Squats are popular for a reason. No matter which variation you choose, they not only help build a stronger lower body, but also fire up your core and increase range of motion when performed correctly. Jumping jacks, too, deserve the esteemed reputation they’ve had with fitness since, well, forever. They build stamina, burn calories, and boost cardiorespiratory endurance. What’s more […]
Cardio can be scary for any guy or gal looking to build serious muscle. After all, the idea that cardio kills gains has been circulating around the weight room for years. So, is it bad to do cardio if you’re trying to build muscle? The answer: only if you do it the wrong way. Read on […]
When you need a do-anywhere full-body move that jacks up your heart rate after just a few reps, look no further than the burpee. “The burpee is one of the most challenging and effective total-body exercises you can do,” says Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S., BODi’s executive director of fitness and nutrition content. This challenging exercise is a mainstay in […]
You might’ve heard about all the benefits that Pilates exercises can have on your body, namely your core. But where do you start? Studio classes are a great way to build a foundation of movement under instruction. But if you want to learn or practice Pilates outside of the studio (or without paying studio prices), […]
Watch a warm-up for any soccer team — from your local junior varsity squad to the World Cup champs — and you’re bound to see the toe taps exercise. A lot like jogging in place but with more precision, toe taps require the player to repeatedly tap a soccer ball with alternating feet, often while circling the […]
HIIT vs. LISS sounds like an upcoming Marvel summer blockbuster, but it’s actually one of the more interesting — and still-evolving — fitness debates in recent years. It hinges on the eternal question/sigh: “How much cardio do I really need to do?” HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and LISS (low-intensity steady state) are cardio workouts that offer […]
To many people, cardio is synonymous with running. While running is a convenient, inexpensive, and effective cardio workout, it can also be hard on your body. Luckily, there are plenty of low-impact cardio exercises that will still give you a sweat-worthy workout. Switch out some — or all — of your running workouts for low-impact cardio workouts like […]
A flip turn is an underwater somersault that you perform once you reach the wall at one end of a pool. It’s also a swimmer’s secret weapon for speedy laps. When done right, this maneuver can help you save precious time at the start of every lap, and give you a boost of speed as […]
While gyms provide easy access to treadmills, ellipticals, StairMasters, and other cardio machines, it’s easy to do aerobic exercise at home. “You definitely do not need a gym membership to get your cardio in,” says Nathalia Melo, NFPT-CPT, a Bikini Olympia champion and personal trainer. But, she warns: Be careful about letting the comfort of home creep into […]
Determining how often you should do cardio can be a little tricky. For starters, it’s not simply a matter of maintaining a trim physique. “Cardio workouts are about more than just losing weight,” says Alasdair Fitz-Desorgher, group fitness instructor and CrossFit Level 3 coach. “They help you maintain a healthy heart and respiratory system, which […]