Journey to Optimal Health

December 27, 2011

Resistance Band Rows

Filed under: Exercises — Tags: — Sarah Coffin @ 9:55 am

Rows are such a great exercise for your back.  We need to keep our backs strong and healthy.  In today’s world we are constantly put into a forward hunch position; all that driving, computer work, reading, don’t forget about your posture during texting!

Hook your band around a pole, around your feet, around your husband, or use a door anchor if you have one.  Hold the handles so that your palms are facing in.  Pull the band back by driving your elbows past your torso while bringing your shoulder blades together and down.  Slowly release the band forward and repeat.  Be sure that you have enough resistance to get a good burn by around 15-20 repetitions.

 

October 10, 2011

Superman

Filed under: Exercises — Tags: , — Sarah Coffin @ 3:43 pm

Superman/Superwoman: Lying on the mat on your stomach raise legs and arms off the ground.  Contract your lower back, glutes, and in between your shoulder blades.  Keep your gaze looking down to protect your neck.  Hold for about 30-60 seconds then lower.

This is an important exercise for almost everyone.  Everyday life is full of activities (or lack of) that involve hunching forward.  These include driving, using the computer, and watching television.  Which can cause the muscles in the front of your body to become stronger than the ones in the back (the hunch).  Resulting in rounded shoulders and upper back.  Not only is this posture unattractive but it can cause back pain and shoulder injuries.  Therefore exercises to strengthen the back side of our bodies is very important.  Superman/woman is an excellent exercise to practice 1-2 times per week on non-consecutive days to help counter this phenomenon that almost all of experience.

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