Wellness
If you have been watching infomercials during your spare time, perhaps you would have noticed that over the years, there has been a major change when it comes to exercise and gym products being advertised on TV.
Before, we were used to seeing new models of treadmills, stationary bikes, even dumbbells and other gym equipment that allow us to perform cardiovascular and strength exercises. Now, a vast majority of products being sold on TV are those that target one specific area, our abdominals.
This is because of the emphasis being put by fitness experts on our CORE muscles. The core is the midsection of our body, from the groin to the shoulder. It includes our pelvis, back, abs and chest muscles. Every movement we make originates from it. Therefore, if the core is not conditioned, it will affect the strength of our other muscles.
Think of yourself as a car. No matter how much you spend and how well you take care of the hood, wheels, and even the upholstery, if you don’t take good care of your engine, then your car will not do you any good. It might look good, but if it doesn’t even run decently, then it doesn’t amount to much, right?
Same thing goes for your body. Even if you are able to perform a thousand bicep curls and a hundred leg curls, if your core is not strong enough, you will not be able to optimize the strength of your limbs, and worse, it can even lead to injuries.
So what do you do now? Strengthen your core. Lucky for you, there are very simple ways to do it. Pilates and the Swiss Ball are two of them.
Here’s how they are different from one another.
The Pilates makes use of our own body for resistance. It mixes proper breathing with slow and controlled movements while lying on the floor most of the time. In this way, the core muscles are strengthened.
The Swiss Ball, meanwhile, provides instability and engages the core as you try to balance on it. There are many fun and easy exercises that you can do with it; and each one of them helps make our core muscles stronger.
Even without core exercises, having the proper posture when lifting weights will help out a lot to strengthen the core. Straightening your body while doing push ups can also help.
While core exercises are very easy to perform, many are discouraged because they get hurt easily and are unable to do as many repetitions as they could.
Note that it’s supposed to be like that. You will feel some discomfort in your abdominals because you are engaging your muscles there. But then again, it’s always best to seek a trainer’s advice to ensure that you are doing things right.
By: Dian Sia
About the Author:
Before, we were used to seeing new models of treadmills, stationary bikes, even dumbbells and other gym equipment that allow us to perform cardiovascular and strength exercises. Now, a vast majority of products being sold on TV are those that target one specific area, our abdominals.
This is because of the emphasis being put by fitness experts on our CORE muscles. The core is the midsection of our body, from the groin to the shoulder. It includes our pelvis, back, abs and chest muscles. Every movement we make originates from it. Therefore, if the core is not conditioned, it will affect the strength of our other muscles.
Think of yourself as a car. No matter how much you spend and how well you take care of the hood, wheels, and even the upholstery, if you don’t take good care of your engine, then your car will not do you any good. It might look good, but if it doesn’t even run decently, then it doesn’t amount to much, right?
Same thing goes for your body. Even if you are able to perform a thousand bicep curls and a hundred leg curls, if your core is not strong enough, you will not be able to optimize the strength of your limbs, and worse, it can even lead to injuries.
So what do you do now? Strengthen your core. Lucky for you, there are very simple ways to do it. Pilates and the Swiss Ball are two of them.
Here’s how they are different from one another.
The Pilates makes use of our own body for resistance. It mixes proper breathing with slow and controlled movements while lying on the floor most of the time. In this way, the core muscles are strengthened.
The Swiss Ball, meanwhile, provides instability and engages the core as you try to balance on it. There are many fun and easy exercises that you can do with it; and each one of them helps make our core muscles stronger.
Even without core exercises, having the proper posture when lifting weights will help out a lot to strengthen the core. Straightening your body while doing push ups can also help.
While core exercises are very easy to perform, many are discouraged because they get hurt easily and are unable to do as many repetitions as they could.
Note that it’s supposed to be like that. You will feel some discomfort in your abdominals because you are engaging your muscles there. But then again, it’s always best to seek a trainer’s advice to ensure that you are doing things right.
