Fitness

Overview Writer and yoga instructor Rachel Brahinsky says that private yoga training provides opportunities for learning yoga that group instruction may not. Private yoga lessons allow instructors to give specific modifications and adjustments to students with special physical or emotional…
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After giving birth, you may be eager to get your body back to pre-baby shape. However, your body may have some limitations. These include a weakness in the abdominal muscles where your muscles spread while pregnant. When it’s time to…
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Yoga swings are devices that resemble small hammocks, made of sturdy parachute material. Hung indoors from a bar or outdoors from a tree branch, they provide support for yoga postures, inversion therapy and strength-building exercises. Supported Yoga Used for supported…
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Elliptical machines provide a cardiovascular workout similar to the one obtained through walking, running or using a treadmill. On an elliptical machine, you move your legs in an elliptical motion without ever lifting your feet from the pedals. Elliptical machines…
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The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center website lists weak stomach muscles as a major risk of back spasms and injury. Strong core muscles help to protect the back from injury, and many abdominal-strengthening exercises can help relieve current upper and lower back…
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The American College of Sports Medicine reports that elastic tubing and resistance bands, once used to train older adults in nursing homes, now crop up in a variety of applications, from agility drills to plyometric exercises like squat jumps. You…
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There is no shortage of exercises and pieces of equipment to help strengthen your abdominals. While that might have a lot to do with looks, the American Council on Exercise points out that strong abs also play an important role…
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Overview Yoga for fitness increases in popularity as more people than ever enjoy yoga. Most health clubs and gyms offer some type of yoga class because it’s generally accepted as a way to improve flexibility and to reduce stress. There…
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You have four groups of muscles around your hips, and each is responsible for controlling different movements. Your adductors, or inner thigh muscles, enable you to move your leg inward or squeeze the tops of your thighs together. Your abductors…
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As you age, you lose muscle mass, and your ability to perform your activities of daily living decreases. Exercises in which you have to cross the middle of your body mimic everyday activities such as wiping counters, grabbing pantry items…
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Defined abdominal muscles containing zero flab are a much desired attribute for most Americans. Unfortunately, having six-pack abs doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, the characteristic is usually the result of hard work, discipline and repetition. But several simple ways exist to…
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Overview One major key to permanent weight loss is strength training. The use it or lose it principle applies here. Over time our bodies tend to lose muscle mass. Muscle helps the body burn more calories, as this tissue is…
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Overview Hatha yoga strengthens and stretches all of the muscles in the body including the abdominals. Uddiyana bandha or the “upward flying lock” improves the tone of the deepest abdominal muscle, the transverse abdominis. Specific asanas or poses exercise different…
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Having a flat stomach is often a major goal when people begin their workout plans. Achieving and maintaining toned, flat abs requires more than just a strenuous abdominal workout, though. You need a combination of diet, exercise and possibly lifestyle…
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Overview Strong, toned arms look good in a tank top and help you carry out daily activities like hauling groceries or toddlers. Your ability to develop muscle tone in the arms depends on your genetics and body composition–the less fat…
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If you’re only able to do weight training on the weekends, you’ll want to pack in as much exercise as possible without overdoing it. You’ll also want to target your specific muscle-building or endurance needs. Alternating workouts each day is…
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The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults under age 65 should do eight to 10 strength training exercises twice a week, along with 30 minutes of moderate cardio, five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous…
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There is no magic pill that will counteract the effects of overeating and lack of exercise that lead to excess belly fat. But there are exercises that you can do to tone your abs and burn calories. Exercise is still…
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Exercises for aerobic endurance involve activities that strengthen your cardiovascular system by increasing your heart rate and breathing. To obtain the best results, engage in the activities at a moderately brisk level for 30 minutes on at least three to…
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Chair-based exercises make it possible for people with special needs to strengthen their muscles. This includes people who are aging, have poor balance, are rehabbing from an injury or are at a work desk for long hours. Even otherwise healthy…
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Back alignment is the placement of your spine in relationship to other body segments. Alignment, along with posture and placement, make up the basics of all movements. Proper alignment results in movement that is efficient, effective and free from fatigue…
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Rowing machines provide an extensive cardiovascular workout as well as an effective calorie-burning exercise. Ideal for increasing stamina and as part of a weight-loss program, rowing machines also work all the major muscle groups of the body. With the proper…
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Effective back stretches help relax tight back muscles, reduce back pain or discomfort and can decrease your likelihood of experiencing a back injury. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of…
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Overview The amount of time we spend on daily physical activity continues to decline. Regular physical activity improves health, energy levels and overall quality of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults 18 and older incorporate at…
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Practicing yoga can help to reduce stress, according to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publications. People who practice yoga tend to have less intense physical responses to stress, including lower heart rates, respiration and blood pressure. Any form of yoga…
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Getting in shape quickly is as simple as incorporating a few simple boot camp exercises into your exercise regimen. Studies have shown that by pacing an increased demand on your body with boot camp exercises, you can effectively burn calories,…
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Low impact knee exercises provide you with strengthening and stretching motions while protecting your knee joint. These exercises are helpful for those afflicted with arthritis, pain or other health conditions, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Doing the…
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Cellulite is nothing more than trapped fat globules under the top layer of skin. When it develops, it does not propose a major threat to your overall health, but it can cause mental frustration and a low self-esteem. The thighs…
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Cardiac rehabilitation programs, such as those prescribed for patients who have recently undergone heart bypass surgery, focus on teaching patients about the changes they need to make in their lives to avoid future heart problems. These programs are usually designed…
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Overview The Ab Lounger is a device made by Fitness Quest that allows you to exercise your upper abdominals, lower abdominals and obliques in one simple movement. It allows a full range of motion for a complete abdominal contraction, and…
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