I get up in the morning thinking I will write. But first I scan Facebook. When nothing is there, I go through my email. When that’s complete, I head on over to The Weather Channel to see what’s in store for today - should I wear short sleeves or long sleeves? Sandals or sneakers? What’s the weather in Maine? Oklahoma? How much rain have we had this month? Is it going to rain today? Then, once I decide what to wear, I click on the home button and make my way to the NYTimes where I read a few editorials and a bunch of comments on editorials. I consider writing a comment but then decide to instead post something to Facebook about an article I read. Then I scan Facebook again and find some cute pictures of guinea pigs which I email to a friend and my daughter. I hop over to the photographer's website and look at her other pictures of guinea pigs. And some pictures of ladybugs. Very cute. Then I check my email again and delete a bunch of promotional emails except the ones from the Gap and Purl Soho and Bernina. I’ll go back to those at another time. Then I start thinking about what I am going to wear and click over to the Nordstrom's website and check out the designer sale. I put a few things in my cart then google the items to see if there are better prices on another site, which there aren’t. But I'm not sure what size I need so I decide to go back to my cart later. Then I decide to check out Barney’s to see if there are any PRADA shoes on clearance. Nope. Which is ok because I haven't liked the last 3 or 4 seasons of PRADA shoes anyway. What was the weather again?
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Core Exercises Part Two
This week for in my Core for Beginners Workshop I focused on exercises using stability balls as well as medicine balls or Bosu Soft Fitness Balls. For beginners I'm also a big fan of the Bosu Ballast Balls as they are a bit more stable due to the weight of the sand. There are lots of sites with great stability ball exercises but I think this one is particularly awesome! You have to register to have access but it is worth it.
These exercises may be mixed with the exercises from last week. I recommend 2 - 3 sets of 10-15 reps for each exercise.
Bridge Press with feet on ball
Bridge Hamstring Curl
Reverse Crunch
Quadruped with abs on ball
Side Plank
Side Leg Lifts on ball
Windshield Wipers with calves on ball
Standing Russian Twist with either medicine ball or stability ball
Standing Side Bends with or without light weights
Also, if you are looking for a good exercise app, try Sworkit. Easy to use and great variety.
Get moving!
These exercises may be mixed with the exercises from last week. I recommend 2 - 3 sets of 10-15 reps for each exercise.
Bridge Press with feet on ball
Bridge Hamstring Curl
Reverse Crunch
Quadruped with abs on ball
Side Plank
Side Leg Lifts on ball
Windshield Wipers with calves on ball
Standing Russian Twist with either medicine ball or stability ball
Standing Side Bends with or without light weights
Also, if you are looking for a good exercise app, try Sworkit. Easy to use and great variety.
Get moving!
Monday, January 06, 2014
What Do We Mean When We Talk about Core?
The gym where I work is offering trainer workshops for the month of January and I was asked to come up with a topic to present. After a few days I settled on "Core for Beginners."
These days fitness people throw around the word "core" the way the fitness people of the past used the word "abs." But what is "The Core" and why is it important?
Core:
A simple way to think about your core is to think of it as your body's center. You can also think of it as your body's base from which your extremities extend. Your head, arms and legs are attached to your core.
In a spiritual sense, you can also think of your core as your heart's center or your "core beliefs."
In fitness, your core is the basic musculature that supports your pelvis and your spine. It's role is to provide stability to you in movement. Essentially your core muscles allow you to move your body in a variety of ways (planes of movement.)
Muscles of the Core
There are four basic muscles groups of the core.
Exercises for the Core
Truthfully, any dynamic movement will involve the core. But if you want to specifically work the core, then there are an infinite number of exercises that will strengthen the muscles that support your body. Below is a listing of mat exercises that can be done at home or in the gym. These are my favorites and all of my clients are quite familiar with them.
And, please, always maintain a neutral spine to protect your back. The easiest way to to that: keep you head on the floor!!!
These days fitness people throw around the word "core" the way the fitness people of the past used the word "abs." But what is "The Core" and why is it important?
Core:
A simple way to think about your core is to think of it as your body's center. You can also think of it as your body's base from which your extremities extend. Your head, arms and legs are attached to your core.
In a spiritual sense, you can also think of your core as your heart's center or your "core beliefs."
In fitness, your core is the basic musculature that supports your pelvis and your spine. It's role is to provide stability to you in movement. Essentially your core muscles allow you to move your body in a variety of ways (planes of movement.)
Muscles of the Core
There are four basic muscles groups of the core.
- Abdominals: rectus abdominus, the tranverse abdominus and the internal and external obliques
- Spine: erector spinae and multifidus
- Pelvic floor
- Hip gluteus maximus and rectus, quadriceps, psoas
This is a pretty basic list. For more detail you can visit an anatomy website.
Exercises for the Core
Truthfully, any dynamic movement will involve the core. But if you want to specifically work the core, then there are an infinite number of exercises that will strengthen the muscles that support your body. Below is a listing of mat exercises that can be done at home or in the gym. These are my favorites and all of my clients are quite familiar with them.
- Bridge
- Dead Bug
- Quadreped - same as dead bug but on hands and knees
- Plank - start on hands, progress to forearms
- Side Plank - start with one knee down
- Toe Taps
- Reverse Crunches
- Segmental Rotation
- Superman
- Thread the Needle
And, please, always maintain a neutral spine to protect your back. The easiest way to to that: keep you head on the floor!!!
Check back next week for a second list of exercises using exercise balls and other equipment.
Be well and get active.
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