Strong knees are important for athletes and non-athletes alike. Your knees are supported primarily by your quadriceps and hamstrings, but your calf muscles and hip adductors and abductors also play a role in knee stability. Strengthening these muscles is a critical part of protecting your knees from injury and pain.
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High knees combine the typical running motion with exaggerated knee lifts. They are often used by runners and other athletes to improve running form as well as lower body speed, power, and flexibility.
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Hiker's knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is an overuse injury of the knee that results in pain around or behind your knee cap. This pain is often intensified when hiking down hill.
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You use your fingers everyday to grasp and carry things, which relies heavily on finger flexion. The muscles used for finger flexion are often stronger and more developed than those responsible for finger extension.
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A heel lift, also known as plantar flexion, is performed by the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris, which make up the triceps surae muscle group on the back of the lower leg.
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Reducing muscle size is much easier than increasing muscle size and requires a lot less work. Although it may seem a bit unconventional, the desire to reduce muscle size is more common than you may think. Athletic women, for example, may wish to reduce the size of muscular thighs to achieve a slimmer look.
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Aches and pains, especially in the back, are something that many people deal with on a daily basis. The idea of working out completely pain-free is a bit of a fantasy -- there always seems to be a sore muscle somewhere. Performing pushups with back pain is OK as long as you're not suffering from a serious back injury.
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This may be your first attempt at weight loss or the next in a string of many -- as an overweight woman it can seem impossible to find something that works and that you can stick with. It may have never crossed your mind, but weight training might be just what you need to help you succeed in your weight loss efforts.
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The popular Nordic Track treadmills provide a convenient way to work your cardiovascular system as well as the muscles of your lower body. Because running and walking are about all you can do on a treadmill, many people find them boring.
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Located on the upper side of your thigh, the tensor fasciae latae is enclosed between layers of fascia, or fibrous tissue. This muscle works with the iliopsoas to flex your hip and with the gluteus medius and minimus muscles to abduct your hip. The tensor fasciae latea plays a key role in hip and knee stability.
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The elliptical and treadmill are two popular exercise machines used to improve health and lose weight. Slimmer thighs is a goal both machines can help you attain as long as you use them properly and with enough intensity.
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The chest is made up primarily of the pectoralis major muscle. This muscle is divided into two parts for the inner and upper chest. Several exercises work these parts of the chest individually and simultaneously.
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The triceps brachii is comprised of three distinct heads: the medial, long and lateral head. The lateral head is found on the outside border of the upper arm and is primarily responsible for the horseshoe shape of the triceps.
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