Fitness

Fitness – Blog Posts

• Tighten Up That Bra Line For Summer Time

  I have put together a work-out routine to target the upper and lower back as well as that bra line area. Each exercise should consist of two sets of 20-30 repetitions depending on the weight used. I recommend a light to medium weight. Lat...

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  Top 10 Core Exercises

  What makes up the core? The core is your body’s center of gravity. I have discussed this topic before, but I would like to reiterate the importance of a strong and stable core. The core consists of your abdominal, back, and lower back regions. A...

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  The Ultimate Pre-Ski/Snowboard Workout

  Winter is definitely here, for most of the nation anyway. I have put together a short list of exercises that may help build the strength and endurance needed for the next time you hit the mountain. Skiing and snowboarding are both a great lower...

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  The Ultimate Jump Rope Workout

  Jumping rope is a great cardiovascular workout and can be fun as well. It not only trains the heart, but it helps with muscle endurance, coordination, balance, stability, and explosion. The primary muscles that are being trained are the shoulder...

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  The Ultimate Bra-Line Workout

  For some reason I have been asked several questions geared toward the "bra-line area" over the last few weeks. My first response to that is to ask "how is your diet and cardiovascular training going?" Believe it or not, diet and cardio are the...

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  The Pre-Skydiving Workout

  So, I went skydiving this past weekend and wow; what an experience. It is definitely not for everyone, but I strongly recommend that you give it a try. Being fit or in good shape definitely made the whole process a lot easier and more enjoyable....

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  Beach Body Exercise Routine for Spring Break

  Spring break is right around the corner and time is slipping away for you and that spring break beach body. The diet  is the biggest part of what you need to focus on for the next couple weeks. Cut the calories, the carbohydrates, the fat, and...

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  The 20 Minute Workout vs. The 120 Minute Workout

  The 20 Minute Workout Feeling tired, rushed for time, or just plain don’t want to exercise today? How about the 20-minute workout? I strongly believe that a short workout is better than a non-existent one. This style of workout combines...

• The Cure for Running Boredom

  Getting bored while running (working out) is a major problem facing many of us today and there is really no way around it. You can try new music, run inside instead of outside or vise-versa, watch television, or find new routes to change the...

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  10 Ways Running Can Prolong Your Life

  I believe there is no better exercise for the body than running. Running increases the heart rate, which in turn burns calories during and after the bout of exercise. This type of exercise helps relieve stress, decreases the risk of heart disease...

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  Last-Minute Spring Break Workouts

  Today's guest post comes from the David at FitnessEquipmentAndMore.com. David is a fitness enthusiast who ran his first marathon at the age of 18. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Political Communications and a minor in ballet....

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  Refresh Your Workouts with the 40-Day Challenge

  Are your workout routines boring and monotonous? Do you need a new goal or something to train for? How about taking the “40-Day Challenge!” The 40-Day Challenge consists of eight weeks of hard core training for five days a week. Each week’s main...

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  The Reality of Wii Fit

  The Wii Fit has been on the market for about a year now, which means people can finally decide whether or not it is truly a meaningful fitness tool, or just a hyped-up game. Forbes took a look at the Wii Fit, which they say is now in 1.5 million...

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  Burning Calories is Child's Play

  Do you ever envy your children's endless energy to run, jump, skip and play? As the spring weather starts to warm, take advantage of all the calorie-burning ability of their favorite games. You'll get some quality playtime with the kids,...

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  Lose Weight Without the Weights

  To me, exercising consists of a steady balance of cardio and weight training. People often have the misconception that lifting weights is going to help them lose weight. Lifting weights is vital for muscular strength and endurance as well as for...

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  Who's More Physically Fit To Be President?

  Is Obama pandering to the fitness vote? Is there even a fitness lobby to pander to? All kidding aside, Presidential health is one of the underdog issues in the campaign. A few days ago The New York Times did a piece on how Barack Obama was...

• Fitness Trivia: Are you a Fitness Guru or Fitness Slacker?

  Today is going to be a little different. I am going to explore fitness facts and play a little trivia with you. Get 5 or less right: you are a slacker. Get 6 to 9 right: you are a champ. Get all 10 right: you are a fitness guru. Good Luck!! 1....

• Jillian Michaels' Big Fitness Empire

  Thanks to Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels is a house-hold name here in the U.S. and in many locations abroad. She has the strongest win record of her rival trainers, Bob Harper and the former Kim Lyons. Bob has even called her the best trainer in...

• Running 101

  Running is a tough activity for most people, and I strongly believe that is the best exercise for the body. Running not only strengthens the heart, but tightens the body's muscular structure as well. It is definitely not easy on the knees, but...

