health sectionhealth sectionYou might expect to see yoga combined with a slow, gentle martial art like tai chi, but kickboxing and yoga are a unique combination not often found in one studio. That didn’t stop the owners of…
Doing hand motions before a cheer and jump requires you to make sure that your hands are clasped in just the right way. Do hand motions before a cheer and jump with help from an experienced dance…
Doing a side bun with curls and a headband works best with a looser type of wave in your hair. Do a side bun with curls and a headband with help from a hair and makeup artist in this free video clip.
Backwards braids are essentially like a French braid, only backwards. Do backwards braids and find out the step-by-step process with help from a hair and makeup artist in this free video clip.
Doing a chic ponytail is a great way to accentuate your natural features like your cheekbone. Do a chic ponytail step-by-step with help from a hair and makeup artist in this free video clip.
Pizza has the potential to directly add to abdominal fat, but some of the harmful effects can be prevented by engaging in exercise one hour after eating. Exactly how fatty a piece of pizza is varies,…
Running in a pool burns more calories compared to running on land. Water acts like a liquid weight machine and adds resistance all around the legs. This means that you need to expend more energy when…
You've probably seen people using resistance bands to crank out biceps or triceps curls, but the equipment can also come in handy for working the hips, butt and abs. Since these simple bands are so…
Kundalini yoga is a form of yoga that focuses on sequences of exercises, meditations and breath work that balance the energy of the body and mind. Kundalini exercises are referred to as kriyas, which…
Overuse from playing sports and working out can cause your instep – the top of the arch of your foot – to feel painful. Usually the posterior tibial tendon, which runs from the back of the…
Yoga is not just a beneficial method for achieving relaxation and promoting stress relief, it's also one of the most effective ways of strengthening and toning your entire body. If you want to trim…
Boxing is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of physical fitness and muscular power. The standard push-up provides both of these benefits: it's a compound exercise that works your…
A standard crunch involves flexing the spine -- bending it forward -- which is only one of several spinal movements that the abdominal muscles perform. They also rotate, or twist, the spine and…
Jumping rope has many benefits including improving your cardiovascular system, increasing body awareness and burning calories. The right-sized jump rope makes your jumping easier and keeps your…
The stomach, arms and legs are comprised of large muscle groups that can get a lot of attention during bikini season. Firming and tightening those groups requires a holistic, whole-body approach using…
Pushups are a simple and effective body-weight exercise that you can add to any fitness regimen, regardless of whether you work out in the gym or at home. By making a slight adjustment to the position…
A gym membership is not required to lose fat. You don't need expensive, indoor cardiovascular equipment or weight-training machines to improve the look and feel of your legs. Although you cannot spot…
Walking and running are effective methods of exercise that improve cardiovascular health, muscular endurance and overall stamina. The treadmill lets you get in your road work without the hassle of…
It can be challenging to find enough time to exercise daily, but if your schedule affords you the opportunity to work out in the morning and evening, you're roughly doubling the number of calories you…
Using a rowing machine is an effective way to work out all the muscles of the body, the American College of Sports Medicine notes. Regular rowing exercises strengthen the heart and burn away excess…
A Hatha yoga class is slower paced than the more upbeat flow of a Vinyasa practice or the rigorous intensity of Ashtanga. However, if you practice Vinyasa, Ashtanga, even Bikram yoga, you are…
Working the lower body through free weights requires the use of several powerlifting exercises that can be tough to master. Among these are the squat and the deadlift. Although the forms of each…
The planes of motion concept is not an exciting facet of fitness training, but it is a useful one that can help you design a more effective workout routine. The body is divided into three planes, or…
The sternocleidomastoid is a muscle that extends from the back of the skull around the ear lobes down to the collar bone. The sternocleidomastoid engages every time you turn your head to the side,…
A kettlebell provides an intense workout for all your major muscle groups. This resistance-training tool was developed more than 300 years ago by Russian strongmen to improve their endurance,…
Fat builds up in your body when you take in more calories than you expend. You have to eliminate 3,500 excess calories to lose one pound of fat. It sounds simple, but burning 3,500 calories requires…
In recent years, doctors discouraged pregnant women from exercising at a workout intensity that elevated the heart rate above 140 beats per minute. Although you may still use this recommendation as a…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults participate in 75 to 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly in addition to muscle strengthening. The higher the intensity of the…
Treadmills are among the most popular pieces of exercise equipment in the gym because they are easy to use and help you burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. Before you join the throngs of…
You may worry that vigorous exercise just before bedtime will interfere with the length and quality of your sleep. Results of the National Sleep Foundation's "Sleep in America" 2013 poll…
