Fitness Mastery: Hypertrophy, HIIT & Running Optimization

Comprehensive fitness involves a mix of strength training for hypertrophy, HIIT for metabolic health, and corrective exercises for postural alignment.

Close-up of a lady boxer hitting a speed bag

Boxing Vs. Weight Lifting for Fat Loss

Boxing and weight lifting are similar in that both are workout regimens strongly associated with "macho" attitudes. However, the similarities stop right about at that point. Both use different training methods, schedules and exercises to achieve different fitness goals.

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Woman hitting punching bag

Rock vs. Sand vs. Water in Freestanding Punching Bags

Freestanding punching bags use a reservoir as a counterweight to simulate the resistance and swing of a hanging bag. Theoretically, you could fill the reservoir with any substance heavier than air. In practice, most users choose to fill it with rock, sand or water. Each material has advantages and disadvantages.

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Can Hitting a Punching Bag Increase Your Strength?

The typical fighter athlete looks strong. He has cut, well-defined muscles and competes with reasonable success against other trained and conditioned athletes. These fighters participate in a holistic program of strength training, cardio training and diet.

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Boxing couch holding pad while smiling female student kicks into it

Is Boxing a Good Body Workout?

When analyzing whether or not any exercise is "good," the real question is "good as compared to what?" In the case of boxing, this vigorous and impactful workout can get you into shape rapidly. However, it carries an intensity, violence and risk of injury that make it a poor choice for some people.

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The Health Benefits of Using a Speed Bag & Punching Bag

All speed bags are punching bags, but not all punching bags are speed bags. In boxing parlance, punching bag is the generic term applied to all such tools, but most "civilians" mean a standard heavy bag. Both heavy and speed bags can produce health benefits if used correctly as part of a systematic regimen.

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Woman boxing in gym

Can a Punching Bag Workout Help Tone Your Abs?

The popular image of a boxer or other fight sport athlete includes someone who has set of ripped and visible abdominal muscles. Much of that comes from the weight loss practices inherent in combat sports coupled with hours upon hours of cardiovascular training and attention to diet.

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Men running in ocean, low section

Can Running Make Your Neck Sore?

Runners expect a degree of soreness in the legs after a workout. In fact, they often enjoy the soreness as a "badge of honor" signifying a difficult but successful workout. However, it's also possible to experience soreness in the neck after running.

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Boxer Training with Punching Bag

Can You Burn Arm Fat When Hitting a Punching Bag?

Flabby arms are unsightly and can be a real challenge to your personal confidence and self-image. It might seem logical that working out your arms — such as with punches to a heavy bag — would reduce arm fat. However, the truth is more complex and involves muscle toning and development.

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Couple unrolling carpet

Is It Bad to Exercise on Carpeting?

If you walk into a gym or health club, you'll see a number of different floor surfaces: concrete, hardwood, mats and tile are just some of the common types. However, many would-be athletes work out on carpet for the simple reason that it's what's covering the floor at home.

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Arms. Horizontal bar. Close-up.

Height Recommendation for a Pull-Up Bar

Pull-up chin bars are an inexpensive piece of home workout equipment. When you're installing one, you need to take two factors into account if you want to install it at the correct height. The bar needs to be low enough that you don't bump your head at the top of your repetitions.

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Pains After Hitting a Punching Bag

Working out with a heavy punching bag can build coordination, body strength and endurance in a session that's surprisingly rigorous to anybody who's never done it. However, the forces involved in this kind of training put a lot of impact on some of the smallest bones in your body.

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Pilates Class

Should I Go to the Gym If I Am Tired?

Nearly everybody who works out at the end of the day has had this experience: You've scheduled time at the gym but by the time you're done with work you feel so tired you can hardly stand up. Surprisingly, you might find that a trip to the gym, far from being a bad idea, is just what your body ordered.

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Young woman doing chest exercise

How to Build Muscle if Your Arms Are Skinny

An ectomorph is somebody with a naturally thin frame and a metabolism that helps keep the weight off easily. If you're only worried about weight loss, this body type is an absolute blessing. For those who want to build muscle mass, it's exactly the opposite.

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Phalanx fracture with splint and elastic gauze

Can You Walk If Your Big Toe Is Broken?

Your big toe plays a major role in positioning your foot and maintaining your balance. This is why you really don't appreciate its contribution until you injure it.

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I Have a Headache When Doing Pushups

Headaches after or during a session of pushups are so common, it may surprise you. That's the bad news. The good news is that any problem as common as that generally has a solution. In the case of pushup-induced headaches, the best solution depends on what's causing the problem.

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MOUTH GUARD

Instructions on How to Size a Mouthguard

Your mouthguard is an important piece of safety equipment in many sports. Football, boxing and many martial arts require it, while it remains optional but recommended in many others. A mouthguard cushions the impact of a blow to the chin.

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