• Guest Blog: Hot Tips for Exercising in the Winter Cold

  Shauna Reid is an Australian living in Scotland. Since 2001 she's been blogging her successful quest to lose 175lbs! Her memoir "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl" will be published by Harper Collins in December 2008. The days are getting...

• Posture Or Not To Posture

  Today, we are focusing on using correct posture throughout your workout. This is a huge topic and I feel that it can make a difference in your workouts. Correct technique and maintaining good posture keeps your body in-line, over-compensation...

• The Ultimate 3 Day Workout

  Working out can be rather boring and monotonous. I have designed a three day exercise plan that provides you with a total body and cardiovascular workout. This workout consists of super-sets, combination lifts, and cardiovascular movements. This...

• My Biggest Loser DVD Experience

  In spirit of the Biggest Loser (BL) season premiere I want to share with you my experience with the Biggest Loser craze. Finding myself in a slump and an exercise rut, I was wandering down the workout aisle at Target and began looking at the...

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  Treadmill Desks Create New Office Trend

  In 2005, endocrinologist Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic led a study showing that lean people burn about 350 more calories a day than those who are overweight, by doing things like fidgeting, pacing, or just routine things like walking to the...

• Jillian Michaels Launches New Wii Game

  Expert trainer on The Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels has just announced that she will create a new Wii game based on her tougher-than-nails workout routines. Jillian Michael's Fitness Ultimatum 2009 is slated to hit stores on October 28 of this...

• One-Month Beginner Cardio Program

  I know doing cardio is the most dreaded thing possible, but it is a must for a healthy lifestyle. There are all forms of cardio, but they all have one similar benefit; a healthier heart. I am a runner and I absolutely love it, so doing cardio is...

• SpeedFit: Exercise on the Go

  America is the land of ingenuity. You are free to invent anything you like, and if enough people are as intrigued by the idea as you, you can be an overnight success. For every inventor of the "Electric Knife," or "Sliced Bread," there is this:...

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  Trainer Bob Harper Discusses Holiday Survival and Biggest Loser's Vicky

  We had a chance to visit with Bob Harper, the Biggest Loser blue team trainer, today just moments after his afternoon workout. It's proof that he's practicing what he preaches to the contestants of the show, now in its sixth season. "I love my...

• Fitness Tips For The Football Spectators

  Football season is back in full swing and that means a lot of sitting around and eating like crap. I'm guilty and it's definitely tough to eat healthy and stay active on Saturday and Sunday, and even Monday night due to all the fun-filled action....

• Don't Overlook the Importance of Lower Abs

  The abdominals are a very important topic when it comes to working out and a weak stomach is often overlooked. I strongly feel that the abdominals should be worked almost every day and can handle the repetitive work-load. The lower abs,...

• Kettlebell Training Benefits and Workout Routine

  Kettlebell training is becoming more and more popular each day. Used by the Russian military, the kettlebell is one of the most effective ways to increase strength, power, speed, coordination, and core stability. For example, a study was...

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  Top 5 Exercises To Burn Off Those Halloween Sweets

  Halloween has come and gone, and it is now crunch time before the holidays that consist of smorgasbords, lazy days watching football and spending time with loved ones. I do not know about you, but I indulged in the sweets gathered from Halloween...

• The Perfect Squat

  There are several theories of working-out and exercising out there and the goal is to find what works for you. I went to a personal training conference recently and learned a few new ideas and squatting is one of them. Most theories state that...

• Vacation Exercise Tips

  Going on vacation is a necessity to get away from the hectic everyday life. I just took a week vacation and it was amazing. I rented a car and just drove. I visited Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis. Vacation's are rather expensive...

• Top Medicine Ball Exercises

  A medicine ball is a great tool for switching up your workout and it can used for total body endurance training or power training. Several of my clients prefer the medicine ball over any other type of training. Medicine balls come in a variety of...

• Top Exercises to Increase Balance and Stability

  Balance and stability are very important while playing sports and sometimes get over-looked as we get older. I have put together a list of exercises that focus on core stability and total body balance. These exercises are a little advanced, so be...

• Knee Pain Avoided with Proper Exercise

  Knee Pain is a common occurrence and can be controlled if properly taken care of. I am a runner and sometimes have knee pain after a long run. But that can be taken care of by a good icing for about twenty minutes. For those of you who have real...

• Things To Do Instead Of Working-Out

  This is kind of a crazy topic, but we all seem to get bored with the whole exercise thing. I work-out five or six days a week and sometimes I feel like I need a change or a break. So, I have made a list of some activities and the calories...

