The Gift of Fitness
Write down hand weights or a weighted vest, an exercise ball, resistance bands, and a jump rope or a mini trampoline. These add-ons can turn your body into a super-duper all-in-one gym that helps you stay in shape year-round. Here’s how to use them.
Equipment Essentials
Your body is one of the best gyms in the world. And a few extra fitness gadgets can make your physiological gym even better, write Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD, in their best-selling book YOU: On a Diet.
Hand weights or a weighted vest: Carrying a little extra weight can ratchet up the strength-training power of lunges, squats, and other resistance exercises.
An exercise ball: Instead of doing exercises and stretches on the floor, tone your stability muscles (like your abs) by doing them on one of these inflatable balls:
First, grab an exercise ball. Using an exercise ball for stomach toning gives you stronger muscles than if you did the exercises on the floor. Plus, you get bonus benefits, like better balance. Now, follow these three easy “Ab Curl” steps:
1. Sit on the exercise ball, feet flat on the floor, knees hip-width apart and bent at a 90-degree angle.
2. Place your hands behind your head, elbows pointed out, and slowly roll back until your mid to lower back rests on the ball.
3. Pull your ribs toward your pelvis to raise your upper back 3 to 4 inches off the ball. Hold for a second and then return your shoulders to the ball. Repeat 10 times.
Resistance bands: These bands make great stocking stuffers! And they are perfectly portable, so you can stick with the program on your next road trip.
A jump rope or a mini trampoline/rebounder: They’re not just for kids. A workout with one of these will get your heart pumping and make you more agile.
Need inspiration? Try this great blog.
stocking stuffers, exercise equipment
stocking stuffers, exercise equipment
January 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
[...] The Gift of Fitness [...]
January 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
[...] The Gift of Fitness [...]
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[...] The Gift of Fitness [...]