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      What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Working Out?

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      Even when you have the best of intentions, life sometimes gets in the way of a fitness routine. And whatever the reason behind it, the absence of workouts will cause your body to lose some of the progress it had made. Here’s what happens when you stop working out – in difference scenarios.
      #1 You stop working out because…
      You had a crazy month at work and stopped your usual four-day-a-week gym habit cold turkey.
      The effect on your body
      Doing a mix of strength training and cardio is optimal for weight loss or control, muscle building, and aerobic health. Stop for a month, and you may notice that some areas get softer, that you’re not able to lug as many heavy groceries, and that you get winded a little faster from taking the stairs.
      “In a study of beginners who exercised for two months, their strength increased by 46 percent, and when they stopped training for two months, they lost 23 percent – half the gains they’d made,” says exercise scientist Wayne Westcott, who points out that they were still ahead of where they’d be had they never trained at all.
      READ MORE: 5 Genius Treadmill Hacks That Shave Off More Kilos
      Further, the more fit you were to start, the slower the loss; a triathlete on a break may only drop five to 10 percent of her fitness level in a month or two. Still, when getting back into it, go easy. For strength training, start with about 75 percent of the resistance you’d been using – and increase as you feel you can. You’ll be back to where you were in probably half the length of time that you took off.
      #2 You stop working out because…
      You used to weight train like crazy, but for the past several months, all you’ve fit in is a few sessions a week on the treadmill.
      The effect on your body
      In this case, your aerobic health should be in good shape, though you may notice that your strength and muscle tone have diminished some. Without weight training, you’ve likely lost muscle mass and gained some fat, even if the number on the scale stays the same.
      READ MORE: 10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work
      “Surprisingly, research shows that longtime endurance runners lose muscle mass at the same rate – two kilograms per decade – as everyone else, including the sedentary,” says Westcott. “Running and other cardio activities don’t build or maintain muscle mass.” Add some strength back to your bod, and into your routine, to remedy that in short order by following that 75 percent guideline mentioned above.
      #3 You stop working out because…
      You ran a half-marathon, then gave yourself a few weeks to recover.
      The effect on your body
      A break like this isn’t a major problem aerobically for someone who was in really good cardio shape. “You’ll be down from your competitive edge, but it won’t take long to come back,” says Westcott. “Just don’t expect to come back at full-speed right away.”
      He recommends easing back in using your heart rate (the zones may have changed from when you were at your peak) and perceived exertion – a seven on a scale of one to 10. He also recommends strength training as a muscle-building complement to your cardio workouts.
      READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating
      #4 You stop working out because… 
      You’ve been really into yoga but now miss the CrossFit you stopped a few months ago.
      The effect on your body
      Swapping one workout for another isn’t a bad thing, necessarily. Just know that if you go back to program “A” after doing program “B,” you may not be able to bring your A-game to “A” as you once could. “Unfortunately, training is very, very specific,” says Westcott.
      He points out that at the peak of his cycling career, Lance Armstrong was (very arguably) the best athlete in the world, yet when he took up marathon running, his first race was a respectable-but-not-remarkable three hours.
      In the case of bodyweight training (yoga) versus weight training (CrossFit), expect your strength to be down when you first return to the gym. Which isn’t to say you should stop your Oming – no reason you shouldn’t have both in your repertoire.
      READ MORE: 3 New Functional And Fashionable HUAWEI Wearables You Need RN
      #5 You stop working out because…
      You got injured and haven’t been able (or wanted) to work out at all for six months.
      The effect on your body
      In this case, you’ve definitely lost muscle and gained fat (as if getting hurt wasn’t bad enough!), especially if your everyday activity level was affected in addition to the lack of workouts.
      “Once you’re cleared to exercise, you need to return very slowly, very light,” says Westcott. “Half or less of what you once lifted may be too much; go way down and find a resistance you can do with good form and without pain for 10 to 15 reps.”
      If you know you’re going to be sidelined (or currently are), he recommends upping your protein intake in your diet to help reduce loss of muscle mass during your time off.
      This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com More

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      5 Genius Treadmill Hacks That Shave Off More Kilos

