THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical fitness is one of the great essentials of match play. Keenness can only be acquired if the physical, mental, and nervous systems are in tune. Consistent and systematic training is essential to a tournament player.

Is There a Fitness Machine to Help With My Lower Back Pain?

Absolutely! There are many fitness machines out there claiming to help with lower back pain. The key question is which ones really work? As a sufferer of lower back pain for many years I have tried many possible quick cures.

 The honest reality is that there is no quick cure - the answer is a minor life style change and a commitment to strengthening your core muscles and relieving pressure on your lower back. So you've heard people talking about core muscles before, what exactly are they going on about and why will strengthening them help with your lower back pain. The other essential aspect of relieving back pain is to ease the pressure and tension that has built up in the lower back area.

The main cause of pressure on all our joints is gravity compounded by our own body weight. So how do you defeat gravity? Simple, hang upside down and let gravity work for you.

 Not many of us are very good at maintaining a handstand or headstand and those would just put pressure on arm and neck muscles anyhow. So the solution would be to hang from a bar like a bat by your feet? Correct, well almost...this is where the fitness machine you read this far to find out about comes in - the 'hangup', in particular the Teeter F7000 or the new improved Teeter EP-550 Inversion Therapy table.

Inversion therapy may help to: reduce back pain, relieve stress, stimulate circulation and lymph flow, improve posture, reduce muscle tension, strengthen ligaments, increase flexibility and range of movement and reduce the effects of aging caused by gravity. Whether you want to enjoy better posture, reduce back pain, or simply minimize your daily stress load, the Teeter Hang Ups EP-550 Inversion Therapy Table makes a terrific choice. Inversion therapy works by placing your body in line with the downward force of gravity. In the process, inversion elongates the spine, increases the space between the vertebrae, and relieves the pressure on discs, ligaments, and nerve roots. Less pressure means less back pain and bonus you experience fewer headaches and neck problems as well.

It is not enough to merely use a Teeter F7000 or the Teeter EP-550 to relieve pressure on your lower back - you need to consider losing weight if you are overweight and adding in exercise to your weekly routine that will strengthen your core muscles without putting further strain on your lower back - swimming is excellent for this as it strengthens all your muscles with the added benefit of weightlessness in the water.

So for images, diagrams, testimonials and more information on how the inversion tables actually work plus reviews including video footage of the Teeter EP-550 Inversion Therapy table in action click here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosie_Wallace

Why Is It Important To Have A Strong Core?

Everyone's talking about your core. Your core is the part of your body from your shoulders to the pelvic floor. Everything you do uses your core muscles, which include your abs, pelvis, chest and back muscles. A strong core is important for good balance, stability and flexibility. Most sports and other physical activities depend on stable core muscles so you need to keep them in shape by doing exercises that will strengthen them. Building core strength could also improve your posture and may protect you from lower back pain. Improving and strengthening the core is also the key to building strong abdominals. Of course most everyone's main goal is to improve their physique but you should also focus on keeping yourself fit.

Remember there are no secrets when it comes to core training exercises and developing the core muscles; you have to train hard and keep a proper diet in order to achieve your goals. Many times people use the wrong technique when it comes to building their core muscles. They think that by performing thousands of crunches and push-ups they can develop strong core muscles. Because there are so many muscle groups involved, several exercises are necessary to build core strength.

Maintaining a proper diet is also essential for a strong core. It is important for you to stay on a low calorie diet and eat healthy foods such as vegetables, whole grains and fruits, and avoid fatty foods and processed carbohydrates, these can lead to the buildup of fats in the body.

Exercises to build core strength

Core exercises do not require any specialized equipment or a gym membership. Any exercise that uses the trunk of your body without support counts as a core exercise. Let's start with a few exercises for your abs and then move onto exercises for your back muscles. The goal is to repeat the exercises until your muscles are fatigued.

• Sit-ups are the classic exercise for strengthening the abdominals, but some people find that they strain the neck muscles. Correct form is very important. You should start sit-ups with your knees bent and your lower back against the floor. Crossing your arms on your chest produces less strain than locking your hands behind your head. Make sure you bend at the waist as you sit up, not at your neck.
• Back Extension can be performed by lying face down on a mat or you can use a padded bench that has a place to anchor your feet. Begin by placing your hands on the floor or behind the head (if you are using a bench). Tighten your ab muscles and keep them tight throughout the exercise. Flex the back to lift the chest a few inches off the floor or bench. Lower and repeat. To increase the intensity, you can also lift the legs off the floor at the same time. When using a bench it is a more advanced move because you have a wider range of motion. This exercise strengthens the lower back.
• Leg Lifts can be performed by lying on your back on the floor or seated in a chair. To perform from the floor, lie on your back with your legs straight out and your hands at your sides. Tighten your abdominal muscles and squeeze the buttocks while pressing the small of your back to the floor; this puts the spine in a neutral position. Lift the legs straight up without bending the knees until they are at a ninety-degree angle. Then slowly lower back down and repeat without letting your legs touch the floor. You can do this with both legs at the same time or one leg at a time. To perform from a chair, hold on to the sides of the chair and lean back, tighten your abdominal muscles and squeeze the buttocks, raise the legs until the feet are approximately 6-12 inches off the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds, and return to the starting position.

