Exercise Articles

Fitness for All It’s Swimming Season

With the warm weather comes the opening of public and home pools. For many people, swimming is a good way to wind down after a long day. But others are using swimming as another means of exercise and they are finding that exercise in the spring and summertime can be fun!

Swimming is an excellent way to lose weight and strength train all the while enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Exercise experts recommend swimming as a form of exercise because of the great cardiovascular workout you get from swimming. It is considered a great aerobic exercise because by definition it is an action that maintains an elevated heartbeat for a minimum of 20 minutes.

You can simply add swimming to your pre-existing aerobic workout to help switch things up and keep your workouts fresh. Alternate days that you decide to use swimming as your cardio for that day, so you don’t get bored with any one workout.

Like any exercise, you should also start any swimming workout routine by stretching first. You may not realize the affect swimming has on your entire body until it is too late, so be sure to stretch appropriately before you begin. Then start off slow by swimming strides and gradually increasing your speed in the pool. This will help to elevate your heart rate at a safe pace and help you to last longer during your workout.

Experts suggest starting out swimming laps for approximately 20 minutes for women and 30 minutes for men. You can begin to increase your time as necessary and as you continue your workout over the course of weeks or months.

Again, this will prevent you from getting too tired, too sore, wore out or disappointed in your swimming workout. Try out different strokes when you are swimming, too. Do some laps using the breaststroke, then switch up and do the backstroke, or even the doggy paddle. Each swimming stroke using a different variety of muscles and therefore will give you the best overall workout.

Fitness for All Easy Workouts to Do at Home!

Summer is almost here and whether we like to admit it or not, many people spend less time at the gym once the spring weather arrives. 

But you can still get a decent work out in just by doing some simple exercises at HOME! 

Here are a few to get you started: 

“In Bed Abs” - Lie on your back with your legs raised, knees straight; bring your belly button toward your spine. Lace your fingers behind your head and curl your shoulders up. Exhale and draw your abs in as you crunch toward your thighs, reaching for your feet. Inhale and drop one to two inches, then crunch again. Repeat 20 times. 

“Lower Body Barre” - Stand tall with your feet in first position—heels together, toes no more than six inches apart. Bend your knees softly, then extend your left leg back, with your toes pointed and the inside of your big toe touching the ground. Lift your back leg slightly, pushing your hips forward in opposition. Pulse your leg upward as far as you can (you shouldn't feel pain in your lower back). Continue pulsing for eight counts, working up to 16. Then switch sides. 

“Couch Potato Core” - Sit on the edge of the couch and lean back onto your elbows, hinging at the hips. Stretch your legs toward the floor in front of you, with your knees straight, toes pointed, and heels about six inches from the ground. Pull your belly button toward your spine and, moving from your hips, kick your feet up and down. Focus on small, controlled, quick movements. (To make it easier, you can bend your knees so they're at a 45-degree angle.) Count to 25, rest, and repeat three times.

Fitness for All March Into March: 31-Day Walking Challenge

It’s time to march into another month, so why not kick off this month with a 31-day Walking Challenge? This challenge can be done by itself or in addition to other exercises or workouts that you currently do each day.

Happy Walking!

Day 1: Walk 1 mile

Day 2: Walk 1 mile

Day 3: Walk 1 mile

Day 4: OFF

Day 5: Walk 1 mile

Day 6: Walk 1 mile

Day 7: Walk 1 mile

Day 8: OFF

Day 9: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 10: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 11: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 12: OFF

Day 13: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 14: Walk 1.5 miles

Day 15: Walk 2 miles

Day 16: OFF

Day 17: Walk 2 miles

Day 18: Walk 2 miles

Day 19: Walk 2 miles

Day 20: OFF

Day 21: Walk 2 miles

Day 22: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 23: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 24: OFF

Day 25: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 26: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 27: Walk 2.5 miles

Day 28: OFF

Day 29: Walk 3 miles

Day 30: Walk 3 miles

Day 31: Walk 3 miles

Fitness for All Lose the Love Handles: February Fitness Challenge

Days 1- 18 do 2 sets each

Days 19- 28 do 3 sets each

February 1: 5 side plank crunch (each side), 5 Russian twist, 8 bicycle crunch

February 2: 5 side plank crunch (each side), 5 Russian twist, 10 bicycle crunch

February 3: 7 side plank crunch (each side), 7 Russian twist, 10 bicycle crunch

February 4: 7 side plank crunch (each side), 7 Russian twist, 12 bicycle crunch

February 5: REST

February 6: 8 side plank crunch (each side), 8 Russian twist, 12 bicycle crunch

February 7: 10 side plank crunch (each side), 10 Russian twist, 15 bicycle crunch

February 8: 10 side plank crunch (each side), 10 Russian twist, 15 bicycle crunch

February 9: 12 side plank crunch (each side), 12 Russian twist, 15 bicycle crunch

February 10: REST

February 11: 12 side plank crunch (each side), 12 Russian twist, 17 bicycle crunch

February 12: 14 side plank crunch (each side), 14 Russian twist, 18 bicycle crunch

February 13: 14 side plank crunch (each side), 14 Russian twist, 20 bicycle crunch

February 15: REST

February 16: 10 side plank crunch (each side), 10 Russian twist, 15 bicycle crunch

February 17: 12 side plank crunch (each side), 12 Russian twist, 18 bicycle crunch

February 18: 14 side plank crunch (each side), 14 Russian twist, 18 bicycle crunch

February 19: 14 side plank crunch (each side), 14 Russian twist, 18 bicycle crunch

February 20: REST

February 21: 14 side plank crunch (each side), 14 Russian twist, 20 bicycle crunch

February 22: 15 side plank crunch (each side), 15 Russian twist, 20 bicycle crunch

February 23: 18 side plank crunch (each side), 18 Russian twist, 22 bicycle crunch

February 24: 18 side plank crunch (each side), 18 Russian twist, 22 bicycle crunch

February 25: REST

February 26: 20 side plank crunch (each side), 20 Russian twist, 24 bicycle crunch

February 27: 20 side plank crunch (each side), 20 Russian twist, 24 bicycle crunch

February 28: 22 side plank crunch (each side), 22 Russian twist, 25 bicycle crunch