.
6. Hammer Curls
What it does: The neutral grip places more emphasis on the forearms than the biceps.
How to do it: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, hold a set of dumbbells with a neutral grip so your hands face each other. Curl the dumbbells to shoulder height, keeping hands facing each other. Pause at the top of the lift, squeezing the biceps, and then lower to starting position.
How many? 4 sets of 10 reps.
7. Wrist Rotations
What it does: This move blasts the forearms and is often done at the end of a workout to the point of exhaustion rather than a prescribed number of reps.
How to do it: Hold dumbbells to the side with an overhand grip. Raise the dumbbells in front of you so your elbows form 90-degree angles. While maintaining this position, slowly rotate the dumbbells away from the body so the palms face up. Slowly rotate back so the palms again face down.
How many? 4 sets to exhaustion.
8. Suitcase Carry
What it does: A variation on the farmer’s carry, this involves picking up just one dumbbell as you might a heavy suitcase. Not only will you strengthen your forearms, but you’ll also improve your grip.
How to do it: Squat at the hips alongside the dumbbell, lift it like a suitcase and walk. Start with an easy distance – 10 to 20 yards – working up to longer distances.
How many? 4 sets.
These Are The 7 Most Important Lifts
The Best Seven Exercises You Can Do In The Gym
No two exercises are created equal. In this article, we won’t be getting into the argument if compound lifts are better than the isolation movements. We believe each has its place in your exercise arsenal.
If you’re like most people, you’ll want to make the most of your time in the gym. And how do you do that, you ask? It’s easy, you perform the exercises which are going to give you the best bang for your buck.
Squats
There are no surprises here. Squats are one of the best functional lifts which can add size to your legs and help you in building overall strength. If you have a back injury or can’t perform the barbell squats for some reason, you can try variations like the goblet or hack squats.
Make sure you’re focusing on contracting your muscles with each rep in all of the exercises you perform. Just going through the motions for the sake of it isn’t going to do much for you. Establishing a mind-muscle connection is key to building muscle mass.
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
For many people, the upper pecs are a weak muscle group. Following a full ROM (range of motion) while performing the incline bench press can help in developing the stubborn muscle group.
If you perform these exercises in your HIIT workouts, 12-15 repetitions will be the optimal rep range. Keep your ego in check and focus on the form rather than the amount of weight on the bar.
EZ-Bar Skullcrushers
The skullcrushers are one of the most effective tricep exercises. Lie down on a flat bench with an EZ-bar in your hands extended at arm’s length so your upper arms are perpendicular to the floor at the starting position.
You need to keep your elbows and upper arms locked in the same place throughout the exercise. The bar should be a couple of inches away from your forehead at the bottom of the movement.
Squats are a must in your training program
Arnold Presses
While most shoulder exercises target a single deltoid out of the three heads, the Arnold presses work the anterior and medial delts. Performing the Arnold presses while sitting on an army bench eliminates the possibility of using momentum.
Deadlifts
Deadlifts are a full-body exercise that primarily targets the back. Performing the compound exercises regularly can improve your mobility, strength, and can help you in doing your day-to-day tasks.
Machine Preacher Curls
While most people love performing the dumbbell curls, they can’t get the most out of them as they lack the mind-muscle connection. Machine preacher curls are an isolation exercise that targets the peak of your biceps.
Hanging Leg Raises
Most people who workout want washboard abs but don’t know how to achieve them. After you have your diet in place, performing exercises like the hanging leg raises will help you bring the definition and symmetry in your abs.
Which is your favorite exercise? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Header image courtesy of Envato Elements
Changing It Up: Occlusion Training
Here is a way to change it up using occlusion training!
The gym can be a breeding ground for groundbreaking idiocy but in the same instance it can help provide inspiration for some new ways to train also.
The technique I am going to talk about, isn’t one that is used too often as it has the potential to be dangerous if used incorrectly but also if used right it can add to your gains.
What method am I referring to? Of course, it is Occlusion training.
What is Occlusion Training?
The term “occlusion” has a literal definition of “a closure or blockage”.
So Occlusion training or Blood Flow Restriction training (BFR), is the act of causing a blockage of blood to the muscle groups being exercised with the use of cuffs, bands, or wraps.
An example would be using bands around the top of the biceps to ensure maximum pump during bicep curls. Or cuffing the top of your legs to get those quads pumped. If you have lagging calf muscles then why not cuff the tops of your calves and go HAM with calf raises.
So what makes this method work?
Because blood flow is being restricted to the muscle which has been cuffed, the blood is essentially being pooled in that one area (the muscle which has been cuffed), and this then limits oxygen delivery to that area, which in turn takes longer to reach muscle fatigue in the area that has indeed been cuffed.
One of the most amazing aspects about Occlusion training is that it actually allows the body to respond to low level intensity exercise (best used for fat loss) in the same way it does to moderate intensity exercise (best use for muscle hypertrophy). This means you are able to get the same muscle building benefits while lifting lighter weight as you would by lifting heavier weight
So even though you’re lifting a lighter load it will feel heavier and this metabolic stress tricks your brain into believing it is doing more work than you actually are and this then triggers the release of growth hormone.
