The post 3 Best Squat Alternatives for a Stronger Lower Body appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The Bulgarian split squat is a fantastic alternative to squats as it targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Stand with one foot placed behind you on an elevated surface while keeping the front foot planted firmly on the ground. Lower your body by bending your front knee, keeping your back straight, and keep lowering it until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Push back up to the starting position, engaging your leg muscles throughout the movement.
Lunges are an excellent exercise to strengthen and tone your legs. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Step forward with one leg and lower your body until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Push through the heel of the front foot to return to the starting position. Lunges engage your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, helping you develop balance, stability, and leg strength.
Step-ups are an effective compound exercise that targets your quads, glutes, and calves. Find a stable elevated surface, such as a bench or sturdy box. Step onto the surface with one foot, driving through the heel to lift your body up. Bring the other foot up onto the surface and step back down with the opposite foot. Alternate legs and maintain a controlled and steady pace throughout the exercise. Step-ups mimic functional movements like climbing stairs, making them highly beneficial for everyday activities.
The post 3 Best Squat Alternatives for a Stronger Lower Body appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 3 Squat-Proof Leggings to Invest In appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>This style with the high waistband and tight material offers you constant support without restricting your movement. They come in a variety of colors with matching bra tops and are really comfortable for everyday wear too.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Nike leggings for the gym, they are made from the best sweat-proof material, so they will keep you dry throughout your workout. They are really long-lasting and the thin material means you can wear them all year round.
Alo yoga knows how to create gym clothes for comfort and sustainability. The airlift leggings are tight, yet comfortable and stay in place. They are a little thicker than the other pairs, but they are durable and won’t let you down during your workout.
The post 3 Squat-Proof Leggings to Invest In appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Resistant Band Exercises to Add Intensity to Your Workouts appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>There are many ways to do a squat with the resistant band. You can either put a small band around your thighs and push your knees out against the band when you go down. Or, you can use a large band and put it under your feet and on your shoulders or hold it on your arms in front of your body. You will be squatting against the resistance of the band in each scenario.
This exercise is great for strengthening your hips and gluteus medius and adding a band makes the workout more intense and effective. Lie on your side, balancing on your elbow and forearm. Put the band on both legs above the knees, bend the knees so the feet are in line with your glutes. Keeping the waist lifted, core engaged and feet together just open and close the knees. Do 12-15 reps on each side and enjoy the burn!
Take one side of a long band and put it under one of your feet and then take the other side in one of your hands, behind your back. Keep the hand and elbow close to your head and extend the arm up to the ceiling, return slowly back down to start position. Do 12 reps on each side. You’re sure to feel some burning in your arms!
The post Resistant Band Exercises to Add Intensity to Your Workouts appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Have You Tried the Pilates Ring Workout? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Stand in a squat stance and take the pilates ring between your open palms and straighten your arms in front of your chest. Squat down and squeeze the ring between your palms, feeling the resistance in your chest. This exercise works on your legs, glutes, shoulders, and chest muscles.
For this exercise, you can either put your ankles inside the ring or balance on the outside. Inside will work the outside of the thighs and outside you will be working your inner thighs. Lie on your side, using one arm on the floor for balance, and lift both legs up and down. You will also feel it in your waist.
Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor, put the ring between your knees and squeeze it a little to keep it in place. Lift the glutes off the floor, vertebrae by vertebrae, squeeze the ring as you go up, and release as you go down. Make sure you are engaging the core throughout the entire movement.
This is a core finisher! Lie on your back with your legs straight in the air, put the ring between your ankles and lower your legs so you feel resistance in your core, but don’t curve your lower back. Lift your head, neck, and upper chest, and straighten your arms to the sides of your body. Pulsing the arms up and down in time to your breath, turning the palms upwards and downwards with the inhale and exhale. So five inhales and five exhales, 10 times and you have the pilates 100!
The post Have You Tried the Pilates Ring Workout? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post What to Do When You Fail While Squatting appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>First, if you are going for a heavier weight than usual, it’s always a good idea to lift with a spotter, meaning that somebody stands near you and is ready to help you pick up the weight should you fail the lift. Even if you don’t have a gym buddy, you can always ask a stranger at the gym to help spot you, as long as they’re not in the middle of a set of their own.
