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And the 2009 Health and Fitness Trends Are . . .
Every year the American College of Sports Medicine surveys over a thousand sports medicine professionals about the fitness trends for the upcoming year. It seems that the predicted trends for 2009 are pretty similar to those we saw for 2008 — a mixture of generalized trends and exercise specifics.
Here are the top 10 health and fitness trends for 2009:
Improve Your Balance, Improve Your Life
If you're like me then you may find yourself saying, "I have horrible balance." While I thought I was doomed to wobbling around every time I put on my shoes standing up, I found out that you can improve your balance easily. Why does it even matter?
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How to Strength Train With a Balance Board
If you belong to a gym, you may have seen this weird UFO-looking piece of equipment lying around. It's known as a balance board. When used for strength training exercises, it's a great tool for runners, skiers, tennis players, and yogis because it helps improve coordination and balancing abilities.
Now Is the Time to Get Ready For the Slopes
Even though we're in the middle of Fall and I've yet to see any real signs of snow, experts say now is the time to get your butt in gear for Winter sports. Days on the slopes can be long and require a good amount of endurance, especially if you're the type who likes to visit the mountains for an extended weekend or even longer.
Veteran Winter Olympic athletes like ski racer Daron Rahlves and snowboarder Elena Hight recommend doing specific training for Winter sports six to eight weeks before the season starts.
No Equipment Necessary: Balancing Windmill
Squats are essential in your strength-training tool belt if you want to tone your booty and thighs. Here's a variation that will also challenge your sense of balance and strengthen your core.
This is a four-part exercise.
You Asked: Why Do I Shake During Hard Exercises?
Dear Fit,
I tried out a new strength training class at my gym, and it was awesome. It uses dumbbells, resistance bands, gym balls, and mat exercises to tone your whole body. There were definitely a lot of new moves I'd never done before, and during one of the exercises, where you're balancing on your bum in a V-position, and lowering your torso and legs toward the floor, I was shaking uncontrollably.
Multitasking Move: Balancing Side Leg Lift Squat
I love combo strength-training moves that target more than one part of the body, and I also love quick moves I can throw in throughout my day, even when I'm not at the gym. This balancing booty- and thigh-toning exercise can be done while blow-drying your hair, waiting for the bus, or talking on the phone.
Music: "Oh, Atlanta," by Alison Krauss
For detailed instructions, continue reading.
Alanis Morissette Marathoning For Eating Disorders
Many celebs have laced up their sneaks and finished marathons, including Will Ferrell, Mario Lopez, Oprah, David Lee Roth, and Katie Holmes. Now you can add Alanis Morissette to that list. She's planning on running this Sunday, Oct.
Natalie Coughlin: From the Olympics to DWTS
Last season on Dancing With the Stars, we saw gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson win gold, and this year we're watching Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin compete on land.
She made it through the first week, dancing a salsa with Alec Mazo and wowed us last night with her quick step. Although busy dancing and rehearsing, Natalie took time out of her day to answer a few questions on topics ranging from Pilates to her opinion on the ban on high-tech swimsuits.
Sports Energy Products Explained: Bars
If you're a fan of longer workouts, or are in training for a big race, you can't exercise without refueling your energy. Sport drinks offer energy plus hydration, and gels and chews offer bite-sized energy in convenient packages. There are also energy bars.
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