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By Jason Ferruggia

When it comes to the question of how to build big traps the discussion starts and finishes with deadlifts. This incredible mass builder will pack huge slabs of beef on your traps faster than just about any other exercise there is. Just look at powerlifters and you will see that there is simply no way to avoid building huge traps when you do a lot of deadlifts.

While the deadlift is the king of trap building exercises, an argument could be made that Olympic lifts are equally as effective. I would tend to agree if not for the fact that Olympic lifts are harder to teach and learn than deadlifts are, which moves them down to second on the list. Everyone can do at least a partial range deadlift properly. Not everyone can clean or snatch properly.

Finally, you have shrugs. While it seems like a very simple and straight forward movement there is actually a great deal of confusion over how to build big traps with shrugs. Nobody seems to be able to agree on how they should be done. On one hand you have the camp that says you need to go as heavy as possible and do partial reps, just heaving the weight up. Then there’s the camp that says you need to go light and get a full range of motion, trying to get your shoulders as close to touching your ears as possible and hold it there for a second.

Who is right and who is wrong?

They both are.

To understand where the answer truly lies lets again take a look at the athletes with the biggest traps: power lifters and Olympic lifters

Powerlifters have huge traps because of all the deadlifts they do. Deadlifts are heavy, period. There is no shrugging movement at all, in fact. Olympic lifters lift relatively lighter weights explosively and with a range of motion that does indeed have them bringing their traps to their ears.

Looking at these two groups, what does this tell us about shrugs and the proper way to do them?

Quite simply, what it tells us is that the best way to get huge traps is to deadlift and Olympic lift. Bottom line.

BUT… what if you can not do either of those exercises due to back or shoulder problems or just want more variety in your trap training routine? Then you have no choice but to shrug. Traps are the most important, intimidating and impressive bodypart there is and you can’t walk around with none.

So then, exactly how do you do shrugs and which camp is right? They both are. Sometimes you should go heavy for low reps, cheat the weight up and don’t worry about getting an extreme contraction at the top. Then on another day of the week go lighter for higher reps with a complete range of motion and exaggerated contraction and hold at the top.

Another option is to do both variations in one workout. You could start with a lighter weight, doing 10-12 reps, bringing your shoulders as high as they can go. With each set add more weight and work your way down to the point where you can only get five partial reps with a little cheat at the end. You could start with the heavier sets first and lighten them as you go. 

Deadlifts and Olympic lifts should always be your first answer to the question of how to build big traps. But sometimes and in certain situations, shrugs can be very effective as well. Just make sure to go straight up and down and don’t roll your shoulders forwards and backwards; that’s for nitwits who don’t have a full understanding of how gravity works.

Be relentless,

Jason Ferruggia


Jason Ferruggia is a world famous fitness expert who is renowned for his ability to help people build muscle as fast as humanly possible. He is the head training adviser for Men’s Fitness Magazine where he also has his own monthly column dedicated to muscle building. For more on GainingSecrets” target=”_blank”>How to Build Muscle Fast check out http://musclegainingsecrets.com

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By Jason Ferruggia

http://www.musclegainingsecrets.com  How to build big calves it’s a question that I pondered for many years as a kid, being born with calves like string beans. After much experimentation, what I finally realized was that high volume works great for calves. They are probably the hardest muscle to build. Just doing a few sets for them never did anything for me. Since I had no desire to train them and preferred to focus on strength, athleticism and bigger compound lifts they stayed that way for years.

The only time they finally responded was when I hit them with very high volume. I usually do this for about a month and then I am bored to tears and stop training calves again for another year. Also, you can’t really tolerate the high volume loading for too long before you will start to develop some ankle/achilles problems. If you are an athlete and run or jump a lot, don’t even consider doing high volume calf work.

But if how to build big calves is a question that you obsess over, and you just want to get them jacked then you need to really increase your volume and frequency. I once put two inches on my calves in just over a month! Now, don’t get me wrong, my calves are still nowhere near huge, but the point is you can add significant size to your calves if you really want to.

They were Arnold’s worst bodypart and he dedicated all his time and effort to bringing them up. He even cut all of his pants off at the knee so he had to suffer the embarrassment of having his calves exposed wherever he went.

