You are browsing the tag archive for exercise.

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Runners face a variety of fears during their running careers. There’s the constant concern about injuries, the fear of hills, the fear of falling behind or coming last in a race, the fear of ‘hitting the wall’ or falling off the treadmill when training. Other problems faced by runners include very real issues like a resistant family, blisters from new shoes and not being able to finish a race. Read on for some tips that will help you run right through the problem. (more…)

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Swimming is highly recommended as an exercise, not only because of its physical benefits but also because of its impact on general wellbeing. It provides a low-impact, full-body workout while improving flexibility, joint mobility and the cardiovascular system. Endorphins are released while the body is being massaged by the water, which adds to a swimmer’s feeling of contentment. Consistent swimming strengthens the muscles too and specific areas can be targeted. You can tone your buttocks with breast stroke, for example. (more…)

Photo: Julia Baykova / Flickr

Not only can trail running spice up your training programme but it will nurture your soul too. As Matthew Frazier of No Meat Athlete says: ‘Trail running satisfies a primal need for movement through nature, presumably left over from our days as hunters.’ He adds that running in the woods is one thing one can count on to be the same as it used to be. But then he admits that the truth is this: it makes him feel more ‘badass’ than he is. (more…)

Photo: Harald Groven / Flickr

Most physicians don’t diagnose the condition and tests are seldom run. It may be diagnosed as Addison’s disease, which doctors regard as incurable. That said, alternative health care is optimistic about recovery and many practitioners believe that recovery is definitely possible. This often calls for a lifestyle change, including a change in diet and paying attention to one’s emotional and spiritual health. (more…)

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Yoga has been helping people achieve deep physical and mental relaxation for thousands of years. It originated in India around 5,000 years ago and has been embraced by the West in recent years, where hatha yoga is mostly practiced. Hatha yoga focuses mostly on posture which involves stretching and aligning the body. It also works with the breath and may include meditation to calm the mind. The half lotus position and the sun salutation sequence are discussed below. (more…)

Photo: joshua m. neff / Flickr

If you find yourself office bound all day, you may begin to feel like a zombie unless you take regular breaks. Combine regular breaks with some easy exercises during your working day and you’re bound to feel re-energised. Here we share a few simple exercises that you can do at your desk. They won’t take more than two to three minutes of your time but to get the best effects, do them on the hour, every hour. (more…)

Photo: liber(the poet) / Flickr

If you’re an exercise fanatic, it’s easy to forget to give your body a rest between training sessions. You may also be skipping out important warm up and cool down routines if you’re on a mission to get everything done as quickly as possible. When it comes to exercise, less is not more but more is not necessarily always the best way forward. The general rule is to push your body just beyond what’s easy for you, but no more than that. (more…)

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Getting air into your lungs and moving your body can make you feel so much more alive. Activity brings mental and physical energy so any exercise programme is a good one. And as long as you include some warm-up and cool-down stretches in your programme, you’ll help prevent muscle aches and injury. Start off by marching on the spot and then shrug your shoulders before you get into your stretches. Here we include tips on how to stretch your calves, quads and hamstrings. (more…)

Photo: University of Maryland Press Releases / Flickr

The one good thing about having a butterfly brain is that it can be made into an efficient powerhouse. That’s because the brain can be trained just like the body can, allowing for better performance and stamina. By improving your mental concentration, you can save large amounts of energy and become much more productive. Say goodbye to allowing yourself to be distracted and wasting oodles of time avoiding problems and boring tasks. When you maximise your mental power, you also maximise your time. (more…)

Photo: benwarren / Flickr

There is a lot that you can do to work your abdomen besides crunches. Sports like rowing, skiing, walking and running offer more than just aerobic activity, because they all work your core area to some degree. But if you’re wanting to zone in on your core for abdominal strength then consider doing abdominal crunches. We’ll show you how to go about doing two types of crunches including an easy version and a difficult version. We’ll also look at working the diagonal abdominals. (more…)