Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tears can be some of the most devastating types of knee injuries, often requiring surgery and months of physical rehabilitation. Protecting these ligaments involves strengthening the muscles in the legs, back and core. There are…
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Many fitness enthusiasts strive to achieve a round, hard butt. And it is a goal that is reachable if the right exercises are incorporated into daily workouts and done correctly. Some of the toughest exercises target the butt, but usually,…
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Belly or abdominal exercises alone will not give you washboard abs. However, a few easy ab exercises, added to your workout routine and combined with healthy eating, can help you reach your fitness goals. Abdominal exercises do not need to…
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The calf muscle, otherwise known as the gastrocnemius, is a small muscle located on the backside of the lower leg, behind the tibia and fibula. Although small, its job of allowing the foot to extend by activating the ankle joint…
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Generally, exercise is essential for overall health and fitness improvements. There are different workout programs geared for different fitness goals. Improved muscular strength involves increasing the ability of muscles and muscle groups to exert maximal force to overcome maximal resistance…
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Free weight exercises that utilize dumbbells and barbells as resistance can provide very effective workouts that train the biceps muscle group. The key to successful training is using proper technique on each exercise performed as part of your training routine…
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Overview There are endless ways to combine weights, number of sets and repetitions, rest intervals, recovery and types of exercises in a weight-training program. Certain combinations of these variables prevent plateaus, ward off injury and burnout and lead to the…
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Your abdominal muscles work together with other body segments as part of a movement system. They do not function in isolation or in just one plane of motion. When training your abdominals, start with the exercises that uses primarily your…
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Elliptical machines have become a popular form of low-impact exercise equipment. The treadmill had long been the way to go for indoor cardiovascular fitness. However, the elliptical is now one of the most popular cardiovascular machines used in gyms, according…
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Balance is the ability to change your center of gravity in response to the movement of your body. It is an essential skill no matter what your physical condition. Athletes with good balance are more efficient in their sports. Improved…
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Common spine surgeries include discectomies, laminectomies and spinal fusion, according to Dr. James S. Harrop, an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College. How quickly you’re able to return to your pre-operative routine after back surgery largely depends on the procedure….
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Two things athletes and exercisers both care about are avoiding injury and performing your best. Your hips help to keep proper biomechanics and generate power. If you want to decrease your chance for injury and increase your sporting or exercise…
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The resistance band, which can be thought of as a large rubber band, is used in athletic workout programs. Resistance bands can provide a way for you to work on speed by doing a few simple exercises. Keep in mind…
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Overview The twist board, also referred to as a balance disc, is an inflatable piece of rubber exercise equipment. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), twist boards challenge coordination and balance during exercise. The ACSM reports that…
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Incorporating free weights like dumbbells, medicine balls and barbells in your ab workouts will increase the amount of resistance that your abdominal muscles must lift during ab exercises. A classic exercise like the sit-up is more challenging when you add…
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The shoulders are responsible for many of the movements of the arms and are secondary movers when the upper body is involved in any pushing action. The shoulders’ significance in movement underscores the importance of properly training this muscle group….
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Most sports require leg movements, with attributes like strength, speed, quickness, endurance and power required to perform at your best. Creating exercise programs to address three critical areas of leg fitness—strength, endurance and speed—is key to maximizing your success in…
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Your stomach or abdominal muscles support your back every day. Strengthening these muscle groups will relieve pain or tension you may be experiencing in your back. Stronger stomach muscles will also help you to avoid back injuries in the future….
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Teen guys interested in fitness have a wealth of resources available to learn from. Bodybuilding and general fitness magazines abound. Dozens of books on physical conditioning are available through public libraries and on store shelves. Although all of these resources…
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The person who uses her hands and arms during her workday may need to improve the health of her fingers, wrists and arms so she can avoid developing a stress injury. Typing on a computer keyboard, scanning merchandise, tightening small…
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While some people have a naturally larger, more muscular physique without working out, to be a successful bodybuilder, you have to have a workout program. There are various programs available for bodybuilders that work well for different people. If you…
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Resistance training uses weights, body weight, machines or resistance bands to strengthen muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends including resistance training as part of a healthy adult’s fitness program because of its positive effects on bone density,…
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The goal of bodybuilding is to build the largest physique possible while still retaining an aesthetically pleasing shape. While steroid use may be common in the elite professional ranks, for the average weightlifter struggling to pack on some lean mass…
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Women need weight bearing exercise to help maintain the health of their bones. Osteoporosis robs bones of calcium and strength, putting women at risk of bone fractures. If you’re approaching menopause, you need to start–or continue–an exercise program that stresses…
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Dimpled pockets of cellulite just above the knee joint are difficult to get rid of, but a variety of exercises may help those with less than perfect knees reduce the amount of cellulite where the thigh meets the knee. As…
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Kettle bells are a piece of exercise equipment made of an iron ball and featuring a handle. Since originating in Russia, the use of kettle bells has spread throughout the world. Exercising with kettle bells has been found to be…
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The handstand push-up, often seen as a spectacular stunt for showing off physical prowess, actually provides a number of fitness benefits. When performed as part of a regular fitness regimen, the exercise can provide increases across the spectrum of fitness….
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Overview Kundalini yoga incorporates mantras (chanting), meditations, visualizations and guided relaxation. It focuses on healing and “purifying” the mind, body and emotions. Unlike many other forms of yoga, kundalini yoga specifically requires working with and being initiated by a guru…
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The concept that you can work a specific region of your body in order to lose fat in that area is a myth. Expending more calories through exercise than you are taking in through eating will decrease the size of…
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To lift and firm your buttocks, do exercises that target your gluteus maximus. The gluteus maximus is only one of the three muscles of your butt, but it is the one responsible for the shape. The other two muscles, the…
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