One option is to do a set of calves between every set of every exercise you do at each workout. Be sure to go heavy, get a good, deep stretch and hold it for a second (and up to ten seconds) at the bottom and get all the way up on your big toe at the top while flexing your calves hard. When you do standing calves your knees should be slightly bent on the way down and then locked out on the way up.

Another option is to start each workout (or each lower body day) with calves. One day per week would be heavy standing calf raises for 5-10 sets of 5-8 reps and the other day would be seated calf raises done for 4-5 sets of 15-30 reps.

You should also consider training the tibialis anterior muscles. These are the muscles that run down the front of your shin. Some people develop imbalances from too much ankle extension and not enough ankle flexion. When this happens and becomes a problem, the calves will not grow. So train these muscles by hanging your feet off the end of a bench and holding a dumbbell or DARD device between them and flexing your feet up toward you for a few sets of 10-20 reps, twice a week.

After you finish up with standing, seated and donkey calf raises and the tib raises, try doing farmers walks for up to five or even ten minutes while remanining on your toes the entire time. This will absolutely smoke your calves.

Finally, finish up your workouts with 10-20 minutes of jumping rope.

The above strategies should definitely get anyone’s calves to grow rapidly in a couple of months. Just be sure to ease into the extra volume slowly and gradually and take a step back if your ankles start to bother you.

If you are currently doing only 3-4 sets of calves twice per week you should slowly add a set or two at every workout until you get to about 10 or so. Ten hard, heavy sets plus the farmers walks and jumping rope should be more than enough for most people to add an inch or so in a month.

 

Now you know how to build big calves. For more information on adding size to the rest of your body check out http://musclegainingsecrets.com now.

Train hard,

Jason Ferruggia
Jason Ferruggia is a world famous fitness expert who is renowned for his ability to help people build muscle as fast as humanly possible. He is the head training adviser for Men’s Fitness Magazine where he also has his own monthly column dedicated to muscle building. For more How to Build Muscle Fast tips, check out http://musclegainingsecrets.com

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Snow white slowly took a small bite of the apple and she fell to the ground losing consciousness. Most children, and even the adults, are familiar with this fairy tale story. It is in fact just a tale, but in real life, the apple can make wonders.


In reality, many people suffer from many diseases; and the worst thing to happen to a person is to die from suffering such disease. But before the situation leads to an unpleasant end, you must be aware that these are still old-time home remedies which really work.


The apple cider vinegar has been used in many homes for many years now. It is proven to cure many ailments like allergies, acne, sinus infections, flu, high cholesterol, candida, chronic fatigue, contact dermatitis, sore throats, gout, arthritis, and acid reflux.


There are a large number of people suffering from heartburnnomore”>acid reflux or the GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). This usually happens when the LES or the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. The contents of the stomach, particularly the liquid, go back to the esophagus. The liquid contains pepsin and stomach acids. The pepsin digests proteins and the acid from the stomach burns the walls of the esophagus causing heartburn.


Experiencing heartburn once in a while should be a cause for worry, but if you experience the sensation more than two times each week, it’s time that you consult a doctor.


Acid reflux is harmful once the esophagus’ lining is destroyed, so you should undergo medication once you’ve been examined and diagnosed with acid reflux to prevent further complications.


Acid reflux is usually treated with antacids, but some people complain that it only makes the situation even worse. If you use antacids, the body will only produce more acids to compensate the decrease in body acids. The reflux will only worsen after the dose wears off at the end of the day.


Apple cider vinegar is now more preferred by people who want a natural way to cure their acid reflux. Going back to natural medicines are also helpful, but it requires patience and time. Natural remedies take some time before you can actually see the effects or results.


A bottle of apple cider vinegar costs between three to four dollars. It’s even cheaper than buying antacids. The best possible cure for acid reflux is just in your kitchen. But if you can’t find one in your kitchen, look for it in the supermarket.


Here is the dosage of drinking apple cider vinegar: two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted in water at least thrice a day. You need a much stronger concoction if you’re currently treating the disease.


Some experience side effects like a metallic/acid taste and a burning tongue. Most people don’t like its taste, but to be cured, you must withstand its unpleasant taste. The apple cider vinegar really works wonders; in fact, you can find many customer testimonials about the benefits of the vinegar.


