Bowflex ElitePlus manual Larger muscles will make your body firmer and more shapely

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Q & A

Progressive resistance exercise such as Bowflex will make your muscles larger – but not excessively large

– and larger muscles will make your body firmer and more shapely.

Q.Why is it so important I perform the Bowflex exercises with a 4-second count on the lifting and lowering?

A.Because a slow, smooth 4-second lifting followed by a 4-second lowering involves more muscle fibers more thoroughly than faster speeds of movement. The more completely each involved muscle fiber works simply means you’ll get better muscle-building results.

Q.I’m confused about how to breathe during each Bowflex exercise?

A.Let’s say your goal is to do 10 repetitions on a specific Bowflex exercise that is performed in the recommended 4-second lifting and 4-second lowering style. Here are the proper breathing guidelines to follow:

One suggestion is to team up with a partner. Most people are more motivated and make better progress if they go through the program with a friend. In selecting a training partner, here are several things to keep in mind:

Your partner should be similar to you in age and condition.

Your partner should be serious about getting into shape and making a commitment. That commitment means you’ll be exercising together one hour, three times per week. Each of your joint training sessions should take approximately 50 minutes: 25 minutes for your workout and 25 minutes supervising your partner’s workout.

Your partner should be someone with whom you’ll share a spirit of cooperation, not competition.

Your partner should not be your spouse, brother, sister, or other family member. You do not want normal interpersonal problems to interfere with the training.

Q.Why won’t you allow me to do aerobic dancing on my off-days to speed up the loss of body fat?

A.Because doing so doesn’t speed up fat loss. Aerobic dancing – and other activities such as running,

swimming, cycling, stair-stepping, and racquetball – do not contribute significantly to the fat-loss process. In fact, when added to proper strength training they can actually retard the reduction of fat.

Fat loss is retarded in two ways. Too much repetitive activity prevents maximum muscle building by using up your recover ability. A well-rested recover ability is necessary for muscle growth. Too much activity — especially if you are on a reduced-calorie diet — causes you to get the blahs and quickly lose your enthusiasm. If this happens, you’re sure to break your diet.

The primary purpose of this program is to lose fat in the most effective and most efficient manner. Fat loss is prioritized and maximized by building muscle at the same time. The muscle-building process is optimized by a well-rested recovery ability, which necessitates keeping your strenuous and moderately strenuous activities to a bare minimum.

Once you get your body fat to a low level, you can add other activities — and I encourage you to do so — to your weekly fitness schedule. For now, follow the plan exactly as directed.

Q. What happens after six weeks? How do I continue the program if I need to lose more weight?

A. You should repeat the program for as long as it takes you to reach your goal. For example, it took Barry Ozer three six-week sessions – 18 weeks – to lose all of his excessive fat, which amounted to 75 pounds (34 kg). There are, however, a few guidelines and modifications to apply.

Repeat the eating plan exactly as before: Men, go back to 1500 calories a day for two weeks. Women, go back to 1200 calories a day for two weeks. Then, descend your calories in the same manner.

Keep your superhydration schedule at the highest level. In other words, sip 1 5/8 gallons (6.2 l) of ice- cold water each day.

Continue your Bowflex exercise routine at the highest level. Perform the same 10 exercises three times per week. Try to get as strong as you can in each exercise, while always focusing on the 4-second count in both lifting and lowering.

