You may not realize what that credit card bill is doing to you…

Bob is a 27 year old truck driver. He dropped out of college after one year and got a job. With hard work and good luck, he is making about $35,000 a year. Bob is passionate about remaining debt free. He drove his old car from high school until he could afford to pay cash for a newer one. He rented a cheap apartment until he saved a solid down payment on his house. Even during the lean months, he steadfastly refused to build up a credit card balance he couldn’t pay off at the end of the month.

At 27, he’s decided he’s tired of his job and would like to change directions. By living within his means and staying out of debt, Bob has enough money in the bank to take some time off, get a part time job, and go back to school. He has visions of owning his own business one day soon - and there’s nothing to stop him.

Now meet John. John is in his 40’s and is in upper management with his company. He’s making more than double Bob’s salary, but he’s had a different outlook on life. John has never been afraid of debt - he figured as long as he could afford to pay the bill he was ok. He has a very nice house, a brand new $40,000 car, lots of new sports and recreation equipment, and travels extensively on his vacations. And he’s done it all on credit. John was living this lifestyle before he could afford it. Now, he’s almost tapped out - his credit cards are maxed out, his house is double mortgaged, and even though he’s making a great income, he has lacks the lifestyle, peace of mind, freedom, and opportunity Bob has.

Externally, anyone who saw the two would think that John is the greater success. But the truth is John is trapped. He may be tired of his job. He may want to do something else. He may wish he could spend more time with his family than at work or have a business venture he’d like to pursue. But he spent his money before he had it, and now he’s paying the price.

Most of us think that the key to Financial Freedom is making a lot of money, but we see from our two examples that that’s only part of the equation. The other part is lifestyle management and debt avoidance or debt elimination. If we plan wisely, stay out of debt, and control our desires to spend beyond what we can afford, we can enjoy a great amount of financial independence and have money to spend on things we really want to have and do, even on a very modest income.

However, for most of us, this message comes too late. Anyone buried in debt will agree that it would have been better never to get into debt. But that doesn’t help much now. What we need now is some help undoing the mess we made.

Stay out of debt. If you’re in debt get out. Don’t take out another loan, declare bankruptcy, or sign up for credit counseling services, which can damage your credit. Instead, do your homework and educate yourself on the steps you can take to get back on solid financial footing, no matter what your present situation is.

—
Leonard Hopkins is a 30 year old internet entrepreneur. His purpose in business is to help people from all walks of life gain relief from the money trap that many have fallen into.

His websites are http://www.smartmoneyonline.com and http://www.freedomsociety.net

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Sportswear equipment has a large industry today thanks to how huge an impact sports has on the people. People buy sporting supplies of all varieties including sports clothing, team apparel & sporting goods. The perfect way to narrow down where to look for your sporting kit is to make sure you know what you are searching for.

The Web is the most perfect place to hunt for the items you could do with. You can find an overabundance of amazing sportswear retail stores on the Web that retail anything & everything linked to sports. Although you do have to pay for delivery and wait for your goods to be mailed to you, the choices you will have will be far larger than those in the proper outlets.

So where do you even start to look you might say. If you require sportswear kit, there are a number of nationwide sports retail shops that sell a variety of sporting kits. These retail stores are ideal because you can find equipment for all forms of sports in one central location in addition to shoes sports clothing, outdoor apparel and golf goods.

The downside to purchasing sportswear gear at a conventional retail store like these is that you may well not find the finest quality stuff on the market. Certainly you can purchase quality products, but just not always the top of the line. In order to acquire the top of the line sportswear supplies you will want to go to a shop that particularly sells what you are wish for. If you require football merchandise then visit a retail outlet that focuses on football. If you demand a precise baseball bat, visiting to a baseball only outlet will allow you a better possibility of getting it.

A further type of sporting goods that brings in lots of business is team sportswear equipment. The greatest way to show you obsession for your treasured premiership football team or golf team is to obtain their kit. Whether you desire a team’s hat or a favourite sportsperson’s jersey, there are many stores on the World Wide Web & high-street stores you can try to obtain what you are looking for. One of the favourite retail stores for sportswear items online is www.Sportswear-Equipment.com. Buy cheap scuba equipment from Sportswear-Equipment.com.

