Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists, often refer to the rotator cuff as the SITS muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These four rotator cuff muscles are responsible for keeping the shoulder joint stable during motion and for…
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Aquatic exercises such as water aerobics, water pilates and deep-water pool jogging are effective ways for seniors to stay fit and improve aerobic health. Low-impact aerobic exercise elevates the heart rate while reducing pressure on joints. The water provides resistance…
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The hip capsule is a ligament that connects the top of the leg to the pelvis. The hip is a ball and socket joint like the shoulder. Since it moves freely in a variety of directions, it is easy to…
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Abdominal separation, also called diastasis recti, often occurs during pregnancy. When the weight of the growing uterus pushes against the abdominal area, it causes a split in the linea alba, which is the abdominal area’s midline. While this abdominal separation…
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Overview Having large breasts might be a hindrance or problem for some women. The breasts are made up of primarily fat tissue that sits on top of pectoral (chest) muscles. Even though there is no such thing as “spot reduction”…
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Your hands and feet often are the first parts of your body to get cold. According to Dr. Jonothan Earnshaw of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and the UK Circulation Foundation, in cold weather your body works hard to generate enough heat…
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Overview Although all forms of yoga practice can have far-reaching physical and psychological benefits, restorative yoga is intended to supercede those levels of relaxation and renewal. Yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasater has taught restorative yoga for many years and notes…
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The lower belly pouch is a result of fatty deposits and weakened muscles around the lower abdominal area. The lower abdominal area is the most challenging to target using traditional abdominal exercises. However, with a few strategic, creative moves, you’ll…
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Overview Resistance training is best accomplished in a gym setting with a variety of weights, machines, and pulley systems to help you reach your goals. However, if time or money are limited, or if you need to take your workouts…
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Stress, age and worry show on the face more that any other area of the body. Tense facial muscles cause constriction of blood vessels, which lessens the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin, muscles and bones of the…
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The six-pack hand exercise routine is designed to help increase strength, flexibility and coordination, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center. The origination of the nickname is unclear, but it might refer to the ease of combining six basic…
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In the East, yoga has been relied on as a means to heal physical ailments, according to the textbook, “The Science and Philosophy of Teaching Yoga and Yoga Therapy” by Jacqueline Koay and Theodora Barenholtz. In the West, more people…
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Overview One of the most popular machines for home use and in fitness centers is the elliptical trainer. This stationary exercise machine features foot plates that glide along a ramp, providing a low-impact workout with the potential to burn significant…
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Treadmills are a popular indoor solution to long-distance running. They are featured in most fitness centers throughout the United States and are one of the most common types of home exercise equipment. The debate over the merits of outdoor running…
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In most work environments where many of us spend the majority of the day, it is not appropriate to make too much noise. Office decorum requires we dial back any obvious display of languor. As a result, a “buttoned-up” demeanor…
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Cardio, short for cardiovascular, describes a form of exercise that benefits your heart, lungs and blood vessels and develops aerobic fitness. Cardio exercise and being aerobically fit are linked to a reduced likelihood of suffering from a number of serious…
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Fountain of Youth exercises, also known as “The Five Tibetans” or “The Five Tibetan Energy Rejuvenation Rites,” are a set of five exercises first described in Peter Kelder’s 1939 book “The Eye of Revelation.” The purported health benefits you experience…
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Walking into a gym full of varied and often unfamiliar exercise equipment can be intimidating. To maximize your time and get the best workout, choose multipurpose equipment that target multiple muscle groups or work your core. Smith Machine The Smith…
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1. You are Your Own Best Resistance OK, so you’ve got those bulging biceps, barrel chest and wide shoulders. What about that pencil neck? Many bodybuilders agree that adding a thick, muscular neck to their physiques really completes the picture….
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Work out at home and save commuting time and membership fees. Challenge your muscles with toning exercises and follow the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s exercise recommendations: perform two weekly strength training sessions to reap the benefits. Muscle…
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Belly fat, known as visceral fat, can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. As cited in ScienceDaily.com, Dr. Tongjian You, instructor in geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, indicates that exercise may…
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All three muscles in your inner thigh, the adductor brevis, adductor longus and adductor magnus, perform more than one movement. The adductor brevis and adductor longus flex your leg at the hip, the adductor magnus extends your leg, and both…
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Back pain affects most people at least once in a lifetime. It’s the most common medical reason to take time off work. According to physiotherapists at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma (NISMAT), exercises that help strengthen…
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After nine months of pregnancy and given birth, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can help you shed pregnancy weight faster and improve your mood. With your doctor’s permission, you can begin exercising immediately after…
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Overview Improving vertical leap ability is an important skill for athletes such as basketball and volleyball players. To increase your vertical leap, strengthen the muscles responsible for vertical leaps through a combination of weight training and plyometrics. While practicing your…
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Despite their lack of high-tech features, abdominal exercise boards, also called slant boards, are brilliant in their simplicity. This “old-school” form of workout equipment facilitates abdominal exercise from and incline, decline or flat position. Altering the board’s position either adds…
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Abdominal exercises are not technically broken up into exercises for boys and girls. Some exercises, like bent-knee push-ups, are occasionally called “girl” push-ups even though both males and females will get the same benefits from the exercise. That is because…
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The lower back is an area of the body that responds well to stretching. For those who have suffered any lower back injury, the way to get that area back into shape and feeling better is with stretching. The concept…
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Overview Nothing is more frustrating that performing hundreds of crunches a day in hopes of developing that elusive six pack, only to maintain a flat, undefined stomach. When you perform large numbers of reps with little or no weight, says…
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Overview Resistance bands are flat, elastic bands that can be adapted for use as ankle bands, or for other parts of your body. These bands offer an elastic resistance to your exercise, and are an inexpensive and very easy way…
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