• Swimming 101: The Fitness Benefits

  Swimming is an excellent total body exercise and offers no joint impact or any such stress on the body like many other types of activities. Swimming workouts are perfect for any kind of rehab, muscle endurance, burning unwanted calories,...

• Top 10 Dumbbell Exercises

  Dumbbell exercises are a great way to incorporate muscle stability. Machines control the movement or range of motion and are perfect for beginners. Dumbbells, on the other hand, are more advanced and without proper form and technique could lead...

• Get Sculpted Shoulders like an Olympian in One Easy Move

  We all would love to have defined shoulders like many of the Olympic athletes we have been watching. But most of us don't have the time or discipline to train like they do. Don't worry though: U.S. Olympic basketball player Candace Parker has...

• Top 8 Oblique Exercises

  The Oblique or External Abdominal Oblique Muscle is used for torso rotation. There are three main muscles that help with torso rotation: Internal/External Obliques and the Transverse Abdominis. Be very careful and use precise movements while...

• Use Self Myofascial Release to Relieve Muscle Pain

  Myofascial Release is a hands-on technique where using pressure helps to eliminate pain and restore body motion. Fascia is a connective tissue and is basically a spider web that surrounds and attaches to every muscle, bone, nerve, vein, and...

• Best Resistance Tube Exercises

  Resistance Tubes are a great answer if you are looking for an extra burn and high intensity work-out. These tubes are perfect for the gym, home, or even travel use. Resistance Tubes offer the ability to get a total body work-out with the least...

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  Toned Legs, Olympic Style

  Who doesn't marvel at the strong and lean legs of the female Olympic athletes?  Even though gymnasts and swimmers' bodies receive a lot of attention for their physique, fencers legs are marvels of muscle and strength as well. Their powerful...

• Top 5 Flat Bench Exercises

  The flat bench can be used for several exercises and utilized for a total body work-out. A flat bench can be incorporated into any free weight, cable, olympic lift, or band/tubing routine. I use the flat bench every day and recommend the use of...

• Stability Ball Training

  The Stability Ball was originated for rehabilitation purposes (spinal injuries), but now it has crossed over to a wide variety of training types. The Stability Ball is a great tool for incorporating spinal stabilization, core strength and...

• Top BOSU Exercises with Flat Side Down

  BOSU stands for "Both Sides Up," and is used for several exercises to increase balance and stability. The BOSU ball can be used either side up and incorporated into any everyday fitness routine. Today, however, I will be covering a few exercises...

• 11 Benefits of Pilates

  Pilates was founded by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Pilates focuses on the core muscles as well as the postural muscles all over the body, which helps keep the body balanced and spine supported. This type of exercise teaches breath...

• Brooklyn Bridge Bootcamp

  The word on the workout street is to actually work out on the street. The Brooklyn Bridge bootcamp takes participants across the Brooklyn Bridge with intermittent stops at the towers to perform highly effective toning and strengthening...

• Getting to Know the Core

  The "core" consists of several different muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis and run the entire length of the torso. These muscles stabilize the spine, pelvis, shoulder, and provide a solid foundation for movement in the extremities (arms...

• #1 Butt Burning Workout

  Finding the right work-out routine is a tough challenge. Remember, every "body" is different and you need to find something that works for you. I put together a glute routine which incorporates cardio and several super-sets. A super-set is...

• Top 5 Chair (Desk) Exercises

  leg extension on stability ball with ankle weight (Click on image to view this exercise...) 1.) Leg Extensions for Quadraceps (thigh muscle). Keep abs flexed (squeezed) and slowly kick feet towards ceiling flexing (squeezing) the quadraceps....

• Top 5 Exercises On A Fit Ball

  1.) Ab Crunch- Sit on ball and walk your feet out until the low back is on the ball. Glutes should be slightly hanging off. Squeeze abs and crunch several times. Make sure feet are shoulder width apart for good stability. 2.) Ball Squats- Place...

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  Wii Fit Review

  We, at DietsInReview.com, were one of the first in line at our local Best Buy to pick up the new Wii Fit this morning. After a few hours with the new exercise game we have put together a short video overview of the product. But before I...

• Exercise on Your Couch

  Here's a fun exercise routine. If you're an absolute beginner, or just getting back into a routine and you're a little concerned about where to start, you don't even have to leave your couch. Or, if you're in the office all day, you can get...

• Top 10 Cardio Exercises

  Top 10 Cardio Exercises That Burn The Most Calories In 30 Minutes: 1.) Running Running is the best cardio workout and burns serious calories. Depending on the intensity, you can burn around 500 calories in 30 minutes. 2.) Stairs Stairs...

• Top 10 Ways to Beat Boredom During Exercise

  Are you finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning for your daily walk and making up excuses to skip the gym on the way home? Even the most dedicated exercisers occasionally get bored with their routine. In order to beat this common...

