SPORTS NUTRITION: HOW TO TAKE AND CHOOSE

 

“What is sports nutrition for?” – perhaps this question was asked by everyone who at least once came into contact with fitness. Only a specialist – an instructor or an experienced athlete can give an exhaustive answer to it. 

WHAT IS SPORTS NUTRITION

A balanced diet combined with regular exercise is a versatile formula to meet your personal athletic goal. The result will not be long in coming if you fulfill both points of this condition by 100%.

Most people have difficulty in shaping their diet. Calculation of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other nutrients is not an easy task that requires special knowledge and qualified support.

Experts have found a solution – they released sports nutrition, a special class of food products in the form of dietary supplements. Its assortment includes preparations containing the necessary components for the formation and maintenance of good physical shape.

Why do you need to take

Sports nutrition is your personal assistant on the way to your dream figure. It replenishes the balance of nutrients in the body and, depending on the type of product, contributes to an intensive set of muscle mass, weight loss without harm to health, quick recovery after exhausting workouts, etc.

Sportpit is suitable only for those people who have had physical activity or are engaged in bodybuilding for a long time. Before thinking about taking it, you need to set a goal and start playing sports systematically: train for an hour at least 3 times a week.

It is not recommended for beginners in fitness to immediately take sports nutrition. For the harmonious development of the muscles, the body’s own resources are sufficient at first. However, if exercise has become a part of your daily routine and you feel the need for additional nutrients, you might consider taking a sports nutrition supplement.

HOW TO CHOOSE SPORTS NUTRITION

FOR MUSCLE GROWTH

Protein shakes. A sports nutrition product that is 85-100% pure protein. It is in great demand among athletes seeking to gain muscle mass.

Carbohydrate blends. Supplements designed for lean people with fast metabolism. They increase lipid and muscle tissue, and also normalize all metabolic processes in the body.

SLIMMING

Fat burners. Weight loss mixtures. They contain omega-3, L-carnitine, guarana, caffeine, which stimulate metabolic processes and break down fats.

Amino acid complexes. The supplement is based on split proteins, including BCAA amino acids, which are not synthesized by the body on its own. They are involved in the absorption of nutrients and counteract the accumulation of fat.

RECOVERY

Vitamin and mineral supplements. A large number of physical activities wears out the body and leads to a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. Supplements replace their quantity and support immunity.

HOW TO DRAW UP A NUTRITION PROGRAM

Please consult your doctor and fitness instructor before taking sports nutrition. The products have a number of contraindications. Together with specialists, you can choose the best supplement option and calculate the dosage taking into account the characteristics of your health. As a rule, sports nutrition is taken under the supervision of a personal trainer during exercise, one hour or just before training.

The team of experienced trainers of the Mango club provides comprehensive fitness support: from drawing up an individual training program to a specific nutrition and sleep plan.

Sign up for classes – achieve an amazing fitness effect with the support of a personal trainer!

19 Nov 2020

WARM UP BEFORE WORKOUT, EXERCISE

 

Warming up in sports is very important. It improves blood circulation in muscle groups, joints, ligaments and tendons that will tighten during the bulk of your workout.

The warm-up format depends on what kind of loads you need to prepare the body for. It is desirable that it be as close as possible to the exercise biomechanics of the main part of the program. For example, it is inappropriate to warm up on a treadmill before training with an emphasis on working out the “top” muscles.

Another warm-up task is the right attitude to work. Indeed, during training, you will need to focus on the technique of complex multi-joint exercises and constantly monitor your feelings.

HOW TO WARM UP BEFORE TRAINING?
A correctly performed warm-up prevents muscle imbalance – uneven development of muscle groups. Calisthenics exercises (performed with your own weight) increase your overall fitness level.

It is desirable that the warm-up part should not exceed 10-15 minutes, not be overly intense and at the same time solve all the above-mentioned problems. During such training, the required physical qualities will manifest themselves in the best possible way.

Warm-up exercises
We have selected effective warm-up exercises for you.

PUSHUPS
Warm Up Exercise – Classic Floor Pushups
A good warm-up exercise is push-ups. They have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system – the muscles begin to be intensively supplied with blood.