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Student loan consolidation may be the answer to your heavy debt burden and the many issues that come with having to make several loan payments every month.

Student loans just like the other forms of financial aid are a service that is subject for repayment. However, although aware of such fact, many borrowers still fall to the trap of walking away from student loan debt which then results to series of consequences. They tend to ignore their being summoned to enter repayment usually either 90 or 120 days after separating from school or after dropping below half-time enrollment. With this, the loans remain delinquent for 270 days or become 270 days past due at any time, leading the loans to “default” status.

Student loan consolidation can be an effective solution to avoid default and the hassles that affect your credit and financial future for many years.

Defaulted student loans are actually defaults made by the borrower to the creditor of the terms and conditions of the student loan contract. It is usually caused by the act of escaping from debts, leading to unfavorable consequences on the part of the borrower.

Student loan consolidation may be the simple solution to the hassle of a large debt burden from several loans. It can be well worth your while to consider consolidation before you end up with problems.

Basically, prior to the declaration of student loan default is the delinquency period. At this period, the lenders of student loans authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act will exhaust all efforts to find and contact the borrower. If the lender’s efforts of locating the debtor are unsuccessful, the loan will then be placed in default. It will be turned over to either the state guaranty agency or the Department of Education. And, once the loan enters the default status, the maturity date is accelerated, making the overall payment in full due right away.

When the student loan enters the default status, several consequences are connected to it.

Here are some of the consequences you should consider that make student loan consolidation a wise choice.

• The loans may be turned over to a collection agency.

• The borrower will be liable for all the costs associated with collecting the loan. This may even include the court costs as well as attorney fees.

• The borrower can be sued for the entire amount of the loan.

• The wages may be garnished.

• The federal and state income tax refunds may be intercepted.

• That federal government may withhold part of the Social Security benefit payments.

• On the credit record, the defaulted loans will be mentioned, making it difficult for the borrower to get an auto loan, mortgage and even credit cards. Note that having a bad credit record can harm your ability to find a job.

• The borrower’s chance to receive federal financial aid will now be impossible to happen until he repays the loan in full or make arrangements to repay what he already owe and make at least six consecutive, on time, monthly payments.

• Federal interest benefits will be denied.

Student Loan Debt Consolidation - The Answer To Your Debt Burden

There are two approaches in reducing your student loan debt burden. When interest rates of loans fall, your education loans could be consolidated or refinanced.

There are several kinds of student loans. However, the most common are the federal and private student loans.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid programs manage the federally funded loans. The federal educational loan is the easiest kind to obtain. The most common student loan program could be obtained at renowned banks. These kinds of lenders usually charge high interest rates and provide unsecured loans.

Federal student loans are more advantageous compared to private student loans. The interests on federal loans are tax-deductible and on particular kinds of service, the student loan could be forgiven. On the contrary, private loans do not provide any benefit.

In consolidating your student debt, it is advisable not to mix the private and federal loans together. Be sure to consolidate every one of your federal student loans. Then, you could consolidate your private loans separately. If you were to combine both the federal and private loans in consolidating, all of the federal benefits will be ineffective.

There are many kinds of student loan consolidation plans offered today. When students do not consolidate their student loan debt, this can result in the inability to acquire future mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and other kinds of credit in the future.

Student loan consolidation may be well worth your time and effort to research before you end up in default or the hassles that can come with several student loans.

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To get the lowest interest rate on a debt consolidation loan, you need to research terms and rates. Lenders realize to remain competitive, they must offer low rates. A difference as little as a quarter percent can save you hundreds a year. The type of loan you choose can also have significant financial repercussions.

Picking Your Debt Consolidation Loan

You have two options for a debt consolidation loan - secured or unsecured. Secured loans are backed by property you own, typically your home. You can choose to refinance your mortgage to pull out your equity to pay off your bills. You can also use a home equity line of credit to consolidate your debt. With both types of loans, the interest is tax deductible.

