That's right, the popular weight lifting technique known as "forced reps" are a huge waste of time and precious energy, regardless if your main goal is to gain pure strength or muscle building. Forced reps is when a weight trainer takes his set to failure. Once he reaches that point in which he can no longer complete a full repetition under his own strength, he / she then has their training partner help them lift the weight as they also complete the rep. Thus, you are "forcing" more reps than you normally would be able to do under your own power.

Well, this is another garbage technique that millions are led to believe will help them pass any "plateaus". According the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, a study was done where athletes were divided into three groups and assigned different weight lifting programs, each of which included the bench press.

Each group was told to do a different number of forced reps for each training workout session. Although all groups improved both their peak and mean power on the bench press, there was no significant differences in strength or power gains between them. Researchers concluded that once lifters reached rep failure, neither additional forced reps nor additional set volume further improved their strength gains.

Did you get that? Even though these weight lifters expended more energy, time, and intensity to complete the additional reps in "forced rep" style, they saw no improvement in strength or performance. And what's even more interesting is that all of these additional forced reps chips away at precious energy needed for the following repair / recovery / muscle building period. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to spend more time and effort with a certain training technique I better see some pay back in return.

This just goes to show that just because something may sound good on paper, or "in theory", it doesn't necessarily mean that it will work out in your benefit in the real world, where it counts. Too many of us looking to gain weight or build muscle mass naturally are constantly placing our hopes on complicated techniques, such as forced reps only to see no results, which just adds to our frustration.

And forced reps isn't the only one out there that will get you no where fast. What's sad is that many that don't get the results they desire quickly begin to think that they aren't gaining the muscle they would like because they aren't using some new bodybuilding supplement that's out on the market. They then go and spend their hard earned money on some pill, powder, or shake, continue to use improper weight training techniques... then 12 months done the line that still look exactly the same in the mirror.

Like I always say in all of my writings.....gaining weight and building muscle mass naturally comes down to two main factors: the correct weight training routine and calories. And let me save you the headache... don't bother with forced reps, unless want to risk suffering a major injury.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

Author: Forced reps are just one of many misconceptions that 99% of weight trainers believe... all of which lead to NO RESULTS. If you want to read about more of them, and which ones do work to build muscle, go here: http://www.muscle-weight-gain.com/get-rid-of-chronic-pain-by-weight-lifting/

Forced Reps Are A Waste Of Time!

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Nobody wants to go bald especially when they are still young. However, you need to remember that the very people that say that they don't want to go bald do everything in their life that can cause them to go bald early in life. This is why it is important for you to know what the causes of hair loss are in order for you to know how to prevent hair loss.

The first thing you need to remember is that hair also needs proper nourishment. People today eat a lot of junk that contains little or no nourishments at all. Because of this, premature hair loss will happen. Try to eat healthy foods especially foods that are healthy for your body and your hair. If you are particularly concerned about your hair and you want to prevent hair loss, then eat foods that contain iron and zinc. These two minerals are considered to be hair food which can keep your hair healthy and strong.

For women who are suffering from hair loss, you may want to take a look at your birth control pills. You have to remember that birth control pills can unnaturally unbalance your hormone levels. And, when this happens, hair loss will occur. To prevent hair loss, you will either want to stop taking contraceptives or you can consult your doctor about it and get your doctor to recommend you a birth control pill brand that doesn't contribute to hair loss.

Everyone knows that shampooing the hair is important to keep it clean. However, you need to know that using the wrong kind of shampoo can also lead to hair loss. You have to remember that there are different shampoos for different types of hair. Make sure that you use a shampoo that is specifically designed for your type of hair in order to prevent hair loss.

Hair dyes and other chemicals to make your hair look more beautiful can do the exact opposite. You have to remember that the chemicals in hair dyes are very strong and very harsh for your hair. So, lay off the hair dye. If you have to use hair dye, then try not to use it frequently. After dyeing your hair, you have to wait at least 3 months before dyeing it again.

Stress can also contribute to hair loss. To prevent hair loss caused by stress, try to relax a little. You can always go to the spa or get into aromatherapy. This will help you relax and also encourage your hair follicles to grow new hair.

Too much sun exposure can cause hair damage and ultimately, hair loss. So, whenever you go out in a hot day, you may want to cover your scalp with a hat.

Another cause for hair loss is by not rinsing your hair thoroughly after bathing in a swimming pool with chlorine in the water or in the sea. Salt and chlorine are deadly elements for your hair. So, after bathing in pools and the sea, you should rinse your hair thoroughly in order to get rid of chlorine and salt.

These are the causes of hair loss. By knowing about it, you will be able to know how to prevent hair loss. With these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to spend many more years with your head full of hair.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

Author: John Tulley manages the Provillus Alpha7: hair loss treatments web site. Our web site has more detailed advice and information on what causes hair loss and how to prevent hair loss.

