Tag: FITNESS
How CBD Roll On Prevents and Aides Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
CBD roll ons are an excellent option for providing instant relief after a workout to prevent and help delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Muscle soreness is not only uncomfortable and makes everyday tasks, such as getting up out of a chair or walking up a flight of stairs, difficult. But it also makes going to the gym unbearable and hinders your ability to make strength progressions and build muscle. Fortunately, Mother Nature’s provided you with a natural remedy for treating and preventing muscle soreness. This herb is cannabidiol (CBD). Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD effectively treats muscle soreness, aka delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The right CBD product will help you alleviate muscle soreness and help prevent it from occurring in the first place. That way, you can continue building muscle and sculpting your dream body.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become mainstream for the use of many ailments. CBD is a natural herb derived from the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. Tetrahydrocannabidol (THC) is found in Cannabis sativa as well, and both THC and CBD support health benefits. However, CBD does so without causing the mind-altering effects THC does. THC is known for making people high. Conversely, CBD provides ample health benefits leaving you in a sober state.
RELATED: Best CBD Roll-On Supplements For Recovery & Relief
Benefits of CBD
CBD offers many benefits, such as preventing and aiding delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), alleviating anxiety, providing pain relief, and improving sleep.
DOMS Prevention and Aid
DOMS is caused by the body working to repair the microscopic damage to muscle tissue. As the body works to restore your muscles, inflammation occurs, causing muscle soreness. DOMS is common after intense exercise, for beginners, or when you change your workout plan. It’s when your muscles become sore and typically commerces 24-48 hours after a workout. DOMS isn’t necessarily harmful to you, but it can prevent you from working out, cause pain for daily tasks, and impede your recovery process, hindering your fitness goals.
This 2021 study suggests CBD is an effective remedy for helping with muscle recovery after intensive squatting (1).
Anxiety
Anxiety is prevalent in the world and can be caused by many things, including stress, work, relationships, or financial difficulties. As a result, anxiety can negatively affect your everyday life and even your sleep quality. However, CBD is an effective remedy for improving anxiety (2).
Pain Relief
Besides the pain of DOMS, it’s common to have pain after working out due to injury such as spraining or straining a muscle. Or pain in general from a medical condition or accident. And the research found that CBD effectively reduces pain (3).
Sleep
Sleep is imperative for your health and fitness goals. In addition, your recovery will suffer if you’re not getting enough sleep or quality sleep. CBD may help alleviate insomnia, and since it relaxes you, it can do wonders for your sleep quality.
This study of patients with poor sleep and anxiety demonstrated that CBD effectively improved the majority of patients’ sleep scores (4).
What Are CBD Roll Ons?
CBD roll ons is a topical you apply to an affected area to receive therapeutic benefits. Unlike a cream, roll-ons are a stick that uses gel to apply CBD over your body. CBD roll ons have potent ingredients that help prevent and alleviate muscle soreness. CBD roll ons are prominent for athletes since they’re quick, convenient, and don’t provide any mess like creams.
Why CBD Roll Ons Are Necessary to Prevent Muscle Soreness
CBD roll ons are effective for treating DOMS and helping with post-workout recovery. CBD roll ons are great after a workout since they can be applied directly over your muscles, which will be more effective than taking CBD oil or gummies–must go through your digestive system. In addition, CBD roll ons provide an instant cooling sensation that your skin immediately absorbs to soothe your muscles after a rigorous workout.
How to Use CBD Rolls to Prevent DOMS
Of course, first and foremost, you’ll want to follow the directions of the CBD roll on product you purchase. Generally, you’ll want to apply the CBD roll on soon after your workout. Depending on the muscle group you worked out will determine where you use the CBD roll. For example, if you target your arms, you’ll want to roll the CBD roll on to your triceps and biceps to prevent post-workout inflammation. We recommend rubbing it in a small circular motion to help your skin’s receptors best absorb the product.
Is CBD Safe for Athletes?
CBD is considered safe and legal and is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list. However, research is limited since marketing CBD is relatively new. And some side effects are possible, including diarrhea, dry mouth, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. Also, be wary of CBD and THC products–not all CBD products are THC-free. That’s why it’s important to buy CBD from reputable companies.
Featured CBD DOMS Topical
Many different CBD products are available on the market, but we only recommend trusted brands that will improve your fitness and bodybuilding journey. The CBD roll on below is our CBD pick for DOMS. It’s got all the ingredients you need to alleviate muscle soreness and prevent it from happening.
Level Select CBD Level 3 Sports Roll-On is a high concentration CBD massaging roller supplement with 1,800mg of high-quality CBD for those muscle soreness needs.
The massaging roller ball is perfect for applying to any affected area of your body after an intense workout. It’s mess-free and fast-absorbing. Besides the CBD, it also has cooling menthol for relief after a workout. Applying this CBD roll on will give you a cooling sensation and a fragrant mint scent. It fits perfectly in your gym bag and is convenient for travel.
Level Select CBD 3 Mint Roll On Properties
1800mg of CBD
2.5 oz.
Cooling mint scent
Massaging roller
Mess-free and fast-absorbing
0.0% THC
1800mg of CBD is ideal for maximal relief from rigorous physical activity.
