Francis explains that exercise floors must not only absorb shock, but that they must do so consistently over the whole floor: “Some hardwood floors have ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ spots. A ‘basket weave’ type of sub-floor can solve this problem” (criss-crossing planks in the sub-floor). If a floor has inconsistent shock absorption, exercisers may, at the least, notice it, and at the most, injure themselves. Read more…
Fitness
exercise, injure, weight
Resiliency is also an important element of fitness floors. For group exercise, the floor should cushion the impact, but also bounce the exercisers back. Keith Cooper, marketing manager with Summit Flexible Products in Ashland, Ore., says “Jumping on a hard surface is like weights landing on a rigid floor. Read more…
Fitness
exercise, fitness, injury
When I was in college, I went to an aerobics class twice a week that was held in one of the old gyms on campus. It had a concrete floor, and I soon had my first experience with shin splints. While I’m sure you know that a concrete floor is inappropriate for aerobics, you may not be aware of the properties that make a floor appropriate for different activities. Read more…
Fitness
aerobics, exercise, gym
The instinct of an arthritis patient in pain is to protect the joint by not moving it. But movement is essential to preserving joint range and function. Although the type of exercise varies from patient to patient, some form of exercise is definitely recommended for almost anyone with arthritis. Read more…
Conditions and Diseases
arthritis, exercise, medications
I did a little backsliding this week. Every day I took my gym bag to work, but never made it there.
Thank goodness for two hours of walleyball on Thursday. Last week we only played with six people and I suggested we keep it at that number because we get a better workout. Read more…
Exercise
energy, exercise, fitness
When I exercise, why do I yawn and get sleepy?
Answer: Read more…
Exercise
brain, exercise, oxygen
The above discussion may suggest that we should not utilize target heart rate for assessing exercise intensity. In reality, monitoring heart rate during exercise is important and useful, provided that the fitness instructor and participant understand the concept and implementation of perceived exertion being an essential component of successfully assessing exercise intensity. Read more…
Health
exercise, heart rate, pulse