Unsecured loans, such as personal loans, have no collateral, so interest rates are higher. You can expect to pay a couple of percentage points higher than prime, depending on your credit score. You will also need to have a steady source of income.

When you pick the type of debt consolidation loan you want, consider all the financial factors. A secured debt will involve fees. You may also find that interest rates are higher than when you first received your mortgage. However, you need to remember their tax advantage. For large debts, a secure loan usually is the best choice with a longer period to recoup the cost of fees. Unsecured loans are ideal for those who don’t have property or have smaller debts.

Finding Lenders

No matter if you are looking for a secured or unsecured loan, the principles for finding a lender are the same. Start by requesting quotes and terms from several lenders. You may be surprised to find a lesser known lender offers far better rates than national financing companies. Also, use the internet to speed the process by requesting information online.

Besides rates, request information on fees - both up front and any early payment fees. This information will help you determine the true cost of the loans.

Once you have found a few potential lenders, investigate further for discounts and customer service. You may find a lender who offers discounts for applying online or being a first time borrower with them. If all factors are the same, select the lender that you feel most comfortable with and is easy to contact.

See my recommended

Debt Consolidation Companies online.
Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

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Bavaria’s Harvest
[Augsburg, Germany]

Your enchanting rivers, with earth-bearing decay;
Your picturesque cathedral, weather tarnished;
Your citadel-worn clocksBavarian *time;
The city's fountain of regal design;
Your ancient, thick walls of Roman descent;
Your houses of pleasure, with red lights of tinge;
Your burial grounds, where all must lay in time;
Your lost and hidden beauty undefined.
Your houses of schnitzel,  and guesthouses** of brew;
Your rural potato pickers worn old.
(Ah, Augsburg! Ay, me! Your texture, your cover.)
Your festivals of tents, with flavored birch
I feel your medieval songs, Your harvest gold,
Past, but still present inside my soul.

Originally published in the book:
“The Other Door,
Poetic Exhortations,” © l980, by dlsiluk

Facing East

1

In the Beginning

[Augsburg, West Germany, l970] It was a troubling time, back in the late 60s and early 70s the war in Vietnam was going on, as was the war inside of Rolande’s head, slowly ending. Love does not have a name in my story, although it has side effects, for both involved. Love as we knew it was the wealth it gave us, for what it was worth at the moment, we both I think forgot to look at ourselves, what was important was grabbing the moment for our own personal reasons, or gains. It was maybe what we wanted though, and needed; maybe that was the best combination of the whole affair. Maybe this was more an affair, yes, that’s exactly what it was, more of an affair, yup. But I prefer it reside in the river of truth, so I place it in the space that lies between two people as growing pains. She was twenty-four years old, I was twenty-two.

2

A View in

The East

(Christopher Chavez) The street was narrowan army compound, with its towering concrete wall, in West Germany, towered above my head, as I walked along its narrow sidewalk if one takes walking seriouslyand in the distance you could see the emerging city as it started to surround you. Towards the end were guard towers, trees, and more streets. At night when I walked home along this walk, the lights seemed always to be twisted, but then I was seldom sober.

Until the huge wall emerged, the compound was completely concealed; thus, until that moment the element of surprise remained. New recruits, assigned to the military compound would seldom dare to glance along this long side view of the compound in fear they would not find their way back I believe. They were young and unraveled for the most part, their contempt for being in this foreign land and city of Augsburg, and even for being assigned to a small compound like Reese, knew no bounds in disappointment.

The water tower in back of the compound could be seen above the large concrete walls as could some of the trees when I walked steadily along the side of the tower wall going down the street as the VWs and Mercedes passed me. Very cleaver I thought if anything, for surely World War Two, the Nazis’ could have used it in part, for spying; but the more I think about it, I suppose they used more sophisticated means, and spying on whom, themselves?

