5 Common Running Injuries – What They Are and How You Can Prevent Them

The risk of you sustaining an injury related to running are higher than what most people think. You can suffer from a little blister to a full blown out knee caps if you're not careful while running.Here are the 5 most common injuries most individuals suffer from when running, and how you can prevent them from happening.1. BlistersBlisters are caused by the constant rubbing of your shoe against your skin. They can be on the toes, side of the feet, or the heel, and anywhere in between. If left untreated, they can become infected and cause some major discomfort as well as pain.How to prevent blisters: Always wear shoes that fit your feet. Wearing shoes that's one-size too big or small will result in you suffering from occasional blisters.Another thing to note here is that, when you run, your feet will sweat. Hence you'll have wear a pair of socks that's long enough to go past the top of your shoes, so as to avoid having blisters at your ankles.If you start to get a blister, use a Band-Aid to cover the area until it recovers. Let the blister heal by itself. Do not pop it, as the fluid underneath serves to keep the blister protected until the skin underneath heals.2. Runner's KneeRunner's knee comes as a result of you overworking your knees (from running long distances consistently) over a period of time, coupled with the fact that you do not allow the surrounding sore muscles enough time to fully recover.How to prevent runner's knee: Stretching is the best way to prevent any physical injuries related to running. Be sure you stretch all the muscles and tendons before you start running. Your muscles should be well warmed up before you do any running.Also, do some squats and lunges to build up your hamstrings, shins, and calves of your legs, because the stronger they are, the less likely you'll suffer from runner's knee.3. Sore MusclesWhen you over-do your running activities, you could end up with sore muscles. Sore muscles are caused as a result of tiny tears in the muscle fibers.How to prevent sore muscles: Make sure you properly warm up your muscles before you take off on a run. Start your run slowly, and gradually increase your pace. Another thing you can do is to have a hot bath or a massage after your run to help relieve your sore muscles for a faster recovery.4. ChafingChafing is caused when your clothes constantly rub against your skin, causing rashes to form around the area. You can also get chafing when you run in the rain.Some of the common places where chafing occurs is under the bra line (for women), in the underarms, as well as around the inner thigh area.How to prevent chafing: Wear sportswear that is specially made for running. They have flat seams, not round seams, which can help prevent chafing. Also, they fit better and don't shift around while you're running.5. Heel FissuresCracks in your feet are called heel fissures. They are caused by dry feet, coupled with constant running, which over time, breaking open the skin, resulting in bleeding and subsequently, an infection around the area (for more severe cases).How to prevent heel fissures: If you find that your feet is dry, apply moisturizer on it. Also, try not to wear sandals or open shoes (even when not running) so as to avoid drying out your feet.

Personal Trainers And Your Fitness Goals

Most people these days, especially those who have little experience in the gym, need to hire a personal trainer to help them get back into shape and become physically fit. These fitness experts are qualified to help a person get in shape and also provide guidance on tips to maintain their body in a healthy manner afterwards. In addition, they provide guidance to their trainees on the food to eat and how to help their bodies by maintaining a proper balanced diet. Everyone has a different reason to start going to the gym, or rather go back to the gym. For instance, if one wants to be an athlete, he or she would prepare for a marathon by training and focusing on cardio, while many of us just want to look good for the summer. Some are also instructed by the doctor to do so, due to health reasons. Whatever reasons you have, a professional health expert like a personal trainer can make your dreams a reality.Personal trainers not only help you to achieve your end result, but they make sure you get there safely. Many of us do not know how to begin exercising or where to start. Furthermore we can all admit, that having somebody coaching and instructing us while providing motivation is a key ingredient to success. The idea is that a personal trainer is somebody who will not soothe you when training but will definitely make one sweat until one begs for mercy!This is not meant to be discouraging, but rather to motivate you and push you to new physical limits. You have to believe that it is better to struggle today to celebrate tomorrow. Getting into an exercise routine can be physically demanding and mentally difficult. Furthermore a personal trainer knows how to make the road to glory as short as possible.The shortest distance between two places is the straightest road. Personal trainers are experts in knowing what exercises can help you reach your goals the fastest. If your goal is to lose weight for example, you may think that going to the gym and hitting a treadmill until you need to pass out is the best way to shed some extra pounds. A personal trainer will set up a personalized workout routine that not only focuses on your goals, but takes your body type into account. We are all individuals and not every diet program provides the same results for everybody that tries it.Essentially your personal trainer is going be there for you helping you achieve your fitness goals. From motivation in the gym to diet plans, they will coach you and monitor your progress every step of the way. They are there to answer your questions about health and show you how to avoid injury. Many of us have bought gym memberships and actually went to the gym a few times before eventually forgetting about our old friend. A personal trainer can help you stay in touch with this long forgotten friend of the past.

