If you’ve only ‘found me’ recently – then I’ll make it clear here: The conventional approach to getting in shape via weights and machines “in the gym” is no match for a properly designed bodyweight training program. Doesn’t matter if we’re talking about pure beginners or ultra-advanced fitness enthusiasts…

Now – don’t get me wrong, there is a place for some weights. Dumbbells are an excellent tool, when used properly to supplement a well-designed bodyweight workout program.

As you read this – it should help for you to know you are hearing this from someone who has learned of this difference through deep experience – both of myself and countless clients I’ve worked with over the past 21 years.

I’ll be writing more about this in the near future – but for now I want to share a detailed success story email which boldly highlights the point I’m making in this post. Here it is…

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Greetings
From: “Nina Peers” -el-ninap-01@________.ca-
Date: Thu, August 05, 2010 9:04 am
To: “Your Trainer: Joey Atlas” -joey @ joeyatlas . com-

Dear Joey:

I have been meaning to write for a while but have been busy with life. I must give credit where credit is due. I bought your lower body dvd set a while ago, I think 2 or 3 months ago. Anyways I wrote you once to tell you that I could feel the results of your workouts and was seeing some results.

What I now want to tell you is that I am amazed at your work outs in the dvds and how it has changed the shape of my legs and thighs.

I am starting to get legs that I have always wanted.

I have worked out with weights for years and got some results but never like I have now. I was never happy with my thighs and worked hard on them with weight training, only to get discouraged at the hard work and quite frankly get sick of all the effort.

I stopped going to the gym for a few years and wanted to get back into shape, so I persevered back into the weights at the gym, started jogging and was hoping for the best. Around the same time, I found your dvds on line and ordered them, I wanted to believe you but was skeptical.

The first work out was incredible, I was so sore for just plain exercises with no weights, and I am thinking what is going on here? I kept on doing the exercises 3 days a week and jogged and **stopped using weights.** Incredible, in fact the other day I decided to jog and just do weights, thinking I had better take it easy because I hadn’t done them for a while and was waiting for the sore legs – but NOTHING, not impressed!

The next time I went to the gym I jogged and did your exercises from your dvds. My legs were weak when I finished the exercises and they were sore the next day. I KNOW they work and am so happy with the results.

No weights, just specific exercises and I am getting the results I’ve always wanted but never got when I was working out with weights.

Thank you Joey for the awesome dvds and everything else that you put into it!!

I am a true believer!!
God bless
Nina – Powell River, B.C. Canada.

That’s an awesome email – Don’t you agree??

Listen – I’m not saying people don’t/can’t get into shape with the typical “gym approach” – because many (not all) people who push themselves hard and long enough will get in shape. But that comes with a downside: injuries, schedule conflicts, unrealistic time demands, life situations which prevent the “gym commitment”, and the list goes on….

BUT, when you free yourself from the shackles of a typical fitness center, by going with bodyweight fitness training – you remove SO MANY potential obstacles, making your lifelong commitment a million times easier to stick with.

More to come soon…

Your trainer forever – your trainer for life,

– Joey Atlas

Hi Joey,
What do you think of all these new shoes that are coming out that promise to shape you up just by walking in them, i.e., Reebok ReeTones, Skechers Shape Ups, etc.
Thanks
- Liz

So, here is the message that women are “hearing/perceiving”:

“Just wear these sneakers and your legs, butt and thighs will get toned, lifted and sculpted.”

And it raises the question (I’ll repeat it here) I get several times a day (or some variation of it):

“What do you think of all these new shoes that are coming out that promise to shape you up just by walking in them?”

This is what I hear in emails. It’s what I hear from the mom’s on the playground in my neighborhood – and it’s what I hear from the everyday, overly busy woman everywhere.

First and foremost – I must admit, the concept itself is beyond brilliant and the marketing is even more spectacular. I don’t even know if any of these toning sneaker companies come out and say it – but one thing is for sure; Women are certainly under the impression that these sneakers will tone-up their trouble spots just by wearing them. Again – this is great marketing, whether the sneakers actually work or not.

That being said. Here is what I do know…

After spending 7 years studying for a bachelors degree in exercise science and a masters degree in exercise physiology – combined with over 22 years of working with people on improving their bodies – I am confident in declaring there is very little likelihood of the average woman putting on a pair of these kicks, wearing them for 2 months straight – and expecting to have transformed her flabby, saggy trouble spots into tightly-toned, eye catching “hot spots”.

It’s just not going to happen.

Sure – there may be some improvement in posture, balance and/or some lower back ache relief – But, transforming your trouble spots into a bikini ready body??? Ehhh… I’m afraid NOT, ladies…

The truth is, it takes a bit more than lacing up a pair of “toning sneakers” and just carrying on with your day.

