The lower abdominal muscles are important for lower back support, while the pelvic floor muscles not only provide support and strength for the pelvic girdle, but also help with bladder control, says the Mayo Clinic. The pelvic floor muscles are…
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As the number of “six-pack ab” programs and fad diets increases, many men are searching for authentic methods for eliminating belly fat and toning core strength muscles. While it is no secret that men store more fat, or surplus calories,…
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The muscles that surround your stomach are on your abdomen. These include the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles. Besides helping to protect your stomach and other internal organs, these muscles also flex and rotate your…
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Cellulite is fat deposits located directly underneath the skin that give a dimply appearance. Women of all weights and sizes can have cellulite, and it occasionally appears on men. It is commonly found on the back of the legs, thighs…
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Improved flexibility is a terrific physical benefit of practicing yoga. Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move through its complete range of motion, and it impacts every aspect of physical performance. The greater your flexibility, the greater your…
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Overview The dumbbell press and the bench press engage the primary muscle that fans across your chest: the pectoralis major. The exercise also engages the triceps, which run along the back of the upper arm, and the anterior and medial…
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Whether you run, cycle, play golf or just want to stay healthy and active as you get older, you need to maintain strength and mobility in your hips. The hips help stabilize and influence movements throughout the rest of the…
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Chi gong, also known as qigong or chi kung, is a Chinese healing system, the origin of which predates recorded history. Chi gong is based on the premise that there is a flowing, invisible field of energy within every life…
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In their 2010 textbook “The Science and Philosophy of Teaching Yoga and Toga Therapy,” Jacqueline Koay and Theodora Barenholtz describe yoga as a form of exercise designed for any age group, with any health limitations. Seniors looking to start a…
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1. Get a Guru or Spiritual Advisor Tantra yoga is based on the spiritual regeneration concept that is a core belief in Hinduism. Tantra yoga uses the tantra or scriptures that provide knowledge and wisdom for those who are ready…
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The biceps are located in the front portion of the upper arm. They are anatomically known as the biceps brachii muscle group. There are two heads of the biceps brachii, the long head and the short head. The biceps job…
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We are most flexible in the neck and low back, and these are the areas of the spine where most people complain of tension, discomfort or pain. To alleviate neck pain, practice yoga poses that provide therapeutic traction to the…
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The exercise ball is a popular tool for abdominal exercises because of the added challenge to the abs created when a person places weight on a ball. It is easy to feel the difference simply by lying on the floor…
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1. Koshas in Yoga In the West, yoga is primarily a set of exercises, called hatha yoga. However, yoga is an ancient teaching from India with a goal and philosophy of achieving enlightenment. Through meditation and Vedic teachings the ideas…
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Lower body exercises are crucial for any weight loss program. The muscles in the legs are much larger than those in the upper body, making them prime for burning through lots of calories during and after a workout. According to…
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The Gaiam ball is a balance ball used mostly for core training. The balance balls are made for in-home use, though you may find balls made by Gaiam and other companies at your gym. A balance ball may also be…
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Overview The contraction and relaxation phases of the heart, which are called systole and diastole, respectively, cause the entry and subsequent release of blood from the aorta. When the heart contracts, blood flows into the aorta, where it is temporarily…
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Pilates rings are also called Pilates Power Rings or Pilates Magic Circles. They’re about the size of a steering wheel and are helpful for toning muscles in your upper and lower body by offering resistance when you squeeze them, or…
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When you are trying to get in shape fast, you need a tough, full-body workout. Looking outside of traditional strength training can save you time and get results faster. Boot Camps Outdoor boot camps are a growing trend in fitness….
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Weight loss cannot be targeted. When you lose weight, it disappears all over, often leaving loose, saggy skin in its wake. Since exercise cannot help tighten loose skin, many people with loose, dangling underarm fat and skin undergo an arm…
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Pelvic-floor exercises are known as Kegel exercises after California gynecologist Dr. Arnold Kegel, who in 1948 outlined a comprehensive exercise program for women with urinary incontinence after childbirth because of weak pelvic-floor muscles. Using Kegel balls, also known as Ben-Wa…
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Overview Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process that begins around age 20 and causes facial skin to lose elasticity and slow collagen production. New skin-cell production decreases, and dead skin cells remain in place longer, according to the American…
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Women’s stomachs tend to expand for a variety of reasons, especially following menopause. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that increased stomach size can be due to hormonal changes, heredity and age-related weight gain as well as overall obesity struggles….
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Standing abdominal exercises are ideal for women who wish to exercise at home because a lot of floor space isn’t required. Also, standing exercises work your core stability and improve your balance. Standing up to work your abs engages more…
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Strengthening the rotator cuff muscles is important whether you’re an athlete, a couch potato or somewhere in between. This is because the rotator group, comprised of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and the subscapularis (remembered by the acronym SITS), is…
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Maximum ab definition results from a combination of spinal flexion movements, upper torso rotation and side bending exercises. Balance exercises engage your deep core stabilizers, and forceful exhalation during abdominal flexion causes the core muscles to compress the diaphragm and…
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Overview The X7 Elliptical is a piece of exercise equipment manufactured by Life Fitness. Features of the cross trainer include heart rate sensors, built-in workout programs, shock absorption system, accessory trays, water bottle holder, LCD display, variable speed and resistance….
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Aquatic workouts, such as stroke intervals, aquacise classes and deep-water pool running, are effective ways to get fit and improve your aerobic health. These are all low-impact aerobic exercise that elevate your heart rate and increase calorie expenditure while reducing…
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Having knock knees is a condition in which your knees move inward when you squat down. This inward movement is known as adduction. Weak abductors muscles are a primary cause of the condition. Abductors are the muscles on the outsides…
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Add Swiss ball exercises to your workout routine to increase the intensity or to change up the exercise. Swiss balls allow multiple muscles, particularly the abdomen and low back, to be activated during exercises, and they add a balance component…
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