Price: $49.99
Do CBD Roll Ons Work for DOMS?
Research is pretty straightforward that CBD is effective in treating and parenting muscle soreness, pain relief, and post-workout recovery, among other things. However, using quality CBD from creditable companies such as Level Select CBD 3 Mint Roll On is recommended.
Wrap Up
CBD will relieve your body from working out, aid muscle recovery, and prevent DOMS–without the mind-altering effects THC causes. Level Select CBD 3 Mint Roll On is our number one picked CBD for muscle soreness. Its massage roller is mess-free and fast-absorbing. Also, it’s blended with premium properties and 1800mg of CBD and leaves your body with a cooling sensation, providing instant relief from lifting weights.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
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References
Isenmann, E., Veit, S., Starke, L., Flenker, U., & Diel, P. (2021). Effects of Cannabidiol Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle Regeneration after Intensive Resistance Training. Nutrients, 13(9), 3028. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093028
Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
Argueta, D. A., Ventura, C. M., Kiven, S., Sagi, V., & Gupta, K. (2020). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 561. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00561
4. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
Why CBD Sleep Gummies Are Essential to Maximizing Gym Gains
Learn why CBD sleep gummies before bed will optimize your sleep and help you gain muscle and lose body fat.
Sleep is imperative to anyone’s fitness and bodybuilding goals. Arguably, sleep is the most critical part of your health. And not getting enough sleep will make gaining muscle and losing body fat impossible. But sleep conditions, such as insomnia, are widespread, and, unfortunately, many people have to suffer from sleep issues routinely. However, one natural herb is promising for its effectiveness in improving your sleep quality, so you can continue to make the gains in the gym you want. This herb is cannabidiol (CBD)–specifically CBD sleep gummies.
CBD is widespread these days, but many people wonder what it is, what it does, and how effective it is. CBD advertised for its health benefits is relatively new, so some people are skeptical if it works and of its potential side effects. Furthermore, it often gets confused with its cannabis cousin, THC, which causes a high that many users would like to avoid.
THC can be an effective remedy for improving your sleep, but what if you don’t want to experience the mind-altering effects it causes? Well, CBD can vastly improve your sleep without any psychoactive effects.
CBD is found in the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa. THC is another cannabidiol found in cannabis, except it’s known for the psychoactive sensation of getting high. However, CBD isn’t psychoactive, which makes it alluring to people who want to receive the benefits cannabis offers without mind-altering effects.
There are various ways to consume CBD, including oil extract, topicals, vapes, tinctures, and gummies (edibles). This article will cover how CBD can improve your sleep and provide other benefits, such as pain relief. We’ll also cover the different ways to consume CBD and why you should take CBD gummies before bed.
Benefits of CBD
CBD has many benefits, including pain relief, decreased stress and anxiety, and better sleep. It has similar benefits to its hemp brother THC, except without all the psychoactive effects THC causes.
CBD Benefits
Better Sleep: This 2019 study found that CBD can be effective in improving your sleep (1).
Less Anxiety: Taking 300 mg of CBD can significantly reduce your anxiety levels (2).
Pain Relief: Studies have shown that CBD affects your endocannabinoid (regulates pain) receptor activity to reduce chronic pain (3).
Reduce Muscle Soreness: CBD may also be effective at reducing muscle soreness after a workout or sporting event.
Besides the high many marijuana users experience, many other alternatives such as pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, including fatigue, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. Comparatively, CBD has minimal side effects–although, some users report dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and drowsiness.
How to Take
You can consume CBD in various ways, including CBD gummies, CBD oil, and CBD topicals. Below we’ll dive into the differences between different CBD consumptions and the pros and cons.
Gummies (Edible): If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to consume CBD via gummies. That’s because gummies come in different flavors and taste good. However, CBD gummies must go through your digestive system since they’re taken orally, so they won’t be as fast-acting as other methods.
Oil: CBD oils have to go through your digestive system, too, although you can put them underneath your tongue, allowing them to travel through your system faster. That’s because we have tiny blood vessels in our tongues. Also, oils can be consumed through your favorite beverage (tinctures), including coffee and tea, and you can even make a CBD cocktail.
Topicals: Topicals are best suited post-workout since they’ll penetrate your skin faster than edibles and help with post-workout recovery immediately. CBD topical cream gives you a cooling sensation on your skin and helps relieve muscle pain better since it’s applied directly over your muscles.
Vapes: You can also consume CBD via smoking. This is the fastest-acting since it immediately travels through your lungs and bloodstream. However, many experts question the safety of smoking CBD.
Why CBD Sleep Gummies Are Necessary
Of course, insomnia and other sleep disorders are prevalent conditions many people face. And since CBD has been shown to relax you (vital for sleep), it’s an effective natural remedy to improve your sleep. So sleep CBD is necessary because it will aid you in getting optimal sleep, which is paramount for anyone’s fitness and bodybuilding success.
Sleeping is essential for muscle-building, fat loss, and general health. Your fitness goals will suffer if you aren’t getting enough quality sleep. In addition, your gains from working out don’t happen while working out; they happen while you recover. And sleep is an essential part of the recovery process.