So, take an emphasis on the floor and place your palms shoulder-width apart. Different muscles will work depending on the distance between the arms. The best option is to keep your hands shoulder-width apart. This position of the palms allows you to work out the triceps, pectoral and deltoid muscles, as well as the abdominals.

During push-ups, the elbows move along the body, but spread them to the sides. The body must be kept straight – do not bend or lift the buttocks up. As you descend, breathe in, as you rise, exhale.

BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUATS
Doing the Bulgarian split squat exercise
A very effective exercise for the lower body. It dries the legs and tightens the buttocks.

Stand with your back to the bench, one deep step away. Place one foot on it. If your muscles are trained, you can use dumbbells. Lower into a squat to parallel the thigh of your supporting leg with the floor. Getting up from the squat, push off with the heel – this will additionally load the buttocks. Important: keep your back straight, do not lean forward. The pace is fast.

HYPEREXTENSION IN THE SIMULATOR
Exercise for the back hyperextension
Hyperextension strengthens the lumbar back muscles well. This exercise is for those who want to become the owner of a wasp waist.

Walk up to the “Roman chair” and adjust the height to suit you. The front bolsters should be at the end of the lower back and hips. Place your feet under the bottom roller. The back should be in line with the legs. The arms are crossed over the chest. This is the starting position.

Lean forward about 60 ° and round your back slightly. The gluteal muscles are tense. Then gently rise to the starting position. When tilting – inhale, when lifting – exhale.

You can learn more about other useful exercises in our fitness club. Sign up for personal training – the instructor will develop an individual warm-up program for you and follow the exercise technique.

07 Nov 2020

BASIC EXERCISES: WHAT IS THEIR ROLE IN FITNESS

 

Beginners are wondering – what exercises to start with? We answer: with those that use the maximum possible number of muscles – multi-joint or basic. It is the “base” that helps to gain muscle mass and increase strength. Any training program is based on these exercises.  

“GOLDEN THREE”

Allocate the “golden three” of basic exercises:

  1. Bench press.
  2. Deadlift.
  3. Barbell squats.
  4. In combination, these exercises allow you to work out the largest muscle layers: the shoulder girdle, back, and legs. The entire training process is based on them, they lay the foundation for future muscle volumes.

    BASIC OR INSULATING?

    Newbies in the gym often ignore basic fitness exercises and put more emphasis on isolation exercises. The latter work out a specific muscle group, therefore, to build up volumes, it is more efficient to perform exactly the “base”. You need to focus on insulating later to give the muscle relief.

    Progress in working weights is important for muscle growth, not maximum weights. Basic exercises involve up to 70% of the muscle groups in the body. The body is unpleasant when it is so stressed, and in response, it turns on protective-compensatory mechanisms that trigger the growth of muscle mass.

    At the same time, muscles do not grow locally, as with isolated exercises, but in a complex manner. All layers are trained, not just biceps or triceps.

  5. THE ADVANTAGES OF THE “BASE”

    1. The entire muscle mass is comprehensively worked out, all body systems are trained.
    2. Anabolic ( testosterone ) and corticosteroid hormones ( growth hormone ) are released into the bloodstream.
    3. More nutrients are consumed, which means more fat cells are burned.
    4. The coordination of movements is being honed.
    5. The level of hormones of happiness rises, the mood improves.
    6. Metabolism accelerates, aging mechanisms slow down.
    7. Movement maximally corresponds to the anatomy of the human osteoarticular system, therefore, the risk factor during exercise is minimized.
    8. A lot of energy is consumed, since several muscle groups work at once, distributing the load among themselves.
    9. The ligamentous and articular apparatus is strengthened, as a result of which the muscles grow faster.

    WHERE BEGINNERS GO WRONG

    Thoughtless exercise on an unprepared body may not give results or even harm. So that the efforts are not in vain, you need to correctly set the technique of training. It is advisable to consult with a trainer to design an optimal training program with the correct combination of exercises.

    Also, do not forget: to achieve maximum results, it is worth combining training with proper nutrition. With an integrated approach, the effect will not belong in coming.

