Life style

Exercising at home may seem like a convenient option and it is. You save money, save time and you don't have to worry about matching your clothes or combing your hair before you exercise (although not everyone worries about such things at the gym). I...

Exercising at home may seem like a convenient opti...

This total body workout has everything you need for a complete workout, whether you're on the road or just short on time. The workout alternates a dynamic strength move along with a high-intensity power move so you work your entire body and get your ...

This total body workout has everything you need fo...

Kickbacks are great for working the triceps, but this core version is a great way to add intensity and target the abs and back at the same time. This is a tough exercise, so start with a light weight to make sure you can keep good form. You can also ...

Kickbacks are great for working the triceps, but t...

Dips are already a tough exercise for the triceps and you can add even more intensity with an accompanying leg extension. You'll get more work in the triceps while targeting core, stability and more lower body movement. Sit on a step or chair with t...

Dips are already a tough exercise for the triceps ...

Triceps extensions are a great way to target the triceps, and this variation adds intensity and challenge. First, by doing extensions one arm at a time, you allow each arm to work independently from the other, building strength and endurance on each ...

Triceps extensions are a great way to target the t...

Plyo-jacks, or plyometric jumping jacks, are another option for getting the heart rate up and challenging the body in a whole new way. Plyo-jacks are like very slow jumping jacks. You jump out, just as you would in a jumping jack, but slow things dow...

Plyo-jacks, or plyometric jumping jacks, are anoth...

Whether you're adding these on at the end of your workout or using them for circuit training, froggy jumps are a great way to get your heart rate up in a short time. This advanced exercise will enhance your lower body power and cardio endurance while...

Whether you're adding these on at the end of your ...

Though similar to squat jumps, prisoner squat jumps focus more attention on the core, making this a great overall cardio exercise. By placing the hands behind the head and leaning the torso forward, you engage the abs and the back, which challenges t...

Though similar to squat jumps, prisoner squat jump...

A simple way to increase intensity and add challenge to your workouts is to incorporate long jumps. With long jumps, you simply jump forward as far as you can, landing with both feet. You'll feel your core working hard on this exercise as well as you...

A simple way to increase intensity and add challen...

If you want a great whole body exercise that gets your heart rate up, side to side lunges will do the trick. You can do this move with a jump to add more intensity, but doing it without the jump will also work. Keep your abs engaged to protect your b...

If you want a great whole body exercise that gets ...

Jumping jacks are great, but adding a step is a great way to add intensity and spice things up. This move is high impact, so protect your joints by landing with soft knees. You may want to start with the step at it's lowest position if you're trying ...

Jumping jacks are great, but adding a step is a gr...

Toe taps are great for adding intensity and improving agility. If you've never tried this move, take your time and ease into it with slow taps without the jump. If you feel discomfort or pain, avoid this exercise. Stand in front of a step or platform...

Toe taps are great for adding intensity and improv...

Squat jumps are a great way to add intensity to your workouts and really raise the heart rate. This is an advanced exercise that is high impact, so protect your joints by landing with soft knees. If the impact is too much, you can do the move without...

Squat jumps are a great way to add intensity to yo...

Mountain climbers are an advanced, high intensity exercise that will get your heart rate up and add intensity to your workouts. This move will also build leg endurance and help you work on agility as well, making it a great overall exercise. If you'v...

Mountain climbers are an advanced, high intensity ...

Front Kick Plank If you're looking for a low impact, whole body move that gets your heart rate up, the front kick with planks is a great choice. You work on balance and core strength while raising your heart rate without straining the joints. This ex...

Front Kick Plank If you're looking for a low impac...

I have quite a few clients squeezing in vacations before The End of the World (aka, The First Day of School) and most of them have begged me for vacation workouts so they can stay in shape. If I'm being completely honest, the word 'begged' might be a...

I have quite a few clients squeezing in vacations ...

When it comes to exercise, most of stick with the same old activities and routines day after day. There's some comfort in that routine, in knowing exactly what you're going to do and exactly how it's going to feel, but it can also lead to stale, bori...

When it comes to exercise, most of stick with the ...

13:16:51I was on Facebook recently, researching my next exercise article (yes, 'poking' my friends is a kind of exercise, isn't it?) when I came across an interesting quote on a colleague's Facebook page: "Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Pi...

13:16:51I was on Facebook recently, researching my...

The squat, curl and press is one of my favorite ways to work both the upper and lower body at the same time. Yes, it's a hard one to be sure, but it's perfect for working the legs, core, arms and shoulders in one killer exercise. As a bonus, it eleva...

The squat, curl and press is one of my favorite wa...

"Can you really work your entire body in 30 minutes?" That question, or should I say 'challenge,' was issued by a client who informed me that school was starting soon and, thus, her workout time would be thoroughly compromised. As a general rule, it'...

"Can you really work your entire body in 30 minute...

You know the sound of your heartbeat: lub-dub, lub-dub. In some people, there's an extra noise that the blood makes as it flows through the heart. It sounds sort of like the noise of water flowing through a hose. This sound is called a murmur (say: m...

You know the sound of your heartbeat: lub-dub, lub...