It doesn’t matter what brand of apple cider vinegar you choose to buy, as long as it gives the needed relief. Studies have proved its effectiveness, so don’t hesitate to use it. Perhaps Snow White was better off drinking apple cider instead of biting that big red apple that the old woman offered. VALUE=”0″>

 

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Energy truly governs our lives. Low energy can mean the difference between crawling and walking through life. Over 20 million Americans suffer from occasional fatigue stemming from too much work, too much stress, and not enough sleep. When you’re burning the candle at both ends, your body can’t produce the energy to keep you mentally alert and physically strong – this can leave you feeling irritable, moody, exhausted and fatigued.

Some people rely on a quick fix from a soda or candy bar to jumpstart their energy reserves. But these short term stimulants can actually give your body a false sensation of greater energy, only to cause you to come crashing down, leaving you feeling tired and out of energy. For the rest of us, there’s a better solution – Natural Energy Supplements.

http://healthychoicenaturals.com

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There are lots of people who have the issue of heaviness in the stomach when they have a conventional meal.

The sense of the food getting behind the heart area creates uneasiness and this is called the acid reflux.

GERD is clinically called acid reflux. When the acid is redirected to the food pipe it is called the acid reflux.

Many feel this problem but the intensity of the issue will be different.

The most common identification of GERD is the heartburn and this causes an irritating sensation in the throat area. This does not necessarily mean that anyone having heartburn will also have the problem of acid reflux.

Heart does not suffer any issue and this is mainly related to the problem that takes place in the food pipe. The acid from the digestive part is tracked back to the food pipe and this happens as soon as the food is had.

The acid that is redirected stays in the food pipe and causes a burn. This leads to the heartburn and when constantly encountering the redirection this will cause GERD.

When people eat limitless they face the problem of dyspepsia and about 20 % have this problem on a week basis.

The onset of the GERD is identified by swelling of the lower stomach, vomiting feel and the pain over it.

This is just the same procedure and no strangeness has been noted in the illness.

The process is the acid coming back from the digestive area and while food is taken in the acid gives a strange taste with the consumption.

The soreness in the chest might not always imply to a heart arrest and this can also be due to the acid reflux or GERD.

The identification may be of any form of burn, ache or a smoldering.

The quantity of the acid will decide the range of the heartburn.

The identifications will be different for every single and it always better to take care and stay healthy.

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Blue Heron Health News is a top company on information about good health optives and natural health supplements . Please check out our latest guide, which encloses innovative information on natural heartburn remedy.

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The benefits advocated from eating such a diet seem endless: lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eliminating cravings, preventing overeating, purging the body of accumulated toxins, balancing hormones, maintaining blood glucose levels and reversing degenerative diseases.


Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved appearance of skin, improved digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease, just to name a few. Proponents believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes.


There can be some side effects when you are first starting a raw foods diet. Some detoxification effects may be experienced as your body attempts to shed some toxicity. This may include occasional headaches, nausea sensations and mild depression. If these symptoms persist, you should seek the help of somebody who is experienced with detoxification symptoms.


Following a raw food diet means that you have to carefully plan your meals to make sure you don’t fall short of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In some instances it might be appropriate to consider taking dietary Supplements, especially when just starting out. You’ll need to invest in some appliances so that you are able to prepare the food, if you don’t already have them available. A durable juicer, a blender and a large food processor make raw food preparation a breeze. You may also want to look into purchasing large containers to soak sprouts, grains and beans, as well as for storage. A durable juice extractor for your fruits and vegetables


The smoothest way to begin a raw foods lifestyle is to slowly transition into it. Try starting off by eating approximately 70 to 80 percent raw foods in your diet. Have fruit and salads throughout the day and a cooked vegetable meal with a salad in the evening. This should help make the transition easier on your body and hopefully lessen side effects associated with detoxification. This is an emotional time as well, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to make the switch. Journaling during the process can help. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling the positive effects of a healthy, detoxifying raw foods diet.

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Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the tube used to transport the food to the stomach from the throat is too weak and is not able to handle the acid, thereby producing some acid reflux symptoms. The food taken in is digested with the acid it produces and stores. The walls of the stomach should be strong enough for it to be capable of storing the acid without causing any damage. However, when the acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus, acid reflux occurs with different symptoms. Read on and learn about some of the acid refux symptoms.

