Muscle strength is a key component of physical fitness. Life just isn’t the same without it. Strong muscles keep us upright and active and help to protect us from illness, injury, and even the side effects of getting older. But does that mean we ha
Resistance tubing and bands are among the most common of physical therapy tools, and we all know how great they can be for helping us get strong and stay that way. Resistance tubing is lightweight and easily portable, unlike cumbersome free weight se
The barbell is one of the most important pieces of exercise equipment for strength training. It offers versatility for a wide range of upper and lower body exercises and — when accompanied by a bench, rack, and a variety of weight plates — gives
Stretching should be an integral part of any fitness regimen. Stretching helps reduce soreness, increase range of motion, and decrease the risk of injury. Basic stretches can be performed anywhere, anytime, without the need for props or specialized e
We say it all the time because it’s impossible to say it too often: You need a healthy heart, and you need to exercise to get one. And the odds are good—four in five, according to the American Heart Association—that you’re not getting enough.
When it comes to selecting a massage cream, there are plenty of options out there. It can be overwhelming trying to decide between oils and lotions with an endless array of scents ranging from soothing to sexy. Coconut? Hibiscus? Lavender? Eucalyptus
Ankle weights: They’re not just for your mom’s old aerobic videos anymore.
Ankle weights may have seen something of a heyday back in the ’80s, but they’ve never really left us. And today, as our knowledge of exercise science has advanced,
Oil, lotion, cream, or gel? It’s a simple question with no right or wrong answer. But if you’re a professional massage therapist, it’s an important question to ask. Your final decision will take into account everything from client preference to
We take our knees for granted. They do what they’re supposed to do, taking us from place to place without any trouble. We walk, we run, we jump without a concern. But at the first sign of pain everything changes. We limp, we moan, we sit. We pick u
The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the human body, with a design that allows us to lift and twist and reach and pull, and a greater range of motion than any other joint. But because there are so many pieces involved in making a shoulde