How to Prevent Hair Loss - Things to Remember to Prevent Premature Hair Loss

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Can using castor oil for acne treating skin care products really clear up your skin? Believe it or not, the answer is absolutely yes! This natural oil has wonderful moisturizing and healing properties that few can match.

OK, so you understand the healing properties part, but why exactly would keeping your skin moisturized help your acne? After all, doesn't moisture clog pores and cause immediate break outs in the first place? In reality this is a very common fallacy that many have wrongfully accepted... including me at one time.

For years I tried everything in my power to keep my skin as dry as possible only to find that my condition became worse and worse. Not only did my acne break outs increase, but I had red, scaly and chronically dry skin. Only after I stopped this practice and started moisturizing regularly in a healthy way did I start to see improvements.

Now don't run out to your local drug store and pick up the first moisturizer that you see! Store bought lotions and moisturizing soaps usually incorporate synthetic elements and harmful carcinogens in order to decrease costs and increase shelf life. Unfortunately, in the cosmetic industry ingredients don't need to be disclosed to the consumer. In other words... you have no clue what you're putting on your skin!

So how do you moisturize in a "healthy way"? Simple... By using homemade all natural soaps. You can either make soap yourself, or you can buy handcrafted soaps from a reputable company that is most concerned with producing a quality product and not passing last quarter's sales goal. The important part is that you steer clear of "fake" ingredients and go 100% all natural.

There are a ton of different oils and fats that can be used to make soap, but I believe that castor oil for acne treating soaps is definitely the best because of its ability to moisturize and quickly heal the skin.

In order to make soap out of castor oil you will need to mix it with lye (sodium hydroxide) in order to create a chemical reaction called saponification. During saponification, the oil (acid) reacts with the lye (base) to form a salt (your soap). I bet you never knew that soap was actually a salt!

Never use just castor oil in a soap making recipe as it will produce a soft bar that will become rancid prematurely. I recommend combing the castor oil with a percentage of avocado oil, coconut oil and palm oil to produce an amazing finished product that will withstand the test of time.

Give homemade soaps a try. I don't think you will ever regret it! Getting rid of the "fake stuff" and using only natural ingredients on your skin could be the missing link in your skin care regimen that will make all the difference in the world.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

PhotoCredit: http://www.botanical.com

Author: To learn more about using castor oil for acne visit Steve's site http://www.soap-making-resource.com/. Here you will find detailed soap making tutorials along with skin care ingredient profiles and other helpful information.

Using Castor Oil for Acne - A Natural Skin Care Discovery

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What causes pimples and how long does it take for them to form are good questions. The answers are a bit confusing as till date science has not been able to pinpoint at the clear reasons for the formation of acne. Still, the conclusion that has been reached in this regard is that the oil glands in the skin that secrete oil cause these pustules. These glands become larger at the time of puberty making it obvious why teenagers struggle against acne the most.

Are you also troubled by pimples or have just got a teenie-weenie one yourself. A single zit or many zits are all acne. Either way, whether young or old- who in the whole wide world would ever want a pimple? It is an embarrassment and makes your self-esteem take a nose dive. You might have already asked around to know how long it takes pimples to form. If you have, it is good, for the more information you have at hand about acne, the better prepared you would be to effectively treat them and prevent new ones from forming.

Their Root Cause

Pimples start out in the hair follicles more than 2 weeks before you can even see them. So once you know you are getting one or more, you should immediately start off a preventive treatment regime.

To understand how long it takes these annoying blemishes to form, you have to first understand how pimples relate to hair follicles. Hair follicles contain oil glands that contain a substance called as sebum. This sebum after being formed in the hair follicle slowly travels its way upwards towards the surface of the skin. Hormones that are released in the body all along play a vital role in deciding how much sebum will be produced by your sebaceous glands.

The hormone Androgen and Progesterone trigger excessive production of sebum in both men and women and those who have high levels of these hormones have acne prone skin. Sebum en-route to its way to the skin surface picks up dirt and debris as it gets nearer to the surface. Then it goes and blocks the skin pores, clogging the hair follicles. Bacteria attack the skin when it is clogged by sebum or perspiration. This bacteria scientifically known as P. acnes live on your skin and turns into a malicious harmful agent of acne, thriving and growing in the clogged hair follicles.

All this takes anything from 2-4 weeks, ample time for you to take action rather than grieve over your wrecked skin condition.

Types And Causes

Acne comes in various forms and the most common ones are blackheads and whiteheads. These are harmless non-inflammatory acne but make the face quite unsightly.

Now if bacterium infects a whitehead, a papule or pustule- a pimple forms. Such acne is inflammatory by nature and can be from mild to severe in nature. In very severe cases of acne, cysts and nodules develop, rupture and spread infection thereby causing permanent scars.

Everyone secretes oil from their glands but unfortunately some secrete it more than others. Genetics plays havoc here and so does pregnancy and other hormonal fluctuations in the body. All cause acne. Other modern day factors like stress, pollution and changing diet are also causes of pimples. The dead cells on the skin that seem harmless enough can also clog the hair follicles and because a cause for distress- pimples.