Historically, Southern belles were young women from wealthy families who were expected to have perfect manners and wear the latest fashions. Their peak in notoriety was during the thirty years leading…
In a traditional shoulder shrug, you stand and hold dumbbells in your hands. Keeping your arms straight, you raise your shoulders as high as you can and then lower them. This exercise targets the…
Pushups are a staple exercise in many fitness routines. They’re convenient because they typically require no equipment. They also provide a solid return on your time investment because pushups…
If you're too busy to make the trek to the gym everyday, a dumbbell routine will provide a practical way to exercise at home, at work or on-the-go. Free weights are portable and relatively…
By combining the squat with the shoulder raise, you’re able to develop a greater number of muscles while performing just one exercise. This is beneficial for those who don’t have much time…
If you want to torch calories, tone your buttocks and build stamina, the stair stepper's got your back -- but only if you use it properly. Correct form, intensity and exercise frequency all help…
Barbell hip thrusts aren't commonplace in most training routines as they're a tricky move to perform. To perform the hip thrust, you sit on the floor with your upper-back resting against a weight…
Not all exercises are equal, even when they are the same exercise targeting the same muscle, using slightly different variations. For many upper-body free-weight exercises, you have the choice of…
Your shoulder muscle is responsible for moving your shoulder joint and can lift your arm forward, backward, out to the side and internally or externally rotate it. Your shoulder has three parts -- the…
The shoulder press exercise targets the anterior, or front, shoulder muscle. It also works the lateral, or side, shoulder and the triceps and trapezius muscles in the upper back. The design and…
When you're looking for footwear with a little extra kick, reach for an interesting color combination. Whether you're the type of person whose style leans toward a subtle, soft color palette or one…
The leg toss exercise is something that requires two people to complete successfully. Find out more about the leg toss exercise with help from a fitness expert and trainer in this free video clip.
If your goal is to increase your running speed, ultimately what you need to be focusing on is gaining strength in certain areas of your body. Find out about exercises that you can do at home on how to…
Isometric exercises for the latissimus dorsi include the classic "Superman" pose, among others. Find out about great isometric exercises for the latissimus dorsi with help from a fitness expert and…
Running exercises for beginners can include simple tasks like setting yourself to jog for a certain period of time. Learn about running exercises for beginners with help from a fitness expert and…
There are many different ways in which you can work out your shoulder stabilizer muscles, including with lateral raises. Work out shoulder stabilizer muscles with help from a fitness expert and…
Lengthening your running stride with resistance training is a really great way to build strength and power throughout your body. Lengthen your running stride with resistance training with help from a…
Mixing long distance running with weight lifting is a great way to balance nutrition and exercise on a regular basis. Mix long distance running with weight training with help from a fitness expert and…
Running exercises to strengthen the hips can include leg lifts, which are the ultimate hip building exercise. Find out about running exercises to strengthen the hips with help from a fitness expert…
Doing a stationary reverse lunge is a really terrific way to engage your core. Find out how to properly do a stationary reverse lunge with help from a fitness expert and trainer in this free video…
The jackknife exercise is a really efficient way to work out a few key areas of your body like the rectus abdominus. Find out which muscles the jackknife exercise works with help from a fitness expert…
Exercises to tone a female's large chest must target the pectoralis major area of the body. Find out about great exercises to tone a female's large chest with help from a fitness expert and trainer in…
Doing origami sheep is easy, so long as you're breaking the process down into a series of manageable steps. Do an easy origami sheep step by step with help from an origami professional in this free…
Doing an origami ring requires you to start by folding the center of your paper. Do an origami ring step by step with help from an origami professional in this free video clip.
The angles of calf raises will affect how effectively those raises target your muscles. Learn about the angles of calf raises with help from a personal trainer in this free video clip.
Just because you want to workout your chest doesn't mean that you're going to have to do a lot of bench pressing. Learn about a great chest workout without bench pressing with help from a personal…
Plyometric exercises are a great way to increase your running speed as much as possible. Do plyometric exercises for running speed with help from a personal trainer in this free video clip.
Vertical jump workouts for the calves can be done in the squat position for maximum effectiveness. Learn about a great vertical jump workout for calves with help from a personal trainer in this free…
A biceps and triceps workout with a weighted mini-pole will really help both tone and strengthen while physically moving up and down. Do a biceps and triceps workout with a weighted mini-pole with…
Calf-stretching devices include the foam roller, among others. Find out more about calf-stretching devices with help from a personal trainer in this free video clip.