The area around the compound had a gothic kind of look, medieval not like the inside barracks in the compound. The barracks green and patched with red and brown colors: gave it a drab and rustic feeling, if not a flat affect on the mind. I never liked the colors, but then I’m no decorating freak anyhow, it will do.

Its countless windows with decaying iron and wood could had never contemplated another defense against any new war of the 60s or 70s, for I’m sure its painful memories of the Nazi era filled its spaces. On all four of the barrack sides were doors, as heavy as the church doors down in Augsburg, in the middle of the city that is, with its iron sides, like an old fire-escape. This iron went to the upper and lower parts of the doors.

The rooms were small, four men to a room, and in some, two men to a room, and if you were a part of Security Police Force, as I am, one to a room, but the room was like a prison cell, one could say, in that it was a thin emplacement: no more than 12-feet long and six feet wide. Thank God I was not claustrophobic.

There were upper rooms to these three stories barracks, filled with staircases on each side of the building, and in the center of it, as if there were to be constant drills [thus, meaning: having soldiers running about].

The windows were dark at night, only a lifeless light could be seen from a distance: our bed check sergeant could be seen walking up those lonely steps at night with his flashlight as to check each room and see who was missing at twelve-midnight. He was an asshole, one who loved to kick people in the ass as they walked up the stairs, I often said to myself, ‘Don’t, don’t you dare.’ I think he read my mind, the bastard he never did play around with me.

Now that I think about it looking back at the building over the wall, one might think of a Peeping Tom, as you look through the windows and see the light shinning in on the stairs leading up to the second floor; I somehow can picture a crazy old man with a toothless mouth peering through the doorways like a guard in a prison cell: thinking about escaping.

As I continued to walk down the street, smoking a cigarette I walked along this wall, I walk it almost every day, my mind would produce these visions, as I pressed forward with the excitement I knew would be ahead of me: simply excitement for a privet like me, nothing to wake up the dead. The coming bar scene, the good dark German beer, the girls, and a few friends might be at one of the bars: that was my excitement. I knew by walking, not by hiding at the damn compound I’d survive this adventure, aloneness, ordeal at times, I’d get there, and the night would start, which would make me focus on ‘the here and now,’ not the bullshit of the Army life.

And I did exactly that, kept walking, looking ahead, closer and closer coming to my lifeless adventure for the evening.

The very air above me seemed fresher now that I had left the compound with its military madness. Ski Nutgall would meet me there, or be there, most likely, be there, at the guesthouse that is, several blocks northeast of the compound. He merely put up with the military; his head was some other place it always seemed, wondering why he was still here, here at Reese [meaning: he military compound] Germany I guess! It seemed to me the way he acted was like he was on some expensive vacation: he is separated from the real army, mentally anyway,like the Army is from the Marines.

As I observed my watch, I noticed I was making good time, I do when I talk to myself. I was now far from the great walls of my assigned military compound, my home away from home; out of sight, out of mind. That is how a draftee thinks I think. Or I wonder if I simply act the way I think people expect me to act: sometimes I just don’t know. It seemed about half the people in the Army actually joined the Army, not sure why, but the other half like me, got drafted. You know the ones that didn’t make it to college, or got married before l965; a cut off date someone came up with. They have all these rules so they can figure out who is dispensable and who is not. I was one that was dispensable I guess. But then so was Elvis, everyone over here seems to like him, that being: the Germans in particular. I think the U.S. Government tried to get rid of Elvis so they could get back to the old ways of music and thinking, he was surely a rebel for his time: and if anyone changed America, it was him. He’s settled down now somewhat I hear.

I can see the guesthouse now from where I am at now, catching the wooden beam crossovers in the middle sides of the guesthouse like a sloppy-x, it always looks so medieval heavy; and along the sides and front of the establishment is the walkway, it looks deserted, yet it is only 8:00 PM, early for night life, just wait, it will be swinging soon Christopher…

see Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

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Try and jog your memory a little to discover and appreciate this major Internet secret for blog success. Think back to the last great movie you saw or book you read. How did you end up seeing the movie or purchasing the book? Did you respond best to the ads or did you make your move because of the recommendations you got from others who had seen the movie or read the book?