How to do it:
For muscle growth, you need to use heavy weights ( > 65% of your 1RM). However, occlusion training with lighter weights (20 -50% of 1RM) has shown to achieve muscle & strength gains comparable to conventional training with heavier weights (around 80% 1RM).
Should you do it?
One study concluded that the occlusion or ‘BFR can lead to improvements in strength, muscle size and markers of sports performance in healthy athletes’.
They also added that additional studies needed to be ‘conducted to find the optimal occlusive pressure to maximize training improvements.’
So how does it increase muscle growth?
Well muscles are made of two types of fibers: Type 2 & Type 1 fibers.
Type 2 fibers are the ones which grow easily and make you look big. But Type 2 fibers are only recruited when you go to failure or when you use heavy weights ( >80% 1RM).
When lighter loads are combined with occlusion, Type 2 fibers are recruited way early in the set just like when you are doing a heavier weight. So they get naturally bigger.
Lighter loads with occlusion have also shown to increase growth hormone (GH) levels more than heavy training would normally do.
But how does it release Growth Hormone?
A study from 2000 showcased that low load BFR training to failure increased growth hormone ‘290 times as high as that of the resting level 15 mins after the exercise’ in question.
And as mentioned earlier, even though you’re lifting a lighter load it will feel heavier and this metabolic stress tricks your brain into believing it is doing more work than you actually are and this then triggers the release of growth hormone.
Body parts for occlusion:
Muscle
Where to cuff
Biceps
Top of arm between delt and bicep
Triceps
Top of arm between delt and
tricep
Quads
Top of the Quad
Hams
Top of the Ham
Calves
Top of calves
Forearms
Top of forearms, just below elbow
Tips:
Do not wrap at knees or elbows, go top of arms or legs depending on muscle you are training
Wrap in layers, and spread out the cuff and bandage being used so excess pressure isn’t being placed on the same area
Do not wrap too tight where movement becomes restricted, you want to aim for 40-60% tightness
To conclude
Now if you’re looking to build up strength especially after an injury, short term use of occlusion training may be a good way to get back in the game. Likewise, if you’re getting fatigued by heavy lifting or just the thought of having to pick up a really heavy bar to make a difference is getting you down, doing some short term occlusion sets because of their effective low reps and light weight, may be just the thing to keep you training and provide the mental break necessary to get back at it.
So there you have it, occlusion training can now be added to your armoury for the next session.
So until next time, keep pumping!
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6530612/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33196300/
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jappl.2000.88.1.61
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19885776/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5609669/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6349784/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30011262/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6683630/
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Universities with Best Gyms In the U.S
Fitness is a phenomenon that not even college students can resist. Apart from keeping form, working out increase the level of understanding among students. It is for this reason that most institutions of higher learning have invested heavily in recreational resources. It is also important to note that some colleges offer diplomas and degrees in sporting activities. However, finding a college with the best resources for your fitness may prove to be difficult. This article will look at some of the universities with the best gyms in the United States. Note that this list has not put the facilities in any particular order.
Ohio State University
The university in Ohio state has a vast recreational center that’s one of the best in the country. Most importantly, the facility offers weight training programs with experienced trainers. Students can choose to train in groups or solo, whichever works best for them.
The institution’s climbing center is one of the most famous among all the states. That is not to mention outdoor recreation which includes yoga and stand-up paddleboard. Finally, Ohio State University gymnasium is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to help you take your bodybuilding to another level.
University of Missouri
This institution boasts of having the best gym facilities in the whole of America. After scrutiny, we have established that indeed this institution is one of a kind when it comes to recreational facilities. The University of Missouri is home to numerous lifehack places you can perform any form of exercise.
The institution did a facelift on its recreational facilities in 2005 that is rumored to have cost $50 million. Most importantly, the gyms are open for a minimum of 16 hours. The facility’s Olympic-size swimming pool has hosted 52 Olympic medalists as of today. The University of Missouri ranks top among universities with the best recreational center not only in the United States but also globally.
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Colorado State University
Popular for its Rec Cams, this university allows students to monitor the activities in the gym from any part of the institution. The cameras also show which stations and equipment are not in use at any given time. Colorado State University has invested heavily in physical maintenance equipment such as treadmills, barbells, and more.
Students are also offered a myriad of choices of various training activities. The student recreation center in the institution also offers several outdoor activities such as sand volleyball courts. Colorado State University should be among your top choices if fitness is your priority.
University of Arizona
University Primetime places the University of Arizona at the top of higher institutions with the most impressive recreation centers. The university has been expanding its recreation facilities with the most recent being an addition of 51,000 square feet of space in the fall of 2009.