Muscle-toning exercises for middle-aged people help them move their bodies as efficiently as possible. Find out about muscle-toning exercises for middle-aged people with help from a personal trainer…
Advanced workout routines for the shoulder require you to warm up your shoulder beforehand to avoid injury. Find out about advanced workout routines for the shoulder with help from a personal trainer…
Neutral is the most stable shock absorbing position for your spine to be in. Find out which exercises in Pilates use neutral spine with help from a fully certified STOTT Pilates instructor in this…
Hamstring exercises on the reformer can be done either in the prone or lying positions. Learn about hamstring exercises on the reformer with help from a fully certified STOTT Pilates instructor in…
Working out the outer thigh on the Pilates machine requires you to hold your foot in a very specific position. Learn about working out the outer thigh on the Pilates machine with help from a fully…
Exercises for the posterior pelvic tilt include the back knee stretches, among others. Learn about exercises for posterior pelvic tilt with help from a fully certified STOTT Pilates instructor in this…
Posterior and lateral stretching for the hips requires you to lay on your back in a neutral spine position. Learn about posterior and lateral stretching for the hips with help from a fully certified…
Compound exercises are great for working the lower stomach and lower abdominal muscle. Find out what compound exercises work the lower stomach with help from a fully certified STOTT Pilates instructor…
Three abdominal exercises that are not traditional abdominal exercises can all be done on the Pilates Reformer. Learn about three abdominal exercises that are not traditional abdominal exercises with…
The stereotypical image of a 50-year-old is far from a well-trained individual with a toned, healthy shape, but like most stereotypes, this one fails to hold up in every case. You can be such a case,…
A woman's waistline is often the focus of her shape. A small waist is an asset that can complement large thighs with the right pant style and fit. Balance your proportions with the correct pants to…
Incline dumbbell presses are a demanding chest exercise. Using dumbbells forces you to recruit more stabilizing muscles than pressing a barbell or a fixed weight machine. While they mainly hit your…
Exercising provides a long list of physical and emotional benefits, but an added perk of changing into your workout gear and breaking a sweat is that you have a virtually endless array of exercises…
Basketball players must be quick on their feet. They’ve got to be able to explode into maximum-height jumps, sprint at full speed and change directions as quickly as possible. All of these…
The elliptical trainer gets a lot of press for the low-impact, full-body workout it offers. These machines are both popular and pricey, though -- so you can't always score time on one at the gym, and…
Pilates is a method of exercise designed to strengthen your entire body using controlled, precise movements initiated through your core muscles. The method was created by Joseph Pilates, a German…
If you wish to enter the U.S. Army, you must pass the Army’s physical fitness test, or APFT, which includes pushups, situps and a 2-mile run. You must score at least 50 points in each phase to…
Your shoulders are considered ball-and-socket joints, which allow them to move in an array of different directions. When you lift your arms in front of you, it’s anatomically referred to as…
Both the upright row and shoulder press primarily target the major muscle in the shoulders. By combining these two exercises into one fluid movement, you can quickly overload and develop the…
Busy people sometimes have a hard time finding the time to exercise. A long walk or scheduled soccer game may not fit into your schedule. Sneaking in exercise a few minutes at a time, three times a…
Exercises to work your front delts focus on the interior deltoid heads. Learn about exercises to work your front delts with help from a distinguished fitness professional in this free video clip.
A stability exercise for a single leg squat with a medicine ball can be done right at home whenever you'd like. Do a stability exercise for a single leg squat with a medicine ball with help from a…
The push-up position for the knees requires your legs to be crossed and your shoulder blades to be a certain length apart. Find out about a push-up position for the knees with help from a…
Runner's knee squats are a really great exercise to do to make sure that you have the strength and stamina you need while running. Learn about runner's knee squats with help from a distinguished…
Exercises for stretching and elongating the spine are typically done while laying down. Exercise for strengthening and elongating the spine with help from a distinguished fitness professional in this…
Exercises to reduce butt size include the classic lunges and squats, among others. Exercise to reduce butt size with help from a distinguished fitness professional in this free video clip.
