» Product Focus
THE FREE WEIGHT WORKOUT
Dumbbells and barbells continue to be a timeless resistance training tool.
ginner or just for himself, personal trainer Bart Arnold is sure to work in some free weight exercises. “I prescribe free weights for all of
W
my clients,” says Arnold, who is also a football coach and an assistant profes- sor in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. It’s a myth that free weights aren’t a
hether he’s designing a resistance training pro- gram for a highly-skilled athlete, an anxious be-
IRON GRIP Iron Grip builds its dumbbells by press-fitting a solid steel handle into a solid steel head under extreme pressure and then welding the joint for added stability. The new patented handle de- sign features flared shoulders that widen to a heſty 1-3/4” diameter at each end for improved strength, comfort and stability. The heavy-duty American-made urethane coating has an updat- ed textured surface to better resist wear and tear and keep the dumbbells looking new longer. For more information, visit
www.irongrip.com or contact Tiffany Lea at 800-664-4766.
good choice for exercisers who are just starting out, he says. “I often start by prescribing body weight exercises, like squatting to touch the seat of a chair, for beginners. From there it’s easy to progress them to holding five pound dumbbells and then to squatting with a bar in a squat rack. In terms of gain- ing strength, body awareness and core stability, for most people I think that this is much more effective than using a leg press machine.” If people find free weights too
challenging, it’s usually a result of too much weight, not enough prac- tice perfecting the movement or tak- ing a teach-yourself approach, says Arnold. “Beginner exercisers definite- ly need advice on free-weight exercise
technique from a qualified training professional,” he says. A fitness pro can also quickly help new exercisers get over the intimidation factor if that’s an issue. To understand how to use free
weights properly and safely, Arnold teaches these four basic guidelines to his clients: 1. Use a spotter to assist you when
you’re lifting heavier weights. A spot- ter can take the weight when you can’t execute a lift and can also give you valuable feedback on your technique. 2. Use proper lifting mechanics
when you pick up and then return weights to a rack. The action is often a deadlift movement, so consider the ac- tion part of your workout.
»
XFIT XFIT is a Canadian company specializing in high-grade urethane, rubber and TPU plates, barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells. XFIT plates are designed with easy-liſt handles, and barbells and dumbbells are manufactured using solid steel construction bolted pro-style locked with Loctite. Quality raw materi- als, precision workmanship and design safety are the three main components behind XFIT products. For more information, email
info@xfitbarbell.ca or visit
www.xfitbarbell.ca.
54 Fitness Business Canada September/October 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64