Beyond firming your belly, strength in the abdominals is essential because the abs’ central location in the torso makes them a linchpin of bodily movement. The abdominal muscles consist of four muscle groups layered at the front and sides of the torso. They are crucial for keeping your trunk firm,…
One of the benefits of exercise is that it improves cardiovascular fitness. Your heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats in a minute and is an indicator of how hard your heart is working during exercise. Learning to monitor your heart rate will help ensure…
By David LaMartina After the squat, the deadlift is the most effective movement that you can do in the gym. Epitomizing the term “compound movement,” it uses nearly every muscle in your entire body, from your traps all the way down to your calves. Bodybuilders, competitive lifters, and many other…
by Shannon Beineke There’s a lot to be said for mixing up your workout. Varying your exercise routine benefits the body as well as the mind. It prevents boredom, lack of motivation, and weight plateaus. Those who have diverse workout routines are also more likely to stay on track. Nobody…
Have you lost your motivation to work out? Getting stuck in a fitness rut is a common cause of the exercise doldrums that might cause you to skip your workout routine completely and fall back into unhealthy habits. Still, there are dozens of ways to freshen up your workout routine…
If you’re like most people, you’ve been doing the usual set of workouts and exercises to get into shape. Push-ups, sit ups, crunches and lunges are great exercises when you’re first starting out, but your body will adapt to the routine fairly quickly. The result? Fewer calories burned and little…
Flat six-pack abs seems to be what everyone strives for when they hit the gym or get exercising. And why not? A strong core is the cornerstone of a healthy and strong body; toned abs look great; and a midsection without body fat is an excellent way to reduce the…
Hiking — some define it as simply putting two feet down in rhythm, and so it is. It is walking extended in terms of time and glorified by specialized gear, which brings it in touch with a universe of diverse topics. 1. This is a diet sport. Putting those two…
Have you spent hours on the treadmill and elliptical machine each week but still aren’t getting results? You’re probably stuck in a fitness rut where your body has adapted to your workout routine and just doesn’t respond to the activity like it used to. The best way to get over…
Fitballs. Swiss exercise balls. Stability balls. They are three different names for one very effective piece of exercise equipment. Originally used to assist physical therapists, this giant inflatable ball adds entertainment to your workout. You can sit on the Fitball, lie on it, roll on it, put your feet on…