But if you don’t have a spotter, you can still safely do a heavy squat by setting up the safety pins in the squat rack. That way, when you fail your squat, you can sink further down, letting the barbell rest on the safety pins, and then step out from underneath the bar. It’s very simple and won’t hurt you at all.
The post What to Do When You Fail While Squatting appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 3 Types of Squats Worth Trying appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Typically done as a bodyweight exercise without any added resistance, jump squats are great because they’re a plyometric (explosive) exercise that works on your body’s fast-twitch muscles, giving you the ability to move quickly and explosively. Plus, they’re killer cardio in addition to being killer on your legs.
If you want to add some weight to your squats but aren’t quite ready to use a barbell for weighted back squats yet, a goblet squat, where you hold a single weight (usually a dumbbell or a kettlebell) in front of your chest, is a great place to start.
If you’re used to doing barbell back squats and haven’t done front squats yet, get ready for a surprise. Front squats hit your quads and upper back much more than they do your glutes, hips, and lower back. Don’t be shocked if you have to use much less weight to front squat than you’re used to back squatting.
The post 3 Types of Squats Worth Trying appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post How to Master the Barbell Back Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>As a free weight exercise, it’s incredibly important to work your way up with barbell back squats. So go ahead and start with very low weight, even just the bar, at first until you really master the correct form.
Be careful to avoid dropping your chin to your chest, as it can make you hunch forward and mess up your squat form.
To avoid letting your spine flex while squatting, make sure to always keep your chest up when you squat.
With your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes turned out slightly, make sure that your knees stay in line with your toes during the whole squat, not caving inward.
Your weight should be in your heels and mid-foot when you squat. Having it too far forward will put too much pressure on your knees. If this is hard for you, you may need to work on your hamstring flexibility.
Using your breath to brace your core can help you to be able to squat more weight. Take a deep breath before you lift and hold the air in your lungs as you lower into your squat. Exhale when you return to the start position.
The post How to Master the Barbell Back Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Overhead Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Don’t overdo it from the start! One of the biggest overhead squat mistakes that people make is not training with the right weight. Most aim too high, but there are also people that go too low. You should definitely be feeling the weight when doing the squat, but not to the point that you’re struggling. This can easily lead to injuries.
Taking the feet too wide apart is not a good idea. They should be a bit wider than the hips, but not too much.
If you don’t know how to properly squat, you won’t know how to properly do this exercise either. It’s as simple as that.
Although most people think that an overhead squat is meant to activate the legs, glutes, and shoulders, this exercise also focuses on the core.
When you’re in a squatting position make sure that the weight is mostly focused on the heels. Otherwise, you can injure yourself.
The post 5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Overhead Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Extensive Guide on How to Properly Do Squats appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Start by standing straight, with your feet hip-width apart. Your head and shoulders should be facing forward.
Next, start lowering down and back, as if there was an imaginary chair right behind you. The whole point is to keep the top part of your body straight and to face forward.
Don’t move your knees to the front, instead try keeping them in the same position as before doing the squat.
Make sure that the weight is focused on your heels, and you can even lift the toes from the ground in the beginning. Another thing you have to be careful about is that your knees don’t move inwards.
Once your thighs are parallel to the floor, that is when you know you’ve properly done a squat.
You can keep your arms in front of you for balance. Once you’re down, push through the heels to get back up.
The post Extensive Guide on How to Properly Do Squats appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Beginner’s Guide to a 31 Day Challenge appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>In this 31 day challenge, you start off with 10 repetitions of each squat, lunge, and push-up and each day add another into the mix. As these are some of the most basic body-weight moves, they are a great way to begin your fitness journey, but it is important to do them with proper form.
Using the wall to learn to squat is a great way. Remember to keep your knees in line with your toes and not to touch the wall!
Lunging can be harmful to your knees if you let your knee fall over your ankle. This video should help you see the right (and wrong) way to do it:
Push-ups are very difficult if you don’t have much upper body strength and it will take a while to build it up. Did you know in a full push-up, you’re pushing up between 60 to 70 percent of your body weight? This video will help teach you ways to build that strength before making your way to the floor.
No matter if you’re a beginner to fitness or if you work out every day, proper form will help you in the long run, so it’s important to begin learning by doing the exercises the right way.
Let’s get started!