One crucial hormone sleep has a significant impact on is testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for many functions, including muscle growth, libido, energy levels, and mood. A study of young men concluded that just five hours of sleep decreases testosterone by 10-15% (4).
Featured CBD Sleep Gummies
There are a variety of CBD products available, but we want to show you a high-quality product that is a sure-fire supplement to give you a restful night’s sleep. The CBD gummy below will relax you before bed, help you fall asleep, help you stay asleep, and improve the quality of your sleep. Not only is it formulated with premium hemp, but it also contains other sleep aids such as melatonin and lemon balm.
This CBD gummy below will relax you before bed, help you fall asleep, help you stay asleep, and improve the quality of your sleep. Not only is it formulated with premium hemp, but it also contains other sleep aids such as melatonin and lemon balm.
Level Select CBD gummy is blended with:
750mg (25mg per serving) of CBD
3mg per serving of melatonin
15mg per serving of lemon balm
This combination of ingredients is the perfect fusion for relaxation. The CBD is calming; the melatonin will promote rest, and the lemon balm produces a tranquil effect. In addition, you’ll get a tasty berry flavor of 60 gummies–it’s two gummies per serving, so it has a total of 30 servings.
Price: $49.99
Do CBD Sleep Gummies Work?
Evidence proves that CBD effectively provides many health benefits, including promoting high-quality, restful sleep. And gummies are an excellent way to consume them, especially if you want something palatable. Level Select CBD only derives CBD from top hemp and uses high-quality supporting ingredients, such as melatonin and lemon balm.
*Note: Take CBD gummies about one hour before bed for its full effects to kick in.
Wrap Up
CBD is derived from hemp, but it doesn’t give you the psychoactive effects THC does. Instead, it may supply you with various health benefits, including high-quality sleep, less anxiety, and pain relief. Level Select CBD gummies are our product of choice for a restful night’s sleep. This supplement has the perfect blend of CBD, melatonin, and lemon balm for a good night’s rest. In addition, the ingredients in Level Select CBD will promote relaxation and help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and let us know what you think in the comments section on social!
References
Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
Linares, I. M., Zuardi, A. W., Pereira, L. C., Queiroz, R. H., Mechoulam, R., Guimarães, F. S., & Crippa, J. A. (2019). Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999), 41(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015
Darkovska-Serafimovska, M., Serafimovska, T., Arsova-Sarafinovska, Z., Stefanoski, S., Keskovski, Z., & Balkanov, T. (2018). Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases. Journal of pain research, 11, 837–842. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S160556
4. University of Chicago Medical Center. (2011, June 1). Sleep loss dramatically lowers testosterone in healthy young men. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 12, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531162142.htm
Fitness Star Jesse James West Trained Calves For 30 Days To See How Much They Would Grow
Jesse James West was on a mission to grow his calves and did it training them everyday for one month.
You’ve heard it a million times in the gym — “do not skip leg day.” Fitness star Jesse James West decided to take it to the next level and not skip calf day for an entire month. On a mission to see if he could get them to grow, West trained calves everyday for 30 days while tracking his progress.
West measured his calves at the beginning of this 30-day period and after his final workout. In the end, the stats show that he gained a quarter of an inch to the size of his calves from training for 30 days in a row.
“I would say the worst thing about this challenge is that for the next 30 days I have to wear shorts and reveal my tiny calves to everyone,” West says.
How did Jesse James West train?
It does not seem easy to train the same body part for 30 days in a row. In the beginning, West kept the volume low so he did not become sore right away. This was going to come over the course of the month but it is something that West wanted to avoid right way.
As the month went on, the thought of shin splints reared its ugly head thanks to the combination of training and cardio.
“My calves are so sore and the combination of calves every day and then cardio every day is adding up, so I’m hoping we don’t have any issues, we don’t get any shin splints.”
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Jesse James West saw some visible progress made in his calves and this was the result he was looking for. The experiment worked as he was able to add some size. The workouts that he put himself through were thorough and how he began each day in the gym
Throughout the video, West was seen performing different various of calf raises. He used the Smith machine, leg press machine, and others to perform his sets.
“The biggest thing you need to focus on when training calves is doing a full range of motion. If you’re not training full range of motion, you’re not getting the full benefit out of everything.”
In the end, the fitness star called for viewers to send requests on another body part that he should train for 30 days straight. This is an unorthodox strategy as lifters try not to over-train any part of the body. West is doing experiments on himself and finding out how a month of training and build size and strength.
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Fitness Star Matt Morsia Gives Update In Gym After Not Training For 100 Days
Matt Morsia suffered an injury and was unable to deadlift for over three months.
Matt Morsia is a fitness star that has built a shredded physique and massive following on social media. Morsia recently suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out of the gym for over three months. This left him unable to deadlift and squat during that time. After 100 days, Morsia returned to training and gave an update on what it was like.
Morsia ruptured his tendon and could not train to the best of his ability. Known as “MattDoesFitness” on YouTube, Morsia provided an update for his 2.14 million subscribers on the platform. The video began with a trip to the doctor before hitting the gym.
While at the doctor, Matt Morsia is told that “the benefit does not outweigh the risk.” The physio continues to explain that a heavy, sow contraction is relatively safe but there is a risk if Morsia is forced to take a step with the bar or loses his balance.
