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Another Reason to Exercise: Coregasms!
My pal DearSugar writes about sex daily. She can tell you how to have a better orgasm, and I can tell you the health benefits of having them regularly. Having sex not only relieves stress, but it also boosts your immunity.
Core Concepts: Running
Whether running for fun, fitness, or to be fast, efficiency is key. Having a strong core plays an important part in translating the power of the legs to propelling the entire body forward through space. The deep abs, made up of the transversus abdominis (TVA) and internal obliques, are the keystone for core stabilization.
Pilates 101: Finding Neutral Spine
The concept of neutral spine may sound simple, but this important Pilates concept can be elusive. To keep a neutral shade of spine, you maintain the natural curves of your back while doing an exercise, such as an upper abdominal curl (aka crunches). Keeping neutral means the muscles in your back are working in conjunction with your abs, and when you get your abs and back to fire together, you are working your core.
Core Knowledge
Fitness types toss the term "core" around with little explanation, leaving many people confused and believing that ab work, like crunches, is strengthening their core. But this is not the case; the core is not simply the muscles on the front of your body. Nope.
DVD Review: Shiva Rea — Creative Core + Lower Body
I loved Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs video, so I was excited to try her newest DVD, Creative Core + Lower Body ($10). It focuses on a combination of fluid movements and holding of postures that targets your abs, thighs, lower back, and bum. I learned variations of poses that in my eight years of teaching yoga I've never seen before, so this DVD was a breath of fresh air and insanely challenging too.
Fit Tip: Remember to Work Your Back
You should be proud of yourself for making the time to do crunches and other grueling exercises that work your abs. Not only do strong abs look good, but they help to prevent back pain. The thing is, they're not the only part of your body that makes up your core.
Fit Tip: Start With Ab Work
It seems commonplace to incorporate ab work into your cool down; probably because at the end of a grueling workout it is so nice to lie down. This is assuming you do both a cool down and ab work, but I have faith that you do both.
Here's an idea though, start your workout with abs and core exercises.
Fire Fighter Workout: Part IV
If you tried the fire fighter workouts I've been posting on earlier then you're feeling for those folks in uniform, since the workouts are literally no walk in the park. Here is the arms/abs portion of the circuit workout. Be prepared to sweat as these circuits are loaded with some tough exercises.
Fire Fighter Workout: Part III
If you tried the fire fighter workout that I posted earlier then you're feeling for those folks in uniform, since the workouts are literally no walk in the park. Here is the core/cardio portion of the circuit workout. Be prepared to sweat as these circuits are loaded with some tough exercises.
Get It Up, Your Heart Rate That Is: Elliptical Core Workout
A lot of us use the Elliptical machine for major calorie burning results because it can work your arms and legs. But, don't always hold on. Letting go of the handles will allow you to work your core as you try and stay balanced.
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