The post Beginner’s Guide to a 31 Day Challenge appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 3 Best Squat Alternatives for a Stronger Lower Body appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The Bulgarian split squat is a fantastic alternative to squats as it targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Stand with one foot placed behind you on an elevated surface while keeping the front foot planted firmly on the ground. Lower your body by bending your front knee, keeping your back straight, and keep lowering it until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Push back up to the starting position, engaging your leg muscles throughout the movement.
Lunges are an excellent exercise to strengthen and tone your legs. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Step forward with one leg and lower your body until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Push through the heel of the front foot to return to the starting position. Lunges engage your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, helping you develop balance, stability, and leg strength.
Step-ups are an effective compound exercise that targets your quads, glutes, and calves. Find a stable elevated surface, such as a bench or sturdy box. Step onto the surface with one foot, driving through the heel to lift your body up. Bring the other foot up onto the surface and step back down with the opposite foot. Alternate legs and maintain a controlled and steady pace throughout the exercise. Step-ups mimic functional movements like climbing stairs, making them highly beneficial for everyday activities.
The post 3 Best Squat Alternatives for a Stronger Lower Body appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 3 Squat-Proof Leggings to Invest In appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>This style with the high waistband and tight material offers you constant support without restricting your movement. They come in a variety of colors with matching bra tops and are really comfortable for everyday wear too.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Nike leggings for the gym, they are made from the best sweat-proof material, so they will keep you dry throughout your workout. They are really long-lasting and the thin material means you can wear them all year round.
Alo yoga knows how to create gym clothes for comfort and sustainability. The airlift leggings are tight, yet comfortable and stay in place. They are a little thicker than the other pairs, but they are durable and won’t let you down during your workout.
The post 3 Squat-Proof Leggings to Invest In appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Resistant Band Exercises to Add Intensity to Your Workouts appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>There are many ways to do a squat with the resistant band. You can either put a small band around your thighs and push your knees out against the band when you go down. Or, you can use a large band and put it under your feet and on your shoulders or hold it on your arms in front of your body. You will be squatting against the resistance of the band in each scenario.
This exercise is great for strengthening your hips and gluteus medius and adding a band makes the workout more intense and effective. Lie on your side, balancing on your elbow and forearm. Put the band on both legs above the knees, bend the knees so the feet are in line with your glutes. Keeping the waist lifted, core engaged and feet together just open and close the knees. Do 12-15 reps on each side and enjoy the burn!
Take one side of a long band and put it under one of your feet and then take the other side in one of your hands, behind your back. Keep the hand and elbow close to your head and extend the arm up to the ceiling, return slowly back down to start position. Do 12 reps on each side. You’re sure to feel some burning in your arms!
The post Resistant Band Exercises to Add Intensity to Your Workouts appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Have You Tried the Pilates Ring Workout? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Stand in a squat stance and take the pilates ring between your open palms and straighten your arms in front of your chest. Squat down and squeeze the ring between your palms, feeling the resistance in your chest. This exercise works on your legs, glutes, shoulders, and chest muscles.
For this exercise, you can either put your ankles inside the ring or balance on the outside. Inside will work the outside of the thighs and outside you will be working your inner thighs. Lie on your side, using one arm on the floor for balance, and lift both legs up and down. You will also feel it in your waist.
Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the floor, put the ring between your knees and squeeze it a little to keep it in place. Lift the glutes off the floor, vertebrae by vertebrae, squeeze the ring as you go up, and release as you go down. Make sure you are engaging the core throughout the entire movement.
This is a core finisher! Lie on your back with your legs straight in the air, put the ring between your ankles and lower your legs so you feel resistance in your core, but don’t curve your lower back. Lift your head, neck, and upper chest, and straighten your arms to the sides of your body. Pulsing the arms up and down in time to your breath, turning the palms upwards and downwards with the inhale and exhale. So five inhales and five exhales, 10 times and you have the pilates 100!
The post Have You Tried the Pilates Ring Workout? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post What to Do When You Fail While Squatting appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>First, if you are going for a heavier weight than usual, it’s always a good idea to lift with a spotter, meaning that somebody stands near you and is ready to help you pick up the weight should you fail the lift. Even if you don’t have a gym buddy, you can always ask a stranger at the gym to help spot you, as long as they’re not in the middle of a set of their own.