Ultimately, Morsia is told that he is not ready to squat free weights just yet but could use a Smith machine variation. As for deadlifting, he was able to get a decent amount of weight on the bar.
Matt Morsia Deadlifting After 100 Days
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After any lower body injury, it is normal to take it slow and have a bit of a mental block so the injury does not get worse. Matt Morsia dove into deadlifts and was pleased with the turnout.
“I don’t want to jinx it and I want to be patient, but at the same time, literally cannot feel it at all.”
Like the doctor said, Morsia took on a moderate amount of weight during the workout. He completed three sets of 10 reps with 100kg (220lb) on the bar.
“You’re talking 30 percent of my one rep max, so very, very, very light.”
Following his sets returning to deadlifts, Morsia acknowledges that there is going to be soreness. He closes with some calf exercises before giving a brief recap on how the session back went.
“The weight felt absolutely fine. The soreness is not as bad as I thought, back is feeling it a bit because I haven’t deadlifted in pretty much three months. I’m playing it mega safe. The plan from hereon in is just to increase the weight by very small increments, give the Achilles a chance to adapt, get strong, and be an absolute monster.”
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Best Forearm Workouts With Dumbbells That Popeye Would Envy
Give these dumbbell workouts a try to make even Popeye jealous.
Our forearms. We often take these for granted, always working out biceps and triceps, chests, and back. But forearms add to the overall arm aesthetic of our physiques and shouldn’t be overlooked as effective ways to get things done. Necessary for both functional and sport specific movements, our forearms need as much love as anything else.
Now, we mentioned Popeye, our rugged, big armed sailor. You might not want to look like Popeye himself, but those forearms, if paired well with the rest of your arm muscles, will certainly show off a great physique. Someone could have showed Popeye the gym to at least fix a few of those muscle imbalances, but thankfully, you don’t have that problem.
The right workouts can greatly affect your muscle growth and how you actually see effective changes to your physique. Dumbbells are a great workout tool to use for they work to isolate out certain muscles, fix any muscle imbalances, and give you the best chance at seeing convenient gains with an easy to use piece of equipment.
Let’s take a look at some of the best forearm workouts with dumbbells so you can add these to your routine and see the right forearm strength start to unfold. Plus, all you need is a set of dumbbells to see great work done.
Benefits of Strong Forearms
Improve grip strength: By working these muscles, you strengthen your grip which is essential for both functional and sport specific movements (1).
Necessary for all lifts: Any lift where you hold a weight requires forearm strength and this is important as you look to get the most out of each and every exercise.
Prevent injury: Strong forearms gives you better support as you lift big weight to avoid injury that can occur from weak muscles.
Add to your physique: Bigger forearms can add to your physique to make those arms pop and add to an overall aesthetic.
Related: 10 Exercises for Thicker Forearms
Why Using Dumbbells Are So Effective
Using dumbbells is a great way to enhance strength in a convenient way that only requires one piece of equipment. Dumbbells have the ability to take our gains to new heights and with the right approach to dumbbell training, we better set ourselves up for success.
Benefits of dumbbells include:
Effective muscle growth: Add good resistance and time under tension for great muscle building.
Fix imbalances: Great for isolating muscle groups to enhance symmetry and even out those muscles.
Good variety: Dumbbells allow for a host of workouts to take place and can add nice variety to your routine.
Best Forearm Workouts With Dumbbells
Now that we’ve covered the bases of what strong forearms and dumbbells can do for you, we can get into the best forearm workouts with dumbbells so you can add these to your routine and get the most out of each and every workout.
Farmer’s Walks
With farmer’s walks, you will carry a set of most likely heavier dumbbells a set distance or for a set amount of time. This is a great exercise to combine strength building with cardio and serves as a really nice conditioning exercise. Where your forearms come into play are with the grip necessary to hold the weight. Your core will be engaged to stabilize your body and your forearms will be engaged to really hold the weight and make it as effective as possible.
Zottoman Curls
Zottoman curls require a twisting motion during the actual movement which will work your forearm muscles and give them that bit of tension needed to grow. Designed to really enhance bicep strength and size, the use of your forearms and the nature of this movement, make this an effective exercise for building forearm strength.
Related: The Eight Best Bodyweight Exercises for Forearms
Wrist Curls
Wrist curls work to develop strength in the forearms but also your wrists. As vulnerable joints we need to keep these strong and stable and here is where your forearm grip is important. As an isolation exercise that mainly targets the forearms, this is a nice exercise to put into the mix to show those forearms some love.
Push-Up To Row
The push-up to row is a great exercise to work many muscles and your forearms are an important group to focus on. The movement of the push-up and then into the row all require different muscles, however, the constant is your forearm grip on the weight. A great exercise for those push days or those pull days, you can’t go wrong with the push-up to row exercise.
