Ever seen people step on this unique looking thing at the gym and wonder what the heck they are doing? The tool is called a Calf Stretcher and if you learn to use it, chances are you'll learn to love it as well. What: A Calf Stretcher is a device that isolates the calf muscles. Area of Body it Works: Calf muscles, ankles, and Achilles tendons. Why: Stretching not only increases muscle Read more

I have received more than a few questions recently about Pilates like: Is Pilates good for weight loss? What are the health benefits of the practice? How to go about studying Pilates? Pilates is strength training with flexibility training thrown in as a bonus. While both are essential to a well-rounded workout program, it is aerobic exercise that most directly helps weight loss. While Pilates Read more

You all know how much I love yoga and Pilates, and one of the reasons is the flexibility training. It is built right into many of the poses, moves and exercises. Ahh . . .stretching is so good for the muscles and the joints. If you are not stretching daily (the doctors of my new "bible" You on a Diet recommend 5 minutes a day — just five minutes a day, the length of two commercial breaks. Read more