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Contents Bowflex Elite Home Gym Before You Assemble Get to Know Your MachineParts List Basic Assembly PrinciplesAccessory List Hardware ListTools You Will Need Hardware GuideCompletely tighten hardware installed during Step Assembly GuideAttach the Lower Lat Tower to the Base Platform Attach the Base Legs to the Base PlatformAttach the Squat Platform to the Main Assembly Completely tighten hardware installed during Step Attach the Chest Bar with Pulleys to the Main AssemblyAttach the Seat Bracket to the Seat Pad Attach the Rear Leg to the Rear Leg Cross Tube Attach the Seat Rail to the Seat AssemblyItem #10 Rear Leg Do not unwrap cables Attach the Rear Leg to the Seat Rail Leg Assembly can move freelySeat Rail Pull Pin Do not over-tighten hardware from StepDo not over-tighten the hardware from Step Attach the Seat Rail to the Main Assembly10a Attach the Leg Extension Pivot TubeCompletely tighten hardware installed during Step Assemble the Leg Extension Seat Attach the Lat Cross Bar to the Upper Lat Tower Attach the Leg Extension Seat to the Main AssemblyItem #22 Lat Cross Bar Do not unwrap cables Attach the Upper Lat Tower to the Lower Attach the Rod Box with Power Rods to the Rod Box FrameFrom Main Assembly Attach the Faceplate to the Main AssemblyAttach the Rod Box Frame to the Lat Tower Attach the Faceplate Back Panels Completely tighten hardware installed during Steps 19Tighten Lower Bolt on the Seat Bracket Take care not to overtighten hardware from StepRoute the Rod Cables Attach the Bench to the Seat AssemblyRoute the Leg Cables Route the Lat CablesRoute the Squat Cables Locate the following itemsPage Page Page Fitness Guide Table of Contents Safety Precautions Bent Lat Bar Lat Bar Pulley Rod Caps Leg Attachment Bench How to Use Your Machine Flat Bench Removing the BenchIncline Bench Leg ExtensionAccessories and Equipment Using Your Leg Press Belt and Squat Bar Pulleys Bowflex Body Leanness Program Page Bowflex Body Leanness Program IntroductionPersonal Guarantee From Dr. Ellington Darden Measurements Body WeightCircumference of Body Parts Men Measure Chest, abdomen, and thighAbdomen Skinfold MeasurementsSuprailium ThighOptional Picture Taking Using Calipers When Measuring SkinfoldsWomen Men Starting body-fat percentageDetermining Your Body Fat For Example Calculating Lean Body MassEnter Your Information Here Pounds or Kilograms Measurements Before After Your Results Summary SheetGuidelines Week 1&2 WorkoutsGuidelines Week 3&4 Guidelines Week 5&6Follow a Carbohydrate-Rich, Descending-Calorie Eating Plan Eating GuidelinesKeep Menus Simple and Food Substitutions to a Minimum Avoid Too Much StressSuperhydrate Your System Week 1 Eating PlanWeek 3 Week 5Eating Plan US Measurements Frozen Microwave Dinner Choose one meal Eating Plan Metric MeasurementsShopping List Is bottled water better than tap water? Is it possible to drink too much water?May I have dinner for lunch and lunch for dinner? Larger muscles will make your body firmer and more shapely Adhere to a carbohydrate-rich, moderate-calorie eating plan Maintenance RoutineEat smaller meals more frequently Train on Bowflex at least twice a weekBenchPress Exercise LogDefine Your Goals Variables are as follows Design Your Own ProgramWarming Up Working OutCooling Down BreathingChest Exercises Chest Exercises Chest Exercises Anterior Deltoid Triceps Leg Extension Shoulder ExercisesFront Deltoids Upper Trapezius Triceps Shoulder Shrug Scapular Elevation Muscles worked Shoulder Extension elbows stabilized Muscles workedScapular Depression Scapular Protraction elbows stabilizedRear Deltoids Middle Deltoids Trapezius Rhomboids Shoulder Rotator Cuff External Rotation Shoulder Rotator Cuff Internal RotationScapular Retraction Low Back Extension Seated with hip extension Muscles worked Lying Lat PulldownsLatissimus Dorsi Teres Major Rear Deltoids Biceps Lying Lat Fly Shoulder Adduction Muscles worked Lying Narrow Lat PulldownsStraddle the Seat Rail facing the Power Rods Bent Over Row Single Arm Pushdown Elbow Extension Triceps Pushdown Elbow ExtensionFrench Press Elbow Extension overhead Muscles worked Lying Triceps Extension Elbow ExtensionLying 45Triceps Extension Elbow Extension Cross Triceps ExtensionSeated Triceps Extension Elbow Extension Lying Biceps Curl Elbow Flexion in supination Muscles worked Seated Biceps Curl Flexion in supination Muscles workedStanding Wrist Curl Seated Wrist ExtensionReverse Curl Elbow Flexion in pronation Muscles worked Seated Wrist Curl Wrist FlexionRope Pushdown Elbow Extension Muscles worked Standing Wrist ExtensionReverse Crunch Spinal Flexion Muscles worked Resisted Reverse Crunch Spinal FlexionSeated Resisted Abdominal Crunch Spinal Flexion Pulleys Success Tips Trunk RotationPulley Position Lying Leg Extension Leg ExtensionAnkle Inversion Ankle EversionStanding Hip Extension knee stabilized Standing Hip Extension knee flexedSeated Hip Adduction Standing Hip AbductionStanding Leg Kickback Hip and Knee Extension Muscles worked Seated Hip AbductionMuscle Chart What Does This Warranty Cover? Warranty InformationBowflex Elite Home Gym Warranty Registration Card Place Stamp Here Please fold over and tape before mailing