Or alternatively, what would you trust, an advertisement or a recommendation, even if it is from a stranger?

The answer is rather obvious and it tells you why sites like Amazon.com have been such a huge success. Folks mostly buy books at the recommendation of others that seemingly have the same taste and inclinations as they do.

Our little experiment also tells you why PR is always so much more effective than advertising. A small favorable mention in a newspaper article or on the TV news show is often much more valuable and effective than dozens of expensive advertisements placed in the media.

It also tells you why affiliate programs have rapidly grown online into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. It’s much easier for me to refer you to another site or product than it is for me to try and sell you my own products and services.

Imagine the sort of power and effectiveness that you can harness from having other blogs out there commenting on your product or service? Actually quite a number of leading online businesses are already cashing in big on this little secret that should actually not be a secret at all. Have you heard of folks talking about leading entrepreneurs seeking out bloggers to blog about them and their businesses? It is quite common these days and some of the names being associated with this practice are big online names like Microsoft founder, Bill Gates.

So what do the big boys know that the rest of us are slow to grasp? One obvious answer is the power of blogs and especially the power of recommendations and referrals from other people’s blogs.

You can go one step further and have a valuable article giving out useful tips on a hot subject that relates to the site that you want to refer people to. The advantage with this sort of article is that it is bound to get a much wider readership which means that at the end of the day, it will end up registering many more referrals to the targeted site. There are however a few secrets to making referrals effective which you should acknowledge.

Christopher Kyalo is a successful online writer and entrepreneur. Read the rest of this article at his Blog profits blog.

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A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for many people, although for an increasing number of persons, it has become a several-in-a-lifetime event. In any case, it is still a very special ceremony that binds not only a man and a woman together; today, gay male couples and gay women couples also observe the ceremony to affirm their lifelong commitment to each other. In such ceremonies, the gay wedding ring takes center stage.

Same-sex marriage is still illegal in the majority of U.S. states and in countries all over the world, so what gay couples opt for is to participate in a “commitment ceremony,” where the exchange of gay wedding rings also takes place. A gay wedding ring most often resembles the traditional gold or platinum wedding band. Of course, the couples are free to have the designs or the metal they wish for their gay wedding ring. Gay-related symbols are often engraved on the rings, and various textures and effects are available as well. Irish and Scottish rings, multicolored rings, woven rings - a wealth of options is available.

Homosexual and lesbian couples who have exchanged or are planning to exchange gay wedding rings in commitment or blessing ceremonies include Rosie and Kelly O’Donnell, and actress Sophie Ward and Rena Brannan. British musician Sir Elton John and David Furbish have also talked about getting married as soon as gays are legally allowed to join together in matrimony in Great Britain.

Jewelry designers such as Udi Behr are recognizing the need of “unconventional” couples to affirm their commitment to one another. Behr created a collection of gay wedding rings and gay engagement rings called “Love and Pride” in support of the gay rights movement. Behr, who is himself straight, is a popular designer among celebrities; famous people who buy his work include Sharon Stone and Britney Spears.

As with heterosexual couples, gay couples see their weddings bands as a tangible symbol of their love and commitment to one another. Notwithstanding governmental indifference to or disapproval of their needs and wishes, gay people will go on standing for what they believe is their right. The gay wedding ring, aside from its romantic connotations, has also become a symbol of the large part of homosexual culture in today’s society.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

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Debt Management - Help With Your Debts

If you need help with your debts, you’re not alone. In the second quarter of 2008 (April - June), almost 25,000 people were declared insolvent in England and Wales alone.

On the plus side, this was actually a 2% decrease on the first quarter, and an 8.3% decrease on the second quarter of 2007. However, these seemingly optimistic figures may be hiding bad news in the months and years ahead. Experts point out that many of the negative effects of the credit crunch and the problems in the housing market have simply not ‘trickled through’ yet.