Upper Ab Workout Tips

The image of pop icons and famous personalities has made the public want more than just a flat tummy. To get into the trimmed stomach group, you?re going to need to perform specific exercises to get those abs in shape. But that's not all there is to it. The rectus abdominus is the single muscle that we know as the abs. To get that six-pack you always wanted, you?re going to need to target that. When it comes to toning the upper abs, the first word that you can think of will be ?crunches?.

Not all crunches works your entire ab for some of them focus only on one area. When working your retus abdominus, you have to balance your ab workouts by targeting both upper and lower abs. The good thing is that the tricks in doing these crunches are fairly simple. Crunches that require you to move your upper torso will target the upper abs, while those that will have you move your legs and hips will work the lower abs.

If you feel you need to tone your upper abs more than your lower abs, then you can do specific upper ab workouts. Crunches can be performed differently to achieve this. A few variations of the crunches are as follows:

UV Crunch: Compared to the name, sunshine is not required for this exercise. The UV crunch is a variation of the crunch that will require flexibility on your part since you will need to assume a letter V position, or U if you are more flexible. The starting position is done the same way you would do a basic crunch, only with your legs elevated either at a 45 degree angle or a 90 degree angle for the V and U crunch, respectively. Perform the crunch by lifting your head off the floor.

Frog Leg Crunch: This is done by lying on your back, feet together and knees apart. Perform the crunch by lifting your shoulders off the floor while your hands are behind your head. There are more difficult versions of this kind of crunch ? involving modified positions such as crossing your ankles or extending your arms above your head as opposed to your hands clasped behind your head.

Semi-Crunch: The difficulty level of this crunch is a notch higher than the others. You can incorporate this to all kinds of crunches; with the basic position be lying on your back with legs together, hands behind your head, knees bent and pointing upwards. Perform the crunch by lifting your head off the floor; when you come back down, your head and shoulders shouldn?t touch the floor.

To ensure that your abs are the focus, crunches are always the best option. The whole abdominal muscle is put to work with any kind of crunch you do. With slight modifications to these crunches, you can get the lower or upper ab workout that you need.

The Advantages Associated With Having A Personal Fitness Trainer

Joseph Pilates developed the Pilates exercise model as early as the second decade of the 20th century. The essence of this form of physical training is the insistence on the strengthening of the core muscles and the increase of body flexibility. People who somehow suffer because of their physical condition love the benefits of aerobic fitness Pilates exercise because of the adaptability it brings along: thus, seniors, pregnant women, people who have to recover after a physical trauma, can practice a Pilates exercise rewardingly. Plus, the advantages of the method are within reach for any person who just wants to improve personal health condition.

Any Pilates exercise relies on the use of the core muscles, which are made of the deep abdominal and back muscles. The thing is that if you manage to strengthen these muscles, they will work greatly with the other superficial muscles that support the spine, ensuring movement. Hence, the health of the entire torso is influenced by the condition of the core muscles. And here we have the explanation for back pain alleviation that results after constantly participating to Pilates exercise programs.

The unique Pilates exercise technique focuses on the importance of correct work out without any insistence on movement repetition. If each and every exercise is performed with precision and completely, the results will be incredible. The integrative approach is essential, meaning that with a Pilates training session you will not work only the back, shoulders or abdominal muscles, but the entire body will receive attention and proper care.

Balance at a slow pace, this is what defines a good Pilates exercise, hence, anyone can train like this, no matter the individual physical condition. Then, training provides a certain torso stability which has a direct impact on the movement flexibility, the posture, the balance and the health of the muscles. Mention must be made here that it is recommended to practice any Pilates exercise program under the guidance of a professional trainer.
The Benefit Of Pilates Exercise Programs

Instead of the traditional physical therapy, many people with physical challenges and post-traumatic sufferance, can join some form of Pilates fitness training program and work with a certified fitness trainer on regaining good health. Statistics indicate that the recovery rate of people symptoms of physical trauma is higher for those who use the Pilates health scheme. The adaptability and flexibility of the exercises allows every trainee to evolve at a personal pace without difficulties at all. There is total safety, the physical pain is not a problem and the costs of such fitness exercise programs are usually affordable. Do it for your health!

An Ab Workout For Every Level

The abdominal muscles are without a doubt one of the most difficult muscle groups to sculpt. Many perform crunch after crunch with no results. Instead of wasting your time on ab exercises that aren't working for you, follow this ab workout guide, do cardiovascular exercise at least 4 times a week and eat a healthy diet, and you will begin to see definition in your abs over time. This ab workout will be worth your time! Remember to increase your reps or sets as the ab workouts become easier.

Beginner Ab Workout - Try 3 sets of 10 reps for each exercise.

Basic Crunch - Lie on your back with your hands crossed across your chest or with your fingers on the sides of your head. Place your feet on the floor with legs bent. To begin the exercise, lift your torso, lifting shoulder blades off the floor and crunching your rib cage towards your lower belly. Hold for two counts, then lower slowly to the starting position.

