Fitness

Developing an exercise routine can help you get in shape, shed pounds and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. With so many different exercises possible, it is hard to know where to start...

After a fractured ankle has healed, the affected area is weak because of the lack of activity. Strengthening the muscles around the ankle is one of the best ways for you to prevent future...

Arm muscles are some of the busiest muscles in the body. However, if the arm muscles are seldom used for heavy work, they can be torn when strained too much.

Knee pain can come quite suddenly after a fall or strain from athletic activity. If you have weak knees or knee pain, do not ignore it; start an exercise program that helps build muscle and...

The exercise ball, or Swiss ball, is a fairly common piece of fitness equipment that can help you to work your muscles from unusual positions and angles, increasing the intensity of your training...

Women who focus on whole body fitness see improvements in muscle tone, general health and energy levels. The more muscles you work, the more lean body mass you have, which means you burn more...

Performing specific exercises to lose fat in a particular area of the body is known as "spot reduction"--and exercise physiologists say spot reduction is impossible. What you can do, however, is...

To tone the back, in particular, hand-held weights are recommended. These can be in the form of cans of food, water bottles or dumbbells that are light (usually 1 to 5 pounds) which can allow for...

Runners plan and train for many months before running a marathon. Your recovery program after completing the 26.2-mile race should also be carefully planned to avoid muscle tightness and injuries....

Dense muscles are the exact opposite of "bodybuilding muscles." Dense muscle, as the name suggests, is hard and compact muscle, which allows for a very quick and powerful contraction. Sprinters...

Anabolic steroids were originally used to treat certain medical conditions, but since the late 1950's athletes have been using them to increase their strength, speed and endurance. Even though...

If part of your workout goal is to build chest, or pectoral, muscles, then you have to know how to focus on that area of your body. This article will help you learn how to work specific muscles...

A well-defined, strong-looking jawline commands authority and gives the appearance of masculinity. Simple exercises are available for people who want to improve the look of their jawline. These...

Often a product of age and gravity, a sagging chin and neckline also commonly plague those who have lost or gained weight abruptly. Just because the skin has begun to sag a little does not mean...

Developing lean body mass can turn into a difficult task in any fitness program. Work to get the balance right between burning fat and building muscle; use a healthy diet and a combination of...

For many people suffering from back pain, exercising the abs with crunches and traditional abdominal exercises is an impossible task. Even if the exercise itself does not hurt, back pain can be...

A pull-up is an exercise in which you hang from a suspended bar by your arms and pull your body up until your head is above your hands and your elbows are bent. Pull-ups work out a variety of...

Well-conditioned neck muscles can reduce injury to the spine and be visually impressive. While the Bowflex exercise system does not provide many direct neck exercises, there are ways to use this...

For people in wheelchairs who retain full upper body mobility, a wealth of different exercises are available from which to choose which will keep the back, shoulders, arms and chest fully fit....

Following a traumatic back injury that necessitates surgery, your first goal should be to minimize recovery time through the practice of rehabilitation exercises to restore range of motion along...

Neglected msucles often lead to many problems. Aches, pains, discomfort, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to neglected muscles. A few basic exercises and precautions can lead to improved shoulder...

Whenever you exercise or perform a physically strenuous activity that your body isn't used to, your muscle fibers are torn. This results in a condition called DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)....

Gaining weight and gaining muscle mass go hand in hand, as muscle is one of the heaviest tissues in the body. However, it is important to acquire only muscle weight rather than fat, as this can...

Many individuals would like to change something about their appearance. Few are completely satisfied with their own looks. Exercise involving various muscle groups not only improves appearance,...

Walking after a hip graft surgery can be challenging. You should always be cautious to avoid any injuries and complications. However, it is advisable to start some gentle activities immediately...

A person does not need to take supplements to gain strength and muscle. The best method for building muscle and strength is through weightlifting and a high protein diet. Make sure you work every...

To get your body in shape at 60 years old, it's important to check with your doctor first to make sure there are no health issues to prevent exercising. Then start off slowly, a little at a time,...

The hip flexor machine is a fairly popular piece of exercise equipment. It allows you to train your hips, glutes and hamstrings concurrently, providing a substantial level of return on a fairly...

Residual lactic acid and lack of proper workout protocol often are blamed for muscle discomfort during and after workouts. Lactic acid forms in muscles as they break down carbohydrates for energy....

Problems involving the knee joint can be almost entirely debilitating on fitness pursuits, as they can throw a proverbial wrench into a number of popular exercises, such as jogging on the track or...

Russian kettlebells are the latest rage, but have a long history of use by training athletes. Using kettlebells strengthen muscles, improve general body condition and help athletes lose fat. Many...

Abdominal toning wheels are easy to use exercise equipment that can help to add strength to your core and tighten the abdominal muscles. At the gym or in your own home, you can use these wheels...

Weightlifting helps to both shape and enlarge muscles. Performing many repetitions at a lighter weight tends to improve muscle tone, while lifting heavier weights for fewer repetitions tends to...

Muscle spasms are uncontrolled muscle contractions. They are much more intense than muscle twitches and they actually cause pain. Muscle spasms are also referred to as cramps. Unlike muscle...

A person's ankle size is largely a result of bone size dictated by genetics. However, there are exercises a person can perform to increase the size and strength of the tendons that extend into...

Qigong is a Chinese meditation practice that uses breathing and slow, controlled movements of the body's muscles to improve the practitioner's health and increase the body's qi, or chi. Qigong can...

you need to exercise on a regular basis to enhance your skin, size, hair, eyes and muscle definition. read more to find out what exercising really does for you and your body besides tone it up....

What are most commonly known as abdominals refer to four main muscle groups: the rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques and the transversus abdominis. The most visible of these are...

Sore muscles happen to everyone and sometimes on a daily basis. Whether you run, ski or climb, sore muscles are a everyday part of being active. There are a variety of ways to lessen sore muscles...

A leg cramp, also called a "charley horse," is a common occurrence, according to the National Sports Medicine Institute. A leg cramp is a sudden extreme pain in the muscle caused by an...

Pilates is an exercise system that works many vital parts of the body, especially the lower body. These exercises help strengthen the muscles in the body. Some Pilates experts also believe that...

Building the muscles in your jaw can not only improve the condition of your skin, but define your jawline. It can also help correct uncomfortable shifting of the jaw and tone fatty deposits that...

A hamstring strain is a debilitating injury that affects many athletes at least once in their careers. The hamstring muscles are the large, long muscles located at the back of the thigh. The...

During abdominal surgery the surgeon may have to cut through the fibers and muscles that make up the core strength of your body. By doing this the surgeon has weakened the core muscular system,...

A double chin or fatty neck can be a cause of low self-esteem as it is the most visible indication of declining fitness. Exercising and stretching the neck and face can help tone these areas and...

The Ab Slider is one of the more popular core and abdominal exercise machines. It consists of mainly of a container that has wheels on the bottom, so it is easy to roll on a flat surface, as well...

There are many ways to strengthen your body without using weights or going to an expensive gym. You can target many of the large muscle groups with a few simple exercises that can be modified to...

If you ever watched the Oscars, you probably yearned to have a sculpted body like Mario Lopez or Angelina Jolie. Six pack abs and bulging biceps are appealing to the naked eye and make you feel...

Running for exercise helps to keep your body fat low. If you would like to gain weight while running, you will need to add some weight training to your exercise regimen. Weight training will not...

Sciatica refers to pain that you may experience along your lower back down to your legs.The sciatic nerve runs from your spinal cord to your buttock, hip area and all the way down to the back of...