• Top 5 Tricep Exercises

  The Triceps extend the elbow and known for its pushing movement. The Triceps are made up of three parts. A long head which originates at the Scapula, a lateral head which originates at the back of the arm (Humerus) and the short head which...

• Zumba: Add Some Spice to Your Fitness with a New Workout Craze

  Exercise should be fun. There's no reason to dread something that's so important for your health. You can go do your treadmill exercise tonight, or you can try to shake it up a little. One of the hottest trends in aerobics these days is a hot...

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  Study Casts 'Good Vibrations' on New Fitness Method

  Remember the old black and white footage of the desperate people trying to lose weight with the vibrating belt machines? What people used to believe, right? While it's not exactly the same sort of hocus pocus, there's a new method of...

• Top 5 Quad Exercises

  The Quadriceps (front of the thigh) consist of four muscles and are mainly used for extension such as walking, running, jumping, and squatting. The Quadriceps are made up of the Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, and the Vastus...

• Small Steps to Increase Fitness Level

  Walk 10 Minutes a Day and Increase Your Fitness Level Old thinking was to work out in a sweat-filled gym for hours a day. No pain, no gain. New studies show that even short bouts of activity can increase your fitness level, especially if...

• Are You Training Too Hard?

  Rigorous workouts break down body tissues and cause cellular damage. If this cumulates from ongoing bouts of training, it could lead to overreaching (light form of overtraining) and eventually to overtraining syndrome which is the most severe...

• Why and How to Choose a Personal Trainer

  Choosing a personal trainer is a stressful situation and could end up being a disaster if not properly done. I recommend setting up as many free consultations as possible with different trainers. Be sure to check credentials, personality, and...

• Wii Fit brings fitness into the living room

  Buzz has been building for a few months as America anticipates the release of the Wii Fit, the newest game for the mega-hyped Nintendo game machine. Thanks to the Wii Sports game that comes with most newly purchased Wiis, a lot of people...

• Shed Those Extra 5 Unwanted Pounds

  Reader Question: I'm a man training for an event and have three weeks left to lose my last five pounds. Any suggestions? Human beings are creatures of habit and don't like change all that much. Well, when it comes to your diet and work out...

• What's The Best Exercise For Burning Those Unwanted Calories?

  Weight-bearing activities that work against gravity — aerobic activities like walking, running, cross-country skiing, dancing, skating and stair-climbing — use proportionately more calories at a given level of effort than swimming, cycling or...

• What Is Physical Fitness?

  Physical Fitness consists of five basic components which involve the heart, lungs, strength, endurance, and flexibility. 1. Cardiorespiratory or "Cardio" The ability to do moderately strenuous activity over a period of time. It reflects how...

• Bob Harper's new book: Are You Ready!

  Biggest Loser fans have gotten a front-row seat to see how the fitness expert Bob Harper helps people battling their weight lose hundreds of pounds and find a person inside themselves they thought was long gone. This week he released his new...

• The exercise high

  Maybe you've experienced it: You've finished exercising and you feel an amazing sense of joy, bliss or euphoria, almost as if you're truly walking on cloud nine... in your running shoes. For many years, science has been challenged in trying to...

• Exercise Cures Your Pain

  If you think exercise is a pain in the neck, you have it backwards. It's exercise that cures that pain in your neck. With people spending more and more time in front of the computer in the age of the Internet, people struggle more and more with...

• Guest Blog: Getting In Shape From Blogging

  This week we have a guest blog from Israel at Fat Man Unleashed. He's a self-proclaimed fat man who uses his blog to share his diet, weight loss and fitness experiences. It's one of those true-life, weight loss reality checks from someone who's...

• Fitness Ball Explodes

  Exercise can be a ball. But not for a Jacksonville man who claims that his fitness ball exploded while lifting about 150 pounds at his local YMCA. Bones were broken, and a lawsuit has been filed.

• Music Makes For a Better Workout

  Not that I needed a scientific study to confirm this, but music has quantifiable benefits to your exercise regimen. Not to be melodramatic, but it's nearly impossible for me to work out without music. I get the doubting devil on my shoulder...

• Discovery Health’s new fitness challenge

  In addition to providing us with worldly information from the comfort of our living room couches, The Discovery Channel is now helping you to get in shape for the New Year. Discovery’s National Body Challenge kicks off on January 5th and 6th with...

• Top 7 Protein Sources

  Proteins, which are made up of amino acids, are the building blocks for your body. Protein helps children grow and helps build and maintain muscle mass in adults. If you want to build muscle, a substantial level of protein intake is important....