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      If you’re trying to lose weight but run at the same speed and incline every time you hit the treadmill, you can run right into a rut that’s boring and lacking in kilojoule-torching power. The good news is jogging on the treadmill can go from a tedious trek to a quick fat-burning session. All it takes is a bit of know-how and strategic programming that’ll not only improve your speed, but your weight loss capacity, too.
      1. Mix It Up
      Exercise’s role in weight loss may seem easy: To lose weight, you need to burn more kilojoules, says Janet Hamilton, an exercise physiologist at Running Strong. You can do that by upping your intensity or your duration. The problem is that if you work too close to your maximum heart rate, you might tire out too quickly. But if you run slow and steady you’ll have to go a long time to see results.
      The happy medium is variety, says Hamilton. On some days, take your usual 20 to 30 minutes a little bit faster. On other days, go longer and slower – for about an hour or so.
      READ MORE: 10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work
      2. Master Your Speed
      Intervals – or short bursts of sprinting sprinkled throughout a workout – are one of the easiest ways to cut time off your workout (score!) and centimetres off your waist. In fact, a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that ladies who ran hard for two minutes (then slowed down for three minutes) burned more kilojoules the day after their workout than those who went the slow and steady route.
      What’s even better: They dropped four per cent of their body fat in the coming weeks. The group who did low-intensity, steady workouts didn’t lose any.
      Start with intervals in 1:2 or 1:1 ratios, says Hamilton. That means upping your speed for 30 to 60 seconds, then dropping it for the same amount of time or double that. Choose a speed that’s an effort you could hold for between two and five minutes, says Hamilton. You want to feel invigorated, not exhausted. You can build up to higher intensities, but how hard to go all depends on your experience – so first check out where you fall with this new treadmill workout you have to try.
      3. Do Hills the Smart Way
      Up your incline, up your kilojoule burn – it sounds simple. Unfortunately, running or walking on a steep incline can be hard on your body. “Most people instinctively know that, but when we get on the treadmill, we lose that common sense, crank up the incline, and hold on for dear life,” says Hamilton.
      READ MORE: How To Get A Strength-Training Workout On The Treadmill
      Instead of setting the incline and forgetting it, pretend you’re outside, says Hamilton. Learn to go up a hill at the same effort you’re going at a flat road. That might mean dropping your speed a little, but “this is an opportunity to build strength in your hips and legs, working them a little harder.”
      You can also try incline intervals, she says. Crank the incline up between 2 and 4 per cent for one to two minutes, let your speed drop 0.1 or 0.2, then bring your incline back down to 0 for that same amount of time and repeat. Once you’ve mastered maintaining your effort on a hill, work to maintain speed.
      4. Some Days, Just Keep Going
      We’ve all had those miraculous days where eight kilometres feels like four. “Just doing a longer workout will burn about 50 percent more kilojoules,” says Hamilton. Instead of running for 30 minutes, going for 45 increases your duration and calorie burn by 50 per cent. While this isn’t a good everyday technique (hello, boredom and plateaus), switching up your routine with some longer runs is a great way to up your kilojoule burn without a ton of effort.
      READ MORE: 19 Slider Exercises That Will Make Your Abs And Glutes WORK
      5. Don’t Ditch Other Workouts
      Research published in The Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that the best way to lose weight isn’t doing the same routine over and over again. Finding the perfect mix of resistance training, intervals, endurance, and stretching will help you meet your goal faster. More

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      10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work

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      By Ashley Oerman
      Everyone has that moment after a long workday when all you want to do is go home, get into bed even though you totally planned to hit the gym after you left the office. We hear you. So we spoke with experts to round up ridiculously easy tips that double up as gym motivation after a gruelling workday. You can now officially cross your excuses off your list.
      1/ Turn Your Gym Motivation into Office Décor
      Do you decorate your desk with positive affirmations like “Keep calm and carry on” to get you through the workday? It might be a good idea to post some inspirational gym motivation messages around your workspace as well, says Leanne Shear, co-founder and head trainer of Uplift Studios in New York City. You can also tape up images associated with your goals, says Shear. She suggests photos of your favourite fit Instagramer or one of that bikini you’re dying to buy.
      2/ Eat Breakfast
      Setting yourself up for workout success starts within an hour of waking up, says dietitian Wendy Bazilian, co-author of The Super Foods Rx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of Super Nutrients and an American College of Sports Medicine-certified health and fitness specialist. Even though it’s hours before your trip to the gym, having a smart breakfast will keep your body from depleting its stored glycogen, which you need to stay energised throughout the rest of the day. Eat a solid breakfast with protein, a fruit or veggie and a complex carbohydrate (like whole-grain toast).
      READ MORE: 19 Slider Exercises That Will Make Your Abs And Glutes WORK
      3/ Keep Lunch Light
      Don’t let a food coma get in the way of your workouts. No matter what you’re eating, if you have too much of it, your blood sugar is going to go through the roof and then plummet back down leaving you drowsy and maybe even unproductive, says Bazilian. To fight midday fatigue, eat a light meal like a wrap or salad that features a complex carbohydrate, fruit or vegetable and protein. Also, try to avoid foods with refined carbs or lots of sugar, which can cause you to crash later in the day. Keeping your blood sugar steady will stabilise your energy, help you get more done, and feel awake enough to make it to the gym.
      And get this: When you eat lunch can be as important as what you eat, says Bazilian. Try to eat about four hours before you plan to work out because your stomach takes about three hours to clear out its contents. And if your digestive system is still working to digest your food, it’s using energy that you could be putting towards your workout.
      4/ Pack A Snack
      If making it to the gym four hours after eating lunch is tough for you, make sure you bring a pre-exercise snack to eat about 45 minutes before you hit the road. Since snacks are smaller than meals, this is just the right amount of time for your body to digest most of this snack and use it as energy during your workout, says Bazilian. When you chow down on a small, easily digestible snack consisting of mostly carbs and a little protein, you’re going to have more energy to work harder at the gym, says Bazilian. “It seems a little weird to consume kilojoules before your burn kilojoules, but it’s about the bigger picture,” she says. “You want to feel good while you’re working out and have energy to push yourself.” She recommends an apple with peanut butter or even a latté. Another thing: After your snack, try to get up and move around a bit, says Shear. Getting your heart rate up (even a tiny bit) helps get your blood flowing and keeps you from feeling lethargic, she says. She suggests walking up and down some stairs in your office building or, if you have an office, closing your door and doing a few jumping jacks.
      READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating
      5/ Take Advantage of Your Tech
      Another way to make sure hitting the gym is on your to-do list for the day is to create a calendar reminder on your computer or set an alarm on your phone, says Shear. That little signal serves as a very obvious reminder of your workout goals and can keep you from backing out because you were so busy that you forgot (or “forgot”).
      6/ Change into Your Exercise Gear Before You Leave the Office
      When you switch clothes before you leave work, number one, you’re giving yourself a visual reminder that you’re committed to working out. Number two: You’re making yourself more accountable to yourself and to your coworkers. You’re not going to want to admit that you didn’t work out like you said you were going to, says Shear.
      READ MORE: Is It Better To Do Cardio Before Or After Weight Training?
      7/ And Leave Things at the Office
      If your gym has a location near your office, after you change, leave your work stuff and go exercise with just your gym bag. Shear says this eliminates the temptation to pass up the gym on your journey home because you won’t have your things with you that you need for the night – you couldn’t go straight home even if you wanted to. If your gym isn’t close to work, since it’s summertime, go for a jog or do some interval training near your office building.
      8/ Use the Buddy System
      Instead of making plans to meet up with an old friend over cocktails, schedule a sweat session to catch up. Although you’re probably not going to be chatting it up during a tough bootcamp class or treadmill interval workout, the fact that you’re meeting a friend there will make you less likely to back out, says Shear. Then you can grab dinner after the workout.
      9/ Treat Treats as Gym Motivation
      Go ahead and bargain with yourself. If you look forward to a glass of wine at the end of your day, turn that little treat into a reward for your workout, says Bazilian. No workout? No wine.
      10/ Set the Bar REALLY Low
      If you tell yourself that you have to go to the gym for at least 15 minutes, you’re more likely to go than if you have an all-or-nothing mentality, says Bazilian. “If you make your goal ridiculously easy, it gets you to go. And once you’re at the gym, you might think ‘well, I could probably stay just a little longer,’” she says. Not to mention, it’s totally possible to fit in an effective workout in just 15 minutes – or even five!)
      This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com More

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      19 Slider Exercises That Will Make Your Abs And Glutes WORK

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      Slider exercises are a killer. The discs, also known as gliders, can be replaced with any household object, like a towel or paper plate. What’s key is that you use a smooth surface.
      Sliders are what’s called an “instability surface,” which “forces you to engage your muscles the entire time” to do the move correctly, says Janeil Mason, head trainer at Brrrn in New York, who also has a Masters in exercise physiology. Whether you’re doing the concentric or eccentric part of an exercise (flexing vs releasing), you’re always working. And slider exercises especially work your core and glute muscles during every move, but you can expect to tone your arms and legs, depending on which limb is making contact with the discs. “It’s challenging for everyone—even an elite athlete,” says Mason.
      Another benefit: They’re super-convenient. You can carry them around with you, and use them anywhere—all you need is a floor. “Sliders are also a great way to up the intensity of a bodyweight workout, without adding weights,” says Mason. And, last but not least, they’re cost-effective (you can score a set for less than R100 from MRP Sport.)
      Try out some of Mason’s favourite slider exercises below.
      Time: 10 minutes
      Equipment: Sliders
      Good for: Total body
      Instructions: Choose five moves below. For each move, complete 50 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest. Repeat the entire five-move circuit twice.
      Slider Exercises #1: Alternating Leg Curl

      How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor 12 to 16 inches from your butt. Brace your core, then press into your heels and squeeze your glutes to raise your hips toward the ceiling, with your feet placed on sliders. From this position, slide your right leg out until it’s nearly straight, then return to start. Repeat with your left leg. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      READ MORE: 11 Lat Exercises That Will Totally Sculpt Your Back
      2 Bear Shoulder Tap With Tuck

      How to: Start in tabletop position, with sliders under your feet. Your wrists should be under your shoulders and your neck aligned with your spine, then raise your hips slightly to lift your knees off the floor, with your toes tucked. Keeping your core tight and hips level, lift your left hand up to touch your right shoulder. Return to start. Then repeat on the right side. While bracing your core, extend your legs behind you, until your body forms a straight line from head to feet. Return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      3 Burpee

      How to: Stand with feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet. Drop your body down into a low squat position, with your hands touching the ground. Then slide your feet back, landing in the pushup position. Lower into a pushup, then press back up. Now, repeat the motion backwards: Jump your feet forward to the outside of your hands so you’re in a low squat position, then stand back up. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      4 Cross-Body Mountain Climber

      How to: Get into a pushup position with your arms straight and your body in a straight line from your head to your ankles. Bring your right knee toward the left side of your chest. Return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      READ MORE: Here’s Exactly How To Start Working Out Again, After A Winter Hibernating
      5 Curtsy Lunge

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet. Slide back with your right leg, crossing it behind your left. Bend your knees and lower your hips until your left thigh is nearly parallel to the floor. Keep your torso upright and your hips and shoulders as square as possible. Keeping your feet in the same position, raise to stand. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      6 Knee Tuck To Pike

      How to: Get into a plank position, with your shoulders stacked over your wrists, and sliders underneath your feet. Squeezing your core, bend your knees as you slide your feet forward until your thighs hit your chest. Return to start. Then, keeping your knees straight, bring your feet toward your arms, ending in a pike position. Return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      READ MORE: The 10-Minute Abs Workout That Will Totally Transform Your Abs
      7 Knee Tuck To Pushup

      How to: Get into a plank position, with your shoulders stacked over your wrists, and sliders underneath your feet. Squeezing your core, bend your knees as you slide your feet forward until your thighs hit your chest. Return to start. Complete a pushup, then return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      8 Lateral Lunge

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, hands on your hips, with sliders under your feet. Slide to the side with your right leg, then push your hips back, bend your right knee, and lower your body until your right knee is bent nearly 90 degrees. Return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      9 Lateral Lunge With Pulse

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet. Slide to the side with your right leg, then push your hips back, bend your right knee, and lower your body until your right knee is bent nearly 90 degrees. Lift up an inch, then lower back down. Return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      READ MORE: ‘Hold’ These Moves For An Isometric Workout That’ll Torch Kilojoules
      10 Lying Leg Curl

      How to: Lie flat on your back, with your arms at your sides, and heels on top of sliders. Engage your hamstrings, bend your knees, and bring your feet toward your butt. Slowly return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      11 Plank Jack

      How to: Start in a plank position, with your shoulders stacked above wrists, and sliders under your toes. Slide your feet out to the sides, making sure your upper body doesn’t move. Return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      READ MORE: The 11 Best Lower Abs Exercises To Add To Your Routine ASAP
      12 Plank Up-Down

      How to: Get in a plank position, with your shoulders stacked over wrists, and feet placed on sliders. Lower one elbow down to the ground, followed by the other. Then, press your right arm into the ground, followed by your left, to lift your body back to a high plank position. Be sure to keep your torso as still as possible the whole time. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      13 Pushup With Plank Jack

      How to: Start in a plank position, with your shoulders stacked above wrists, and sliders under your toes. Slide your feet out to the sides, and lower your body down into a pushup at the same time. Push back to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      14 Bear Crawl Tuck

      How to: Start in tabletop position, with sliders under your feet. Your wrists should be under your shoulders and your neck aligned with your spine, then raise your hips slightly to lift your knees off the floor, with your toes tucked. Keeping your core tight and hips level, reach your right hand out, followed by your left until you’re in a full plank position. Then, bend your legs and slide your feet forward, until your knees nearly touch your chest. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      15 Sliding Pushup

      How to: Place your hands about shoulder-width apart on the floor, with sliders underneath. Then extend your legs behind you, so your body should form a straight line from head to heels. Keeping your core tight, slide your hands to the side, and immediately lower your body toward the floor. Press back to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
      16 Lateral Lunge

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet. Slide to the side with your right leg, as you push your hips back, bend your right knee, and lower your body until your right knee is bent nearly 90 degrees. Keeping your knee bent, slide your right leg back to meet your left. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      17 Reverse Lunge

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet. Slide back with your right leg and lower until your left knee is bent 90 degrees. Keeping your left knee bent, bring your right leg to meet it. Slide back, until your knees are 90-degree angles. Push through your left foot to stand. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      18 Twisted Lunge With Tuck

      How to: Get into a lunge position, with sliders under your feet. Then, press your right hand into the ground next to your leg, and twist your body open to the left, with your left hand in the air. Maintaining this position, bring your right leg in to meet the left, then return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      19 Reverse Lunge With Twist

      How to: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, with sliders under your feet, and hands behind your head. Slide back with your right leg and lower until your left knee is bent 90 degrees. Keeping your hands behind your head, twist your body to the left. Return to centre, then push through your left foot to return to start. That’s one rep. Complete for 50 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
      This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com  More

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      Pilates Newbie? Learn This Pilates Lingo To Help You Keep Up In Your First Class

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      Pilates is hugely underrated as a form of exercise. The movements are so tiny and the weights so light… how can it possibly be effective, right? Well here’s the thing: You don’t always need to be lifting huge chunks of metal with a full range of motion to build strength and muscle tone. And with the ‘That Girl‘ aesthetic going viral on TikTok, Pilates classes are finally having their time in the spotlight. If you’re new to Pilates, though, you may find you struggle to keep up because the teacher is speaking a foreign language a.k.a. using Pilates terms. Use this guide to decode some of those common, yet totally weird, Pilates terms.
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      Pilates Terms You Should Know:
      “Scoop your abs.”
      May sound like: “Tilt your pelvis.”
      What it actually means: Pull your tummy muscles in towards your spine and simultaneously up towards your chest. This helps lengthen your waist and stabilises your spine during movements. Pilates is all about moving well to prevent injury. You don’t need an ice-cream scoop to perform this move.
      “Articulate your spine.”
      May sound like: Move vertebra by vertebra.
      What it actually means: Rolling or unrolling your spine, either from standing, so you’re rolling forward towards the ground, or sitting upright, so you’re rolling onto your back. The idea is to move slowly, little by little, and with control. Moving this way increases flexibility in your back.
      WATCH: This 45-minute Pilates Class With Kedibone Matlala Is A Great Home Workout With No Equipment
      [embedded content]
      “Lengthen through the crown of your head.”
      May sound like: Lengthen through your spine.
      What it actually means: Sit or stand as tall as you possibly can. So no out-of-body experience then.
      “Soften your elbows.”
      Also: “Soften your knees.”
      What it actually means: Whether it’s your elbows or knees that are getting the “softening” treatment, you don’t need Ingram’s to do it. All it means is that you shouldn’t lock the joint.
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      READ MORE: What You Need To Know About Doing Pilates For Weight Loss
      “Fire your glutes.”
      May sound like: Engage your glutes.
      What it actually means: If your Pilates teacher gives you this instruction, all you’re doing is activating your butt muscles as you prepare to move. Case in point: If you’re lying on your back, about to go into bridge pose, squeeze your bum before you lift your hips.
      WATCH: 45-Minute Pilates Home Workout With The Movement Lab Using A Chair And Water Bottles
      [embedded content]
      “Wrap your thighs.”
      What it actually means: With your legs together, rotate your thighs outwards very slightly, as you simultaneously squeeze the backs of your inner thighs together. No contact plastic required.
      READ MORE: I’ve Only Been Doing Pilates For A Month And Discovered This Amazing Sex Benefit
      “Bring your wings down.”
      What it actually means: No, this is not proof that Pilates is some woo-woo practice created for fairies. It’s not referring to actual wings. Simply pull you shoulders down away from your ears. Your neck feels better already, right?
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      “Open your chest.”
      May sound like: Chest wide.
      What it actually means: “Scalpel!” No, not really. Just pull you shoulders back and breathe more deeply so your chest expands.
      “Knit your ribs.”
      May sound like: Draw the ribs in.
      What it actually means: As much as a rib-shaped tea cosy would make an interesting talking point at your next brunch, what you want to do here is pull your front ribs, just below your chest bone, closer together. You’ll feel your upper abs engage. It also stabilises your spine. Pilates is especially good for those with back pain.
      WATCH: Beginners’ Pilates Workout With A Stretchy Band (And Practice Your Newly Learnt Pilates Terms)
      [embedded content]
      “Pull towards your midline.”
      What it actually means: It sounds like something out of Olympic rowing, but the ‘midline’ is actually an anatomical term for an invisible line down the centre of your body that divides left from right. If you hear this phrase in your Pilates class, you’re probably pulling your leg towards your other leg.
      READ MORE: 4 Genius Exercises From A Pilates Teacher That Will Help You Touch Your Toes
      “Ground your feet.”
      May sound like: Anchor your hips.
      What it actually means: Imagine yourself standing normally and someone bumps into you. You’ll probably stumble, because your weight was more on one foot than the other and you were actually kind of leaning on the side of that foot. Now imagine standing with your feet firmly planted. That’s grounding.
      “Hinge from your hip.”
      May sound like: Break in the hip.
      What it actually means: Bend forward at the hip joint, without rounding your back or bending your knees. Think of a laptop – the screen is the top half of your body, the keyboard is the lower half. Neither bends when you close the laptop.
      [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/gooroo_pilates_reformer_mat_sku142828.png” url=”https://c.trackmytarget.com?a=vpmli3&i=ph1q1o&ref1=PilatesTermsReformerMat&r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faithful-to-nature.co.za%2Fgooroo-pilates-reformer-mat” description=”Gooroo Pilates Reformer Mat” price=”689″ title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
      *Adapted from the Best of Women’s Health Big Book of Pilates.
      Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. More

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      11 Best New Running Shoes That’ll Inspire Your Next PB

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      We know what you’re thinking: another pair of running shoes? Sure, running shoe releases claiming to make you (almost) as fast as Caster Semenya drop what feels like every day, but hear this: getting the best new running shoe for your needs only means a better workout.
      Not only that, but running shoes are meant to be replaced regularly (around every 650km – 800km), to protect the health of your feet. We’ve scoped around to bring you the newest running shoe drops in 2022 (so far), along with how they’ll support your next PB.

      If You Want To Hit The Road
      Puma Eternity Nitro
      If you need stability, Puma’s runGUIDE tech keeps your foot in check and centred as you hit the ground. It’ll still feel lightweight, though, with a midsole that cushions your feet without feeling like a cement brick.
      Puma Eternity NitroR 3200Buy It
      New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11
      This shoe looks so good and comes in so many colourways, you’d be forgiven for wanting to wear it on a night out. The Ultra Heel tech gives you that support for long slogs, but the sizing option gets bonus points: you can select the shoe size and a desired width, for those of us with wide – or especially narrow – feet.
      New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11R 3099 Buy It
      adidas Solarglide 5
      Ever the #sustainablebae, adidas made this shoe in collaboration with Parley For The Oceans to recycle ocean plastic for 50% of the shoe. You still get that trademark BOOST tech that returns energy from the strike back to your foot, and it just looks hella cool.
      adidas Solarglide 5R 2499Buy It
      Asics GlideRide
      Asics’ trademark FLYTEFOAM™ tech, along with GEL™, protects your foot from fatigue by delivering great cushioning, so you keep going for longer. Notice the way this shoe is curved? That’s specifically to reduce excess ankle movement, lower strain on the calf and keep you moving forward.

      READ MORE: This Is Exactly How You Can Join The FREE adidas Runners Club RN 

      If You Want To Hit The Treadmill
      Under Armour HOVR™ Sonic 5
      These beauties will make every run better and better, thanks to its Connected Footwear tech that syncs with the UA MapMyRun app. Get real-time feedback as you run, plus they’re flexible and breathable.
      Under Armour HOVR™ Sonic 5R 2499Buy It
      Hoka Kawana
      The Kawana is named after the Sunshine Coast’s famous beach break in Oz, and just like that flexible surfer lifestyle, this shoe is specifically designed to take you from a run to the gym floor (Sweat1000 addicts, we’re looking at you!). A wide base supports your foot for lateral movements while responsive cushioning has your back on repetitive strikes.

      Asics METARACER™ Tokyo
      If you’re a treadmill runner who loves a good speed session, try the lightweight Metaracer™ Tokyo. The chunky GUIDESOLE™ is not only a lewk but allows for that toe-spring jump you need when going super fast. A carbon fibre plate inside the shoe propels your forward, in case you’re racing the cute person on the treadmill next to you.
      Asics MetaRacer TokyoR 3500Buy It
      READ MORE: So Many Of Us Get Knee Pain Running – Here Are 5 Possible Causes + What to Do About Them

      If You Want To Hit The Trail
      Hoka Tecton X
      Hoorah for major footwear tech that remains lightweight, especially when you’re praying to the deities that your ankles don’t roll on yet another unexpected loose rock. Hoka’s first trail running shoe has grippy outsole (be gone, dodgy pebbles!) and über cushy responsive foam base to keep you comforted in the great outdoors.

      Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEX
      The same beloved Pegasus shoe, but with extra bells and whistles (tough traction and improved midfoot construction) to keep you stable on rough terrain. This one is great for neutral runners, and we gotta say – we love a waterproof shoe!
      Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEXR 2999,95Buy It
      READ MORE: The Ultimate Training Guide For Your Gut
      K-Way Apex Trail
      A recycled mesh upper and insole gets a serious vote of confidence, plus the insole tech is orthopaedic-focused to support your rough-and-tumbles on the mountain. At such a great price, it’s also the perfect entry-level shoe for those of us dipping our toes into trail running.

      Hi-Tec GEO-Trail Pro
      Are you a constant toe-scuffer? This running shoe takes this into account by reinforcing the forefoot. It’s also kitted out with a shock-absorbing rebound layer (great for downhill sprints), EVA foam for speedy ascents., and a secure lacing system so you’re not sacrificing valuable PB time on flyaway string.
      Hi-Tec GEO-Trail ProR 1299Buy It

      READ MORE ON: Fitness Advice Fitness Gear Running Running Tips Trail Running More

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      Quick HIIT Warm Up: Blast More KJs By Doing These 3 Moves First

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      Lots of jumps and twists with little rest can torch kilojoules and rev your metabolism. But they can also lead to sloppy fitness form, says corrective exercise specialist Michael Rosengart. Combined with extra pressure on your joints from the explosive moves, this leads to a spike in joint instability, as well as all-caps pain – knee pain (from cartilage damage), torn ligaments, shoulder pain (due to a tear or impingement) and chronic lower-back problems.
      READ MORE: 5 Benefits Of HIIT That Will Have You Literally Jumping For Joy During Your Next Workout
      Offset all that impact with this prep sesh from Rosengart before every class. By focusing on the joints that take the most hits, you can bang out more reps with less strain and at a faster pace, he says. Win-win.
      1. Wall Foot Stretch
      Why: This move helps activate the muscles and stimulates bloodflow, leading to a better workout and legs with a can-do attitude.
      How to: Stand near a wall with the toes of one foot a few centimetres up the wall and your heel on the floor. Step towards the wall, keeping your foot flexed, to stretch your ankle and calf. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
      2. Squat Hold
      Why: Squats employ your back, core, butt and of course, quads. Prep them before hand with a weights-free hold to alert them to the impending action.
      How to: Stand with feet hip-width apart. Push your hips down and back until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, then reverse the movement to return to start. Do three to five reps.
      READ MORE: Try This 25-Minute Total-Body HIIT Workout And Torch Calories Fast
      3. Single-Leg Deadlift
      Why: On one leg, your sense of balance is challenged, along with your core.
      How to: Stand with one knee bent and lift your other foot off the floor. With a flat back, hinge at your hips and lower your torso as you lift your raised leg in the air. Reverse to return to start; do five reps. Repeat on the other side.
      Want more? These are the 10 best bodyweight abs exercises of all time. Plus: everything you need to know about the viral 12-3-30 treadmill workout on TikTok.
      This article originally appeared on www.womenshealthmag.com

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      5 Absolutely Insane Body Benefits Of A Spin Class

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      Indoor cycling has changed the exercise game as it boomed into a fitness culture worldwide. Indoor high-intensity spinning classes that promised a meditative experience exploded all over the U.S., with people swearing by the benefits of a spin class extending past body gains.
      Young or old, fit or not, the benefits of a 40-minute spin class promise to burn that fat, prevent unwanted injury and tone those muscles all in one. Writer Grethe Swart put it to the test by taking five 40-min classes per week, and the results are pretty astonishing…
      1. Say Goodbye to 500 calories (2 000kJ) in 40 minutes
      Not everyone enjoys running for hours on a treadmill in the hope of shedding that guilty weight. According to Spinning Instructor News, the average individual is likely to burn up to 500 calories (or 2 000kJ) during a 40-minute spinning class! (That’s roughly four cupcakes that are ditched for good). Translation: going to spin class regularly can help burn calories to lose weight.
      2. Lower risk of injury and embarrassment
      Training on a stationary bicycle ensures a low-impact workout that’s far easier on your joints and reduces the risk of injury. Bonus: apart from avoiding embarrassment (after tumbling off the treadmill a la Taylor Swift), you’ll also look super-professional and in control of your workout (All hail stationary equipment!).
      READ MORE: This Is Exactly How You Can Join The FREE adidas Runners Club RN
      3. Less thinking, more fun!
      Gone are the angst-riddled nights of planning your workouts… and never sticking to them – there’s that guilt again. Not only does a 40-minute spin class save you time, but it also allows you to free your mind and transport your body to a peaceful place, without having to look at a piece of paper and lose count of those reps. Your sole task? Listening to the voice of the instructor, who serves both as a therapist and personal trainer – another two-for-one win! Everyday obstacles can now be tackled effectively after a powerful 40-minute workout that doubles as a stress release.
      READ MORE: Quick HIIT Warm Up: Blast More KJs By Doing These 3 Moves First
      4. All-in-one exercise
      Spin classes are usually divided into four types of exercises: speed, endurance, power and combination, which are scheduled throughout the week on different days and at different times. This allows you to integrate all the important aspects of training into your weekly fitness regime without having to switch equipment or ask the regulars for help (all the time). For best results: mix it up! This way, boredom can’t touch your fun workout.
      READ MORE: Why A Boxing Workout Is A Quick Route To A Shredded Body
      5. Firmer everything!
      Once committing to the spinning regime, your entire body will slowly but surely start to firm up. A spin class is an ace low-impact high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class,  meaning you’ll fry fat by cycling, melt away the kilojoules and build muscles – all at the same time! According to Spinning.com, a 40-minute indoor spinning class class targets the large muscle groups (calves, hamstrings and thighs) in your legs to shape up fast, whilst strengthening the abdominal muscles, necessary to maintain your upper body rhythm.
      If 40 measly minutes come with this many advantages, then spinning is winning! Great minds ride a bike #JustSayin’

      READ MORE ON: Fitness Fitness Advice Spinning More