Trying to figure out what to do with all those machines at the gym, after being warned away from them by all the free-weight junkies? Even if you’re not a fan of their traditional uses, many of them have special benefits you can leverage for unique exercises--if nothing else, they'll get to be more than an eyesore and an occasional coat rack. Here are five alternative workouts to make gym machines work for you: (more…)
Fighting a bum knee, nursing an overworked elbow, or maybe just worrying about a family history of joint issues? Whatever the state of your joints, you don’t have to give up on staying in shape! There are countless ways to support your joints while you exercise, minimizing the impact, potential for slips and twists, and other causes of damage as you get in your daily exercise. The next time you hesitate to work out because of your joints, consider one of these joint support solutions: (more…)
When you go to the gym or out for a run or compete in an event, odds are good that you’re wearing workout attire made of “performance fabric,” or a combination of synthetic fibers. If you choose cotton fabrics, the sweat that builds from a workout won’t go away and will gradually weigh down your clothes throughout the rest of our workout. (more…)
Do you love avocados? I sure do. They’re rich and creamy and delicious. And I’m going to give you even more reasons to fall in love with this super fruit! (more…)
Sitting at a desk in the office all day isn’t a zero-effort endeavor; your body compresses, grinds, and worries away at your joints and muscles when you sit that long. Add in repetitive motions from typing, writing, drawing, etc., and it’s easy to wear yourself to nothing over years of the 9-5. Fortunately, there are exercises you can do to prep your body for the daily grind and long office hours, keeping you fit and healthy all the way until retirement. (more…)
A squat is an essential lower-body strengthening exercise. It builds muscle mass and is also a functional exercise. However, the delicate structure of the knee joint is susceptible to injuries during a squat. If you experience knee pain during a squat, or have suffered from a knee injury, a few modifications to this exercise should keep you going until you heal. (more…)
The span of time after your workout, when you enter the cool down phase, is a time when the cells in your body are most receptive to replenishment. This is a crucial part of your recovery phase and what you do during this time will have an impact on the outcome of your hard work. (more…)
You’ve probably heard that it is important to stretch before, during and after your workout, but do you know why? While many people view stretching as a nuisance or a part of their workout that they can skip, the truth is it is vital to not only your workout itself, but also the results. If you want to get more out of your workout you will start incorporating stretching into your routine. (more…)
Getting enough sleep is a rare and sought after commodity in our society today. Nearly half (around 40 percent) of adults in the United States are sleep deprived, getting fewer than 5 hours of sleep a night. Sleep research has shown that fewer than 6 hours of sleep can cause cognitive impairment. If sleep is that important for your brain function, what about your body? If you are trying to lose weight, get more fit, or become a better athlete then sleep is absolutely vital to your efforts. (more…)
It seems that just about everyone is jumping on the clean eating bandwagon lately – and with good cause. It is super healthy and a great way to lose weight. However, not all clean eating plans are created equal. Some seem to fudge the rules a little and stray from the core of this wonderful, pure, way of life. If you really want to eat clean, avoid these common clean eating traps. (more…)