    BASIC TRAINING PROGRAM

    It is optimal for the first time to carry out Full Body workouts with the involvement of the main muscle groups. We recommend that beginners adhere to the circular format of classes according to the following scheme.

    Circular format

    1. Squats.
    2. “Army” bench press standing.
    3. Pull-ups. If you find it difficult to pull yourself up, we recommend using a gravitron. It will allow you to correctly put the pull-up technique.
    4. Hyperextension. The need to use additional weights is determined individually.
    5. Hanging leg raises or resting on the forearms in the simulator. It is advisable to start by lifting the legs, bent at the knees.

    Working approaches are best repeated 12-15 times. No refusal. If you’re a beginner, rest up to two minutes between exercises. There should be no more than 3-4 minutes between laps.

    During one workout, the number of laps with working approaches can vary, but in the first stages, there should be at least two of them.

    Warming up

    Warm-up all joints before each workout. perform lightweight exercise options that will occur in further training. Use minimal or no weight at all.

    If the interval between warm-up and working weight is long, do another warm-up lap at 75% of your working weight. Eliminate weightless exercise.

04 Nov 2020

SPORTS NUTRITION FOR WEIGHT LOSS

 

You said goodbye to bad habits, started playing sports and completely rebuilt to a healthy lifestyle, but the extra pounds still do not let you forget about yourself? Achieving a slender figure and easy gait will not work quickly. A healthy body requires complex work.

(more…)

30 Oct 2020

LOSE WEIGHT AT LUNCH, 7 FAT BURNING FOODS

 

This situation is familiar to everyone who is faced with the problem of excess weight. You open the refrigerator door and freeze for a few minutes, wondering what delicacy will brighten up the hateful diet. At the same time, so that without harm to the figure … Do you know that there are products that not only are not deposited in centimeters at the waist, but also noticeably reduce the existing ones? (more…)

25 Oct 2020

PRODUCTS FOR THE BRAIN, TOP 15 OF THE BEST

 

The brain is the most complex tool we use. On average, he consumes 20% of the calories received from food, therefore it is a healthy diet that is the key to a solid memory, a sharp mind and a good mood.

The brain needs fuel: proteins, antioxidants, amino acids, polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals and other substances. All this is in the products we are used to, but we need to correctly compose the menu.

TOP 15 HEALTHY FOODS FOR THE BRAIN

Sea fish

Salmon, tuna, cod, anchovies, trout are rich in omega-3 fatty acid, iodine, bromine, phosphorus, easily digestible proteins and fats. The caviar and liver of these fish contain amino acids and trace elements necessary for the functioning of brain cells, as well as vitamins A, D and E.

Nuts

Nuts are rich in vitamins B and E, fatty acids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and lecithin, which increases the performance of gray cells and improves memory. Eat 5 walnuts a day.

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are rich in phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, fiber and digestible carbohydrates. They are great for snacking and toning.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that helps flush free radicals from the body that can damage the brain and lead to dementia. The product is also rich in melatonin, which slows down the aging of gray cells, and flavonoids, which prevent myocardial infarction.

Pumpkin seeds

The huge amount of zinc in pumpkin seeds makes the brain work faster. Vitamin E, lecithin and healthy light fats also have a positive effect on mental activity. It is recommended to eat half a glass of seeds per day.

Spinach

Spinach contains iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, C, B9, K, E and beta-carotene. The product eliminates the “malfunctioning” of brain cells caused by aging and protects them from destruction.

Bananas

No wonder this fruit is considered the “main food” of brain cells. Bananas are rich in carotene and light carbohydrates. They improve performance and promote the production of the “happiness hormone” – endorphins.

Avocado

Avocado is an excellent “vegetable meat” with a huge content of easily digestible fats, as well as proteins, vitamins K, B6 and B9, C, copper and potassium.
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts have found that the elements that make up apple juice protect brain cells from oxidative stress, which leads to memory loss and a decrease in intellectual potential. Pamper yourself with this fruit to keep your mind clear for years to come.