Best Dumbbells For Working Out
Finding a quality pair of dumbbells can be challenging, but it is certainly not impossible. With the right approach to looking, you can find a premium set of dumbbells that won’t break the bank. We wanted to share a great set with you so you could capitalize on those gains and see the best results possible.
papababe Dumbbells
papababe Dumbbells are perfect for free weight strength training. Made from solid cast iron with a rubber head, this ensures durability, longevity, and protection.
papababe Dumbbells are great workout equipment for those looking to build strength, burn fat, and create a stellar physique that others will envy. Perfect for free weight training, these can be stored easily for optimal convenience. Made from solid cast iron, these ensure durability and longevity and the rubber coating helps prevent damage to floors and other equipment. With a hexagon-shaped head to prevent rolling, the grip is also secure to prevent slipping and injury.
Price: $289.99
Check out our list of the Best Dumbbells for more great lifting products!
Wrap Up
The best forearm workouts with dumbbells can greatly enhance your lifting goals so you see effective growth and a real change to your physique. Strong forearms can add to your aesthetic and give you that bigger look you are striving for. Plus, by using dumbbells, you give yourself the benefit of using a quality set while reaping the pros of these lifting products. Give these forearm workouts a try and see what this can do for all those lifting and physique goals today.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Anakwe, R.; et al. (2007). “Grip strength and forearm circumference in a healthy population”. (source)
3 Bodyweight Exercises For Powerful Back & Arms
Build muscle and improve power with bodyweight exercises.
Building up the body can be as simple as getting into the gym and hitting the weights with relish. Most bodybuilders are going to naturally gravitate towards using weight training to maximize their growth. It’s the most effective way to grow muscle mass. Lifting massive weight in efforts to see those muscles grow in both strength and size. Plus, it’s fun to lift big weight and show off your strength.
But it’s not the only way to build muscle. For building up biceps there’s no better option than the dumbbell biceps curls. But not everyone has access to a gym after all and there are those with no equipment at home workouts to help promote growth.
So, what’s to be done? Body weight exercises that’s what. If you’re looking to blow up your arms, then try these body weight exercises to great effect. Using bodyweight exercises gives you the chance to see effective growth while also working with exercises that are a bit easier on those joints. By not feeling so strained with weights, bodyweight exercises allow you to focus on certain things like mind-muscle connection while also seeing great gains.
Let’s take a look at these bodyweight exercises and see just what’s up with them. For you to abandon weights on certain days will take some convincing but we are sure with these bodyweight exercises that you will be more than willing to at least try.
Benefits Of Bodyweight Exercises
Knowing the benefits of bodyweight exercises can go a long way, especially as you look to see the most effective gains possible for functional or sport specific movements. The benefits may be enough to convince you to put these into your routine to see great gains to muscle growth and other important workout factors.
Related: 5 Bodyweight Exercises To Build A Ripped Chest
Benefits of bodyweight exercises include:
Full body workout: Most bodyweight exercises require your full body and many muscles to actually get the most out of that exercise. This will culminate in a nice full body workout.
Better mind-muscle connection: With bodyweight exercises you start to develop better mind-muscle connection which will greatly enhance those lifts once you go back to weights.
Helps with flexibility: Focusing on just the movement will enhance flexibility and allow better range of motion since you no longer have to deal with weights restricting you.
Can be done anywhere: Bodyweight exercises can be done anywhere! You don’t have to worry about a gym or weights or anything since these can be done anywhere and at anytime for your convenience.
3 Bodyweight Exercises For Powerful Back & Arms
Let’s take a look at 3 great bodyweight exercises that can work to enhance those gains. Knowing the right exercises to try and perform can go a long way and with the right approach, you can produce powerful back and arms for the best results possible.
1. Towel Pull-Ups
Normal pull ups are great for tightening up and strengthening the upper body. Pull ups alone can be great for building up the lats and the arms as well. The towel pull up variation, however, targets not only your arms but also increases grip strength which is going to translate over to your lifts when you’re able to get into the gym. Greater grip strength means hauling greater weight and are one of the intangibles that should be mastered.
This is a challenging exercise in that it targets and requires strict grip strength but also really works those muscles. It may look easy, but at first attempt, you will feel like you need to put in more work. But it will come in time.
Perform this as you would a traditional pull-up but grab that towel and rely on your grip strength to take you all the way.
2. Dips
The dips are a bodyweight exercise that was promoted strongly by bodybuilding guru Vince Gironda back in the day. While he utilized the exercise primarily to build up his chest, dips can also help to build up the arms including the biceps, triceps, and shoulders. If you’re looking for an exercise for multiple purposes then dips are certainly right up your alley.
There are good variations to perform with dips and this will determine if you are targeting your chest or triceps. While your grip strength is important with dips, it is more a matter of stability and here is where your core will come into play big time. Really engaging the core and making sure you stay as stable as possible will go a long way and you will see those arms increase in size and produce more power.
Related: Want The Ultimate Upper Body? Dips And Pull Ups Are The Trick
3. Diamond Push-Ups
Push ups can target multiple muscle groups including the back, core, chest, and triceps. But strength training is all about challenging yourself and if you’re looking to perform more difficult push ups then the diamond variation is a great option. The added stress of the position will mean challenging the muscles so more growth is possible.
These are great as a stand alone exercise to challenge both your chest and triceps, but what you will find with these are an effective end of workout punisher on those push days. Working your triceps and chest on the same day makes sense given the nature of the pushing movement. But in efforts to increase strength and power in your arms, working to explode up as you perform this exercise can go a long way.