And even if there is some “firming and toning” reported by some of the women who’ve been trying them – I can promise that a properly targeted, yet simple, lower-body exercise routine will bring about changes that eclipse any improvements resulting form wearing the sneakers.

As a matter of fact – I’d put my Ultimate Leg, Butt, Hip & Thigh Makeover program up against any brand of “toning” sneaker on the market. I’d even do it on national TV if it could be arranged.

We can find 10 average, out of shape women to volunteer. Split them into two groups of 5. One group wears the “toning sneakers” for 2 months – and the other group does The ULBHTM for 2 months.

I don’t have to tell you how things would turn out – just let common sense tell which group will be looking sexier and ‘feeling’ much better too.

Who knows? Maybe Oprah can arrange ‘The Trouble-Spot Showdown’?

I’m sure all the women who watch the show would be VERY interested in who the undisputed champ would be.

If you want to pass this idea onto the producers of her show – go right ahead, because I’m serious about this. I’d even re-arrange my schedule so I can oversee The ULBHTM group during the 2 month “showdown”.

Click Here to Email the Oprah Crew and Let Them Know You Want to See “The Trouble-Spot Showdown” between the latest craze of toning sneakers for women – and The Ultimate, Leg, Butt, Hip & Thigh Makeover.

Let’s have some fun – Shall we?

Your trainer for life – your trainer forever,

Joey Atlas

PS – while I would not suggest this without being able to directly supervise – It is quite possible that a synergy may exist between these types of sneakers and the standing ULBHTM exercise sequences. It may very well be the challenge is intensified yet a bit more, for the advanced ULBHTM user.

Anti-Cellulite Exercises for Toning, Sculpting and Firming the Lower-Body

Bodyweight exercises can help the average woman achieve specific lower body goals. Some examples are:

1 – Anti Cellulite Exercises for cellulite reduction or to get rid of cellulite
2 – Toning Exercises for toning and lifting saggy/droopy muscles
3 – Sculpting Exercises for shaping specific lower body areas
4 – Firming Exercises for tightening up mushy muscles and skin

In this lower body exercise video, I guide you through a combo sequence of four body-weight exercises which target the legs, glutes (butt) and thighs. These will also get the mid and lower back working as well. This mini-workout can be done as a stand alone exercise routine – or you can combine it with the other free lower body exercises on this website – or in my complete, home and travel exercise programs for purchase (e-manuals,dvds, etc…)

1 – Double Leg, Hamstring Curls

Lying down on a mat or soft surface, facing up – place your heels and calves on top of an exercise ball (55cm or 65cm is ideal). Arms on the ground at your sides. Lift your hips off the ground by pushing your heels and calves into the ball. That is your starting position. Then curl your heels in toward your hamstrings, while pushing your hips toward the sky. Stop when the bottom of your feet are on top of the ball. Then slowly return the the starting position.

2 – Double Leg, Knee-Ups

Get onto your hands and knees – on an exercise mat or soft surface. Bring your toes forward. Then slowly lift your knees off the ground and get your glutes up toward the sky – so your legs are almost fully straightened. Then slowly return to the start position – lightly touching your knees to the ground.

3 – Double Sided Hip-Extensions

Lying down face-up now. Bend your knees and point your toes upward – so your heels are the only part of your feet touching the floor or mat. Push your heels into the ground and lift your hips toward the sky. Give a slight pause at the top. Then slowly lower your hips to touch the mat. Breath out on the way up (as you exert) and breath in on the way down (as you relax).

4 – Exercise Ball Squats

Place an exercise ball (size 55cm – 65cm) against a wall and then lean against it with your lower back area. With your feet shoulder width apart – slowly squat down as the ball rolls up toward your upper back/shoulder blade area. Pause for a second or two – then slowly return to the top position, keeping a slight bend in the knees at the top. Breath in going down – breath out going up.

If going through this body-weight exercise circuit is too easy – try it a second and third time. You can also add 5 or 10 repetitions to each set for a longer exercise sessions and a more intense challenge.

As always – I remind you to get your doctor’s medical clearance for exercise before starting from scratch – or if you are unsure about your own physical ability.

After you’ve tried the workout – please post your feedback and comments below – and then, please do share this with anyone else you know who can benefit from this kind of helpful fitness information.
-

Truth About Cellulite Video

For more cellulite reduction facts and tips visit The Truth About Cellulite

Your trainer,

Joey Atlas

Leg, Butt, Hip, Thigh Magic: Tough US Marine Finds New Muscles Thanks to His Lady

Before I get into today’s e-newsletter – I just want to say “Thank you” and let you know that it means the world to me that you take the time to read each of these short and snappy pieces I’ve put together for you.

