The Toughest Bodyweight Exercises: How Many of These Exercises Do You Do?
With challenge comes change. That’s why it’s good to tackle new exercises, including the tough ones! One means to do this is to make the current exercises you’re doing harder. A few ways to do that is by adding more weight, increasing the reps, slowing the tempo to emphasize the…
Seated vs. Standing Overhead Presses: Is There an Advantage of One Over the Other?
Overhead press is an exercise that works the shoulders, upper back, triceps, and biceps. In fact, it’s a compound exercise that works multiple muscle groups at the same time. It’s also a functional exercise as lifting overhead is a movement you do in daily life. Although overhead press primarily works,…
Is One Form of Protein Best for Older Adults with Muscle Loss?
Protein is made up of building blocks called amino acids. The amino acids are strung together into longer chains like beads on a string. Each amino acid is joined to the next by strong peptide bonds. When you consume dietary protein, your stomach breaks the peptide bonds and your intestinal…
How Your Anatomy and Build Affect How You Squat
Squats, the king of all exercises, are easy for some people to do and downright challenging for others. Why is this true? We’re all built a little differently and how your body is designed impacts how you squat. Let’s look at some of the anatomical factors, as well as some…
Does Weight Training Increase the Risk of Varicose Veins?
Hopefully, you never get them, but if you do, you’re in good company! Varicose veins are a common affliction. In fact, between 10 and 30% of the population suffers from varicose veins. These unsightly veins are more common in women, although men get them too. If you have them, you…
Pain in the Buttocks? It Could Be Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is literally a pain in the backside. It’s a condition that can affect anyone, but it’s more common in women and in runners. Along with buttocks pain, it can also cause discomfort in the lower back. In fact, between 5 and 36% of cases of lower back pain…
6 Surprising Factors That Can Lead to a Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrients – we know we need them in balanced ratios. Nutrients fall into two main categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are the components of food that supply your body with energy. They include carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Although protein is secondary as an energy source you need the amino acids…
Why Does Tendonitis Take So Long to Heal?
Have you ever had a bad case of tendonitis? Hurts, doesn’t it? It also makes it harder to work out. If tendonitis affects your Achilles tendon, you might find it uncomfortable to run or even walk. If it impacts a tendon in your elbow, you may find it painful to…
Are You Making These Common Mistakes When You Do Triceps Kickbacks?
Who doesn’t want strong, firm triceps muscles that look great from behind? Don’t forget, the triceps make up 2/3 of the muscle in your upper arms, so it’s important to keep them strong. Kickbacks help you do that. You need a variety of exercises to strengthen and strengthen the triceps…
What Are the Best Metrics to Measure Changes in Body Composition?
When you’re trying to lose weight or change your physique, you need metrics to know how well you’re meeting your body composition goals. There are a variety of ways to chart your progress from stepping on a scale to whipping out a tape measure and taking measurements. Each method has…