Lateral walking lunge exercises require you to make sure that your knee does not exceed your foot. Learn about lateral rear walking lunge exercises with help from a distinguished fitness professional…
Alternating rear lunges can be done with or without weights wherever and whenever you'd like. Get a description of alternating rear lunges with help from a distinguished fitness professional in this…
A staggering 13 million Americans practice some form of the mind-body practice known as yoga, according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. This mind-body moving meditation type of exercise…
The Bosu ball is a balance trainer that can be used with both sides up. The unstable surface of the Bosu provides a challenging platform upon which to perform your hip-strengthening exercises. Improve…
Regular exercise promotes overall health and increases strength and stamina. However, even the most experienced exercisers can fall victim to heat-related illnesses. Prolonged exposure to heat during…
Crunches and situps are no longer the only exercise options for targeting key muscles of the abdominals. Working the abdominal muscles isn’t confined to a prone position anymore, and a variety…
Although your body significantly changes during pregnancy, you can still keep it toned by working out on a regular basis. In addition to staying fit, outer-thigh exercises can provide you with many…
You don't have to be Michael Phelps to get in the water and work out. Swimming laps is just one form of aquatic aerobics. In many fitness centers, there are different types of aquatic group exercise…
Cardiovascular exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, lowers your risk of heart disease, strengthens your bones, increases your strength and endurance, and improves your mood and your sleep. In…
No single aerobic exercise is equally ideal for everyone; what works for an elite athlete doesn't necessarily work for a beginner and what is suitable for someone who's in shape doesn't necessarily…
Doing a scruffy ponytail is something that you can do with undone, messy hair. Get a step-by-step tutorial for how to do a scruffy ponytail with help from a New York City hair and makeup stylist in…
Mesh kennels provide a cozy hut for your furry friend, often creating a stronger sense of security than metal wire crates. Both types of cages have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your…
Negative motion is the lowering phase of any exercise; every resistance exercise has three phases. In the isometric phase the lifter exerts a force equal to the weight, which does not move. For the…
All children over 2 years of age should be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day, according to the American Heart Association. This is not only something that will help improve their…
You've probably heard fitness professionals tell you over and over that you need a full range of motion to get the most benefit from lifting weights, but the static contraction turns that idea on its…
Jumping rope is an integral part of any professional boxer's training regimen. This simple exercise helps boxers develop their coordination, foot speed and endurance, all while burning calories and…
Tai chi is a form of moving meditation that is also a martial art. If you become a practitioner of tai chi, you will learn how to increase your vitality and health through exercises that manipulate…
As that cute little baby bump begins to grow, you may notice that other areas also start to expand, areas that have nothing to do with your baby. While it is probably inevitable that you'll have to go…
When traveling in Europe, dress as much like a local as possible to avoid being a target for pickpockets and swindlers. One fashion faux pas that always sets Americans apart is our proclivity toward…
With the ankle dorsiflexion step stretch, you stand on a step or stair with your toes on the edge of the step. You then lower your heels below the level of the stair. As your heels lower, your ankles…
There is a proper way to place your arms and hands when you're performing the basic bench press. There are also secondary ways to perform the press that utilize different arm and hand placements. As…
Weighted medicine balls offer a welcome variety for any strength-training routine. The overhead throw is used to measure and improve upper-body strength. The exercise is a plyometric workout that you…
Your calves are made up of two muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus. Both muscles plantar flex your ankle joint, which means they lift your heels up off the floor. The strength of your calves impacts…
You know you need the physical activity, but walking or running on the treadmill can be a mind-numbing chore. You can make the time go by faster by occupying your mind and body with different tasks.…
Weight training exercises to make a woman's shoulders broader include the lat pull-down, among others. Learn about weight training exercises to make a woman's shoulders broader with help from a mixed…
The Bruce Lee one finger push-up takes years of conditioning and a lot of core strength to achieve. Find out about the Bruce Lee finger push-up with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video…
Hapkido revival techniques use all the energy and force of one's mind and body. Find out about Hapkido revival techniques with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video clip.
Gracie 20 basic techniques teach you to use arm bars in different scenarios. Learn about Gracie 20 basic techniques with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video clip.
Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu is all about being aware of one's surroundings. Learn about Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu techniques with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video clip.
Naruto Taijutsu incorporates one's body into a free range of movement. Learn Naruto Taijutsu with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video clip.
The standard wrestling hairstyle is usually very short for safety reasons. Learn about wrestling hairstyles with help from a mixed martial artist in this free video clip.