I understand not every single one of these may strike a chord with you – but please understand – I have over 320,000 readers all over the world who also get these articles…

So – as you read each issue, and you realize that you know someone else who can also benefit from hearing my perspective and learning about other people’s real life experiences – please feel free to forward any of these e-newsletters to them.

I may have mentioned this in an earlier edition. Women, *AND MEN*, who follow typical weights & machines type programs are VERY prone to experiencing hip and lower back problems which can worsen over time and cause serious issues that last a lifetime.

Ask any physical therapist – and they will vouch for this phenomenon. Oh – you’ll find many people who are pain free – but as time wears on and they place the wear and tear on their joints by constantly cranking on the weights and machines – it eventually catches up to them…

I talk about this female hip pain because it was the major topic in the last issue – and you’ll read about it here too.

OK – onto today’s incredible story. This one came in as a response to the previous edition.

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: Secrets of a Trainer: A striking similarity between Candace and Helene…
From: “Candace T.” – c.t.@______________.com –
Date: Thu, January 29, 2009 12:54 am
To: – pam ( at ) joeyatlas. com -

Hi Joey and Pam,

Wow! After reading Helen’s email about her hip pain I had to send a response to you.

For six years I had a sharp pain in my hips. Every time I put my leg out of the car to pull myself up, a sharp pain would shoot through my hips. Someone told me it might be due to the cheap shoes I was wearing.

Well, I stopped wearing them five years ago, but the pain persisted. I was too stubborn to go to the doctor (he would probably just prescribe some pain reliever or medicine with the additional side effects).

Anyway, I started doing the ULBHTM once a week and just after a few weeks I noticed that the pain went away. Since I have had a pain in my right shoulder from being on the computer so much, I decided to try your Ultimate Upper Body program. I just started it a week ago. I also bought your stretching routine, Optimum Flexibility, and plan to start that this weekend.

Here’s a funny story. My boyfriend had heard about the ULBHTM program that I bought. I took your travel sheets camping with us (Camp Pendleton Military Base Campground). I challenged him to do the workout with me and he thought it would be way too easy.

He is a retired Marine and works out at the gym with weights.

There we were doing the workout in our campsite with the neighbors chuckling at us!

Two days later as we were packing up to leave the camp he could hardly step out of the trailer because he was so sore (he was feeling his ‘LBHT’ body parts…he he).

He realized that your program is not “just for the ladies”, but also for men wanting to discover muscles that they never knew they had!

He wanted to borrow my Joey Atlas stretching DVD to see what it was all about, but I told him it’s time for him to buy his own )

Not to be cruel, I do love him, but I was feeling like the little kid who just got a new toy and hadn’t even had a chance to play with it before her sibling tried to snatch it up. Silly isn’t it? He laughed about my so called “death grip” I had on the DVD when he asked to borrow it.

Anything with ‘Atlas’ on it is now the hot ticket item in my house.

Candace
————————————————-
How great as that!?

Candace gets rid of her mysterious hip pains – AND shows her boyfriend (former Marine!) how to “work” the LBHT area with no weights – and no machines.

If you know any men who need a complete lower body workout – put them to the test by having them do Level 1 – I guarantee, you will blow their mind – and you’ll get to watch them walk funny for a few days )

Yes, my methods are ‘different’. Some say ’simpler’, some say ‘focused’, some say ‘no-fluff’, some say ‘pure genius’. What do you say?

That’s it for today’s issue …

Your trainer for life – your trainer forever,

Joey Atlas – Creator of the Most Effective, Most Coveted, Most Talked About, Exercise Program for Women That Targets the Female Trouble Spots and Problem Areas More Precisely Than a Skilled Surgeon’s Cosmetic Scalpel and Laser Tool…

- and you can get your’s, sent right to your doorstep, right here: http://legbutthipthighexercises.com/order/
– or read the main page to see everything you get:
http://legbutthipthighexercises.com

- We ship DVDs WORLDWIDE
- The programs can be done everywhere: house, office, vacation…
- It’s like having me at your side, anytime – day or night…
- And you’ll never have to look for a personal trainer again, ever… ——————————————————————–

Exercise for Women: It Can Hurt You Or It Can Help You

When you read this life-changing story from Helene – you’ll certainly notice some differences between you and her.

BUT – as you read about the tough problems she recently defeated – you’ll certainly notice some similarities between the 2 of you (read below the surface please)…

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Re: Atlas Exercise details
From: Helene Goncalves-Rouse – helenegr@____________.net -
Date: Fri, January 23, 2009 1:30 pm
To: Pam – Pam at JoeyAtlas. com -

Hi Pam,

As a recovering anorexic, I went from 90 pounds to my present 140 pounds.

I am 44 years old and stand 5′3″.

Although I’m pretty fit and work out regularly, I started to notice some ripple (as I like to call my cellulite) on my legs due to not being able to work my legs as I used to.

