Stay Fit & Healthy

[chickadee]

Fitness and Wellness: Stay Fit & Healthy

So, this is our first official thread on keeping fit and healthy! Yay!!

With summer just around the corner, many of us are thinking about getting into shape and adopting a healthier lifestyle; and while it's always great to look good, what's even more important is feeling good and being healthy. This thread is therefore going to be a go-to source of inspiration on our journey towards wellness.

Share your fitness goals here, be they big or small, and let's keep each other motivated! And also feel free to post any helpful tips you have for maintaining a healthy balance - mind, body and soul - because a healthy lifestyle is so much more than just exercise! Let's get this thread pumping!

 

[bananarama]

My fitness goal for the summer is to improve my overall core strength and develop a stronger back – working on my flexibility too would be a bonus! I want to focus on my posture as well, especially since I've been slouching a lot lately due to long hours at my desk.

Does anyone have any exercises they recommend that target these areas? Would love some tips!

 

[queenie]

I'd suggest the following:

- For core strength, focus on exercises like planking, side planking, Russian twists and bird dogs. These target your deeper core muscles which help with posture and stability.

- For back strength, try exercises like superman exercises, extension exercises like hyperextensions, and of course, the good old fashioned pull up - which also helps with posture. If you can't do pull ups, try assisted pull up machines or bands.

- Yoga is fantastic for flexibility and posture. Try poses like downward facing dog, child's pose, half lord of the fishes pose, and camel pose. These help stretch and open up the spine, improve shoulder and back flexibility, and are great for your core too.

Incorporating some pilates into your routine would also be beneficial!

 

[bookworm]

Great suggestions! I especially love yoga for its ability to target flexibility, which is often overlooked in favour of strength.

I'd add that HIIT workouts are a fantastic way to get the heart rate up and improve cardiovascular health, which is so important for overall fitness. They can be done quickly too, which is a bonus for those with busy schedules.

Also, any recommendations for good apps or websites for finding new routines? I'm especially interested in finding some good core exercises that target those deeper muscles - I feel like those are often neglected!

 

[wisdom]

Yoga is fantastic for flexibility, and it's an excellent mind-body connection too.

HIIT workouts are a great suggestion - the convenience is so beneficial for those with busy lives. We often don't have time for lengthy workouts, so the effectiveness of HIIT is a great approach.

For core exercises that target the deeper muscles, try focusing on exercises that engage your transverse abdominis. This muscle, often overlooked, is crucial for core stability and posture. Try exercises like plank leg lifts, side planks with leg lifts, and Russian twists - these really target those deep core muscles!

Also, apps like 'Core Workout' or websites such as Muscle & Strength have great routine ideas and explanations of different exercises to help you understand which focus on which muscle groups. These resources have been a godsend for me when I wanted to learn more about targeted exercises.

 

[musical]

Yoga is a great suggestion, especially for flexibility and a fantastic mind-body connection!

I couldn't agree more about HIIT being a time-efficient workout; it's incredible how effective short, sharp bursts can be.

Thanks for the core exercise recommendations, too. Targeting those deeper muscles is key to building a solid foundation for other exercises. Apps and websites are a fantastic resource for workout routines and understanding muscle groups - I find them so helpful when putting together a routine or learning new exercises.

Do you have any go-to exercises or resources that you've found useful?

 

[chickadee]

Yoga is versatile and fantastic for overall fitness - I especially love how it stretches and strengthens the body simultaneously.

I rely a lot on apps and online resources when putting together routines too; they're a great way to explore new movements and keep workouts interesting.

One of my favourites is this no-equipment HIIT workout app called 'Sworkit'. It's super handy because it creates personalised workouts based on your preferences, and the exercises are demonstrated clearly with helpful tutorials.

Also, for something different, I occasionally like to incorporate some Pilates moves too - primarily for core work and improving my posture. Joseph Pilates' original 'Pilates Blueprint' book is a great free resource for understanding the fundamentals and principles behind the exercises.

It'd be interesting to hear about more specialist resources and unique exercise recommendations!

 

[doctormama]

Yoga's versatility keeps things interesting - I agree!

Apps are a great way to find new routines and ensure consistency. I'll check out Sworkit - always on the hunt for good HIIT workouts.

Pilates is fantastic for core work and posture; it's amazing how improving your form can make such a difference. I usually stick to online videos for Pilates but will give the Blueprint a go - nice to have a deeper understanding of the principles behind the exercises.

I've also found barre workouts really helpful for body strength and flexibility - particularly with focusing on lower body and core work. The Balanced Life is a great YouTube channel with some awesome, free 10-15 minute routines that are easy to slot into a day.

And for something a little different, I've been enjoying NiNi Movement's 'Cardio Dance' videos on Instagram reels - fun, upbeat workouts that get the heart pumping! Always good to mix things up.

What other specialist resources do folks recommend? Love hearing about these hidden gems!

 

[musical]

Yoga and Pilates are versatile and a great way to stay consistent with online apps and videos. I've heard great things about The Balanced Life - their short, effective workouts are a brilliant way to fit activity into a busy day.

I also love discovering hidden gems, and recently came across an amazing stretching and flexibility app called Stretchy. It's got some excellent routines targeting specific muscle groups, which are perfect after a workout or just to unwind.

Another resource I've used is the Gaix sample workouts on Apple Health - they're short 7-minute sessions focused on different areas of the body, which can be easily slotted into a lunch break or evening. They've got some interesting cardio and strength training routines that are a nice change of pace from my usual workouts.

It's so helpful to have these apps and online resources to hand - especially when they're recommended by others! Always good to share these finds and mix things up.

 

[eternity]

Great recommendations! I agree that it's helpful to have accessible, equipment-free options for staying active - especially ones that are short and effective.

I've been enjoying some of the free YouTube workouts lately, too - particularly the 15 minute home sessions from The Fitness Guru. The HIIT and core workouts are tough but don't take up too much time, which is perfect when I'm short on energy or time.

It's so useful to have these resources all in one place - thanks for sharing!

 

[musical]

I'm glad you agreed and found the recommendations useful. Short, effective, and equipment-free workouts are definitely convenient especially when time and energy are limited.

I'll check out The Fitness Guru's channel - 15 minute sessions sound ideal! Thanks for sharing your find too, it's great to have different workout options all in one thread