Fitness

Overview There should be no neck pain during exercise. When it appears, chances are the exerciser is using incorrect technique or stressing the neck unnecessarily. All exercises must be performed correctly and consistently with proper form through a pain-free range…
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A strong midsection stabilizes the body and helps transfer power between the legs and the arms. Tummy toning exercises reduce body fat and improve body composition and posture. Abdominal fat increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and colorectal…
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Range of motion refers to the movement and distance covered by a joint. Arthritis, joint disorders, muscular stiffness and inactivity impair range of motion. Range of motion exercises strengthen the joints and muscles, helping return them to their normal state…
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While you can pick up many exercise ideas from friends, co-workers or family members, getting workout advice from trained and certified professionals gives you more confidence that what you’re doing has you on the right path toward better health and…
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Brain Gym exercises are short activities teachers can do with their students to release stress, expend excess energy and enhance learning. Each exercise can be done in a small area in the classroom or at the student’s seat. They are…
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Ear training improves recognition of harmonies and musical intervals. A developed ear is a skill that can be learned from repetitive exercises. A musician with a good ear can accomplish more in less time: play back melodies recently heard and…
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Overview Obesity levels have risen to all-time highs over the past decade and don’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. As some people are beginning to realize the health effects that accompany this condition, changes are being made. Dropping calories…
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Whiplash is damage to the soft tissues of the neck from a sudden jerking motion, such as that caused by a car crash or amusement park ride. According to the National Institutes of Health, a person suffering from whiplash should…
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The Total Gym exercise system lets you work your entire body using your body’s weight as the resistance with the aid of cables attached to a moveable bench. You can create muscular strength or endurance exercises, as well as cardio…
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The lower back contains a number of small bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. The slightest wrong move can lead to pain in the lower back. According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given…
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Building your shoulder muscles helps create a defined, sculpted look which you are sure to find attractive. Well-defined shoulders help you ditch that slumped-shoulder look. When you exercise your shoulders, you improve your flexibility and range of motion, reducing your…
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Saddle bags–more often spelled as one word, “saddlebags”–those pesky pockets of extra flesh and fat on the sides and back of upper thighs, can be a problem area for many women and even some men. Though it’s tempting to tackle…
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The saddlebag area, found along the sides and back of the upper thigh, can sometimes appear flabby and inflated for women or men. It’s not a problem area for everyone, but it can be difficult to tone and improve for…
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Overview Swiss balls are known by a host of other names, including physio balls, Pilates balls, balance balls and stability balls. Swiss balls can be used to replace a weight bench for any lying or sitting weight-training exercises. You can…
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Ab exercises do not need to be complex or hard to work. Some of the most popular exercises, like the crunch, are easy to do. Of course there are much more difficult variations of the crunch, but these exercises should…
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Your biceps, more properly known as the biceps brachii, are responsible for flexing your arms at the elbow, supinating your forearms, and also help, albeit weakly, with shoulder flexion. The biceps also help stabilize the shoulder joint during some exercises….
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Regular strength training and aerobic exercise can help your look and feel better. Whether at the gym or in your home, get the most out of your workout time by avoiding common exercise mistakes made by women. Hit the Weights…
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Three muscle groups make up your tummy and waist. The waist muscles are the internal and external obliques. The stomach muscles also include the rectus abdominis and the transverse abdominis. The rectus abdominis runs vertically down your stomach and the…
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An ordinary step bench can double as a piece of exercise equipment. You can perform several muscle-toning exercises—with or without dumbbells—to tone and shape the major muscles of your upper and lower body. No fancy or expensive equipment is necessary,…
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Our bodies tend to get larger as we age. Our metabolisms slow down and often the time we devote to physical fitness decreases. Although individual results vary, most seniors find themselves possessing a higher body fat percentage than they did…
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Teenagers may have difficulty getting to a gym or finding one that is teen-friendly. Most gyms have a minimum age limit that will restrict some teens from joining and most will require that your parents are members too. For these…
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Overview The Leg Magic exercise machine is a popular device manufactured by Fitness Quest. The company relies heavily on infomercial advertisements to sell Leg Magic, along with ads in fitness publications and newspapers. Leg Magic ads claim that this product…
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The Bowflex Xtreme XTLU home gym system is streamlined and effective with more than 65 exercises using advanced power rod technology for resistance. This technology allows the user to feel like they are working with free weights but without the…
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Lower back pain is the most common back problem and affects most people at least once in a lifetime. Back pain can occur for many reasons, including muscle and ligament weakness or injury, degeneration of the spinal column, spinal arthritis,…
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The pelvis is made up of three bones that eventually grow together with age. Ligaments attach to the spine to hold the pelvis in place. Because the pelvis ring serves as a conduit for nerves and blood vessels and a…
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Overview Many people dream of having sculpted abs or six-packs. To tone your stomach, focus on sit-ups, crunches and other exercises aimed at the abdominal muscles. An ab machine may allow you to perform these exercises more comfortably by supporting…
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Overview The Weider Crossbow uses a power rod system designed to deliver resistance for each exercise that can be easily adjusted. The Crossbow claims that over 65 exercises can be done with the 240 pounds of resistance. The total amount…
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Overview According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are five major components of physical fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition and flexibility. Each of these components factor into overall physical health and ability. Both…
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Overview In addition to following a muscle-building diet, a bodybuilder uses specific weightlifting techniques designed to isolate muscle groups and maximize hypertrophy, the building of muscle mass. Some bodybuilders also try to be as lean, or “cut,” as possible for…
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When you don’t have access to a gym and hitting the great outdoors isn’t an option, you can still get a heart-pumping workout at home. The trick is to have a plan of several exercises you’ll perform back to back…
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