"Discount Workout" ~ Weight Training DVD Giveaway

It's giveaway time.  Our sister site, Tuff Phit , has been growing at a steady pace over the past few months. But it's time to kick it up a notch. Tuff Phit wants you, Your Happy Hearts fans, to join the TP Team and get MORE awesome information on health and fitness. Tuff Phit is for everyone. Guys and Gals who love anything fitness.

So to kick up the subscriptions on Tuff Phit, Your Happy Hearts is helping to promote the site with this giveaway. YHH has a Weight Training DVD from Discount Workouts to giveaway just for checking out Tuff Phit. These DVD's are easy to follow along with, and are filmed as if a personal trainer was right in your gym or living room.

They are for beginners or the experienced. You can never have too many DVD's in your fitness library. It's the best way to stop boredom! (All video preview clips are available on the Discount Workout site.)

So with that said, let's get this giveaway up and running! Here's how to enter.

#1 - Visit Tuff Phit and subscribe. Once you are subscribed (don't forget to verify in your email inbox), you will be entered in all TP giveaways for the life of your subscription. Let us know you were there by leaving a comment here "I subscribed to TP". You may leave a comment every day to increase your changes to win.

#2 - Become a Fan of Tuff Phit on FB. Leave a comment on their wall "Entering the YHH giveaway." You may also comment daily.

#3- Follow Tuff Phit and become part of their virtual gym with a free membership. Know that when you are working out, so are the other Tuff Phit fans!

This contest will run until Feb. 5th at midnight. A winner will be chosen on the 6th. Good luck. See you at Tuff Phit! (US entries only please)

Quotes for Motivation

There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.
~ Henry Ford

It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
~ Shakespeare

Don't bunt. Aim out of the ballpark.
~ David Ogilvy

If you don't know where you are going,
you'll end up someplace else.
~ Yogi Berra

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
~ Lao Tzu

If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?
~ Joe Namath

There are no gains without pains.
~ Adlai Stevenson

What's On Your iPod?

Most people own an iPod or some sort of MP3 player. And if you don't? Seriously, go get one!

Now the question is, if you have one, are you utilizing it for your workouts?

What music makes you move? Dance and Pop music are great to use for cardio. Anything which has inspirational words, means something to you specifically, and gets you moving is great for a jogging or a trip on the elliptical.

The Black Eyed Peas, "I gotta feeling" or "Imma be", are perfect for me to start my cardio. It gets me mentally prepared for a good day and a good workout. I then change to heavy Christian rock music (Kutless, Skillet, Chris Daughtry) for lifting weights. I use a cool down of peaceful tranquil music (Travis Terry, Indian Flute music) for ending yoga stretch.

iPod's have a playlist feature. Don't forget to use this to set up a cardio list, a lifting list, and a cool down list. By organizing your songs in a particular order, from softer to heavier music, it may motivate you to push more at the end of your workout. 

Another good idea is to look at the time on the songs when building your playlist. How long do you want to do your cardio? 20 minutes, 30 or 45? Then set a list of songs that will take you the amount of time you need. This will let you get in the groove of the music without having to pay attention to a clock. When the set list is done, so are you. Have the last song a slower rhythm which will let you know it's time for your cool down.

Set your next song list for your heavier weights for another 30-45 min. When that set list is done, move to your cool down playlist. Have about a 5-7 min. relaxing music list to bring down your heart rate.

Remember to change up your playlists on a regular basis and stop the boredom from setting in.

Have fun grooving with your next workout!

Is A Gym Right For You?

Is a gym right for you? That's todays question. Let's look at the positives and negatives of a gym membership verses working out at home.

On the positive side, if you like to workout with other's, a gym can be a good motivating experience. I sometimes find myself bored in my home gym, relying solely on myself to push. If you are aware of those around you, a gym atmosphere may encourage you to work harder. Find a partner to spot, so you can lift more than you would on your own. Don't forget to take advantage of those personal trainers. If one or two sessions are included in your gym fee, you don't want those to go to waste. Trainers can teach you proper form and use of equipment and save you from possible injuries. So if a gym is in your budget, use it to it's fullest potential and make sure you go as often as you can.