But if you don’t have a spotter, you can still safely do a heavy squat by setting up the safety pins in the squat rack. That way, when you fail your squat, you can sink further down, letting the barbell rest on the safety pins, and then step out from underneath the bar. It’s very simple and won’t hurt you at all.
The post What to Do When You Fail While Squatting appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 3 Types of Squats Worth Trying appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Typically done as a bodyweight exercise without any added resistance, jump squats are great because they’re a plyometric (explosive) exercise that works on your body’s fast-twitch muscles, giving you the ability to move quickly and explosively. Plus, they’re killer cardio in addition to being killer on your legs.
If you want to add some weight to your squats but aren’t quite ready to use a barbell for weighted back squats yet, a goblet squat, where you hold a single weight (usually a dumbbell or a kettlebell) in front of your chest, is a great place to start.
If you’re used to doing barbell back squats and haven’t done front squats yet, get ready for a surprise. Front squats hit your quads and upper back much more than they do your glutes, hips, and lower back. Don’t be shocked if you have to use much less weight to front squat than you’re used to back squatting.
The post 3 Types of Squats Worth Trying appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post How to Master the Barbell Back Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>As a free weight exercise, it’s incredibly important to work your way up with barbell back squats. So go ahead and start with very low weight, even just the bar, at first until you really master the correct form.
Be careful to avoid dropping your chin to your chest, as it can make you hunch forward and mess up your squat form.
To avoid letting your spine flex while squatting, make sure to always keep your chest up when you squat.
With your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes turned out slightly, make sure that your knees stay in line with your toes during the whole squat, not caving inward.
Your weight should be in your heels and mid-foot when you squat. Having it too far forward will put too much pressure on your knees. If this is hard for you, you may need to work on your hamstring flexibility.
Using your breath to brace your core can help you to be able to squat more weight. Take a deep breath before you lift and hold the air in your lungs as you lower into your squat. Exhale when you return to the start position.
The post How to Master the Barbell Back Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post 5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Overhead Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Don’t overdo it from the start! One of the biggest overhead squat mistakes that people make is not training with the right weight. Most aim too high, but there are also people that go too low. You should definitely be feeling the weight when doing the squat, but not to the point that you’re struggling. This can easily lead to injuries.
Taking the feet too wide apart is not a good idea. They should be a bit wider than the hips, but not too much.
If you don’t know how to properly squat, you won’t know how to properly do this exercise either. It’s as simple as that.
Although most people think that an overhead squat is meant to activate the legs, glutes, and shoulders, this exercise also focuses on the core.
When you’re in a squatting position make sure that the weight is mostly focused on the heels. Otherwise, you can injure yourself.
The post 5 Tips to Help You Improve Your Overhead Squat appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Extensive Guide on How to Properly Do Squats appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Start by standing straight, with your feet hip-width apart. Your head and shoulders should be facing forward.
Next, start lowering down and back, as if there was an imaginary chair right behind you. The whole point is to keep the top part of your body straight and to face forward.
Don’t move your knees to the front, instead try keeping them in the same position as before doing the squat.
Make sure that the weight is focused on your heels, and you can even lift the toes from the ground in the beginning. Another thing you have to be careful about is that your knees don’t move inwards.
Once your thighs are parallel to the floor, that is when you know you’ve properly done a squat.
You can keep your arms in front of you for balance. Once you’re down, push through the heels to get back up.
The post Extensive Guide on How to Properly Do Squats appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Beginner’s Guide to a 31 Day Challenge appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>In this 31 day challenge, you start off with 10 repetitions of each squat, lunge, and push-up and each day add another into the mix. As these are some of the most basic body-weight moves, they are a great way to begin your fitness journey, but it is important to do them with proper form.
Using the wall to learn to squat is a great way. Remember to keep your knees in line with your toes and not to touch the wall!
Lunging can be harmful to your knees if you let your knee fall over your ankle. This video should help you see the right (and wrong) way to do it:
Push-ups are very difficult if you don’t have much upper body strength and it will take a while to build it up. Did you know in a full push-up, you’re pushing up between 60 to 70 percent of your body weight? This video will help teach you ways to build that strength before making your way to the floor.
No matter if you’re a beginner to fitness or if you work out every day, proper form will help you in the long run, so it’s important to begin learning by doing the exercises the right way.
Let’s get started!
The post Beginner’s Guide to a 31 Day Challenge appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>