Garnet
Pomegranate seeds
Freshly squeezed juice and pomegranate seeds contain many elements necessary to maintain the functioning of gray cells: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins C, PP, amino acids, polyphenols.

Cheese
Animal cheeses
Cheese is rich in vitamins C, PP, A, C, E, B12, B1, D. The brain is saturated with useful substances and does its job without interruption, the activity increases.

Olive oil
Olive oil
People who consume this oil maintain a clear mind even in extreme old age. The fact is that olives contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which protect the brain from “shifts”.

Eggs
Chicken yolks
Chicken yolks are a source of choline, which helps develop brain functions: the ability to understand, analyze, study, memorize.

Chocolate
Chocolate
The content of cocoa beans in healthy chocolate for the brain is at least 75%. The product raises mood, increases efficiency and physical activity, improves cerebral circulation, and prevents oxidative processes. Chocolate is rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, flavonoids, theobromine.

Tea
Green tea
This drink is an effective antioxidant. A cup of green tea with honey activates the work of gray cells, increases concentration and reduces fatigue.

Remember: the more heat treatment and conservation the product is subjected to, the less useful elements it remains. Nutritional value is lost during caramelization, pickling and even freezing. Eat fruits with nuts fresh or dried, brew coffee immediately after grinding, bake fish and vegetables, boil or steam.

20 Oct 2020

GAINING MUSCLE MASS: DIET

 

Gaining muscle mass directly depends on what and how you eat. For a sculpted body, follow our bodybuilding nutrition program. Our recommendations will help you correctly formulate your diet, learn how to choose the right foods, and achieve your sports goals much faster.

BODYBUILDER NUTRITION PRINCIPLES

High-calorie meals

Muscles can only grow when more energy is supplied to the body than is expended. When the calories burned in training exceed the received ones, the opposite process occurs – weight loss.

Reusable meals

To ensure that nutrients are constantly supplied to the blood, thanks to which muscle growth occurs, separate meals by 5-6 times. If there is no regular influx of “building materials” – carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, the “building” of muscle mass will stop. The time between meals should not exceed 3 hours.

Meal mode

Try to eat at the same time – metabolic processes are carried out cyclically, and the body easily adjusts to a certain schedule. You will get the most out of your food if you follow the regimen.

Sufficient water intake

Drink 2 to 4 liters of water a day, depending on your weight. Try to drink between meals, rather than with meals, so as not to impair the digestion process.

The optimal ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

Optimal diet:

  • 30% – 35% protein
  • 50% – 60% complex carbohydrates
  • 10 – 20% fat

This is a conditional division – for each bodybuilder, the percentage is different. However, try to compose a diet based on these numbers.

Nutrition before and after exercise

Be sure to eat 1.5-2 hours before class in the gym. Food should contain complex carbohydrates, which will provide energy for training. Give preference to pasta, cereals, vegetables. You can drink a gainer. After class, refresh yourself with it or a couple of bananas. Eat a full meal in half an hour – lunch should contain a lot of complex carbohydrates and proteins, since at this time the anabolic window opens and the body assimilates the maximum amount of nutrients that contribute to energy recovery and muscle growth.

The right choice of products

Include healthy, fast-digesting foods in your diet. The main sources of protein: lean meat, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, soy, kefir, milk. Complex carbohydrates are found in buckwheat and semolina porridge, rice, pasta, oatmeal, and vegetables. There are many healthy fats in ocean fish, linseed oil, walnuts.

 

On average, a bodybuilder consumes per day:

  • 0.5 kg of meat
  • 0.3 kg vegetables
  • 0.4 kg of cottage cheese
  • 0.3 kg of porridge
  • 5 eggs
  • 2 liters of water

17 Oct 2020

MUSCLE DRYING: TO WHOM, WHY, HOW

 

Along with muscle mass, the level of subcutaneous fat will certainly increase. This is our nature: the prevailing anabolism in the body does not allow us to build muscle without gaining extra fats and carbohydrates. There is no other way. The larger our body becomes, the more substances it needs. Including those, we are trying to get rid of.

