Most workout programs, in my opinion, are examples of cardio body building and are wrongly based on bodybuilder isolation movement exercises and marathoner extended aerobic training.

This is NOT the path to optimum fitness excellence!

The cardio body building combination is actually the biggest training mistake you can make.
Now before you get angry…

There is absolutely nothing wrong with training like a Bodybuilder or Marathoner… especially if you are a Bodybuilder or Marathoner.

I am just proposing that the training philosophies of Bodybuilders and Marathoners are not the path to an optimum level of fitness where all of the physical skills of cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and toughness are improved… Whether you adhere to the philosophy of each group alone or in combination.

I know this goes against most physical training protocols used in commercial gyms around the world that adhere to the cardio body building combination as the training methods of choice.

It is easy to see how these training protocols came to be combined…

In an attempt to improve fitness on a more general level for the non-professional fitness enthusiast, gyms and health clubs throughout the world have prescribed the typical cardio body building program of isolated movement strength training and extended aerobic training sessions.

The belief was that if isolated movement weight training is effective for Bodybuilders, and extended aerobic sessions are effective for Marathoners, that a combination of the two training methods would give the general fitness enthusiast the best of both worlds.

The fact is, Bodybuilding training methods are more concerned with muscle growth than muscular strength, power and endurance… and both of these training methods almost completely ignore the other physical abilities like coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and flexibility.

It is no wonder why millions of people participating in cardio body building inspired fitness programs fail to meet their over-all fitness goals… They are making a big training mistake.

On a personal Note…

I am guilty of training in the cardio body building fashion in my younger years in preparation for wrestling season.

I would lift weights using isolation exercises and run long distances to increase aerobic capacity.

I quickly learned in the first week of practice that the inflated muscles and aerobic capacity that I gained through cardio body building training did little or nothing to provide the fitness level needed for my chosen sport.

Oh well, there is nothing I can do about that now… but there is something that YOU can do to improve your physical training in preparation for sport, work, life.

Reflect on your current workout program…

If your current workout program looks like the cardio body building protocol described above… don’t despair.

Any exercise is better than none, so you have not completely wasted your time.

In fact… the isolated movement strength training has given you some degree of strength, and the aerobic exercise is an essential base of fitness.

However, to improve your physical training and optimize your performance you must be prepared to radically change the methods you use in pursuit of strength, conditioning and fitness excellence.

Be honest with yourself… are you getting the most out of your current cardio body building physical training program?

Are the exercises and methods you are using best suited to improve over-all fitness… or do they only focus on muscular size and cardiorespiratory endurance?

Ask yourself this question…

Is your current physical fitness training program based on the acceptable and deliberate compromise of competence and ability to perform in ALL the areas of cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy and toughness to produce optimum performance results under the greatest amount of circumstances?

If not, it is probably based on the cardio body building fallacy… and your physical training can be greatly improved.

If your goal of physical training is to inflate your muscles and perform monotonous, single intensity aerobic exercise for extended periods of time… do nothing.

If your goal of physical training is to become a better human being suited to successfully overcome the random challenges of sport, work and life… It is time to change your physical fitness training program to one not based on the cardio body building fallacy.

NPC is the National Physique Committee, a national organization dedicated to the pursuit of a body building program that will build great bodies.  They are one of the most well-respected organizations in the body building world and sponsor several body building competitions throughout the year.

NPC body building competitions include the following:

* The Women’s National Fitness Championship

* Women’s National Body Building Championship

* USA Men’s Championship

* The IFBB World Championships

* The IFBB Northern Championship

* Junior USA Body Building Championship

And that’s just a few of the national championship competitions sanctioned by the NPC.  When an event is sponsored by the NPC, it is well-respected.  People know that NPC body building competitions are ones that can give legitimacy to them as serious body building athletes.

Their contests are held all over the country and in Canada, and have long been considered THE contests to enter and win.  The NPC Nationals is the number one amateur body building competition and has launched plenty of hardcore body builders on to successful careers in the industry.  They have full-time promoters working non-stop to make sure that every one of the NPC body building competitions are the best that they can be.

The NPC is an amateur organization.  Becoming a member of the NPC and competing in their competitions can lead to membership in the world’s strongest body building organization – the IFBB (International Federation of Body Builders).  The IFBB is a professional organization for body builders who make a living with their physiques.

NPC body building involves more than just competitions.  They are dedicated to educating new body builders including women and teens.  They also provide members with alternatives to steroids and information on how to sculpt the perfect body.

Anyone can become a member of the NPC.  If you are interested in body building and possibly going pro one day, being a member of the NPC is an important part of your body building goals.  All you have to do is submit an application along with a yearly membership fee.  With that, you will receive the following:

* Six issues of NPC News magazine that features the sport’s up and coming new bodybuilding and fitness stars, along with contest results and contest information on future NPC events.

* Liability insurance (if you’re a registered contestant) covering you going to, from and at any NPC bodybuilding and fitness event.

* Eligibility to participate in NPC events and qualify for IFBB events.

NPC body building is a very important part of a serious body building regimen.  Even if you don’t want to go pro, being a member of the NPC can be very valuable in your body building career.

Body building programs can work wonders to those who want to get their body in shape and acquire the lean muscular look. Body building programs are implemented by almost all body builders. A body building program is a fixed regime that has to be strictly followed in order to get rid of fat from your body and gain muscles. Body building programs are best starting point for any beginner.

It is strictly advised that you must not pick up body building programs randomly from any internet site, e-books or free guides. The reason for this is that everybody does not have the same body type.

The body building programs are designed according to each ones body type and therefore they do not suit everybody. The wrong body building program can ruin your work out routine completely. Another disadvantage of unsuitable body building programs is that they may cause the body builder injuries such as muscle pull and lingering muscle pain. You not only waste time in the gym sweating it out but you also lose all your energy. The body building program will not benefit if you continue with the same body building program.

Using the appropriate body building program is the best solution to avoid any of the above mentioned problems. There are several body building programs available over the internet. Most of the body building programs are planned and reviewed. Such body building programs are a good start for the beginners. These are especially designed keeping in mind the needs of the beginners.

These programs start by introducing the beginners to the different techniques of body building. The body building programs are such that they do not intimidate the beginner. A certain level of diligence is maintained. The programs are easier to follow and certainly give results if practiced sincerely.

These programs also cover related topic like the appropriate nutrition that one must consume in order to gain muscles. Nutrition plays a very important role in your body building. The body building programs are not whole without a complete guide of appropriate nutrition. The guide informs you about the diet that is necessary during the body building period and also suggests you the amount of calories that you must take in everyday.

There are a few body building programs that suggest you a few healthy recipes that you can easily cook at home. A good body building program will never go on advertising about body building supplements. They will advise you on a few that will help you to achieve your goal.

When implementing such body building programs you must take care of their credibility. Some of the body building programs are only a marketing scam and you must avoid these at any cost. Some body building programs have own a tracking software system that keeps a track on their progress. Some of them even provide personal email guidance from the author of the program. This way you can keep in touch with the author and ask him or her any doubts that you may have.