Weight training is good for your health. You may find that you are not challenging yourself with weight training to make noticeable gains because of fear that you will build big bulky muscles or decrease your flexibility. Many misconceptions can...
The Pilatesstick system includes a wooden bar which attaches at the ends to elastic tubing called slastix. The middle of the slastix connects to a foam anchor that you can close inside a door to hold the device in place. You can replace the bar...
Many office environments don't encourage vigorous exercise in one's cubicle or private office. Bellowing, excessive sweating and clanking of weights is frowned upon. You can sneak some stomach exercises in, however, without even changing out of...
In America, back pain strikes 8 out of every 10 people, according to MedlinePlus. Weak core muscles are often the culprit. The spine needs strong muscles to support it, and when that support system is weak from sparse use, injury can occur. You...
Deadlifting builds the strength of your legs, hips and back. Although lifting the bar is the hard part, lowering it presents difficulties at times. The need to avoid injury remains during the eccentric, or lowering phase. You must avoid relaxing...
Anyone who has experienced the pain of a lower back strain or pull knows how difficult it can be to walk, turn, bend down or carry objects. However, post-injury exercise is one of the best ways to get back on your feet, says Big Back Pain. After a...
Tough yet spongy disks cushion the bones in your spinal column. If a disc slips even slightly out of place, it can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain and numbness. When this condition occurs in the lower back or legs, it is known as a...
You can burn upward of 1,000 calories an hour while running, making this the most energy-consuming of aerobic exercises. As a result, running is a useful mode of exercise for people trying to lose weight. However, if you're overweight, the stress...
Three major muscles comprise the hip flexors, which work together to maintain hip flexibility and stabilize the lower body. The hip flexors are located on the upper thighs, just below the hip bones. Hip flexor injuries are common in athletes,...
If your stomach isn't as toned and flat as you'd like, hundreds of crunches may not make a difference. By adding a few new exercises into your routine that tone both the upper and lower abdominal muscles, you can get the flat, tight stomach you've...
Hip injuries are common in those who participate in sports that demand explosive movements of the hip muscles. Weak lower abdominal muscles and tight ligaments also can contribute to hip muscle injuries. After having been cleared by the physician...
Shaping your buttocks requires exercises that focus on your glutes (buttocks muscles). To determine the best exercises for toning the glutes, the American Council on Exercise and the La Crosse Exercise and Health Program Firming performed a study....
The squat works your legs and hips, builds strength and power, burns fat and improves your sprint times and vertical leap. The squat does not just work your quadriceps, or the muscles on the front of your thighs. The squat also works your...
There are many exercises that can strengthen the gluteus maximus (butt), as well as help lift and shape it. It is one of the most worked areas of the body. The following exercises are highly effective and require no equipment.
Joseph Pilates built his exercise method around strengthening the core muscles. He developed several series of exercises on equipment and the mat to build muscular symmetry and increase flexibility and balance. Because the Swiss ball, or exercise...
The lower abdominal muscles serve as a link between the trunk and the upper body, and can provide support to the lumbar spine as well. Sore or tight lower abdominal muscles can impair this region's ability to support the body and can place excess...
An anterior pelvic tilt can develop if you wear high-heeled shoes often and your knees angle toward each other. This position looks as if you are pushing your stomach out in front of you, with the tops of your hip bones bent forward. The abnormal...
Stretching with your arms above your head stretches many muscles and connectives in your shoulders, back, upper hips, chest and abdominals. This helps you alleviate back stiffness, spine compression and lengthen tight ab and chest muscles,...
According to Arnold Schwarzenegger in his book "The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding," your body doesn't care what you think you are telling it to do. It will respond only to messages sent through the nervous system. Your muscles don't learn...
The lower abdominals are a crucial part of your core musculature, which are the muscles in the center of your body responsible for your posture and balance. A strong core supports athletic and dynamic movements, but it also protects your lower...
If you experience pain following a squat workout, see a physician. Residual soreness remains part of training, and will go away with a proper diet and adequate rest. Sharp pain in your back lets you know that something is wrong -- and it may be...
Firming your buttocks will get you the butt of your dreams. The best exercises for toning the glutes (butt muscles) were studied by The La Crosse Exercise and Health Program, according to the article "Glutes To The Max" by Mark Anders in the...
Incorporate butt-busting workouts into your fitness routine. Your butt muscles include the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius and the gluteus minimus. They help support your trunk, and they're also important for your posture, movement and...
Push-ups are the "ultimate multitasking exercise," according to Alwyn Cosgrove, a gym owner in Santa Clarita, California. Proper form is essential in gaining the most benefits. Push-ups work your chest, shoulders and triceps primarily, but they...
It is possible to perform a full-body workout with minimal exercise equipment. A single dumbbell is all the equipment you need to strengthen and tighten your biceps, triceps, abdominals, thighs, hips and buttocks. Consistently performing these...
Sciatica refers to pain radiating down the back of the leg into the calf and foot. Sciatica is a symptom, not a disorder. Many causes can irritate the sciatic nerve and if the proper precautions aren't taken, exercise can cause this pain.
After giving birth, it is important to spend the first few weeks bonding with your baby and recovering. When you are ready, daily exercise can help restore muscle strength and tone as well as increase energy levels. The American Council on...
Posture is the position of your body when upright while standing, sitting, and lying down. Proper posture allows the body to perform activities in an aligned position, which puts the least strain on the body and allows the proper muscles, tendons,...
Burn fat fast with a home workout and a calorie-reduced diet. According to Anita Bean, author of "Sports Nutrition," the most effective way to burn fat is to combine exercise with a lower calorie intake. There are many exercises you can do in the...
