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Tag - stretching

Guide to the Biggest U.S. Marathons

Running a marathon is about more than just crossing the finish line. Training for a 26.2-mile run can help increase your endurance, strengthen your heart, and build muscle. The training process can also reduce stress by producing endorphins. The experience of training and completing a marathon simply can’t be beat: not only will you get in great shape, but it can also be an opportunity to support a charity, get out of your comfort zone, make friends, and inspire your…

Learn the Basics: Fitness Tips for New Athletes

Every year, millions of Americans resolve to improve their health by committing to new fitness regimens for the New Year. As tempting (and admirable) as it is to jump into a new routine head first, there are some very basic principles that any beginner athlete should stick to in order to avoid injury, stave off burnout, and get the most out of that new outlook. The following are our tips for new athletes: Start Small As we wrote last week,…

Tips for Race Day

Training for a race takes a lot of time, but all your efforts can disappear in the days leading up to the event if you don’t maintain your commitment level. You must prepare yourself for races and even a casual 5K both mentally and physically. Invite your friends and family to come cheer you on at the race, as you’ll need a good support team to give you something to look forward to at the end of the race --…

Work Out Around the World

Do you love to travel but fear losing your workout rhythm when you’re not at home? Not to worry! You can stay in shape as you explore other places or even new countries. You can even plan certain trips around a workout routine. Stay in Shape While You Travel The act of traveling -- be it on planes, trains, or automobiles -- can be exhausting, despite it not being a very physical activity. Long periods of immobility can be just…

Why Piriformis Syndrome Is a Pain in the Butt

The piriformis is a muscle in your buttocks, right behind the hip joint, running from your lower back to the outer hip bone. Piriformis syndrome is caused when the muscle and its tendon are too tight and pinch, rub, or tether against the sciatic nerve, causing pain and irritation to the nerve. It also leads to a decrease in blood flow to the area. There are no specific tests that can be done to accurately diagnose the syndrome, which leads…

How to Prevent Back Pain When Golfing

Golf is a fun and relaxing sport that requires time, patience, and skill. It is one of America’s all time favorite sports and you don’t necessarily even have to be good at it to go out, walk 18 holes, and have a great time--it’s also great exercise. However, there are injury risks in golf just like in any other sport. The most common golf injuries are muscle strains and disc injuries.  Most recently we have seen a large amount of…

How to Stretch Before and After Exercising

Stretching may be one of the most boring parts of exercising but it’s also one of the most beneficial parts. Stretching not only leads to increased flexibility but can help prevent injuries. However, the typical type of stretching you may be used to--Static Stretching--does not help with flexibility and may in fact cause an injury when performed pre-exercise. It is better to start with a more active form of stretching before exercising--Dynamic Stretching. Nevertheless, Static Stretching is excellent for muscle…

Types of Bad Posture and Correction Techniques

Of all the things you can do to improve your health, posture is often overlooked. But just like exercise, eating right, and getting lots of sleep, good posture can make you more energetic on the field, in your exercise regimen, or in your day-to-day life. Although slouching is perhaps the most commonly cited form of poor posture, there are other, more specific types of bad posture that might be less noticeable. People looking to improve their posture can achieve some…

Yoga Poses to Relieve Cycling Lower Back Pain

According to a study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine, back pain is the most common overuse injury among cyclist, with 58 percent of cyclists polled experiencing such symptoms in the previous year and 41 percent seeking medical attention for it. Indeed, cycling is one of the best low-impact cardiovascular workouts you can get, but after a few hours riding, even the most experienced athletes can feel discomfort in their upper or lower back. But according to Alyssa Dinowitz,…