Fitness

The trapezius, rhomboids and teres major are three of the primary muscles of the upper back. These muscles assist you in shrugging, squeezing the shoulder blades together and in pulling the shoulder blades down, according to FitStep.com. Exercises focused on…
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1. Say a Cheer for the Sun A sun salutation is one of the key yoga postures in Hatha yoga. It improves circulation, stretches all the major muscle groups and encourages calm, focused breathing. To start, stand with your feet…
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Joseph Pilates, born in Germany, developed his exercise method to overcome his physical limitations. He lived in England during World War I and spent time in an internment camp, where he rigged the hospital bedsprings to create a therapeutic resistance-training…
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Jumping higher requires a combination of technique and different types of strength.To jump your highest, you’ll need to work a variety of muscles, and train them in different ways. Understanding the different types of strength used in jumping and examples…
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Advanced technical, cave and wreck diving often requires advanced gear beyond the basic open water diving gear. The increased length, depth and danger of advanced diving calls for additional tanks of air, additional back-up regulators and other safety gear. Familiarize…
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Cardio boot camp workouts incorporate a fast-paced military-style interval training approach. They focus on strength moves, like push-ups, alternating with bursts of aerobic cardio moves, such as running stairs or jumping rope. The theory behind the boot camp-style workout is…
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According to the textbook “Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance,” men, carrying excess belly fat are at a higher risk for larger health problems including heart disease, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, diabetes and strokes. With higher levels of testosterone…
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1. Your First Choice for Second Serves The top spin or “kick” serve is by far the most reliable and consistent way of serving the ball. A well-struck top spin serve dips into the court, allowing you to aim higher…
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1. How to Compete The Paralympic games is an international event organized very much like the Olympics. All athletes who complete must have a certified disability that affects mobility. Amputees, cerebral palsy, those with visual disabilities and people with mobility…
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“Shin splints” is the common term for a painful lower leg condition that is frequently encountered by running athletes. This is probably one of the most prevalent over-use injuries to runners. A 2007 study of a group of collegiate cross-country…
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Weighted fitness balls are also known as medicine balls. They come in sizes that range from 1 to 30 lbs and they are made of durable rubber, vinyl or leather. These tools can be used to build core strength, muscle…
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1. Work Your Lower Back To work the lower back, grab your exercise ball and sit with it in front of you. Lie across the ball and roll forward until the ball is underneath your body. Place your hands across…
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Snacks are an important supplement to a child’s daily diet. Kids need snacks to regulate their blood sugars and provide energy in school, while playing with friends and engaging in sports. The Mayo Clinic says “Snacking can help your child…
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To effectively work your abs, arms and bum, you need to target the muscles in these areas with specific weight training exercises. The ab muscles consist of the rectus abdominis and obliques which are found on the sides of the…
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For millions of men and women, yoga has become a popular form of exercise, one that conditions the body and focuses the mind. Yoga, however, is about much more than the asanas taught at your local gym or community center….
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1. Know Your Fouls Originally played in rivers and lakes, water polo started with very few rules and regulations. Once water polo caught on and became a more organized sport in the early 1900s, penalties and rules were defined. A…
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Free-weight exercises utilize barbells and dumbbells that are not attached to a weight machine. They are more difficult to use than weight machines because they require more balance and coordination, according to strength and conditioning specialists Thomas Baechle and Roger…
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Overview While purists tout the benefits of wood bats, many players still prefer aluminum bats for their improved durability and performance. Not only do aluminum bats generate more power due to their faster swing, but they also allow players to…
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Overview Strength training requires your muscles to exert a force against some form of resistance, such as free weights, your own body weight, water or any other object that forces your body to contract its muscles. Women who incorporate resistance…
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The gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus make up the muscle group known as the glutes. The glutes give form and strength to your buttocks and are responsible for abducting the leg—moving it sideways away from your body—at the…
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1. It All Begins With the Catch A rowing stroke begins with a phase referred to as the catch phase. This is when the blade go into the water after the recovery phase. This is done by elevating the grip…
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According to the U.S. Wildlife Service’s 2006 national fishing survey, approximately 10 million anglers try to catch bass every year, making bass the most popular fish species in the United States. Don’t rely on luck on your next bass fishing…
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1. Timing is Everything Picking the correct time to charge the net in tennis is essential to making it a successful strategy. If you charge the net after you hit an easily returnable shot, the strategy will most likely end…
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Crappies hit the midrange between bream and larger game fish such as bass. A fun fish to catch, crappies are available in abundance during spring through fall. Living in loose schools, these fish are common to ponds, lakes, reservoirs and…
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While summer nights can be lovely while camping out under the stars, the days can be brutal with heat and humidity. Nothing can ruin an outdoor camping trip faster than a heat wave you are unprepared to handle. Extreme heat…
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Smallmouth bass are easy to catch provided your bait and approach are appropriate for the weather and water conditions. These fish are strong hunters and fighters that provide an exciting challenge once they are hooked, but can be skittish and…
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Basketball coaches often divide their team into four groups of three for practice sessions. The head coach may be at one end of the court as two teams of three players compete against each other while the assistant coach will…
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1. The Basics About Sailing Rigs A sailing rig is the equipment used to arrange the sails, spars and masts on a sailboat. There are many different types of sailing rigs but they can all be divided into two categories:…
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The floor to ceiling ball is a piece of boxing apparatus that fighters use to increase their speed, timing and punching accuracy. It is a difficult piece of equipment for inexperienced fighters to use because the bag does not move…
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Overview The first type of flip a skateboarder should learn is a kick flip. Providing that you have mastered the ollie, getting your board airborne by flicking it off the ground, you should be able to master the kick flip….
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