You are physically fit. What is your fitness program?
I workout around 5-6 times a week. My weights routine is a 4-day split workout, grouping opposing muscle groups together, along with other muscle groups that are secondary to large ones. My typical schedule:
Day One – chest, triceps, abs
Day Two – quads, hamstrings, calves
Day Three – rest
Day Four – back, biceps
Day Five – shoulders, abs, calves
Every week I’ll switch the muscle groups I train together and types of exercises I do to keep my workouts fresh. I’ll warm-up and cool-down with cardio training for around 30-40minutes on the treadmill or bike depending on my mood followed by light stretching. Depending on my schedule, I also complement my gym workouts with Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, Boxing, Dance and Martial Arts training. I also participate in many outdoor activities when I have time, such as - surfing, golf, skiing, tennis, skating and horseback riding just to name a few. Variety is the key to maintaining a fitness regime that will last your entire life.
Are free weights better to use than machines?
One is not better than another. They both serve a purpose in any fitness routine. Free weights are just as important as machines and it’s crucial that you incorporate both into your workouts for an overall balanced physique.
Do you follow a special diet?
When I was competing as a natural competitive bodybuilder I had a very strict diet that consisted of calculated weighed amounts of protein and carbohydrate with minimal fat, complemented with bodybuilding supplements. Since I’ve stopped competing, I still focus on healthy eating without the strictness of dieting for competitions. I have an East meets West food plan combining traditional Vietnamese and Asian cuisine with more Western meals. I eat very lean meats, seafood, and a variety of fruit and vegetables — as I would like to say from all the colours of the rainbow. I still take bodybuilding supplements, as well as general everyday supplements such as Vitamin C, iron, fish oils and multi-mineral vitamins.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!