Legs, along with the core, are the foundation for functional strength. Muscles achieve proper function with exercises that simulate the body’s basic movement patterns: squat, bend, lunge, push, pull and twist. Big legs start with big hips. Perhaps the athletes with the most powerful hips are hockey players. Hockey players constantly work the gluteus maximus […]
If you want to build big muscles in your shoulders and upper back, you should know that the shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, much like the hip. However, the shoulder is much more sensitive and at a greater risk of injury. Training with proper form, in a multi-directional environment, decreases this risk. Train smart […]
To develop a specific exercise program for any movement or sports skill requires some basic information. First, the individual needs to understand the mechanics of the movement along with the muscles most involved in that movement. Second, the individual needs to understand the type of muscle contractions needed for the skill. Last, the individual needs […]
The goal of most diet and exercise programs is to improve the look of the body. People are always looking for the magic exercise, pill or diet to achieve the “perfect” body. One of the recent trends is functional training. The idea behind functional strength training is that the body is integrated, with hundreds of […]
Your hamstring muscle is actually a group of three muscles running along the backside of your thigh. Strong hamstrings are very important for athletes. Training them properly can help you lengthen your stride, give you more power, improve your balance and stabilize your knees. So working your hamstrings will lower your risk of injuries. Function […]
If you anticipate wearing a swimsuit this summer, chances are you’ve already begun tailoring your workouts for weight loss and muscle toning. Maybe you’ve shed the winter weight from your midsection and are looking to show off the six-pack that’s been hiding underneath. But if, like many people, you’re not getting the results you want, […]
When people think of abdominal exercise equipment, the popular as-seen-on-tv products like the Ab Roller or Ab Lounge probably come to mind. The truth is, these pieces of equipment aren’t needed in order to see results from ab exercises. Tennis Shoes Sneakers are a must have piece of equipment when doing any type of exercise. […]
There are many different methods available to those interested in strength training. Access to the internet has made it possible to see how some of the big names are training and what systems they are doing, whether it is Sheiko or Westside. Stephan Korte’s 3×3 system is perhaps not the best known, but is certainly […]
Keep the elbows in tight, upper arm locked in its position and lift the weight with the bicep. That has been the prescribed way of doing a curl. But increasingly, personal trainers and fitness buffs are learning the value of making more natural movements when working out. How Muscles Work The active muscle that moves […]