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Introduction To My Fitness Blog "Skinny2Healthy"

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Before I start, let me clarify it firsthand that I am not a body-builder or an athlete and I just don't have *HUGE* muscles on my body. This blog is definitely NOT for the people who are aiming those massive muscles or that WWE superstar/Fashion model look. My blog entirely deals with how you can gain your body mass in a healthy & natural way using proper diet & weight-lifting. It is not about huge gains, it is just about healthy gains. Why would you need yet another fitness blog on the same topic when we already have tons of blogs, websites & forums targeted at the same audience? Well, as you must have seen, most such blogs/sites have paid content for which you have to pay to see the * secret formula *. Other blogs/sites ask for your email address so as to spam you with their * magic tricks of building muscles fast *. Some others may have no content at all.  I haven't paid for any such blog or site so I can't comment on their efficacy. They might actually ha

How I track my work outs & body measurements?

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 You can't improve what you can't measure. This entire post can be summarized in this single sentence. Of course, this post is about how to & not why but still. Tracking your body & workouts is as important as working out itself. Not only does it provide a morale boost when you see your progress, but it also makes it easy to take any corrective actions if you're lacking something. In this post, I will explain how I track my own progress. For tracking my workouts & my body measurements, I use an Android app called FitNotes . There is no iOS version as of now, however, there is a similar app with the same name on the Apple play store by a different developer. Since I don't have an iPhone, I can't say anything about the iOS apps - sorry about that. Why I chose FitNotes? Please note that I have no affiliations with the developer & the links provided here aren't the affiliate links either. I don't get any commissions from him. I use this app becau

Your First Workout Program To Build Muscles & Get Stronger - Beginners (Workout B)

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So, you have finally started your first workout to get stronger & build muscles. Now its time to tell you about Workout B that you will do on day 3. If this is not clear, please go back to the last post & read it thoroughly to understand it better. Before I start, please note that muscles don't grow when you work out . They grow when you give them proper nutrition & adequate rest. That's why 5X5 requires you to take a 1-day rest before you do another workout. You just have to do 3 exercises per workout session & take a 1-day rest. Then you do Workout B as I am explaining below. Workout B Squats It has already been described in my last post . As you can see, you squat 3 days a week, every week. Keep on increasing weight once you have achieved proper form & confidence. But, do all 5 sets with the same weight on a given day. You will overload it after 3-4 months. Overhead Press Overhead Press works your shoulders as primary muscle group &

Your First Workout Program To Build Muscles & Get Stronger - Beginners

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So, we now know that compound exercises are the best bet for beginners. I am now writing about your first workout program that I have found the most effective & easy. We will start with what is known as 5X5. It means 5 sets of 5 reps each. There is a website called  stronglifts.com  which teaches this technique in a simple manner. I have followed this guy Mehdi & his routines have helped me achieve a good part of my physique ( I am far from being a bodybuilder, but from 46 Kgs to 75 Kgs , I know I have progressed well ).  I am explaining this in a language that is a mix of both the contents of this website & my own experience. Please note that Mehdi or the site owner gives bloggers rights to link to his website. Read it  here . 5X5 is the easiest & most effective workout routine for beginners & advanced bodybuilders alike. I still do 5X5 for my deadlifts & squats. StrongLifts 5X5 consists of 2  workout routines A & B . You only need to workout 3 d

Which Workout Is Better For Beginners? Compound or Isolation?

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PC : - http://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-vector-doodle-style-gym-workout-or-weight-exercise-sports-illustration-includes-text-and-freeweights-130480361.jpg Now that you have started to eat well, eat healthy & in proper quantities . You have either joined a gym or setup your own at home . You have the basic knowledge of how muscles are built & also the basic gym terms . Its time to finally hit the gym & start lifting. But before I proceed further, here are my 2 cents on which exercises should a beginner do so as to get maximum benefits & gains. This is entirely my opinion & is also backed by this Lifehacker article as well. Beginners must start with compound exercises & not the isolation exercises. At least for first 3 months, they must only focus on compound exercises. Compound exercises will get you stronger & also improve your overall body. Its very easy to get lured into doing dumbbell or barbell curls ( from all those movies & photos on

Explaining Basic Gym Terms for Beginners

Hi There! Today I will explain a few gym terminologies you will encounter through out your journey to building muscles & gaining mass. Its important to understand these terms properly before you start lifting weights. I have myself been a victim of not knowing these things when I started lifting & it stalled my gains & progress. So, make sure you understand all these aspects so as to be able to get the maximum benefits. This list will be updated from time to time. I will also be writing separate posts for different common exercises & muscles involved. Form This is the most important part of any workout. Form means how an exercise is done? How weight has to lifted? What should be the position of your target body parts be like while performing it? It includes the upward & downward motion. Suppose, you are doing a dumbbell biceps curl. So, its form is to move only your fore-arm keeping the elbow motion-less by placing it firmly on waist or bench. If you move you

Accessories For Your Home Gym

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You have learned how you can setup a gym at your home without spending much money. I limited that post to the most important items of any gym i.e. free weights, rod & barbells. In this post, I will be writing about the accessories that you will need at home to lift properly & safely.  So, let us start! Ensure Proper Ventilation or  Cooling:- If you can afford to have an AC in your home gym, it's better to have one. Otherwise, at least have a fan or cooler there.  It might sound funny because everyone has a fan in every room ( well, at least everyone where I live ), but my point is that you need to keep your room/gym cool. Too much humidity & heat is quite dangerous while lifting and it will also limit your intensity. It also explains why I am against setting up a gym on the terrace. If it's cold out there, it's great. Otherwise, it's too dangerous to work out when it's hot outside. Gloves: - While I don't personally like to wear gloves

Setup A Gym at Home With Minimum Efforts, Cost & Investments

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So you are equipped with some basic knowledge of how weight-lifting increases your muscle mass & now it's time to start lifting weights. But before you do that, one question might be in your mind & that is what will you do if you don't have a gym nearby or gym membership is too expensive or you just don't have time because of your hectic schedule?  Should that be a reason for not lifting weights? Remember that eating too many calories & proteins without working out is waste of time & resources. It will definitely bulk you up but in form of fat & not muscles. And I know, no one wants a big belly & flabby appearance. So, you DO need to lift weights & for that you need a gym.  The good news is that you can set up a small ( or big, if there is space ) gym at your own home!! And it won't even burn a hole in your pocket. You will not need any sophisticated machines & equipment to get in proper shape. Think of the comfort & convenience of