Contrary to popular belief, all abdominal exercises are not created equal. While the standard crunch is the most popular abdominal exercise, it is also the least effective crunch workout, according to a study detailed in the May/June 2001 issue of…
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Pregnant women and those in labor often find a birth ball indispensable throughout the process. The positioning allowed by the ball helps alleviate much of the pain and discomfort present throughout the last trimester and during birth. In addition to…
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Resistance bands are made out of durable rubber tubing, and they come in various strengths that are color coordinated. These tools have plastic handles and door attachments to make many variations of exercises possible. Bands make it possible to get…
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Sitting at a desk for long periods of time is an unfortunate fact of life for many people, and a study published in the “American Journal of Preventive Medicine” reports that it can lead to obesity and a higher body…
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Cellulite is nothing more than trapped fat under the skin. It is easy to spot because it causes an orange peel appearance. Although it is hard to completely eliminate cellulite, you can definitely take strides in reducing it by building…
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Aerobic fitness–sometimes referred to as metabolic conditioning–can be defined as the ability to deliver oxygen to working muscles and tissues. Greg Glassman, founder of CrossFit, says that aerobic fitness can improve cardiovascular function while decreasing body fat. You can achieve…
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As a manager or supervisor at work, it’s your job to make sure that your employees are as efficient and effective as possible. Lackluster moods around the office can make coming to work feel like a drag, resulting in disgruntled…
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Strengthening your core abdominal muscles can tone and tighten your stomach while improving your balance and stability. Pilates exercises, developed by German immigrant Joseph Pilates, target the abdominal and back muscles that make up your body’s “core.” While your body…
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The stability ball is a versatile tool for exercising that adds a dimension of instability to the workout. This instability engages the core muscles to balance and stabilize the body. A vast number of upper-body exercises can be performed by…
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When the Wii was introduced by Nintendo, the world of gaming was revolutionized. No longer did you sit on the couch and push buttons; instead, you are now standing in front of your TV and waving your body around at…
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A posterior pelvic tilt is a posture deviation where your pelvis is tilted backward, causing your torso to lean back and your lower spine to flex. This causes the head to protrude forward and the shoulders to round forward to…
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The bosu alleviates back pain by posing a balance challenge, which encourages core muscle activity, and its dome shape increases range of motion in spinal flexibility exercises. Physical therapist Paul Hodges performed multiple research studies, which showed a direct correlation…
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Look around the gym the next time you are there and you will see dozens of exercises being performed by other gym-goers. The majority of people at the gym have never had formal training in exercise and are probably doing…
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Overview Physical fitness is often measured by the speed and strength of an individual’s body. Fortunately, the human body is designed to adapt to whatever stressors are placed on it, which means that the strength of each individual muscle and…
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According to the Mayo Clinic, frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition of your shoulder that involves pain, stiffness and a reduced active range of motion. The onset of frozen shoulder is gradual, with signs and symptoms…
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If you are a high-energy hardcore cardio junkie, boot camp style workouts may just just be the adrenaline rush you are looking for. Based on military-style conditioning drills, boot camp workouts combine quick bursts of high-intensity cardio like jumping rope,…
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If you are looking for spinal flexibility and mobility, then yoga may be what you need. Alternative Medicine and Health writer Melanie Haiken shares results from a study conducted by Group Health Cooperative in her article for “Yoga Journal.” Out…
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Dumbbells have a number of advantages over barbells. Dumbbells create more equal development between the right and left side because it’s impossible for the strong arm to assist the weak arm. Dumbbells better develop the stabilizer muscles, giving you practical…
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When referring your lower abs, you are talking about the lower rectus abdominis. This is the long sheath of muscle that starts by the chest and ends by your pelvis. Even though any ab exercise will recruit the entire rectus…
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After you have had hip replacement surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests 20 to 30 minutes of daily rehabilitative exercises, or two to three sessions per day. Recovery may take months, and AAOS recommends rehabilitation in three phases:…
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Your shoulders, or deltoids, consist of three muscle groups that are referred to as your anterior, medial and posterior delts. Each orientation is responsible for specific movement, therefore it is important to equally strengthen all three areas when you exercise…
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Pilates exercises were developed by Joseph Pilates to develop the core muscles and flexibility of the human body. These muscles include, but are not limited to, the gluteus maximus, abdominals, hamstrings, and lower back. These exercises are usually performed on…
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Overview Do you hit the weights or hammer the elliptical machine? Weights vs. cardio is a commonly debated fitness question. Like most people, you probably have limited time to work out and want to make the most of the time…
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As swimmers propel themselves through the water, their shoulders sustain immense stress as they constantly rotate the shoulder joint. This stress can lead to tendinitis, a painful injury commonly referred to as swimmer’s shoulder. Prevent tendinitis through regular stretching and…
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Aerobic training, or “cardio” training, involves continuous movement of the major muscle groups for an extended period of time. Cardiovascular training is a great way to burn fat. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you must perform 30…
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Slimming down your thighs means taking on an exercise regimen that focuses on combining strength training with cardiovascular work. In their textbook “Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance,” Dr. William D. McArdle and Professors Frank I. Katch and Victor…
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The pelvic area is the area under the bellybutton and between the hips, and pain in this area that is present for six months or longer is defined as chronic pelvic pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can be…
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There are a variety of different types of barbells used in weight training. Barbells are designed to handle different amounts of weight, bend differently and allow the weight to move around the barbell differently. Other specialty barbells are designed to…
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Exercise stress tests help doctors and researchers understand how your heart and cardiovascular system respond to stress or exercise, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The tests require you to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike through increasing…
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The treadmill is popular in fitness centers and home gyms because it offers an easy way to perform a variety of workouts appropriate for all fitness levels. Beginning Runners A treadmill is good for beginning runners. Most runners begin by…
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