LIFE . LONG . FITNESS
A proper push-up (knees off the floor) is a basic upper body exercise. But for many, the movement is strenuous and difficult to learn. Women especially often struggle with how taxing the exercise can be. But, believe me, performing a correct, no-knees push-up has nothing to do with gender and […]
I’ve ripped a few pants in my adult life, thanks to my muscular legs, but I’d never consider losing muscle to fit into a pair of pants. Instead, I buy what fits me. Athletic, shapely legs need room. Not just for comfort and fit, but also for healthy blood circulation. This is why super […]
Some people are afraid of inadvertently growing large muscles and simply want muscle tone. The truth is, building massive muscles is a deliberate process, requiring a calculated set of exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes that vary from what’s required for muscle tone. If done properly, one can embark on mass […]
Okay, no fooling around anymore, girls and guys. What exercises really target the glutes — squats? Fire hydrants? Yoga Booty Ballet? No. No. And no! If you want to build nice glutes — guaranteed — do movements that target the glutes maximally. The Misunderstanding of Squats for Building Glutes Squats are […]
I was inspired to write this article after having an emotional experience with clothes. I have a history of ripping pants, long-sleeved shirts, and never finding jeans that fit my quads, calves, and narrow waist uniformly. I usually laugh at this. It’s kind of a source of pride: knowing I’ve grown […]
My initial interest in the Gymnastic Bodies’ courses began in 2015. By then, I had been lifting since I was 17 and focusing on bodybuilding. Since then, I’ve learned that while hypertrophy (muscle growth) is great, it has to be coupled with flexibility and functional movements to keep the body […]
Believe it or not, you don’t have to join a gym to get in shape and stay that way. Before I joined a gym, I exercised in my living room every day for five years. I never wanted membership at a public gym. I can be myself at home and […]
Some personal trainers and “health gurus” don’t believe in logging calories. Instead, they say “eat when you’re hungry.” I don’t agree with that. I know from experience that eating below or too far above the amount of calories your body requires (for muscle gain, fat loss, or maintenance) can sabotage […]
Body weight doesn’t matter, body fat does. Here’s an analogy. Think back to your middle school earth science class. Remember when you had to weigh different rocks, and it was shocking to find a small rock that was much heavier than it looked? What was your teacher’s explanation? If you […]
For long-term health and fitness, please resist the temptation to “juice” for fast results! Bodybuilding is a sport/activity in which many people choose to take steroids in order to reach maximum muscle growth–sooner rather than later. I’ve competed on the bodybuilding stage in the past, and standing beside the perfectly […]
The “weird trick” to a six-pack that is probably not advertised in those annoying sidebar ads is the coregasm. Yes, coregasms exist. Although, I wouldn’t call them a trick, or the real secret to a six-pack. Still, if you’re part of the 10-40% of people who have experienced or are prone to […]
Below are videos from my current transition from bodybuilding to gymnastics. See my progress below, and maybe challenge yourself to some of these movements. Latest Handstand Practice Vid – 07/13/18: I can't do a strict HS yet, but I can do this. #handstand #adultgymnastics #bodyweight #calisthenics #functionalexercise #fitmom #fitness #success […]
Handstand practice. It's hard mastering a freeform HS hold w/ no spotter whatsoever. Instructional videos always include a spotter-assisted phase. Air is my spotter … well my core is, really. Still working on it. #adultgymnastics #handstands #calisthenics #bodyweight #fitness #exercise #fitmom #gymnastics #handstand A post shared by Sylvia Petro (@sylviapetrofit) […]
This post correlates with my earlier posts: “Undesirable Side Effects of Steroid Use” and “7 Reasons Why I Don’t Compete.” The video below is of strength athlete, Gracie Davis. She is a voice of caution for women who use or are considering using steroids. Her deepened voice and other masculine changes she […]
I suck at handstands, so I decided to focus on improving my elbow stand. (I know I need to point my toes.) #elbowstand #handstand #bodyweight #calisthenics #fitmom A post shared by Sylvia Petro (@sylviapetrofit) on May 24, 2018 at 5:02pm PDT Pre-handstand #forearmstand #elbowstand #balance #flexibility #bodyweight #fitmom #fitness #calisthenics […]