Strong muscles improve posture
Submitted by sbeason on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 10:32.
Euell Greenwood, 15, of Ridgeland and personal trainer Lisa Newman use a NRG Ball to perform straight arm back raise exercises.
The FUN cardio activities train the heart, lungs and circulatory system to work more efficiently. Just as the arm and leg muscles need to be trained to become stronger, the heart muscle needs to be strengthened to sustain your life. FUN cardio is encouraged a minimum of three days a week for 20 minutes. Use agility dots for jumping, hopping, reaching or running to add fun to mental focus and fitness activities.
The NRG ball straight arm back raise enhances posture. The ball will help to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the upper mid-back, posterior shoulders and chest. Since the upper back muscle group is larger than the chest group, it should be stronger to support the posture of the body. FUNctional fitness guards against inordinately weak muscles.
Plan: Place the NRG ball behind the buttocks and hold both handles with an underhand grip (palms upward). Keep your head in a neutral position with your eyes forward and chin slightly pulled inward. Inhale to prepare, then exhale and raise the NRG ball and bar off your buttocks, pulling your shoulders back while lifting your chest upward. Inhale, and lower the ball and bar back to your buttocks. Repeat the sequence for 1-2 sets of 7-10 repetitions to develop fitness confidence and conditioning.
Perfit trainer's tip: Your body weight should be centered over your feet. The fitness activities presented in this series are suited for youth 7-17 years of age. Some of the activities are challenging, while others are easier based on your particular age. Adults also can incorporate these FUNctional fitness exercises to add variety to their routines.
Variations: The NRG ball training system is available in various sizes from 5, 7 and 9 pounds, including the handles. The price range is $60-$80.
Lisa Newman, a certified personal fitness trainer, consultant and exercise physiologist, owns Perfit Inc. E-mail questions to perfitlisanewman@aol.com.