Acid Refux Symptoms:

1. Heartburn – this is the main symptom of acid reflux or GERD. Heartburn is a burning sensation that runs up to the chest and the throat from the stomach. According to a certain study, almost 3 quarters of patients frequently experiencing acid reflux symptoms experience heartburn at night. This condition most likely occurs in connection with some activities such as:

Lying down on the back Bending over Lifting heavy objects After eating a lot of foods

2. Dyspepsia – Half of those diagnosed with GERD can experience dyspepsia through the following conditions:

The upper part of the stomach or abdomen is painful Feeling of dizziness and throwing up after meal Always feeling full

It should be noted that dyspepsia may also be experienced by those not diagnosed with GERD.

3. Regurgitation – this condition is described as the feeling of acid backed up in the throat. It is sometimes called “wet burp” when the acid is pushed to the mouth. If the acid is forced back to the mouth, it causes the feeling of throwing up.

Less Common Acid Reflux Symptoms:

Many patients with acid reflux do not experience the main acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. The symptoms may instead appear or experienced in other locations. Here are some of the less common acid reflux symptoms:

1. Chest Pain or Sensations – this is the sensation or feeling that the food is trapped and can’t move from behind the breastbone. While this signals acid reflux, it is important to know that it is different from chest pain due to some heart conditions, like heart attack and angina.

2. Throat Acid Reflux Symptoms including the following:

Acid laryngitis – this condition is characterized by dry cough, hoarseness, feeling of lump in the throat, and the need to clear the throat repeatedly Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) – in some cases, acid reflux may cause the patient to choke or have difficulty in swallowing the food, thereby causing severe chest pain. Persistent hiccups Chronic sore throat

3. Respiratory Symptoms and Coughing – Wheezing and coughing may also occur. In one medical study, acid reflux alone accounted for around 40% of chronic cough cases in non-smoking patients.

4. Chronic Nausea and Vomiting – if you have experienced nausea for more than a week or even for months, then you may have acid reflux symptoms. Under some circumstances, patients with acid reflux may vomit at least once a day. However, it is important to consult with your doctor to be properly diagnosed and rule out other possible conditions such as ulcers, stomach cancer, pancreatic or gallbladder disorders.

Learn more about Acid Reflux Symptoms. Stop by Barbara Thomson’s site where you can find out all the details about Acid Reflux Symptoms.

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Man can’t possibly live without food, which is a true and a proven fact. Food provides the body with all the needed nutrients and energy for a man to do all his daily activities.


People know that the Digestive system, particularly the stomach, digests all the food taken in by the body. Acids found inside the stomach decompose it, turning it to amino acids and proteins. The acids can’t harm the stomach because it contains a protective membrane which protects it from the acids.


If you listened well to your elementary teacher, you already know that the esophagus is where the food passes through before it reaches the stomach. The esophagus has no protective layer like that of the stomach. So when acid from the stomach is able to penetrate the esophagus, the walls are easily burned. The sensation that you will likely feel is called heartburn.


heartburn is the first symptom that most people with acid reflux experience. If acid reflux remains untreated, it will just get severe. The next thing that you might experience is regurgitation, wherein the food that you just ate will go back to your mouth. The chest pain will get worse, you will have difficulty in swallowing the food, until finally, you might get asthma, and when the acid reaches your mouth, it will naturally corrode your teeth.


But don’t worry. Acid reflux can be cured but it would greatly depend on the severity of the disease. A small valve, called lower esophageal (LES), can be found in between the esophagus and the stomach. When it does not function properly, you’ll suffer from acid reflux. The heartburn sensation is due to the rising acid level with which the esophageal lining can’t withstand.


The treatment of this condition can be done through medical therapy, and surgical methods. The treatment is aimed at eliminating acid reflux completely from our system.


The cure for acid reflux is antacids. Most people use this more often, and it comes in tablet or liquid form. Some prefer the liquid from more because it is easily consumed. You can take antacids after you’ve eaten, probably after 30 minutes to one hour.


Other antacids in tablet form create a foam-layer inside the stomach, so that acidic juices can’t penetrate through it. But make sure that you chew the tablet well so that its maximum healing properties will be released.