The most notably gym equipment includes high-quality cardio machines, lifting equipment, cycle studios, courts, among others. Most importantly, the facility offers solo and group training in a wide range of physical exercises. The gym is open for at least 12 hours so you can go there at your most convenient hour.
University of Texas – Austin
The southern university boasts of multifaceted recreation centers that are every fitness enthusiast’s dream. With three outdoor gyms and several other field facilities, the University of Texas recreation center is among the best in the Americas. For bodybuilders, this is the ultimate place to be, thanks to quality training programs and equipment.
Most importantly, gyms at the University of Texas offer personalized regimens to help lifters concentrate on their gray areas. If you’re an aspiring bodybuilder who is about to join college and looking for a healthy training environment, consider this facility among the best.
Auburn University
Auburn University has consistently appeared at the top of the list when it comes to gym facilities. Most importantly, this institution has a culture of promoting physical activity as an integral part of learning. As such, it has equipped its gyms with state-of-the-art equipment to help students in training.
The facility’s most notable programs include the ‘Healthy Weight Challenge” which guides students on weight management. Additionally, Auburn has outdoor facilities such as swimming pools which are aimed at providing students with as many sporting options as possible. This facility boasts of having professional trainers who guide students in various sports. Finally, Auburn has 250-ft climbing walls that cater to all levels of climbers.
UMass – Amherst
The University of Massachusetts in Amherst is a force to reckon with in matters of fitness. It is one of the few higher learning institutions that give students an all-around preparation for what life has in store for them. Most importantly., the institution encourages students to incorporate fitness and wellness in their daily lives. It has one of the most competitive recreational centers you can find globally. Notably, the institution’s gyms are equipped with modern lifting equipment for every physical exercise.
Additionally, students who would like to be trained are assisted by experienced trainers in the facility. UMass also has several jogging tracks, one of them being the 6-mile North Pleasant-Pine’s Peak-East Pleasant track. The institution offers free nutrition sessions to interested students, that is not to mention meditation corners that are open to all students at any time.
University of Maine
MSN places the University of Maine first in its ranking of universities with the best recreational centers. The $25 million New Balance Student Recreation Center building has one of the best college gyms globally. The gym, equipped with modern, high-quality equipment every bodybuilder dream of. The University of Maine also has many outdoor recreation facilities such as jogging tracks and an ice-skating rink.
California State University – Long Beach
This university’s recreation and wellness center are one of a kind. The facility is open to both students and staff members. Notably, the gyms within the facility have the best equipment you can find on the planet. California State University has a pool of professional trainers who assist students and staff members in various training activities.
The institution also praise for its excellent outdoor recreation facilities such as sand volleyball and huge swimming pools. Students in the university have access to a vast beach where they can go for sailing adventures.
University of Pennsylvania
Universities along the east coast continue to do well not only in academics but also in other sectors such as recreation. The University of Pennsylvania is home to many playgrounds and gyms with the best resources you can find.
Apart from its famous Olympic-size swimming pool, the facility also has sophisticated physical training equipment such as cardio machines and unique treadmills. Most importantly, the facility boasts of an extraordinary golf simulator and massage studio that are unmatched by any other institution.
The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA is famous for producing some of the best sporting talents in the country. This has been made possible by the Recreation Department in the institution that is equipped with quality, diversified equipment.
Most importantly UCLA has incorporated a daily fitness schedule in most of its activities to promote health and well-being among its community.
University of North Dakota
Have you heard of ‘Cosmic Climbing’ before? Well, the University of North Dakota is the undisputed home of rock climbing among much other fitness and activity-based events. Apart from beneficial workout programs and modern lifting equipment, the university also offers healthy cooking services in the culinary section. That means bodybuilders can monitor their diet and even have their meals prepared by professional nutritionists.
Most importantly, the university offers special fitness classes for students and members of staff at a time of their convenience. Its most popular sessions include cardio boxing and Bootcamp that are open to any member of the university community.
University of Alabama – Birmingham
Last but not least is the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The recreation center on this campus focuses on bodybuilding and general fitness. Students are offered beneficial training programs and fitness classes in a range of fitness areas. For instance, some fitness classes take students through yoga exercises, Zumba, Pilates, among others.
Most importantly, the institution has come up with several team-building activities to challenge students who wish to push their fitness limits. The fact the institution organizes internal contests in various fitness activities makes it the best for bodybuilders looking forward to participating in IFBB competitions. Finally, fitness rooms at the University of Alabama give students a breath-taking panoramic view of the campus.
Conclusion
Campus gyms are quite instrumental in helping students who want to pursue careers in fitness and bodybuilding. The best thing about these gyms is that most of them are free so you don’t have to pay membership fees. Being a student or staff member in the institution is enough to give you access to all the resources in the recreation center. Most importantly, college gyms create a perfect environment for people to train in groups and to motivate/inspire each other. These are only some of the many well-equipped gyms found in various Universities across the states. We hope you find one that best suits you. Also, scroll through our blogs for plenty of inspiring articles and training programs.