Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Jennifer Bayliss, MSEd, ATC, CSCS, who is Manager of Fitness for Everyday Health. ----- It is important to warm up before exercise for several reasons. The most important reason is the prevention of injury. It may add a few minutes to your workout, but it will allow you the opportunity to get even more out of your workouts. A general warm-up increases your core body temperature and gives the blood vessels an opportunity to dilate, or increase in size. This allows the blood to travel much easier through the vessels and lowers the … [Read more...]
How To Slim Down Or Sculpt Up For Summer
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Jackson Morrows who writes for FEM Nutrition. ----- You started out the year with good intentions and a New Year’s resolution to slim down and tone your body in time for summer. Unfortunately, the winter grind, lack of sleep and sunlight and all the Valentine’s Day chocolates slowed down your workout plans and derailed your diet. Don’t fear another four months of swimsuits, bikinis, shorts and tank tops, feeling less fit or not at your best. Instead, take charge and get your summer body back, just in time to hit the beach with … [Read more...]
The Beginner’s Guide To Whey Protein
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Nikki Mccoy who writes for Nutrition Discounters. ----- If you have any experience in the world of fitness or have spent any time around serious athletes, you’ve probably heard them talk about protein shakes or adding “protein powder” to their food. You may have even tried some yourself, getting a scoop of the powder added to a smoothie for a little boost. Chances are, if you’ve ever tried protein powder, it really was whey protein powder. Whey powder is the most common type of protein supplement. Before you start using it … [Read more...]
10 Things That Can Weaken Your Immune System
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Grace Kelly. ----- Are you constantly getting sick? Do you feel rundown and tired? Chances are your immune system is taking a pretty hard hit from some of the things you do on a routine basis. By cutting out some of the following things, you can substantially boost your immune system and keep sickness at bay. 1. Stress Stress is perhaps one of the worst things for your body. Research shows that about 90% of all ailments are, in someway, linked to stress. Most people like to ignore how awful stress truly is for them, but there is … [Read more...]
5 Top Tips For Maximum Flexibility For Dancers
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Cedric Grosjean who owns Dance Direct. ----- The younger you are, the more flexible you are. Aging makes everyone less flexible as muscles tense and the possibility of injury related to lack of flexibility increases. Professional levels of dance, be it urban dancing or classical ballet, can be reached only with enough strength and flexibility. But even today research on how to train your body to its optimum flexibility is limited. Even though scientists agree that flexibility depends on such factors as joint and muscle health, age, … [Read more...]
Easy Chair Workouts For The Lower Body And Abs
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Tanya Harris who writes for MyFood.co.uk ----- If you’re a cubicle dweller like many people, then you know all about what it’s like to spend between four to eight hours per day sitting down. The human body wasn’t built to sit down all day… that’s why we were given legs. Unfortunately, working in a chair all day seems like the only option for us. If you consistently get sore legs from being planted on your buttocks for a majority of the day, here are a few valuable exercises to keep your muscles loose and your legs healthy. These work … [Read more...]
3 Important Muscle Building Steps
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from John Cammidge who owns and operates Great Weight Lifting. ----- I want to talk today about the important steps that need to be taken to in order for you to build muscle mass & strength. When most novices workout in a gym they usually follow routines from bodybuilding magazines, train until they get a "pump", waste time with Isolation exercises and don't follow a strict enough diet. If this is you stop right now, it's a complete waste of your time and energy! There are essentially 3 important steps that must be followed to ensure … [Read more...]
The Health Benefits Of Breastfeeding
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Kodjo Hounnake who manages his own health and fitness blog - Kodjo Workout. ----- Breast milk is the most preferred type of milk for babies. Beyond its nutritional values, breastfeeding a baby has many other advantages that need to be highlighted. From a nutritional standpoint, studies reveal that breast milk contains vitamins and nutrients that are key to the baby’s developmental phase of the first 6 months of its life. More specifically, breast milk is jam-packed with substances that protect the baby from illnesses. So let’s review … [Read more...]
7 Best Spring Shape Up Programs
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Becky Harris who writes for U-Pack. ----- Do you want more muscle and less fat by the end of spring? Just going to the gym and doing some cardio isn’t going to cut it. However, there are seven powerful, calorie-burning programs available that you can use in your own living room. Be aware that most of these programs are rather intense, so you should be able to do at least an hour of cardio to perform these most of these exercises. 1) Insanity Perhaps the hardest workout routine ever put on a DVD, Insanity promises to change your body … [Read more...]
How To Hydrate
Hello everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from Zoe who writes for Nuffield Health Careers. ----- Keeping hydrated is a huge priority for athletes of all levels, to ensure your performance and health are at the best they can possibly be. Whether you’re just starting out on a brand new fitness regime, or you’ve been training for a long time, the importance of keeping your body in tip-top, hydrated condition should never be overlooked. Just How Important Is H2O? Two thirds of our bodies are made up entirely of water and it is fundamental in regulating our digestive systems, … [Read more...]