After all, in recent years, homeowners throughout the UK have grown used to rising property values, and the possibility of using their steadily increasing equity to consolidate their debts. Now that house prices are on the way down, many have turned instead to credit cards and other forms of unsecured borrowing to make up any shortfall in their budgets.

Plus, the Bank of England’s Q2 2008 Credit Conditions Survey has revealed that lenders had reduced the availability of secured and unsecured credit alike, and that they expected further reductions in the near future. In other words, debt consolidation (both secured and unsecured) may no longer be an option for some of those in financial trouble - but that doesn’t mean insolvency is the only way forward. The right debt advice can help them find the debt solution that’s right for them.

Debt management is one form of debt help that doesn’t rely on any access to further credit. It works like this: the individual in debt asks a debt management company for help, and the debt management company talks to their creditors on their behalf. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, these debt management professionals may be able to negotiate some really meaningful concessions. For example, the creditors may agree to accept lower monthly payments, reduce / cancel interest charges and waive fees.

So debt management can help people with both short-term and long-term debt problems. Reducing the cost of their monthly repayments, it brings their expenditure back in line with their income, meaning they don’t need to take out more credit each month. It can also help them make headway on their debt: when interest charges are reduced or stopped, it means more of their payments go towards the debt itself, rather than the interest. Finally, many people find that talking to creditors about their money worries isn’t easy. On a debt management plan, they can just make the payments - and leave the negotiations to the professionals.

For more information on debt management and debt consolidation and to get further debt help, visit http://www.gregorypennington.com/debt-consolidation-loan.asp.

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We all feel it - the pressure to fit in all of those extra-curricular activities for our children. We drive halfway to the moon and back and yet still need to keep the fridge stocked and provide for a stimulating environment to support our children’s education.

I finally found my secret tool! Kindergarten teachers know it, homeschoolers know it, even monks in the middle ages used it for memorization - and now we know it! Educational songs with curriculum ranging from math facts, phonics, geography and even history. My children just sing along, have fun and don’t even know they are learning facts that will help them later in school. And all I have to do is press play on our CD player. We listen in the car and at home.

Songs that teach are a natural way to learn. Music is fun! Everyone loves music. It is something the whole family can listen to together. Parents and children can sing along - even dance. My own proof is that I can still remember many skip counting songs I heard as a child. And what about the alphabet? Quick - what letter comes before P? Did you just sing part of the alphabet song to find it? Advertisers know the power of learning through music; they use it when they create their jingles. They know that when we remember those catchy tunes we also remember their product.

The power of music is far reaching. Rhythm and music make it easy to remember facts and music can help you memorize them faster. Current neurological research validates that music helps in retention. Researchers have also drawn connections between learning and the arts. For example, a study at Columbia University confirmed that children exposed to the arts develop many important life skills associated with success. Music is even used successfully in therapy for stroke and Alzheimer’s patients.

Educational music adds variety to any curriculum. Many of the music CDs we’ve found have visual booklets to follow along or free worksheets to download from the internet. It’s the perfect way to get the repetition you need to teach what normally would be boring memorization facts.

There are other benefits as well. Learning with music can be especially beneficial for a child who is an auditory learner. Listening to music is something children can do besides watching hours of television and playing computer games. Music can be played in the background during activities like drawing or doing chores. Listeners develop an appreciation for music. Listening and learning together brings families closer and even Mom and Dad can learn something too.

So why not use music to help us learn? It’s enjoyable, pleasant and easy to use. Learning new topics will help give your child a head start on new topics at school and boost their confidence. Music with a purpose fits so well in our busy lifestyles. There is googols to learn and all you have to do is listen!

Susan Jarema is the founder of Googol Learning and the Crazy 4 Math Contest. Susan visits schools and libraries to promote family learning. The Learning with Googol Power website has many FREE resources such as music downloads, online videos, printable games, worksheets and e-books to promote family learning and inspire mathematics in your home. http://www.googolpower.com

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Would you like to know how to get more out of every single dumbell curl you do? Amazingly enough, you can do this simply by changing where you grip the dumbell.