Reverse Crunch - Lie on your back with knees bent, feet a few inches off the floor. Slowly contract the abdominals, focusing on rotating the pelvis up and bringing your knees towards your rib cage. Concentrate on letting your abs do the work. Hold at the top then slowly lower your knees to the starting position.

Intermediate Ab Workout -Try 3 sets of 8-10 reps for each exercise.

Toe Touchers - Lie on your back on the floor on a mat. Elevate your legs straight up into the air and point both of your arms straight up into the air as well having your body form a sort of giant "U." Make sure you keep your lower back pressed flat into the ground. Exhale and crunch forward, touching your toes with your finger tips. Remember to let your abs do the work.

Scissor Kicks - Start by lying flat on your back on a mat with your arms by your sides and your palms down. Extend your legs fully with a slight bend in your knees. Lift your heels about 6 inches off the floor. Make small, rapid up and down scissor-like motions with your legs. The key is to focus on having your midsection do the work and to keep your abs constantly contracted throughout the exercise.

Advanced Ab Workout

Flat Bench Leg Pull Ins - Sit on a flat bench with your legs off the end. Place your hands to your sides, grasping the edge of the bench with each hand. Extend your legs straight out and lean your back at a 45 degree angle. Bring your knees in toward your midsection, making sure that your abs are doing the work in a slow and controlled fashion. Continue until muscle fatigue.

Side Bridge - Start by lying on a mat with your legs straight out. Turn sideways holding your body up with one bent arm parallel to the floor. Keep your abs tight until 30-60 seconds. A great sports specific exercise. Increasing your time as you gain strength.

Tips For Ripped Muscles

Summer is almost here, and it's time to kick back and relax under the sun. It?s time for the beach, barbecue parties, and for most real lifters these activities also mean one thing: It is time for the clothes to come off and to show off that rock hard body they have been working on all year. Who wants to walk around with a flabby physique, and for the next couple of months, all of those real muscle builders will be moving into ?get ripped? mode.
However, how do they ordinarily try this?

It is really quite simple. They ease up the weights and complete increased repetitions.

This has usually been a largely normal way of ?reducing fat? and if you talk to the majority of trainers in the gym they will advise you that ?heavy weights build up the muscle and reduced weights define the muscle?.

So, what is the reality behind the ?reduced weight and increased reps? way of achieving a sculpted body?

It's absolutely and totally SO WRONG!

It could not be further from the reality. In reality, there is no plausible basis for this method of exercising at all, and whomever thought up this utterly silly method of exercising has made the vast majority of muscle builders to squander their time and impact their results in the gym.

Allow me to straighten this up once and for all: You CANNOT 'spot reduce'. Put another way, it is completely unachievable to focus on weight reduction from a individual part of the body. Carrying out bench presses with reduced weight and increased reps won't cause you to burn fat off of the chest or make it to appear harder and more sculpted.
Each time you hold a barbell, dumbbell or cable, the goal is to create as much muscle increase as possible. There are no particular, secret bodybuilding training routines that will define the muscles or make them become more defined.

Exercising with weights builds muscle mass, period.
Therefore, how in particular do you define a muscle?

The simple method to define a muscle is by reducing your body fat>/a> levels so that you can make your muscles more obvious. Decreasing body fat can be met by two methods:

1) Adapt your diet.

You must lessen your overall calorie consumption to approximately 15 times your bodyweight and concentrate on eating smaller meals more often during the day. This will keep your metabolism easily raised all the time and your body will burn fat constantly. Control your consumption of saturated fats and simple sugars, and concentrate instead on eating good sources of protein and low glycemic carbs. It is also critical to keep your water consumption high at a level of around 0.6 oz for every lb of bodyweight.

2) Execute good cardio exercise routines.
Forget about the usual way of temperate intensity cardio in 30-45 min periods. If you like to make the most of your body?s fat burning capability and also reduce the muscle reduction which certainly goes along with a fat burning cycle, concentrate on shorter cardio exercise routines carried out at a peak level of intensity. These types of exercise routines will boost your resting metabolism through the roof and will let you burn the greatest quantities of fat even as you are resting. I suggest 3-5 high-level intensity cardio sessions every week, spaced at around 8 hrs between your weight exercise routines.

It's as simple as that, people. Forget the idea of ?reduced weight and increased repetitions? and hurl it out. Following this misguided way will only make you to reduce muscle bulk and strength, and won't help you in burning fat or defining your body.

All you are required to do to sculpt those rock hard muscles by the summer time, is the following:

1) Exercise with heavy weights and low reps to increase maximum muscle bulk.

2) Adapt your diet and carry out cardio exercise routines to reduce body fat and develop evidently harder and better sculpted muscles.

Period.

See ya on the beach!