Some medications are focused in strengthening the lower esophageal muscle, and this greatly reduces acid reflux. It would be best to ask a doctor before taking any kind of medication. The doctor can assess the severity of the acid reflux, and will be able to give you the appropriate treatment.


Most doctors recommend a change in diet to those who suffer from acid reflux. Though this may be difficult to some, they have no other choice unless they want to worsen their condition.


Don’t wait until you need a surgical method to cure your condition. It is best to start curing acid reflux as soon as you discover that you’re suffering from it.


If in any case you’ve experienced the symptoms of acid reflux, immediately consult a doctor. Gather as much information about acid reflux, to help you in better understanding your condition. The doctor can provide you with the correct diagnosis and the needed treatment.

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Contrary to the word, heartburn is not an affliction of the heart but an issue with your digestive system Heartburn can be triggered by anything from stress and hormones, overeating or certain foods, gastrointestinal complications , or even the medications we ingest.

Medicines such as antacids, alginates and antagonists accompanied by changes in diet and lifestyle are common treatments. There are also very successful natural remedies such as baking soda.

Because baking soda emulates an antacid, and assists the body in neutralizing the stomach acids, it can be an impressive temporary natural cure for heartburn. Excessive amounts of baking soda can be harmful, though, as the stomach acids can become over-neutralized, which will cause the individual intense pain.

One half glass of water with approximately a half teaspoon of baking soda mixed in produces the optimum effect. The baking soda should be entirely dissolve prior to drinking it. Dosages of this strength should be taken a maximum of seven times in any one day.

Since sodium promotes water retention in women who are pregnant and people who have high blood pressure this baking soda treatment can create risks because baking soda is has a high sodium count. Consulting your physician is recommended before using this method of treatment for those already taking prescription medication.

Prevention of heartburn is preferable to getting it first and treating it afterwards. Many foods are known to trigger heartburn and should be avoided if possible. These include chocolate, foods with strong flavors, foods containing vinegar, fats or oils. Heartburn is also more readily avoided if small portions are eaten more often rather than overeating in a single sitting. Heartburn can also be prevented by reducing stress, improving body posture and exercising regularly with yoga or meditation.

Enjoy more of this writer’s articles on products including the best ankle supports and KneedIT Magnetic Knee Brace.

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If you’ve tried any number of different treatments to help reduce the pain of arthritis, don’t feel like you’ve hit the bottom or like you’ve run out of options. An arthritis diet may help relieve your pain dramatically. Medical professionals have discovered that there are a number of foods that trigger muscle and joint inflammation and also that there are various foods that relieve the pain.

If you’ve ever suspected that your joints are much achier after a meal than they were before you ate, the misery you’re experiencing may directly relate to the foods you just consumed. Even though there’s no actual medical or scientific proof that ties them together, they are related in more ways than you might believe.

Many of the scientific studies have focused their attention on antibodies in the system that could have a bearing on the flare ups of pain related to arthritis. However, food-related antibodies mostly show up in the gut, not the blood, which means the research is relatively lacking.

Allergies to certain foods have been recognized to trigger the painful symptoms of arthritis. This takes place if your body accidentally considers something that you ate to be detrimental. Your system then tries to protect you in any way possible and consequently your immune system creates an overload of antibodies, and they are the actual sources of the pain.

Following are some of the foods you’ll need to add to your arthritis diet to determine if they can help relieve your pain.

* Oily fish: tuna, salmon, sardines, and cod liver oil supplements

* Vitamin E: fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, spinach and tomato products

* Vitamin C: a wide range of fruits, in addition to vegetables including greens, broccoli and peppers

* Turmeric and ginger: can be used in stew, curry and soup

Together with all of the foods that can help ease the pain in your joints, there are also certain foods which you will want to avoid as much as you can, such as fatty meats and sweet baked goods. A variety of dairy products are also considered to trigger inflammation.

You need to consult your health care provider before beginning any sort of diet program because it could pose a risk for those who have diabetes or some other condition that makes them sensitive to certain foods.

Reactive arthritis is one form of this disease that can strike anybody, at any age. It’s a serious condition that affects the joints, organs and more. As yet, there isn’t a reactive arthritis cure, but there are ways to manage the condition. Visit the Arthritis Relief site to find out more.

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