Concentrate on doing each exercise with correct technique and proper form. Gradually build up to 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise. Also remember to take a break when you need one. If you work your core muscles to fatigue during an exercise session, wait at least a day between workouts to give your muscles time to recover.

Whether you are a beginner taking your first steps toward fitness, or a committed fitness enthusiast trying to optimize your results, a well-rounded fitness program that includes aerobic and muscular fitness exercises is the best way to reach your fitness goals.

Visit [http://IngenuityFitness.com] for more health and workout tips.

Ingenuity Fitness is a one-stop website for affordable, good quality, home exercise equipment. We provide products that help you lose weight, gain muscle, and enhance physique. With our wide selection, ingenuity fitness can fulfill your fitness desires. No matter what type of fitness results you are looking for, we are here to provide the products necessary to help you reach your goals. This is the place where bodybuilders, yoga practitioners, and those looking to get fit can come for the latest and most innovative fitness products available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_L_Vick

Who Is Rob Poulos? Is His Fitness Program Good For You?

Rob Poulos is the creator of the Fat Burning Furnace program for people who want to lose weight easily and gain lean muscles in the shortest time period. You won't have to starve yourself like others and this program also ensures that you lose weight the proper way unlike other programs that make false promises. Besides this you will also have the ability to select which workout program you should use so that you can burn fat more effectively.

Because Rob Poulos workouts target only the appropriate areas, you will have enough energy levels to lose weight. The trainer himself hates long workouts because they just make you get tired and have no effect on your weight. The good thing of these exercises is it only takes 25 minutes to produce maximum results and you can do them thrice a day depending on your choice.

The fat burning furnace program makes sure that all its users select the right mixture of exercises so that your resting metabolic rate increases. These workouts are intense and very effective unlike the other programs you see. All the exercises are explained in the book in detail so that you do not get confused during the whole procedure. Not only are the descriptions of each exercise present there but you can also see the images so that you carry out the right position thus making each exercise more effective.

Rob Poulo's program is a healthy diet program and is free of both diet and excessive workout for long hours. This diet program advises its users to live and eat healthy unlike other programs out there. You can eat all your favorite dishes and do not have to skip meals.

The best and healthy way to lose weight is to follow the right plan. This eBook is very useful for people who have just started the program and have no idea about which food to eat. All your meals will be planned for you and you can even browse sites which offer free recipe that you can easily make at home.

The good thing about Rob Poulo's program allows you to monitor your diet plan and weight loss. You can take out these planners by printing them and recording your workout history. These planners also help you see how much fat you should lose which you cannot detect by eyes. The program allows you to follow your diet plan in a realistic way.

This program is aware of the fact that each person is different and has a different body type. As a result, their workout and diet plans vary according to their body types. You need to be patient if you want to follow this workout out because the results will appear slowly. The only thing which can make you unsuccessful is your thought of not getting results quick enough.

If you are serious about losing weight and get healthy, the Fat Burning Furnace program by Rob Poulos will allow you to achieve it only if you follow the plan properly and be patient.

Find out who is Rob Poulos and Fat Burning Furnace Review of his fitness program at LosingWeightHelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=W_Q_Stevens

Health and Fitness: Weight Loss Article Category

5 Nutrients That Help Women Over 50 Lose Belly Fat

by Dr. Becky Gillaspy

After the age of 50 women tend to deposit fat at the belly more easily. This is due to a number of changes that the body naturally undergoes in the fifth decade of life. One factor is a drop in the production of estrogen and progesterone. Decreased production of these hormones leads to a slower metabolism and an increased ability for your body to store fat in the midsection. This is a frustrating side effect of aging; however, it can be combated with the addition of certain dietary nutrients.

The Metabolic Advantage

by Ashuli Jain

Metabolism Advantage is basically targeted to that audience who are a keen believer in health and fitness. It is a common quote that health is wealth and undeniably it is true too. How you look basically gives a reflection of your personality.

Quick Tips To Fast Healthy Weight Loss

by Dennis W White

So many today are asking the question of how can I lose weight in a very short amount of time. The tips I am going to give you should help with weight loss but should also help you to keep that weight off at the same. I believe both are important to many different people as they struggle against the waistline getting bigger and bigger.

Pregnancy Without Pounds Review - Does It Really Work

by L Ismail

In this Pregnancy without pounds review we look at some of the pros and cons of a program that has been around for more than 5 years and has helped people all across the world. We see if it really delivers or not.

What To Do When There Is No Time To Lose Weight

by John J Balauat

Do you want to be healthier but feel that you have no time to make improvements? Read on to find out things that you can do to finally get your dream body.

A Positive Attitude Can Improve Your Health

by Jennyfer Norvell

Are you a happy person? Do you smile more than you frown? Do you laugh often? Believe it or not, your mood affects your health. Stress causes your body to have physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Stress will also wreck havoc on any efforts to loose weight as your body releases more cortisone which leads to fat storage and muscle mass loss.

Are Drugs The Answer For Weight Loss

by Dorothy A Mitchell

It would be nice if the main two remedies for shedding pounds, which are having a healthy lifestyle and eating the proper foods, were enough. Often more is required, and drugs are then usually turned to in order to impact fat loss. Nowadays using drug therapy for getting rid of weight is very acceptable to society. There are numerous over-the-counter methods for losing fat, but prescription diet pills are generally far better. Since many of them have side effects you should only utilize this approach as a last option.