Whether you want to keep active to maintain a healthy body or lose a few pounds of fat in anticipation of your summer beach holiday, picking exercises that burn calories quickly is important. Situps…
Exercise balls look pretty harmless. As an effective tool for building core strength, improving balance and increasing flexibility, they can be downright enticing. You might have seen experienced…
Flyes and bench presses use different motions -- and usually different equipment -- to accomplish similar tasks. Both exercises strengthen your chest and shoulders, and both work a variety of arm…
Kittens are undeniably sweet creatures, and their tiny tongues are certainly no exception, whether they're lapping up water or licking your hand. If your kitten likes to lavish you with sweet licking…
Many parents enroll their children in gymnastics as a method of helping the youths keep physically active, but if you're a little curious about this type of workout, don't be afraid to try it as an…
Don’t give up on your fitness routine when you are pregnant. Exercise is beneficial for your health and it also benefits your baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists…
Pushing sled exercises have a place in sport-specific routines, particularly for football and track. If you're a member of a commercial gym, it's unlikely you'll have access to one, as they are…
Once you conquer a mile or two, you may feel an urge to run longer distances. Six miles, just 0.2 miles short of a full 10K, is a goal that almost anyone can master with patience and proper training.…
Used correctly, elliptical machines can provide an effective cardio workout. If you slump, take it too easy or avoid varying your routine, the elliptical may lose some of its effectiveness. Strengthen…
The stomach crunch is a classic exercise for toning and strengthening the abdominal muscles, especially the rectus abdominis, the long flat muscle that lies on top of the abdomen. When crunches are…
Members of the United States military must perform a regular physical fitness examination, sometimes known as a PT test. While requirements differ based on your age, gender and the branch in which…
If you want to use exercise to help reach a healthy weight, you are probably considering the types of workouts at your disposal. Every exercise helps you burn calories, but they do so at different…
Stretching may help you gain flexibility, but the activity is not an efficient way to burn fat. Although all exercise increases your calorie burning to some degree, most stretching isn't intensive…
Bench pressing more weight is always a good ego boost, and strength gains on the bench can indicate an increase in muscle size too. The amount you can increase your bench press by depends on a number…
Get hip -- with yoga asanas that improve both strength and stability for healthier hips. Hips are the hub where the lower body joins the torso, propels it through space and allows you to -- gracefully…
A regular physical fitness program can reduce your risk of chronic disease, help you manage your weight, enhance your mood and enable you to sleep soundly. A complete exercise program includes two…
Bone density is partly affected by the amount of stress your bones are placed under. When you exercise, your muscles contract and pull on your bones. This stress forces your body to strengthen the…
Aerobic exercise is sustained movement of the major muscle groups that makes you breathe faster and your heart beat faster. Including regular aerobic, or cardiovascular, exercise in your life helps…
Lunges are a wonderful leg exercise that promotes strength, balance and stabilization. Your gluteus maximus muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and hip flexors are all engaged during the…
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that uses postures and breathing techniques. Even though the exercise has generally been associated with women in modern times, practicing yoga is quite beneficial…
When you’re exercising your lower legs it’s natural to focus on the much larger calf muscles. But don’t ignore the smaller muscles in front of your tibia, the major shin bone. The…
Exercise bands are a valuable type of fitness equipment due to their versatility and ability to help you stretch and strengthen your muscles. With many band exercises, you can hold both handles of the…
If shorts and skirts are a staple of your summer wardrobe, you might spend countless hours in the gym performing calf exercises to reach the chiseled look you desire. When you're done with your…
Resting when trying to build strength is counter-intuitive, but it is absolutely essential to avoid overtraining and make fitness gains. The body is adapting to new stress, and adaptation takes time.…
The American College of Sports Medicine periodically issues position stands that outline the group's recommendations on topics related to health and exercise. In 2009, ACSM released "Exercise and…
Lateral yoga involves lateral flexion, which happens when the torso bends sideways. Modern daily activities like sitting at a desk, driving or sitting on a plane can cause soreness in the spine and…
Music and its tempo are important in aerobics classes. If you are teaching a high/low impact or step aerobics class, the music adds structure to your class by helping participants stay on beat and…
It might look like a child's plaything, but that big ball you've been keeping around the house is actually a beneficial tool for staying fit. You can use your exercise ball for toning most of the…
From the beginning, aerobics classes have been a way to get an enjoyable cardio workout. When it all started in the 1960's, aerobics were basic workout classes involving simple choreography set to…
When time is of the essence, you want a workout that gives you the most bang for your buck. Driving to the gym, changing and battling for equipment can all take up valuable time too, meaning your…
Weight-training and cardiovascular exercise can help women burn body fat and firm and tone major muscle groups. The best forms of resistance to use and types of cardio to perform will vary based on…
If you've reached the point at which your legs rub together just a little too much when you walk, it's time to find an exercise regimen to help you burn fat and tone your muscles. Rollerskating and…
If you enjoy setting fitness goals and having a target to aim for, you probably enjoy a good competition that puts you up against other fitness enthusiasts. Taking on the challenge of a good push-up…