The sculpted body of experienced bodybuilders is the result of muscle drying. To get rid of the gained subcutaneous fat, you need to reduce the level of glycogen, which is responsible for storing carbohydrates. By burning off stored carbohydrates, we get lean and clean muscle mass. But is it that simple? Let’s figure out how to “dry” properly.

WHERE IS THE TIPPING POINT?

Standing oblique muscles of the abdomen and abs cubes you get, reducing the amount of body fat to 8-12%. It is not recommended to reduce it harder – you will achieve the opposite desired effect. Our body is a complex system, a “computer”. Approaching the critical point, it responds with overcompensation. For example, there was 15% subcutaneous fat, with titanic efforts you reached 6%. The brain receives the SOS signal and, in order not to be dying, makes up for the losses. And with a margin – in case of a new shake-up. Now, together with the usual 15%, in your body – 18%, or even more subcutaneous fat. Don’t terrorize yourself!

MEN’S BODY DRYING

Drying the body provides for special nutrition and a set of exercises that develop the relief of the muscles. These exercises include a variety of bench presses, weighted squats, reverse crunches, deadlifts, etc.

As for nutrition, the main rule here is to reduce, but in no case exclude carbohydrate intake. Reduce the size of the usual portions, maintaining the habit of refreshing 4-6 times a day. If you feel that there is not enough energy for a productive workout, divide your daily diet into 7-8 meals – it will be easier for the body to endure the load.

Reduce carbs gradually while maintaining protein levels. Protein is especially important during drying. Make it a rule: 60-70% of protein should come with low-fat food, the remaining 30-40% – with sports nutrition.

FEMALE BODY DRYING

The rules for women’s athletic training during the drying period are no different from those for men. A different matter is with nutrition: the fair sex must reconsider the usual diet.

Let’s start with protein. The daily dose for a woman of average weight (50–55 kg) is 100–120 g. The more you train, the more muscle volume becomes, and at the same time the body weight. Accordingly, the body requires more protein: for every 10 kg of muscle mass, at least 60 g of protein should be provided, ⅔ of which comes from sports nutrition and animal foods.

A small number of fat calories for exercising women will also do no harm. The main thing is not to exceed the norm, 10% of the total daily calorie intake. Protein calories should be about 60-65%, carbohydrate – 25-30%. In total, during the drying period, a woman needs 35-40 kilocalories per day for each kilogram of weight.

Eat small meals, but often, 5-6 times a day. Long intervals between meals slow down metabolism, which ultimately leads to obesity. Perform energy restructuring gradually. During the first week of drying, consume 40% of carbohydrate calories per day, during the second – 35%, on the third, you can go to the recommended 25-30%.

13 Oct 2020

Sports answers: can you eat after 6 pm

 

“Can I eat after 6 pm?” Is the most common question I get asked.
I answer: eating after 18.00 is not only possible, but also necessary. And that’s why. (more…)

11 Oct 2020

EXERCISES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN – A MUST!

 

Often a woman, having learned about her pregnancy, is ready to immediately give up on herself and her figure. She loses all control over her lifestyle and diet, allowing herself everything that the capricious “pregnant” organism only wants.

In addition, most pregnant women are of the wrong opinion that physical activity during this period of life is highly undesirable and stop visiting the  fitness center. As a result, after giving birth, having gained extra 10-15 kilograms, a woman struggles with them with difficulty, trying all kinds of diets.

Above all, if you want to stay healthy and lean as a mom-to-be, you need to develop the right eating and fitness habits. Special exercises for pregnant women will help you to maintain the tone and physical shape throughout the pregnancy.

In general, a healthy pregnant woman is recommended to exercise daily for up to an hour. However, it should be remembered that if you feel unwell, the exercise should be reduced or stopped altogether. If you are starting to play sports for the first time, you are probably asking the question “Which sport to choose?”

 

When choosing the type of training, it is worth considering that during pregnancy the hormone relaxin is produced in the woman’s body, thanks to which the pelvic bones soften and pass during childbirth. Loose ligaments are less effective at restraining joints when you jump or stumble over something. Therefore, you do not need to get involved in sports, in which you have to make sudden movements and keep balance.

07 Oct 2020