Search Results for: body fitness benefits

Improving Fitness with a Heart Rate Monitor

When it comes to fitness devices, most of us are probably more familiar with the benefits of a pedometer than a heart rate monitor.  But you might want to consider investing in one, if you want to improve your fitness even more. Exercise is about more than just how often you do it and for how long.  The level (or intensity) of the exercise is just as important. A heart rate monitor can keep track of your heartbeats, allowing you to stay in the appropriate heart rate zone.  In other words, you don’t want the intensity of your exercise to … Continue reading →

Benefits of Treadmills and Elliptical Exercisers

Going to the gym is not my thing.  And I always crack up whenever I drive past the clubs with the large windows, where you can see people walking on treadmills. For some reason, sweating seems like something that should be done in private.  But maybe that’s just me. At the same time, I’m not the type of person to fork out a lot of money on gym equipment.  Especially if there is the chance I won’t stick to it.  But a few years ago I made a worthwhile investment when I purchased a treadmill. Notice that I didn’t say … Continue reading →

False Fitness Claims

I hate to say it…but I told you so. This is for all those who thought wearing a pair of shoes could help you lose weight. I really don’t mean to be harsh. I can understand the hope that all it takes is wearing a particular type of shoe to help tone the legs. But at the same time, I think we all need to be a bit realistic. To have a fit body, it actually takes work. If you haven’t already heard, Skechers is paying out $45 million to settle claims filed against them. They are accused of exaggerating … Continue reading →

Benefits of Exercise When Pregnant

With three teenagers, having a baby is the last thing on my mind. But with so many women I know around me carrying a child, I was thinking about how differently I might have felt nearly 18, 15 and 13 years ago when I was pregnant if I had been more active. Exercise may be the last thing on earth you feel like doing when you are pregnant. You may be dealing with nausea and a lack of energy. You may feel big as a house. But many of the aches and pains that come along with pregnancy could be … Continue reading →

The Benefits of a Fitness Ball

I am in the final segment of my “The Benefits of…” series. I am ending today with the benefits of a fitness ball, otherwise known as a stability ball. Now I am about to paint a really scary picture for you. Actually, it was mostly scary to my nephew who was about 4 years old when it happened. My first experience with one of these oversized balls was when I was giving birth to my youngest son (who is now 12). I had to sit on one of these to move my labor along. I will never forget my nephew’s … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Pilates

Pilates has become a very popular type of exercise over the years. Today we are going to be looking at the benefits to it. Ever been told to tuck in that stomach, or to stand up straight? One of the benefits to pilates is becoming more aware of your posture. This is whether you are sitting, standing or moving. The focus is on your core. You need a strong core in order to have better posture. But a stronger core can also prevent injuries, along with aches and pains of all sorts. Now if you are looking to have a … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Core Body Exercises

We have been looking at the benefits to different types of exercises. Today we will be talking about core body exercises, which focus on your abdomen going down to your lower torso. Although your abdominal muscles don’t contribute much to core stability, the reality is that any core muscle which isn’t conditioned or strengthened could increase the risk of injuries and discomfort. Strengthening your body overall is important to a fitness routine, so focusing on the core body should be part of it. Your core body includes your abdomen, hips and buttocks. One of the best types of exercise equipment … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Stength Training

In today’s blog we are going to be looking at the benefits of strength training. This form of exercise is a combination of flexibility exercises and cardio. Although weights are a part of it, there is much more to it. One of the greatest benefits, physique-wise, is that strength training tones your body, adding definition to your muscles. Overall body strength is the focus. Strength training consists of movement and non-movement. For instance with movement, this is when you contract your muscles through a range of motion (an example would be weight training). Non-movement strength training is when you contract … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Yoga

With the first week of the New Year underway, many are looking at ways to get fit. In my last couple of blogs I talked about the benefits of cardio and flexibility exercises. In this blog we are going to look at the benefits of yoga. First, you might want to know what exactly yoga is. It originates in India, attributed to the Hindus, as a way to discipline oneself physically, mentally and spiritually. Now because of my religious beliefs, I don’t get into the “spiritual” aspect of it, although for some this may be just what they want. So … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Flexibility Exercises

In my last blog I talked about the benefits of cardio, something I have recently incorporated more of into my fitness routine. Despite wanting to spend more of my fitness regimen doing cardio (with my biggest goal right now being to lose weight), I know that I also need flexibility exercises. Flexibility exercises have many benefits. Perhaps you are like me when it’s time to stretch. You sit down on your bottom, stretch your legs out in front of you and attempt to reach your toes. Notice the word “attempt.” I can’t do that…yet. But with flexibility exercises, my body … Continue reading →