Fitness

You may wonder if you should use a weight lifting belt when you lift free weights. If your goal is to become a power lifter then, yes, you should get one, but do not use it all the time. If your...

Training and developing body muscles helps increase overall lean muscle mass which in turn burns more fat throughout the day. A lower ratio of fat within the body is also a health benefit....

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...

One of the most challenging things women in their 40s face is a decrease in metabolism. Hormonal and lifestyle changes contribute to this, and while this can seem hopeless, it's not. You can fight...

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,...

Research has shown that weight training can increase bone density and help seniors guard against osteoporosis. Lifting weights also will help you trim fat, tone muscles and increase stamina in a...

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...

Weight training exercises are one of the best ways to get muscle tone and lose weight. If you don't already use weights in your routine it's about time you did. It does help if you belong to...

Hand weights and plated dumbbells are two forms of weights that can be used to achieve fitness goals. Dumbbells are often adjustable and used for building strength and power. Hand weights are...

The disc shaped weights used on barbells are commonly referred to as plates. Some plates can become rusted if they are left outdoors or allowed to remain wet for long periods of time because they...

Some people claim that you cannot get a great workout using only machine weights. Instead, you need to use free weights. This is not true. While free weights certainly are great for functional...

Weight vests are used by athletes to enhance the productivity of their workouts. Wearing weights increases the body's resistance even during simple exercises such as walking. Adding weights to a...

A toned back and upper torso looks good and is good for you. The muscles in the upper body allow us to perform necessary tasks on a daily basis. And, they help us to look good in the clothes we...

Teenage bodybuilding is considered unsafe by many people. However, the U.S. National Institutes of Health issued a report that said bodybuilding during the teenage years is completely safe and...

Just 21 percent of women lift weights two or more times a week, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Those women opt to lift weights to create a strong, toned and sculpted body;...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strength training burns fat, strengthens bones, improves sleeps, reduces the risk of heart disease and even seems to make people...

Two main types of resistance that people use to enhance their workouts are elastics and free weights. Each has its advantages, and it is best to incorporate both into a well-rounded routine. If...

Five-pound free weights can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them to build endurance and strength in your legs, back, arms and abdominal area. Since they are free weights, they require...

Most of today's gyms are outfitted with a variety of gym and weightlifting equipment. It can be customized to suit the needs of the beginner all the way up to the advanced participant. At first...

There is a commonly held belief that lifting weights contributes to joint pain. While it's true that lifting weights using poor form can injure joints and lead to pain, research shows that proper...

Almost everyone who lifts weights wears a weight lifting belt. Several years past, only professional athletes (mostly male) wore the power weight lifting belts. Now, walk into your local gym and...

There are benefits and drawbacks associated with exercising with leg or ankle weights. They can increase endurance but they can also increase the risk for injury. They can be used during...

An exercise ball can increase the intensity of your strength-training workout. Combining dumbbell exercises with a ball engages more muscles to help you stay balanced, which improves core strength...

There are many ways to get in shape quickly. Among the best and most time-efficient ways is to do circuit training. If you have only six weeks to build muscle and tone up, it is what you should be...

The butterfly press is a great exercise for the chest muscles. It works the chest in a different way than a regular bench press does. It is best to do more than one exercise for each muscle group...

It is important to learn how to spot someone lifting weights to ensure safety in the gym. Even experienced weight lifters need occasional help, and nobody is immune from an unexpected muscle cramp...

Many people buy home exercise equipment, including free weights, only to watch it gather dust. Eventually, they want to get rid of them. So many people follow this pattern that many...

Wearing light weights while exercising can increase the number of calories you burn and help you gain muscle strength. The easiest way to add weight to your workout is to wear ankle or wrist...

Wrinkles are not the only predicament that comes with aging. As the years fly by, the body will start to lose valuable muscle. Katherine Hobson, writing on the U.S. News & World Report...

Ankle weights are lightly weighted tubes that can be slipped over or around the ankle. Adding a slight amount of weight to a simple exercise adds resistance and can help increase strength. Ankle...

Wrist weights are a great way to add extra resistance to your workout. Wear weights on your wrist while working out to increase the challenge of the workout and add extra toning to your muscles....

Fat storage in the back can be particularly difficult to get rid of, especially as you age. According to Gerald Endress, exercise physiologist at Duke University, "There is not a way to 'spot...

If you are looking to gain weight, chances are you are an ectomorph, or a "hardgainer." Many thin men and women want to gain muscle weight; however, because of their fast metabolism they have a...

Increasing your weight load during a walk is a subtle way to boost calorie burn and tone glutes with very little additional effort or expense. According to a study conducted by University of...

Fitness experts are divided on the wisdom of walking with free weights. Proponents insist that using weights while walking is an efficient way to tone muscle and increase calorie burn by up to 7...

A strong spine is a must for a healthy living. Back pain can range from temporary to chronic, and in some cases can be debilitating. A variety of factors cause back pain including aging, poor...

Having large, strong arm and shoulder muscles can be impressive and displays your upper body strength. Make sure you isolate and work these specific muscle groups. Although it is fairly easy to...

Ankle weights are worn around the ankle during workouts to provide weight-resistance during exercises that do not traditionally have a weight-training component. Ankle weights can be worn during...

Free weights are a great and easy way to build your pectoral muscles. You can achieve results quickly whether you're working out at home or at the gym. Starting off slowly, build up your strength...

We make working out seem so difficult, but when you break it into short, easy, 2 minute segments, you can get a total body workout with this simple routine, and others to follow -- just two...

Some say you can't gain strength working with light hand weights. While it's true you won't gain a lot of bulk or extreme strength, you can become more powerful and toned by getting regular...

Having a home gym is a convenience that allows you exercise without the nuisance of paying a monthly fee or using the on-site showers. Figuring out how to move all of the equipment, though, can...

The best way to build muscle is to do some form of resistance training. You can do resistance training many ways. Some popular methods are using either free weights or exercise bands. Another way...

Exercise equipment can take a lot of abuse. Sweat, dust, and general wear and tear not only can make the equipment look bad, but also can damage the machines. Forgetting to clean the sweat from...

It is not always easy to remove rust from weights, however, with a commercial product or with items you have around the house and a little bit of "elbow grease" you should be able to have...

Just because those old weights are covered in rust doesn't mean they won't work anymore. Revive that weight set and keep it rust-free. With a little scrubbing, you will be lifting weights again in...

Cardio activity is an ideal way to lose weight when combined with a healthy diet, but some try to increase calorie burn by adding ankle weights during a workout. Ankle weights may also be used...

In order to shed one pound of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories. The more you move in an exercise, the more calories you are going to use. To increase the amount of calories you burn, you can...

Fitness trainers suggest a well-rounded workout routine no matter what your goal. However, weight training is the only true way to build muscle, whether you are young or old. Supplement the weight...

Elastic resistance bands and free weights are two common types of exercise equipment. Both types of equipment have advantages and disadvantages.