Wrap Up
Using bodyweight exercises in your routine can be a game changer and allow you versatility in those workouts. With the right approach, you can better tackle anything that comes your way and knowing the right steps can better prepare you for what can come. Placing these exercises above into your routine is something to not take for granted for what they can do so look into boosting those bodyweight workouts today and give yourself the best chance at improving strength and power in your back and arms.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
Best Ways To Improve Your Body Composition For That Ultimate Physique
Change your body composition and sculpt that shredded aesthetic.
We all want that shredded aesthetic, but too often do we not fully understand body composition and what it actually means. This baseline knowledge of body composition that many of us have is a great foundation, but at the end of the day, knowing what it is and how best to improve it, or totally change it, can go a long way.
You hear about body composition, body fat percentage, and all of those terms but just how much do you actually know? And do you know enough to change and improve it? While most of this reflects a strict lifestyle of working out, eating right, and keeping other aspects of your lifestyle in check, it is possible to improve your body composition so you see those results you want most.
Let’s get into this and talk body composition, body fat percentage, and how to best improve all of these for the best gains possible. By the end of this, you will have set yourself up for what matters most, and that being a well-sculpted and well-worked on physique.
What Exactly Is Body Composition?
Body composition in the measure of fat, muscle, and bone as it pertains to an individual. This does not necessarily have to do with how much you weigh, but rather what your body fat percentage is. So, two people weighing 200 lbs. will have different body compositions depending on a number of factors. To make things simple, losing fat and gaining more muscle is putting you in a more healthy spot (1).
Related: How To Burn Stubborn Body Fat
When it comes to your body fat and measuring your body fat percentage, there are a few factors to consider that can help us understand this. Sex and gender, age, how active you are, and what your lifestyle is around food, among others, can influence your body fat percentage so knowing all of this information and how it affects you is more than important to know (2).
Best Ways To Improve Body Composition
Knowing the best ways to improve your body composition can go a long way and should not be overlooked as an effective way to see great gains. All of these tips are achievable and it just takes you wanting to work at it and setting the best goals to get there as fast as possible.
Set A Realistic Goal
To start, setting a realistic goal for yourself is super important. Too often do we make massive goals that are simply unreachable. We start to fail and fail and ultimately give up because we aren’t hitting our goals. Smaller battles help win the larger war and by setting these smaller, more attainable goals for yourself, you start to hit bigger goals, and ultimately, that end goal.
Focus On Strength Training
Changing your body composition requires you to focus on lifting weights. Strength training, and doing so effectively, will build muscle and through this, you start to see better development and an overall sense that your muscle growth is starting to show. When you take your shirt off and see more definition than before, it only makes you want to work harder (3).
Keeping a journal of your weights so you can see progress is important, but you also need to be increasing in weight to continue to build as much muscle as possible.
Work With HIIT
High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great form of cardio that allows you to lose fat while also building muscle. Longer, more steady forms of cardio will build endurance, but you start to pull from muscle stores for energy which can be costly. Focusing on more intense forms of cardio still build endurance, keeps on that lean muscle, and works to burn more calories so you actually see weight loss results (4).
It’s All About The Kitchen
This could not be more true. Working out only goes so far if your diet is not on point. What happens in the kitchen and what food you make for yourself greatly impacts body composition and how this is handled. Eating right is incredibly important and while it is okay to cheat here and there, having the best quality food in your diet goes a long way. Don’t let all that hard work go to waste once you step back into the house.
Related: Straight Facts: Pros and Cons Of The Most Popular Bodybuilding Diets
Don’t Let Sleep Slide
You absolutely cannot let sleep slide, for sleep is a vital part of our bodies and the recovery process. If you are someone looking to keep on lean muscle, then focusing on sleep and giving yourself the best chance at recovery can go a long way. Don’t let sleep slide and really work to emphasize this in your routine (5).
In Supplements We Trust
Supplements can be a helping hand when it comes to changing body composition and with the right approach to supplementation, a quality product can go a long way. Whether that be a protein powder, pre-workout, fat burner, or many more, you will see results.
National Bodybuilding Co. Strongest Fat Burner
National Bodybuilding Co. Strongest Fat Burner is a great supplement for weight loss and optimizing muscle building. A clean, high-quality, and science driven fat burner allows for optimal benefits.
National Bodybuilding Co. Strongest Fat Burner is a clean, effective, and powerful product designed to target stored fat and deliver high amounts of energy to boost all of your goals. With 10 great ingredients, this supplement works for a host of benefits to maximize the effects of your fat loss journey. Strongest can optimize muscle building and recovery to maintain that lean muscle, cut your appetite so you are comfortable yet still able to lose weight, ignite fat loss to see those desired body composition changes, and provide for real energy boosts by burning extra calories and stored fat.
Price: $58.00
Check out our list of the Best Fat Burners for more great fat burning products!
