General Fitness: How to Lose Weight and Get Fit Faster

How long does it really take to get fit or lose 50 pounds through walking? Understanding concentric exercises, kettlebell swing mechanics, and proper post-workout hydration is key to building a sustainable fitness lifestyle.

Rear view of woman holding towel in loft gym

How to Relieve Upper Back Pain with Exercise

Upper back pain can occur as a result of injury, strain or poor posture. According to Spine-Health.com, most cases of upper back pain stem from muscle irritation or joint issues. As more people sit hunched over computers for work, more suffer from upper back pain and stiffness.

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Female executive using phone and computer at office

What Can I Do to Burn Calories While Sitting at My Desk at Work?

If your job entails long hours behind a desk, you may notice your waistline gaining inches. Sitting for long periods slows your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Although you could buy treadmill desks and desk risers so you can stand while you work, these items can be costly.

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Woman touching bare stomach

What Is the Best Machine for Flat Abs?

You lose fat by burning more calories than you eat, so the best machines for flat abs are those that allow you to burn calories the fastest. As your body grows leaner, your stomach will flatten proportionally.

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Couple flexing muscles

Is There a Difference Between Female and Male Muscles?

Generally, the muscles of men and women are the same and will perform and respond in a similar manner. However, men can develop more muscle mass than women. The activities of both sexes differ which is why muscle group development will change depending on your current exercise program and lifestyle.

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Young woman jogging in mountains

Advantages & Disadvantages of Altitude Training

Altitude training is used by many athletes hoping to have a competitive edge during athletic competitions. While it is advantageous to train at altitude for competitions held at high altitude, it appears to have little effect on improved performance at sea level.

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Fun Fitness Challenge Games

Getting a group of neighbors, teenagers, friends or coworkers together to hold a fitness challenge may encourage the participants to assess their individual fitness levels.

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Human Pregnancy

Which Trimester Is the Most Important for a Woman's Diet?

The notion of eating for two has undergone many changes in the recent years as medical researchers have become more aware of how foods affect unborn babies. Different vitamins and minerals are important at different times during pregnancy, changing along with recommended calorie intake.

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man with words written on stomach

How to Get a Rock-Hard Body

Whether your goal is to run a faster mile, look better at the beach or just improve how you feel about yourself, getting a toned, rock-hard body can make all the difference.

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Man in a Recliner Chair Watching Television

The Effects of Lack of Exercise on the Body

It’s no surprise that exercise has numerous benefits, such as keeping off excess weight, making your bones strong and keeping your heart healthy. On the contrary, not exercising can have adverse health effects.

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Crossfit fitness man L-sits Kettlebells L sits exercise

Water Retention in Muscles After Exercise

After a strenuous weight training session or a challenging run or bike ride, you may decide to jump on the scale and find yourself dismayed to see the number go up. You may feel bloated after your workout which seems discordant with the amount of time and effort you put in.

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Bathroom scale

The Ideal Weight for an Athletic Build

Medical and fitness personnel often use body weight to compare individuals to norms based on the general population. But if you have an athletic build, chances are you're toward the higher end of the charts.

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Requirements for the U.S. Navy Physical Fitness Test

You made the decision, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and need to get in shape for boot camp. The standards for the Navy Physical Readiness Test, or PRT, differ by age and gender, and the minimum passing score changes once you complete basic training and move into your post-training duty station.

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Two Beautiful Female Joggers

The Best Exercises for a Pear Shape

Those with a pear body shape struggle with issues from top to bottom: slender upper bodies that are difficult to build with small bust-lines, thin shoulders and straight waists leading down to thick lower bodies that are prone to packing on weight.

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Smiling Elderly Women at the Gym with Instructor.

Circuit Training for Seniors

Health organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly urge older adults to exercise regularly. Cardiovascular training maintains and improves heart health, stamina and your blood lipid profiles.

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Side view of a man legs running

What Causes Leg Muscle Atrophy?

Muscle atrophy is a loss of muscle tissue due to disuse, disease or injury. A decrease in physical activity can lead to muscle loss in as little as 72 hours. Atrophy can occur more suddenly with illness or injury to the muscles or their nerves, and the muscles in the legs are among the first to weaken.

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Blonde Female Stretching

How to Build Body Definition

Body definition occurs when lean muscle mass is increased and overall body fat is decreased. Carrying an excess amount of body fat will result in lack of definition, even if you continue to build muscle. A significant percentage of fat-free mass must be present in order to gain muscle definition.

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Dance performance

Contemporary Dance Exercises

Though contemporary dance has been practiced for years, many people are still unclear as to what it entails. Contemporary dance isn't like traditional dance forms. Instead, it is a free-form genre combined with several dance styles and movements reflecting current trends in pop culture.

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Sport shoes walking

Heart Rate After Walking 1 Mile

Checking your heart rate after walking just one mile may not seem to be very useful. But it can provide useful information, for both the new exerciser and for the recreational athlete. If you are just starting an exercise program, particularly a walk program, it can indicate if you are exercising efficiently.

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Happy woman cycling

How Much Weight Can You Lose Riding a Stationary Bike?

Whether your goal is to lose just a couple pounds or your doctor has advised you to lose 100 pounds, the stationary bike can be your ticket to success. This form of exercise, coupled with a low-calorie diet, can help you lose a good amount of weight, depending on how much you have to lose.

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