Exercise and Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition affecting between 1 and 3% of the general population. The syndrome is characterized by widespread muscle aches and pains, stiffness, fatigue and muscle spasms. Many people with fibromyalgia report difficulty doing everyday...

Exercise and Arthritis Arthritis is becoming a more prevalent health problem—and not just among the elderly. More than 40 million people have arthritis, including 33% of individuals over the age of 65. The good news is that a program of...

Summer Skin Protect your summer skin. Every sunscreen has a sun protection factor, or SPF, which is a measure of its strength or effectiveness. Each of us needs a different SPF, depending on whether, and to what degree, our skin...

Before You Start An Exercise Program Before you start an exercise program, there are a few questions to ask yourself to determine whether you should see your doctor first. Question Yourself Your first step is to ask yourself how active...

Too Much of a Good Thing A little exercise is good for you, so more must be better, right? Well, sometimes. And sometimes more is just that—more. There comes a point of diminishing returns or, worse, a point where your...

Exercise and Asthma Many people with asthma believe exercise is not an option for them, that it will do more harm than good. The truth is that most asthmatics would likely benefit from some form of regular physical activity. The...

The Hip Extension Possibly the second most reviled machine in the studio is the Hip Extension (#1-Leg Press). Without question, it is the hardest machine to teach and the hardest to learn proper form. The belt is the reason the...

Flexion and Extension Flexion and Extension – When describing an anatomical movement, flexion is the closing of the angle between two segments of the body. For example, when you bring your hand from your side up to the shoulder, you...

Muscle and Function: The Quadratus Lumborum The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) is a deep core muscle located on both sides of the spine that connects the iliac crest to the 12th rib and lumbar spine. Its primary functions are to unilaterally flex...

Muscle Confusion Muscle confusion is currently a big buzzword in the fitness field. Program “X” is based on the principle of muscle confusion to ensure maximum growth. Trainer “Y” says, “You gotta confuse your muscles to get them to grow!”...