Wrap Up
Changing your body composition may seem challenging but it is absolutely possible with the right approach. Knowing the best tips and how best to attack this can go a long way so put your focus on the right things. The best approach to this is optimizing both fitness and nutrition so you see those results you want most.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Wells, J.; et al. (2006). “Measuring body composition”. (source)
Gallagher, D.; et al. (2000). “Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index”. (source)
Seguin, R.; et al. (2015). “Strength Training Improves Body Image and Physical Activity Behaviors Among Midlife and Older Rural Women”. (source)
Heydari, M.; et al. (2012). “The Effect of High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise on Body Composition of Overweight Young Males”. (source)
Carneiro-Barrera, A.; et al. (2020). “Body Composition Impact on Sleep in Young Adults: The Mediating Role of Sedentariness, Physical Activity, and Diet”. (source)
Top CBD Fitness Supplements To Have In Your Gym Bag
These CBD fitness supplements are great for your gym bag.
Our gym bags are often full of stuff. Hydration products, gear like belt and gloves, and of course a change of clothes for the ride home. And with so many supplements it can be hard to choose which ones are essential to have in our gym bag.
However, CBD fitness supplements are those must have supplements for what they can do for our gains and how they can impact our overall health and performance. If you are wondering how these can better help you, look no further than here.
While some people are skeptical about CBD and what it can actually do, it is important to realize that CBD is actually very helpful in the long run. It is still being researched, yes, but with so much research already out there, knowing what it can do for you can make a real difference.
Why Use CBD Supplements
CBD supplements are growing more and more in popularity, and these are great for substituting for traditional medicine. A natural approach to rehab and recovery, CBD and CBD supplements are what you need to feel great and perform even better. If you are someone looking for a boost to your health and performance, taking CBD supplements into consideration can go a long way for your gains as you see the best results.
Related: Are CBD Edibles Effective Supplements Compared To Other Forms?
Benefits Of CBD
Looking into the benefits of CBD, it is important to consider what this supplement can do for you. CBD has the potential to help you recover better to relieve muscle soreness and unwanted inflammation as you look to boost your overall recovery goals (1,2). This will allow for faster bounce back and more time spent in the gym and working on toning that shredded aesthetic. Plus, CBD can also promote better sleep which is, as we all know, when the best recovery happens.
CBD also plays a role in things like appetite, immunity, mood and anxiety and depression, and a host of others bodily functions that can potentially make our lives just that much easier (3,4). In efforts to support both physical and mental functions, this supplement is one to have on your shelf at home and in your gym bag come time to workout.
Top CBD Fitness Supplements
Let’s take a look at some of the top CBD fitness supplements to have in your gym bag so you know exactly what is needed to see great results when it comes to recovery and soreness relief. While there are plenty of supplements and tons of brands, knowing at least what to look for will allow you to find the best products possible.
Topicals For Massaging Those Muscles
CBD topicals are great for athletes given that are relaxing creams and gels to gently massage into the area for fast-acting relief. Many companies have started creating faster acting topicals because they know that athletes are demanding the best products. What you will find with a high-quality CBD topical is most likely a cooling sensation with a nice scent while feeling like it is actually having a positive effect on your overall physical health and athletic performance.
One potential downside to topicals is that they can be a bit messy so having a towel in your gym bag is also a good idea.
Related: Best CBD Post-Workout Supplements For Targeted Areas
Tinctures For Great Tastes
Some people like to ingest their CBD and tinctures are great for this. We will get to edibles in a minute, but people often times gravitate towards tinctures because these are faster acting as well. A more potent form of CBD, tinctures offer the chance to have a great tasting CBD supplement in an efficient and clean form.
One downside to tinctures is that you cannot obviously apply directly to the affected muscle or sore spot, and as a supplement in your gym bag, this is often times a much needed supplement.
Edibles To Eat For Relief
Edibles are always a nice option for those who want it because you can get a gummy or potentially some sort of baked good. People gravitate towards edibles often times because they don’t feel as though they are actually taking in CBD, since it is inside of food. However, you do get benefits which can go a long way for seeing great gains.
One downside of edibles are that they are slower to digest so it takes longer for CBD to hit you and kick into effect. But don’t totally disregard these because they can be great options.
Featured CBD Supplement
We wanted to share a great CBD supplement to absolutely have in your gym bag. A branch off of the topical, a roll-on stick is something to absolutely consider for what it can do for your overall gains and mess-free support. Unlike a strict CBD cream, a roll-on stick eliminates the need for clean-up and will only benefit your gym goals in the long run.
Level Select CBD Level 3 Sports Roll-On
Level Select CBD Level 3 Sports Roll-On is a high concentration CBD massaging roller supplement with 1,800mg of high-quality CBD for those muscle soreness needs.
Level 3 Sports Roll-On is a new and improved CBD topical designed with their highest concentration of 1,800mg for maximum strength. What you will find with this supplement is a higher amount of CBD at a lower price, something hard to find on the market today. The massaging roller ball allows for targeted application and relief of this mess-free and fast-absorbing formula. A cooling mint scent is a nice addition and this is perfect for those on-the-go needs from home, the office, or a competition.
Price: $49.99
Check out our list of the Best CBD Supplements for more great CBD products!