First, I’m going to tell you what the trick is, then I’m going to tell you exactly how and why it works. Then I’m going to finish by telling you how to make the trick so powerful it’ll blow your mind!

In a nutshell, instead of gripping the handle in the middle (as is normally taught), grip the handle with the thumb and forefinger side of your hand pressed up against the inside of the dumbell plates. There will be a space of several inches between your pinky and the other side plates.

To take full advantage of this change in your grip, start the curl with your palms facing in to your thighs, otherwise known as a neutral or hammer grip. As you curl up, rotate your forearm so that your palm is facing up at the top of the movement. You should feel a strong cramping in your biceps.

For pictures demonstrating exactly how to execute this technique go to: http://www.fitstep.com/Misc/Newsletter-archives/issue7-bicep-tip.htm

Here’s how and why it works:

The biceps muscle has two main functions. The first is flexing the elbow (in essence, bringing the forearm closer to the upper arm like when you bend your arm to scratch your nose). The other function is called supination, which is a biomechanical term for forearm rotation. Supination occurs when you turn your hand from a palms-down position to a palms-up position.

The traditional dumbell curl without forearm rotation addresses the flexing function of the bicep. Rotating your forearm as you curl the dumbell up invokes the supination function of the bicep, working more of the muscle mass of the bicep and giving you a stronger contraction.

Holding the dumbell off-center essentially adds resistance to the supination function of the bicep muscle. If you think about it, when you hold your hand in the middle of the dumbell, the two ends are balanced like two identical-weight people on a see-saw. You get very little, if any, resistance on the supination.

By holding the dumbell off-center, you tip the balance of the dumbell towards the pinky side of your hand. Your bicep must then work against resistance to accomplish the supination, adding in more resistance to the curl movement.

This resistance translates into more efficient work for the bicep and, ultimately, more results for you!

—

Now I’m going to tell you how to adapt this trick into something that will make your jaw hit the floor on the first rep you do.

You’ve learned about supination and adding resistance to the supination movement by holding the dumbell off-center. You’ve felt the difference this makes in your biceps.

Now imagine how much more effective this trick will be if you add actual weight for resistance instead of just shifting your hand over!

In order to accomplish this, you’re going to need one of two things: do-it-yourself dumbells with which you can add or remove weight or Plate Mates (TM), which are small magnetic weight plates that stick to the metal of the dumbell.

The execution is simple: make a dumbell with more weight on one end than the other. That’s it. For example, place 20 pounds of weight on one end and 25 pounds of weight on the other.

Grip the dumbell in the middle when you use it, making sure that the heavier end is on the pinky side of your hand. If you are using Plate Mates (TM), stick a few of them onto only one side of the dumbell to accomplish the same imbalance.

Now when you curl up and supinate, your bicep is going to have that added resistance on the supination movement. The cramping sensation you get on the very first rep as you come to the top and squeeze the muscle hard will show you just how powerful this technique is. The pump you get in your biceps after your set will seal the deal!

You will also notice that your forearm and grip are getting a lot of work with this trick. This is just icing on the cake and will not decrease the tension on your bicep in any way.

Note: If you are using dumbells that weigh less than 30 pounds total, I would recommend you use a 2 1/2 pound plate on one side rather than a 5 pound plate. Any more than 30 and you should use a 5 pound plate.

Being a dedicated trainer myself, I love to hear how well my tips work for other people. It would be really gratifying to hear from you about how this technique worked for you or any suggestions you might have as to how to make it more effective.

You can send your comments to me at betteru@fitstep.com.

And, when your biceps are so pumped and sore that you can barely brush your teeth the next day, be sure to tell everyone who will listen to you who did this to you:

Nick Nilsson at Fitstep.com!

For more information about the anatomy of the biceps, go to http://www.fitstep.com/Advanced/Anatomy/Biceps.htm?news

About The Author

Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his latest eBook “The Best Exercises You’ve Never Heard Of” at http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com. You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.

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