By: Dian Sia
About the Author:
Rosemount fitness trainerin The Body Project Studio has become popular in weight loss program in and around Eagan. They guarantee the best weight loss program around the city. You can visit them here http://thebodyprojectstudio.com/
While there is no way to spot reduce fat through exercising or diet alone, one of the best ways to ensure a flatter stomach is by strengthening your core. In recent years, several forms of exercise have become popular that address this group of muscles, which are located in the abdomen, lower back and pelvis. They’ve been endorsed by Hollywood celebrities and models, who tout the longer, leaner look they’ve achieved through these low-impact exercises that are popular for their flowing, graceful movements and ease of practice. Many can be practiced at home, though some may require special equipment. Pilates, yoga, and use of an exercise ball are the most popular examples of these core exercises.
Pilates is the newest craze in core exercising, though it has been around since the first World War. The focus here is on form and breathing. Every move has to be carefully conducted, involving all parts of the body. The main theories include precision and control, rhythm and flow, concentration, balanced muscle development, and centering. Statistics show there are over 14,000 Pilates instructors in the United States and millions of practitioners. Moves are easily modified for all fitness levels. While some complain that Pilates includes complicated equipment and high-priced lessons, there are many instructional videos available that allow you to practice at home for a fraction of the cost.
Yoga is a spiritual practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It is not only a form of exercise, but also a way of life for many. Yoga involves several postures, or asanas, that come together in various sequences. Yoga poses can be easily modified based on your fitness level. No special equipment is needed, though some might purchase a yoga mat, block and strap. There are several variations of yoga in the West, and it is no longer solely a spiritual practice, as many who practice it only regard it as a form of exercise.
The exercise ball is a large inflatable ball used to perform various exercises. The most popular are sit-ups and push-ups, as the ball forces you to maintain your balance while performing these basic exercises. This continual balancing act strengthens your core muscles. Many videos are available, and some incorporate yoga or Pilates as well. The ball is easily deflated for storage and usually costs less than $20. It is a convenient way to practice balance in your own home and use traditional exercises to strengthen core muscles.
No matter what exercise method you choose, these are not created for quick weight loss, but rather to give you a longer, leaner look. You may notice a reduction in inches before a significant drop in body weight. Be sure to follow a sensible diet, and if cravings are a problem, try a natural appetite suppressant like hoodia to keep you on track.
By: Susan Patterson
About the Author:
Pilates is the newest craze in core exercising, though it has been around since the first World War. The focus here is on form and breathing. Every move has to be carefully conducted, involving all parts of the body. The main theories include precision and control, rhythm and flow, concentration, balanced muscle development, and centering. Statistics show there are over 14,000 Pilates instructors in the United States and millions of practitioners. Moves are easily modified for all fitness levels. While some complain that Pilates includes complicated equipment and high-priced lessons, there are many instructional videos available that allow you to practice at home for a fraction of the cost.
Yoga is a spiritual practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It is not only a form of exercise, but also a way of life for many. Yoga involves several postures, or asanas, that come together in various sequences. Yoga poses can be easily modified based on your fitness level. No special equipment is needed, though some might purchase a yoga mat, block and strap. There are several variations of yoga in the West, and it is no longer solely a spiritual practice, as many who practice it only regard it as a form of exercise.
The exercise ball is a large inflatable ball used to perform various exercises. The most popular are sit-ups and push-ups, as the ball forces you to maintain your balance while performing these basic exercises. This continual balancing act strengthens your core muscles. Many videos are available, and some incorporate yoga or Pilates as well. The ball is easily deflated for storage and usually costs less than $20. It is a convenient way to practice balance in your own home and use traditional exercises to strengthen core muscles.
No matter what exercise method you choose, these are not created for quick weight loss, but rather to give you a longer, leaner look. You may notice a reduction in inches before a significant drop in body weight. Be sure to follow a sensible diet, and if cravings are a problem, try a natural appetite suppressant like hoodia to keep you on track.
By: Susan Patterson
About the Author:
Susan Patterson has been studying alternative medicine and health for over 10 years. She loves to write to help others, especially in the area of quick weight loss, which can be accomplished safely. She has found several herbal remedies to be effective in her journey to better health without the side effects that medications cause. She is particularly passionate about hoodia for weight loss. Other interests include exercise, yoga and meditation.