Wrap Up
CBD fitness supplements have potential to greatly impact your overall gains and what you will find are these can add to your gym bag and give you the best supplies come that post-workout recovery routine. Checking out the right supplements and knowing exactly what to look for can go a long way and all you need is that boost to get you there. Whether it is a tincture, topical, edible, or some other form, CBD and its respective supplements can take you a long way when looking to maximize your overall health and performance.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Argueta, D.; et al. (2020). “A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain”. (source)
Rojas-Valverde, D. (2021). “Potential Role of Cannabidiol on Sports Recovery: A Narrative Review”. (source)
Nichols, J.; et al. (2020). “Immune Responses Regulated by Cannabidiol”. (source)
Skelley, J.; et al. (2020). “Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders”. (source)
Squats: The Ultimate Mass-Building Exercise
Everything you need to know about this lower body building exercise.
If you’ve seen the movie Generation Iron or hung around this site for a few minutes, you should already understand that if you truly want to build a lean, muscular and powerful physique then you absolutely MUST train legs. You must train them intensely and consistently if you want to build a legendary physique that others will envy. Fortunately, there’s a single exercise that is the be all and end all to not only lower body development, but the entire body in the squat.
Whether you’re trying to shed fat or build muscle, no other exercise works better at targeting and developing the quads, hamstrings, and glutes in one single solitary movement. Most leg exercises target one muscle in the upper leg. Leg extensions hit the quads. Leg curls isolate hamstrings. But nothing secretes more testosterone and growth hormone than squats. They target the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, even hips and lower back for a really nice and effective exercise able to build real strength and size.
Squats will also help you shed fat. How, you ask? Well, in order to burn body fat we must remember the three important keys: cardio, diet, and maintaining fat-burning muscle. The legs hold most of the body’s musculature. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn when you’re resting. Squats truly develop and work the entire body. Squats have long held the title of being a total body exercise, the king of all exercises, and one that has become a staple in many lifters routines.
Let’s take a look at the squat and see what makes this exercise so great. We’ll talk about what it is, what muscles get worked, the benefits of it, and how best to perform it so you see only the best gains possible as you look to boost your overall health and performance.
What Is The Squat?
Squats are a fantastic compound exercise used to build muscle and improve power while also working for a host of other benefits. What you will find is an exercise with tons of variations that can impact you in a variety of ways. Used with a barbell, this strength building exercise has become a staple in many lifters’ routines and is one of the big three lifts associated with powerlifting.
Related: A Definitive Guide To Improving Your Squat
Muscles Worked
Squats will work those lower body muscles so you see great gains, however, what you will find is that your quads will get a lot of action. Other top muscle groups worked include your hamstrings, glutes, calves, hips, lower back, and core, since this is needed to enhance stability and offer support as you drive through your feet.
Benefits Of Squats
The benefits of squats can help take your gains to the next level and knowing what these can do for you can go a long way when looking to optimize your strength and performance.
Benefits of squats include:
Stronger lower body: Build those muscles in your lower body and work to capitalize on strength while increasing size (1).
More power: Given the power and explosiveness required with this movement, you will find this can increase sport specific and functional movements when it comes to needing the right amount of power (2).
Improve stability: With this lift, you will improve stability and get the most out of balance while feeling supported (3).
Help with posture: Squats can help with posture by working to improve your spine alignment and giving you great gains when it comes to overall support and stability.
Plenty of variations: Squats have tons of variations that you can try that will work to offer variety in your workouts while still increasing strength and size.
Related: How To Alleviate Lower Back Pain After Squats
How To Perform Them
Knowing how best to perform this exercise is important as you look to capitalize on form so you see the best gains possible. With the right form, your greatly reduce your risk of injury and unwanted soreness.
Here are the steps for performing squats:
Begin with your feet shoulder width apart. Make sure the bar is resting on the top of your shoulder blades and not the top of your spine. Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
As you brace your core, maintain a neutral spine and bend at the knee, giving yourself stability before unracking.
Unrack the bar and when ready, lower to the ground. Keep your weight centered and heels on the floor.
Keeping solid form, push up to the starting position, driving through your feet to get the most out of your power.
Repeat for your desired number of sets and reps.
Key Points to Remember
Keep time under tension. Don’t rush the exercise. You want to soak up the pain and soak up the burn so that the muscles can get hit efficiently and effectively.
Keep the lower back straight and look straight ahead. Looking up or down will cause rounding in the back which can lead to injury.
Squat till your thighs are parallel or slightly below parallel and ensure that your knees are kept behind your toes to ensure that stress is kept away from your knees.
Wrap Up
Squats are one of those exercises that you need to see in your routine in order to get the most out of your training and performance. With the right number of sets and reps, and this placed strategically into your routine, you will find this exercise is one to take advantage of as you seek the best for your gains.
Editor’s Note: Some of this information above was shared with us by Geo Chang, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist whose mission is to educate and empower his clients to live healthier and happier lives. Geo has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition/ Biochemistry and is RD eligible. Geo Has maintained a thriving practice in New York City and brings the triple threat of education, experience, and passion to health & fitness for his clients.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Kubo, K.; et al. (2019). “Effects of squat training with different depths on lower limb muscle volumes”. (source)
Chiu, L.; et al. (2011). “A Teaching Progression for Squatting Exercises”. (source)
Chandler, T.; et al. (1989). “The effect of the squat exercise on knee stability”. (source)