November, 10, 2018 – 

Just today I was enjoying training a young client who after 2 exercises found himself huffing and puffing trying to catch his breath.  This happens a lot actually and if it is not happening then perhaps you need a few extra reps?  The ‘Huff & Puff” phenomenon is due to large muscles using up your oxygen.  Yes, muscles breathe too and large or primary movers require large quantities of oxygen!  So remember, when exercising … breathing is your friend.

You might notice that when exercising your ‘arms’ there is not a big oxygen requirement, it is quite easy to catch your breath and continue.  Legs, not so much! The time required to oxygenate your large muscles is greater and necessary.  And, if you are really pushing your fitness and doing super sets, drop sets, strip sets or high rep sets … well plan to break to catch your breath and to sweat as well.

In this instance, your large muscles have had so much friction between the moving muscles, that the heat off of your glute/quad complex alone will require your temperature gage to kick up.  That my friend is what sweat is all about; the skins pores release water (carrying disposed carbon dioxide and expended carbohydrates) to the skins surface.  As the perspiration dries it cools the skin, therefore helping to lower your body’s temperature. Sweating is your friend.

Of, did I say “hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!”

This week’s challenge is really big and uses those really big muscles.

Simply, do 100 squats.

Try and do it right, push your hips out as if going to the bathroom and squat down touching your elbows to your knees.  Great, have a 90 second break!

Now lunge around the house or office for 100 steps OR 200 if you consider yourself apparently healthy.

If that does not make you HUFF and PUFF plus create perspiration on your body … well then you are F.I.T!

 

In good health,

Bob

“Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach.” – George Sheehan