Concentrate on Your Core

Your core is involved in every movement you make. All the energy that you exert originates in your torso, before being transferred to your arms and legs.  A strong core reduces back pain,  improves athletic performance and improves postural imbalances. So take the time to train your core right and with consistency.  A sculpted core will not only look good, but make your body work better as a whole. My personal favorite core exercise is the plank. At one time, I was able to hold my fixed position for 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Other core exercises that I do personally and with my clients are crunches, reverse crunches, medicine ball slams and Russian Twists. Try these exercises the next time you workout: Crunches. Sit on the floor with knees bent and your feet flat on floor. Place your fingers behind your ears (not your head) and pull elbows back so that they are in line with body. Raise your head and shoulders and crunch your midsection towards your pelvis. Pause for about a second and then return to start position. Reverse Crunches. Lie face up on floor with arms stretched by your side flat on floor and palms facing down. Bend your hips and knees 90 degrees (your feet should be together and off the floor). Raise your hips off the floor and crunch inward (your knees should move toward your chest). Pause for a second, then slowly lower your legs until your heals nearly touch the floor. Repeat the exercise. Medicine Ball Slams. Grab a medicine ball and hold it above your head. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and arms slightly bent. Reach as far back as you can, then slam the ball to the floor in front of you. Pick up ball and repeat. Russian Twist. Sit on floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Hold your arms straight out in front of you with palms together. Lean back so that your torso is at a 45-degree angle with floor. Brace your core and rotate to your right as much as you can. Pause, then repeat the movement to the left...

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Can Music Help You Achieve Your Fitness Goals?

As Bob Marley said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” That’s a great reason to put those earphones on while working out! Listening to music while exercising has been found in multiple studies to create an increased sense of motivation, distracting the mind while increasing heart rate. Personally, I try to incorporate music in all of my workouts. As for my clients, they all insist I bring my selection of music to their training sessions. Music can definitely serve as an important tool in achieving your fitness goals. Here are just a few key benefits of listening to music while exercising: Music has shown in research to effect your body and psyche. Music stimulates your inner core and it gives your mind that edge it needs to perform a task or objective. Music relaxes your body which can help ward off depression. Music helps promote movement, which can help burn more calories. Many places (including hospitals) are beginning to incorporate music to help patients deal with pain management. Enough evidence now exists to concretely state that music is a very effective tool in the achievement of your fitness goal and overall well-being. So, the next time you are contemplating whether to exercise or not, just turn up the music and let the beat motivate...

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