Basically, there is no single reason for acne and no fixed time for acne to form. Pimples are formed by a number of reasons and the time that they take to form also varies from person to person. You can fight the problem of acne right at its initial stage with proper care.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

Author: I hope you found this article helpful! Discover an effective cure for acne, and uncover the secrets to finding an acne free treatment that works for you, by going to: http://www.OnlineAcneRelief.com/

How Long Does It Take Pimples To Form?

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Why Ginkgo Biloba Is The Best-Selling Booster For Brain Function

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The preparations of ginkgo biloba commonly sold as herbal supplements are derived from the leaves of the ginkgo trees, which are probably the longest living in the world Individual trees are believed to live for up to 1,000 years and are found most commonly in southern and eastern areas of the US, southern France, China, and Korea.

Traditional Chinese medicine has made use of the nuts of the ginkgo tree for around 5,000 years, but the use of the leaves is a relatively recent European development. Widespread recognition of the active properties of the plant have made ginkgo leaf extract products the best-selling of all herbal medicines and supplements in Europe, and also placed them in the ten most popular in the USA, where it’s classed as a dietary supplement. In fact it’s estimated that around 2 billion 120 mg doses of supplement have been sold in the last twenty years alone.

The principal active elements of ginkgo leaf extract are the flavonoids which, like those derived from other sources (green tea, for example) are a powerful anti-oxidant; and terpene lactones.

As an anti-oxidant, ginkgo biloba is particularly effective in neutralizing the most damaging superoxide free radicals and thereby helping to prevent the atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which is a common precursor of serious cardiovascular disease. And most of the benefits of ginkgo stem in fact from its effect in improving the circulation of the blood - as numerous research studies have demonstrated.

Ginkgo enhanced circulation in the minute capillaries of the eye has been credited with protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Improved circulation in the ears may also protect against tinnitus and hearing loss.

Studies using supplementation at 240 mg also demonstrated improved exercise tolerance and reduced pain in those suffering from intermittent claudication, or peripheral vascular disease, –a painful and potentially dangerous problem with the circulation in the legs.

But as valuable as these effects undoubtedly are, it’s as a stimulant for the brain and a protector against the dreadful effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia that ginkgo biloba is best known. Although conventional medicine, as ever, retains its tendency towards caution when considering the possible effects of “alternative” remedies, it’s generally conceded that ginkgo biloba has significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The benefits, in fact, are closely analogous to those of conventional drug therapies, and although not, of course, offering a cure, may significantly slow down the progress of this most devastating disease.

Research studies have also indicated clinically significant improvements in performance in standard tests of memory and learning when healthy adults were given supplements at the level of 180 mg of ginkgo biloba a day for a period of six weeks. Similar benefits, however, were not shown at lower levels of supplementation.

The common sense hypothesis is that ginkgo biloba improves the blood supply and circulation to the brain as it does to other parts of the body, which can only have a positive effect on the memory and other cognitive functions of the organ. Moreover, improved circulation along with ginkgo biloba’s anti-oxidant properties play a major role in protecting against the circulatory problems which can lead to stroke, still one of the major causes of premature death or incapacity in the Western world.

Although the 180 mg daily dose has been shown to be beneficial, some alternative medical practitioners recommend higher doses, even as high as 360 mg. The generally recommended composition of supplements, and that found in most commercial preparations, is in the proportions 24% ginkgo flavonoids and 6% terpenes.

Ginkgo biloba is recognized as a safe medication and very rarely produces any side effects in the otherwise healthy even in the high doses mentioned above. But it’s effect in improving the circulation by reducing the “stickiness” of the blood mean it is strongly contra-indicated prior to surgery and for those already taking blood thinning drugs such as warfarin.

In summary it may be said that conventional medicine recognizes ginkgo biloba as a potentially effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and as an aid to good circulation with some positive effects in cases of cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease in the legs. Alternative practitioners insist that ginkgo biloba is also effective in improving memory, learning and general cognitive function in healthy adults, but orthodox medicine remains reluctant to endorse these claims.

PhotoCredit: http://www.dkimages.com

Author: Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in direct marketing and with a particular interest in health products. Find out more at http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/GinkgoBiloba.htm

Why Ginkgo Biloba Is The Best-Selling Booster For Brain Function

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Benefits of Green Tea

(CNN) -- Studies suggest that tea -- especially green tea -- provides healthy benefits.

Green tea leaves are the least processed and have lower levels of caffeine than other types of tea. The leaves contain high-level antioxidants thought to fight different types of cancer and also protect the heart by relaxing blood vessels, which prevents blood clots.

Other studies suggest tea increases bone density, therefore reducing the risk of fractures from osteoporosis.

For more information visit: Avatrim.com

Author: baLooTisme

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