HowToDoThings.com Exercise & Nutrition

How To Do Lower Ab Exercises

Ross348 — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 11:29:00 -0500

Lower abdominal exercises should be included in any exercise program, because they are important for spinal stability and injury prevention (especially for the low back). There are essentially two lower abdominal muscles, the lower portion of the Rectus Abdominus and the Transverse Abdominus. The Rectus Abdominus runs vertically and is responsible for pulling the front of the pelvis up towards the belly button. The Transverse Abdominus runs horizontally under the Rectus Abdominus and is responsible for pulling the belly button inward (towards the spine). This article will focus on exercises that maximize the training of these two muscles, while minimizing the involvement of other muscles.

How To Do Chest and Pectoral Exercises

Stacy214 — Mon, 08 May 2006 05:33:00 -0500

The chest is composed of two muscles. The pectoralis major is the bigger of the two, and covers most of your chest. One of its jobs is to turn your arm inward. Its other job is to help pull your arm forward and down. An example of this muscle in action would be when pushing a baby stroller.

The pectoralis minor is directly under the pectoralis major. It's attached to your third, fourth and fifth ribs at the bottom. At the top, it's attached to the front of your shoulder blade. The pectoralis minor muscle helps pull your shoulder blade down, and is useful when pushing down with your hands.

How To Do Isometric Exercises

Mary311 — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 15:31:00 -0600

Isometric exercise is a form of resistance training in which the participant uses the muscles of the body to exert a force either against an immovable object or to hold the muscle in a fixed position for a set duration of time. In this type of exercise, the muscle is contracted but does not change length during the exertion of force. Additionally the joint most closely associated with the effort remains static throughout the exercise.

Although isometric exercises may result in a great deal of benefit to the individual, there are some precautions that should be noted. Specifically those with high blood pressure should not engage in this type of activity because isometric exercises cause a spike in blood pressure. Although the blood pressure typically returns to normal rather quickly once the muscle is relaxed, the spike in blood pressure can be dangerous to those who already suffer from elevated blood pressure.

How To Lose Weight in Your Face

Vanessa264 — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 12:08:00 -0500

Ever been called "Chipmunk Cheeks?" How 'bout "Fathead?" Don't take it personally. Chances are that you are one of the unfortunates that puts your first ten pounds on in your face. To drag that double chin of yours up off the ground, keep in mind the following:

You're in good company. Think John Travolta, Vince Vaughan, Kate Bosworth and Renee Zellwegger (though if the pounds went to our lips like they do on Renee, we might all catch up with Angelina Jolie).
Abdominal obesity is known to correlate with various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and so on. No such data on weight in the face! In fact, if you're carrying five pounds on your face, that's five that are not around your belly.

read more

How To Do Mini Trampoline Exercises

Stacy214 — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 12:22:00 -0500

Remember how much fun bouncing on the bed was as a kid? Exercising on a mini trampoline will have you singing the merits of childhood again. This enjoyable exercise, also referred to as rebounding, is gentle on the joints while still giving a good workout. Your mini trampoline exercise routine can be as intense as you want it to be.

You will need some time to adjust to bouncing on a mini trampoline. One person may need a week to get used to balancing on a mini trampoline, while another may only need a day. You should wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. Some people prefer to just go barefoot. Use caution, though, because exercising without wearing shoes may increase your likelihood of a foot injury.

How To Do Resistance Band Exercises

Stacy214 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 04:51:00 -0500

Resistance bands are inexpensive and portable. Many new users are surprised at how tough a resistance band workout can be. For something that probably weighs less than a pair of your socks, a resistance band is surprisingly good at making muscles quiver. A bonus to using resistance bands is that your core muscles are engaged during the workout, unlike some other traditional strength-training exercises. The downside to using this type of equipment is that you can't measure your progress like with dumbbells and plates.

The bands are usually color-coded and each color represents a different level of resistance, but isn't always so precise. Resistance can also vary with the length of the band. Say, for instance, you wrap the band around your hand one more time than usual for a particular exercise. Shortening the length of the band will make the exercise harder to do.

How To Do Arm Exercises

Victoria116 — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:52:00 -0500

Knowing how to do effective arm exercises is an integral part of any total body workout. As with most workouts, it's a three step process of mild stretching, strength training, and some final stretching as part of the cool down process. Here are some easy exercises to get you started on your quest to healthy, toned arms.

First, some points to keep in mind. Before you start any exercise routine, you should always check with your doctor. Also, make sure to wear comfortable workout clothes and keep yourself hydrated by having a water bottle handy. Make sure you have all of your gear nearby (dumbbell weights, a towel, etc.) and then you're ready to begin!

How To Lose Ten Pounds Fast

Gaëlle du Plessis — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:48:31 -0500

Many of us are looking to lose ten pounds fast, and many diet gurus claim to have the answer. The question is, how much do you want those ten pounds to stay gone? Wouldn't the ideal scenario be to be beach-ready at all times without feeling the need to follow starvation diets that are draining to mind and body both?

There is an answer, and it will seem like such a no-brainer, but so many of us out there have still not applied it in our own lives, that it deserves a mention...

The most important rule in successful weight loss definitely is no starvation! As logical and beneficial as crash-dieting may seem for that 'quick fix,' there are a myriad of reasons why this temporal and exhausting form of weight control is a bad idea.

How To Do Core Exercises

Joyce200 — Mon, 01 May 2006 04:10:00 -0500

Your core muscles are the muscles of your trunk or torso, including the abdominals, obliques, pelvis and back muscles. Your center of gravity resides in your core and every movement you make originates here. The core muscles are small, and for many years they were overlooked in developing fitness programs. Fitness gurus emphasized aerobic conditioning and working the larger muscles of the legs and arms. Core work was relegated to some crunches during the 'firm and tone' cool-down of an aerobics session.

But a deconditioned core causes problems; many of the injuries of the early jogging era were probably due to otherwise fit runners ignoring their core muscles. With a strong core, you are more stable, more balanced, and less prone to muscle injuries and back pain.

How To Do Oblique Exercises

Victoria116 — Tue, 09 May 2006 16:15:00 -0500

The oblique muscles are muscles that are part of the abdominal muscle group. There are two sets of oblique muscles--the internal obliques and the external obliques. Both sets run in a diagonal direction starting from the side of your waist down towards the center of your pelvis. Strong oblique muscles are essential for the support of your back and they can even help to improve your posture. Listed below are some great exercises for strengthening and stretching your oblique muscles: