The plan is simple: Get to the gym six days a week, target a different body part each day (leg day, arm day, chest day, etc.), and build the toned physique you’ve always dreamed of.  But then a little thing called “life” happens.  Despite our best intentions, commitment to do strength work -- in addition to some heart-healthy cardio, mobility, and other athletic pursuits -- can be a big order to fill. But there’s hope: Total-body workouts. For most people, total-body training is the way to go. Performed a few days per week, workouts that rely on complex, multi-joint movements...

Whether you’re a gym guru or a fitness beginner, bodyweight moves are always an excellent choice. If you’re new to fitness, bodyweight exercises can help you learn how to work efficiently with your own body. And if you’re more advanced, they’re perfect for an active recovery day from pumping iron at the gym. Not to mention, if you need a quick and convenient workout while traveling—these moves have you covered.  In this article, we’ll cover some of the best bodyweight exercises you can do at home or on the go to build strong, toned legs.  But First—Why Bodyweight Exercises?  Getting...

Let’s be real -- the cost of a gym membership and personal training can sometimes be much more than its true value. And with the explosive rise of online workouts from your favorite trainers and studies, it’s easier -- and cheaper -- than ever to build strength and endurance from the comfort of your own home. So if you’re pretty gung-ho about canceling your monthly fitness plan and committing to a 100-percent at-home fitness routine, you need to set up a killer home gym that helps you meet your goals.  Not sure where to start? Read on to learn about...

In many different types of workouts, pushing your limits is often encouraged. It’s what motivates you to hold your plank for just 20 more seconds or to literally go that extra mile. And while pushing yourself to the edge can be a good thing, according to the pros -- it deserves no place in your stretching routine, which is why they never, ever recommended ballistic stretches.   Interested in learning more? Read on to discover everything you need to know about ballistic stretching. So, What Exactly Is Ballistic Stretching?  You might not be too familiar with the term “ballistic stretching,” but...

Did you know that there are four ball and socket joints in your body -- all of which are designed to have an unbelievable 360 degrees of motion?  Well, let’s think of the ball joint in your hips like an airplane, more specifically the wing rudders that do all the important steering. Now, imagine that one of those rudders isn’t functioning the way it should be. Maybe the controls aren’t working, maybe it can’t get a full range of motion, or maybe the rudder hydraulics are simply not strong enough for the task at hand.  What do you think the...

Many gym-goers tend to gravitate towards the leg press machine when leg day comes around. The leg press is also a pretty popular choice for those suffering from a little bit of lower back pain-- which is kind of strange when you really think about it. Why? Because even if you had impeccable form, the constant tension and shortening of the hip flexors combined with the lack of hip extension is a surefire recipe for lower back issues. Leg presses involve pushing your feet against a certain amount of resistance weight on a leg press machine -- the heavier the...

If you’re new to the world of fitness, you might be wondering what the hype around high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is all about. For starters, HIIT workouts are an excellent way to build lean muscle, burn calories and get fit -- without spending hours at the gym.  Sounds like a win-win, right? And the best part -- you can modify HIIT workouts for pretty much every fitness level. So if you’re looking for an effective and efficient workout you can do anywhere -- with or without equipment -- HIIT is definitely worth checking out.  Keep reading to learn why HIIT...

If bad weather deters you from making a trip to the local gym or you aren’t sold on investing in a fancy, schmancy membership -- you can still work out in the comfort of your own home. Not sure how? We can help!  Read on for the best full-body workout that you can do to get your muscles working and heart rate up, without ever stepping foot inside a gym.  Why Working Out At Home Is Better Than The Gym  When it comes to fitness, working out doesn’t have to mean going out. You don’t need to trek to the...

Many people are under the impression that flexibility is something you’re born with, rather than something you earn. And while genetics can definitely play a part, everyone has the ability to improve their flexibility -- no matter where they start.  Your elementary PE teacher might have made you do the sit and reach, but chances are they never actually explained the benefits of flexibility to you. And if you don’t know why something is good for you, it’s much harder to drum up the motivation to improve at it. That being said, flexibility exercises are extremely beneficial and can help...

We don’t all have enough time to spend the entire week working out, but we all want those bulging biceps and sculpted abs! With a 3-day workout split, spend just three days a week working out to get the results you’re after. Because this beloved plan leaves you with more free time to spend doing other things you enjoy doing, this effective training style just might be the one that fits within your hectic lifestyle the most.  What’s a 3-day workout split, you ask? We’ll tell you. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this popular training...

Ab season is right around the corner. For some of us, it’s a time for lazy beach days spent in a bikini or a breezy shirtless run at sunrise. For others, however, it’s a time for weak dieting attempts and sad, sporadic bouts of ineffective ab exercises. The result, most likely, will be a two-pack -- if you’re lucky -- by the end of summer.  For those of you looking to tone up but want to avoid spinning your wheels with exercises that simply don’t work -- give yourself a pat on the back because you’re in the right place....

Some days, we just want to stay at home instead of making the trek across town to the local gym. Or perhaps, crummy weather conditions have put a damper on our plans to go for a jog outside. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get in a good cardio workout! In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about endurance training at home so you’ll never miss a beat. First Things First. What’s Endurance Exercise?  Simply put, endurance training is the act of exercising in a way that increases your body’s ability to withstand activity for long...