Strength training the back muscles, including the lower trapezius, is important for shoulder stability and function. Having strong lower trapezius muscles can also improve the overall width and look of your back. The trapezius is responsible for the upward rotation…
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Lat bar pull downs are probably one of the most common back exercises performed incorrectly. If you want to be able to show off a beautiful back during the summer, it’s important to know how to train your latissimus dorsi…
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The shoulders are the most mobile joints in the body, according to MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health resource. Body weight exercises challenge the shoulders without placing external stress on them. Strong shoulders contribute to proper posture and improve capability…
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Your pecs are responsible for the power behind pushing motions; anything that brings your humerus, the upper arm bone, in across the body puts the pecs to work. The pecs are relatively easy to work at home since they require…
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The Ab Lounge, the “ultimate abdominal machine” according to the Fitness Quest website, is a revolutionary piece of exercise equipment that has changed the way many people look at their abdominal workout. Rather than subject the user to a series…
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Weighted wands can be used for easy, convenient resistance exercises for the upper body. Increased muscle strength, improved body shape and increased muscle power are some of the benefits of resistance training. One wand can be used to perform an…
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Exercise is good practice for just about anyone. It is especially beneficial for women, who suffer more frequently from debilitation conditions such as osteoporosis which causes bones to become more fragile and more likely to break, according to Today’s Women…
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Your butt, correctly called your gluteus maximus but sometimes called gluteals or glutes, is the muscle primarily responsible for extending your legs backward. Your gluteals are the largest and strongest muscle in your body and are very important for sports…
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Plank abdominal strengthening exercises are one of the most effective ways to train your core muscles. The term “core” means “inner units” and describes all the muscles in your trunk area, including your obliques, rectus abdominus and deep abdominal and…
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Overview Exercising is a part of a healthy lifestyle, yet an injury can occur when performing the same movement over time. After lifting weights or running, your joints may become sore. In most cases this pain is not a serious…
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Overview The Curves 30-minute workout combines smooth, hydraulic resistance with low-impact aerobic activity. Similar in movement to water aerobics, this strength-training and cardio workout is safe and effective for women of all ages and fitness levels, including women who are…
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Most yoga practiced today has roots in the “Yoga Sutras,” written by the sage, Patanjali. Ancient Vedic texts and the “Bhagavad Gita” also contributed to the development of yoga. Patanjali outlined the eight limbs or aspects of yoga, which are…
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Muscle groups are stronger in the beginning of weight-training exercises and weaker toward the end. Elastic resistance, using exercise bands, differ from other weight-training modalities by working muscles in a pattern they are unaccustomed to. Resistance-band exercises offer low resistance…
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Fibromyalgia is a syndrome or collection of symptoms that is characterized by fatigue, widespread pain, stiffness and muscle spasms. According to the American Council on Exercise, fibromyalgia sufferers find it challenging to remain active without aggravating their symptoms, but avoiding…
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Performing shoulder stretching exercises on a regular basis helps maintain or improve your shoulder flexibility and reduces your likelihood of experiencing delayed onset of muscle soreness following exercise and muscle-related shoulder injuries. However, according to George T. Edelman, a board-certified…
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Overview Squats and dead lifts are exercises which shape and tone your butt. The American College of Sports Medicine advises the implementation of a progressive resistance training program of six to 12 reps and multiple sets for muscle hypertrophy, or…
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The basic ab crunch is a popular stomach-toning exercise that is performed in gyms and homes across the nation. Although this exercise is effective, there are more variations available that you can add into your workout. These can be done…
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Overview The bicep curl and chin-up both strengthen the biceps muscle, also known as the biceps brachii, which primarily functions to bend the arm at the elbow. However, they differ in difficulty, other muscles worked and overall effects. The chin-up…
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You want to get fit. You want to feel good, get healthier and have more energy. Whether you decide on a structured exercise program or you incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, you need to be prepared. Otherwise,…
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The Swiss ball was first used by Swiss physical therapists. It has since evolved to a tool used for core and balance training, weight lifting and stretching. To work the muscles of your abs, sit or lie on the ball…
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Stretch bands, commonly called resistance bands or exercise bands, are versatile and portable exercise tools. Offered in many levels of resistance, stretch bands provide a whole body workout. According to the American Council on Exercise, they are useful not only…
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Almost everybody experiences low back pain at some point their lives, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Men and women experience low back pain in equal numbers, and low back pain is most common in people…
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Overview Military training prepares a soldier for the physical demands of warfare. Physical training (PT) emphasizes the functional strength to perform in an unpredictable combat situation and the muscular endurance a soldier needs to keep going until a mission is…
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Well-known professional golfer Greg Norman calls the golf swing “one of the most complex and unnatural actions in all athletic activities.” He notes that a proper golf swing requires strong shoulders, wrists, legs and torso muscles. Norman says that a…
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Overview It takes plenty of exercise, a healthy diet and lots of hard work to build muscle as quickly as possible. That being said, it’s entirely possible to see significant muscle gains within four to six weeks of starting a…
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Yoga incorporates the mind and body to help improve flexibility and muscle tone. Yoga can be especially beneficial if you experience lower back pain or stiffness. No matter what fitness level you are currently at, you can engage in yoga…
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Overview The quickest way to achieve a higher and quicker jump is to train with plyometrics. According to Dr. Fred Hatfield, head of the International Sports Sciences Association, plyometrics build the central nervous system to stimulate as many muscle cells…
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As you age, fluctuating hormones and a decline in muscle mass yield a slower metabolism and stored fat, particularly around the midsection. According to the Mayo Clinic, the problem is even more pronounced in women than men. However, women over…
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Men tend to gain fat in the abdomen as visceral fat. Visceral fat surrounds the viscera, or internal organs, and is inside the abdominal wall. This results in a tight pot belly. If you gain more weight, it will usually…
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Overview Late-night television bombards viewers with junk food commercials, which often precede weight-loss supplements ads and infomercials for abdominal-exercise gadgets. A conspiracy theorist would have a field day. This food will definitely make you larger, while the supplement allegedly makes…
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