Choosing a Fitness Boot Camp In gyms and local parks all across America, fitness boot camps are giving exercise enthusiasts something different to talk about. The term boot camp is based loosely off of military training camps which utilize jogging, sprinting, plyometrics, push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges and other forms of callisthenic exercises to prepare new recruits for duty, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE). The high intensity intervals performed in fitness boot camp classes helps to maximize caloric burn while...
read moreCan one yoga pose really tone and tighten multiple core muscles…including your rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, transverse abdominis, spine extensors and erector spinae? You bet. This crunch-free abdominal toner not only enhances core strength but may improve your posture. Start by sitting on a mat on the floor, on your “sit” bones or the bones at the base of your butt. Bend your knees and keep your legs together, feet flat on the floor. With your hands placed behind your thighs, contract your abdominal...
read moreFunctional training, also known as personalized functional training, is a fitness trend originally used by physical therapists. Physical therapists often work with clients suffering from a chronic injury (knee or back). During therapy, the client learns how to exercise without aggravating their condition. The goal is to strengthen the target and surrounding muscles. Subsequently, this improves how the client performs everyday activities. These activities include bending, squatting, reaching and kneeling. This should be a main motivator behind...
read moreInterval training is a popular method for increasing workout intensity to burn more calories and lose weight (body fat) faster. By definition, interval training is physical exercise routine that intersperses bursts of high-intensity (vigorous cardiovascular or aerobic) work with periods of lower-intensity work. The high-intensity periods should match your fitness level (longer high-intensity intervals for advanced exercisers). Strive to workout for at least 20 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down). Interval training basics You can engage...
read moreDeveloping a home fitness routine may seem daunting, even overwhelming, particularly if you are an exercise novice. In a world where “instant” is the norm, particularly in today’s technology world, it is tempting to skip the planning phase, diving into a potentially inappropriate exercise routine and overspending on exercise equipment. Save money, time, and potentially injury by familiarizing yourself with some fitness basics. Health Check Before embarking on any moderate to vigorous exercise routine, it is essential to check with your doctor...
read moreWhen you think cardio equipment for your home gym/home fitness routine, you likely think treadmill, elliptical machine and/or stationary bicycle. While these are all great picks and will allow you to get an effective heart-pumping workout, their are limits. These cardio machines, particularly the highest quality picks, are often expensive, don’t provide a full-body workout, take up a great deal of space and require maintenance that can be a headache. Have you ever considered a home rowing machine? If not, why? Do you see (and use) them...
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