Gym Shorts

Who wouldn’t like to have more shapely calves? Calf raise exercises target the muscles of the calves, helping to define and strengthen them. Make sure you have “textbook form” by following these guidelines: To start, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your knees straight but not locked. Rise up on your toes, lifting your heels as high as possible. Pause. Then, lower them slowly …

Lose a Dress Size in 8 Weeks – exercise Aerobic exercise increases blood circulation, making it heart and lung healthy. But it also burns fat from all over the body. Remember: No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t spot-reduce fat. You can, however, tone and tighten specific muscle groups. Strength or resistance training increases your metabolic rate — that’s the rate your body burns …

I have been walking for a few months and i already want to prepare myself for the cold season. I was wondering how people keep up with a walking program in the cold. What sort of things should I wear when going on my walks? (I walk really fast so I sweat a lot). Everybody’s different, but here’s what I like to wear when it …

Weight training and joint pain I’ve been doing biceps curls with a 3-pound dumbbell, and now my right elbow is hurting. What should I do? It is great to hear that you’re training with weights. Unfortunately, some moves may stress joints more in certain people. For example, I get pain in my elbow joint if I do biceps curls using a preacher bench that keeps …

I just started walking to lose 50 pounds. A friend told me that I shouldn’t lift weights until I drop some pounds because it will make me look bigger. Is this true? Not at all. In fact, lifting weights along with your walking may help you slip back into your “thin” pair of jeans quicker than just walking. Walking burns a hefty number of calories …

I usually do a combination weight training and cardio workout every other day. But I just had surgery to remove my appendix. How soon can I go back to working out, and what should I do to get back up to speed? Your doctor is the best person to advise you on when it is safe to resume exercising. Every body and every surgery is …

I have just begun walking and would like some suggestions for warming up. I plan to walk for half an hour a day. Thank you. The best way to warm up for walking is to walk at a comfortable pace. After five to ten minutes, stop and do some gentle stretching. Target your calves, shins and hamstrings. Now you’re ready to step up the pace. …

I do aerobics about five times a week for about two hours each time. Sometimes I alternate with the stair-climbing machine. Am I doing too much? Congratulations on your commitment to exercise. Although you’re doing a lot of high-intensity exercise, you’re taking some smart steps to prevent overtraining: Allowing two rest days a week gives your body time to recover, and alternating a lower-impact activity …

Last month, I broke my ankle. The cast is coming off in two weeks. How can I get back in shape without putting too much stress on my ankle? I’ve lost a lot of muscle tone. Ankle injuries can be tricky, and if you don’t rehabilitate your ankle properly, you may be more likely to reinjure it. To prevent that, you need to talk to …

I have been inactive for some time. How do I get back into exercise? The best answer is: slowly. Doing too much, too fast, is one of the quickest ways to end up back on the couch. Your best bet would be to begin a walking routine. Walking is arguably the easiest, most convenient way to start getting into shape. But if you prefer more …

I’m basically petite and proportionate, but my upper thighs and hips are rather fat and wide. As a result, I’m not inclined to wear short skirts or even tight jeans. How can I lose the fat in these areas? Are there any exercises? Unfortunately, there’s no magical way to get rid of fat from a specific area – a.k.a. spot-reducing – but there are things you …

Q: I love wearing short skirts, but my calves are shapeless. How can I get some definition? A: You’re in luck. One of the best exercises to build shapely calves is so easy you can do it practically anywhere. The exercise is called a calf raise. Once you’re comfortable with the basic exercise, here are some variations that you can add to your routine for quicker results. One …