About 1 year ago I started having really bad hip pain that prevented me from working out my legs like I always had. (<- Read this sentence, slowly, 2 more times and think about it for a few seconds - there is a body-saving message in there.)

A few months ago I finally went to the doctor because the pain became too much to handle and he diagnosed me with IT Band/Hip Bursitis. I could no longer stand going to the gym, so I concentrated more on my 20 minutes of Pilates (daily) and my work out program with the Jackie Warner DVD. I still wasn't seeing much results on my legs and that became a depressing vision for me. I had been reading up on Joey's DVDs for a while and then I finally decided to purchase the LBHT DVD.

Not only has my cellulite decreased, my IT Band/Hip Bursitis has completely gone away. I was due to go back and see my doctor and ask him for a cortisone shot on my hip, but once my video arrived, I decided to give it a shot first since the doctor had suggested that I do some stretching exercises the first time around. I couldn't do the stretches by myself and when the video arrived, I couldn't believe that I actually had a DVD that not only allowed me to have a great work-out, but also alleviated the excruciating pain in my hip.

I think the LBHTM DVD should be a mandatory DVD for all people with hip problems.

Maybe you should pitch it to doctors across the country. I'm feeling 99% better and I can't thank you guys enough for making this awful hip pain go away. I just received the Ultimate Upper Body DVD and I can't wait to start on that come Monday.

Unfortunately I don't have any before and after pictures, but I can certainly vouch for its (the DVD's) effectiveness when it comes to hip bursitis (or arthritis). It has also loosened my joints and I can actually bend down without any joint pains.

Thank you,
Helene

------------------------------------

**After Helene sent us that email - Pam immediately sent this one to her:

From: Pam – Pam at JoeyAtlas. com -
Subject: RE: Atlas Exercise details
To: helenegr@___________.net
Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 2:16 PM

Hi Helene,

Wow! Thank you for your inspiring email and feedback.

I hope it is OK if Joey uses this as a great testimonial for his clients and subscribers.

Glad you are feeling better and are enjoying the exercises.

Thanks again,
Pam
————————————

**Here’s Helene’s enthusiastic response:

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: Atlas Exercise details
From: Helene Goncalves-Rouse – helenegr@___________.net -
Date: Sun, January 25, 2009 3:08 pm
To: Pam – Pam at JoeyAtlas. com -

Hi Pam,

He may ABSOLUTELY use my story.

You have absolutely no idea how good it feels to not have hip pain anymore. I’ve had it for so long that I still expect to feel it after certain activities and sitting positions, but to my delight, I no longer have it.

For over 1 year I couldn’t sleep on my left side, but now, no problem.

I can sleep in any position I want to and that’s the best feeling.

Joey has no idea what he has created (Joey: “Oh, yes I do.” ) and I am not kidding when I say he should present this to doctors around the country who are treating patients with bad hips.

But then again, doctors may not want to tell their patients about this because they would lose their business to Joey.

Hope your week-end was good Pam.

Take care,
Helene
————————————–

As I said earlier, you may have picked up on some similarities – and some differences between you and Helene.

Either way – I truly hope you’ve gained some wisdom from her words of firsthand experience – as there is no better teacher.

Well, thats it for this issue…

Your trainer for life – your trainer forever,

Joey Atlas – “Creator of the Most Effective, Most Coveted,
Most Talked About, Exercise Program for Women That Targets
the Female Trouble Spots and Problem Areas More Precisely
Than a Skilled Surgeon’s Cosmetic Scalpel and Laser Tool…”

- and you can get your’s, sent right to your doorstep, right here:
http://legbutthipthighexercises.com/order
- just scroll down about 2/3 of the page for the quickie order button
- or just call me toll free at – 866-Yes-Joey

- We ship WORLDWIDE
- The DVDs Play Everywhere
- It’s like having me at your house, anytime – day or night
- And you’ll never have to look for a personal trainer again…
———————————————————————————–

On top of this – there is no single leg, butt, hip or thigh exercise that can stand alone with the title of ‘the best’. The truth is when you take several carefully chosen exercises and combine them properly – the resulting combination ‘may’ be considered one of the best.

This is the principle of “synergy”. It’s the synergy between several lower body exercises – executed with certain form, tempo and sequence that gives women the visible results in their lower bodies.

Here’s a mini leg, butt, hip and thigh home exercise video that many women have gotten great results with. You can try it out right now. BUT – be sure you have your doctor’s clearance first. Better to be safe than sorry.

trouble-spot-tune-up-for-women <= click to see video

It’s a small sample of exercises carefully chosen from the full programs contained in The Ultimate Leg, Butt, Hip and Thigh Makeover Home Exercise DVDs for Women.

Enjoy and let me know how you do with this little program.

Your trainer,

Joey Atlas