Exercise Articles

Fitness for All: Best Workouts for Short Amounts of Time

As things around the world are “starting” to get back to normal after the past 18 months, people find themselves back in the hustle and bustle of their “pre-pandemic” life.

Work, social lives, activities, school, sports and so much more occupy a huge chunk of our days and leave very little time for exercise. But there are still great exercises that you can fit into any busy schedule. Experts suggest that if you don’t have time to do a full circuit exercise routine, then just stick to one or more of these three great body movers – around the world lunges, squats, and planks.

Here’s how to do the above for maximum benefits.

Around the World Lunges - Start standing with feet shoulder-width apart. Take a large step forward with your left foot. Bend both knees to about 90 degrees, making sure that your weight is evenly distributed between both legs. Your front knee should be directly over your ankle (and not extended past it). That is your front lunge. Step your left foot back to center. Step the left foot out to the left side and bend the left knee (kneecap facing forward).

Keep the right leg extended straight. That’s your side lunge. Step your left foot back to center. Next step your left foot behind you so now your right leg is in front. That’s your rear lunge. Return left leg to starting position. Now repeat the sequence in the opposite direction using the right leg.

Squats - Start standing with feet about hip-distance apart. Engage your core muscles as you begin pressing your hips back as if you’re about to sit in a chair (increasingly shifting pressure onto your heels and keeping them flat on the floor), lowering as far as you are able. Focus on keeping your shoulders pulled back and your back straight. Keep knees in line with toes. Press into your feet and straighten to come back up. (You should feel the glute and other leg muscles engage.)

Planks - Start in the top of a push-up position, making sure your shoulders are above your wrists. Engage your leg muscles, pushing back through your heels, while also engaging your core muscles. Hold the position, making sure your shoulders don’t collapse inward and your back doesn’t sag down. You want to be in as much of a straight line as possible.

Fitness for All: Take a Walk… or a Hike

In 2018, more than 111 million people chose walking as their aerobic activity of choice and in 2020, hiking enticed 57.8 million Americans to hit the trail, a number that dramatically increased since 2014.

Both activities are low-risk ways to get your exercise in (especially during a pandemic) and keep you moving!

But is walking better than hiking? Or is hiking better than walking? Here a couple things to keep in mind when choosing to lace up your sneakers or hiking boots.

Walking is typically done outside in an urban or suburban flat area (or indoors on a treadmill or at a mall), while hiking is done in the outdoors along natural terrain, with elevation changes.

Both walking and hiking can help you to manage cholesterol and blood pressure. They are both great for improving heart and lung performance, and they both can help you lose weight.

If you want to burn more calories, hiking is your better option. While you can burn approximately 100 calories per mile walking, you can burn approximately 500 calories per mile hiking while wearing a heavy backpack going over arduous terrain.

If you are looking for an inexpensive workout, then walking wins this one. You can walk for free anywhere; while you might have to drive further distances to hike and wear hiking boots and use other hiking gear for peak performance.

Whether you choose to take a hike or take a walk, both activities are great ways to get your exercise, clear your mind and take a breath of fresh air!

Fitness for All: Winter Fitness- Safety for Exercising Outdoors

The cold months are upon us and once again we take to the outdoors to get some winter exercise in. Try these tips for exercising during the cold months to stay motivated, fit, and warm.

Stay safe during winter exercise. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any outdoor exercise routines, as many people with certain conditions – like asthma and heart problems – may have some conflicts with their medications and the colder weather.

Check the weather conditions and wind chill. Temperature, wind, and moisture, along with the length of time that you’ll be outside, are key factors in planning a safe cold-weather workout. The wind can penetrate your clothes and remove the insulating layer of warm air that surrounds your body. Any exposed skin is vulnerable to frostbite.

Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is most common on exposed skin, such as your cheeks, nose, and ears. It can also occur on hands and feet. Early warning signs include numbness, loss of feeling or a stinging sensation. Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Exercising in cold, rainy weather increases the risk of hypothermia. Older adults and young children are at greater risk.

Dress in layers. Dress in layers that you can remove as soon as you start to sweat and then put back on as needed. First, put on a thin layer of synthetic material, such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body. Avoid cotton, which stays wet next to your skin. Next add a layer of fleece or wool for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer.

Fitness for All: The Best Exercises to Burn Belly Fat

When most people begin their weight loss journey, they want to start with that stubborn belly fat. Research also shows that a larger waistline is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

So, crunches – and lots of them – is the workout routine for you, right? Wrong! In fact, spot reduction in exercise simply doesn’t exist. Instead, trainers suggest these core-focused exercises that will help combat fat throughout your body resulting in less belly fat. 

Burpees – this exercise works your core, chest, shoulders, lats, triceps, and quads. Great all-around exercise.

Mountain climbers – like burpees, this moving plank exercise works out a ton of different muscles.

Turkish Get-up – this 200-year-old exercise involves a kettle ball and is great for burning belly fat and conditioning your whole body.

Medicine ball burpees – experts suggest adding a medicine ball to your burpee to increase the intensity and boost your metabolism.

Sprawls – basically a burpee on steroids, it takes the traditional burpee to the next level by having you touch your chest to the ground, then push-up to plank as you continue the move.

Side-to-side medicine ball slams - medicine ball slams are a dynamic, explosive, and highly metabolic exercise that does not simply target one muscle group.

Overhead medicine ball slams – strengthens your core as it works against gravity. It also tests your endurance by getting your heart rate up every time you bring the ball above your head.

Russian twists - The Russian twist is a core exercise that improves oblique strength and definition. The move, typically performed with a medicine ball or plate, involves rotating your torso from side to side while holding a sit-up position with your feet off the ground.