As we age, we tend to glamorize the memories of our youth. We think that everything, including our bodies, was better, stronger and more appealing then than it is now. But many of us were not fit even as children, teens or young adults. Sure, we had more energy then, but it was largely the energy that naturally complements youth, not the energy that comes from efficiently burning calories and keeping your body fit.

Today, we know that fitness doesn’t depend on age. Physicians are warning about an encroaching obesity epidemic threatening today’s children, while more adults are realizing the benefits of fitness. Beyond leading to a longer and healthier life, we now understand that being physically fit as we age tends to keep us more energetic, more attractive and more interested in all life has to offer.

One easy way to get back to those higher energy levels of our youth is to increase our fitness levels – and an easy, painless way to begin that process is to start with isometric exercise.

Isometric exercise involves isolating a single muscle, or muscle group, and using the body’s natural resistance to exercise that muscle. For abdominal muscles, it can mean something as simple as tensing the muscles while sitting up straight and breathing deeply. Isometric exercise is the ultimate in low impact, using all the muscle groups without putting undo strain on any of them.

Because the exercises are done in short repetitions, they can be done whenever you have a few minutes. You don’t have to go to a gym, and you don’t have to schedule a rigid block of time for exercise. Many isometric exercises can even be done while driving, watching TV or sitting behind a desk.

Another advantage of isometric exercise is that it promotes the most effectual use of oxygen in the body, helping the muscles burn calories more efficiently. That means you can get more energy while eating the same amount of food – because the calories you take in become energy instead of fat!

Isometric exercises help promote weight loss and increase energy by simply encouraging you to keep moving at times when you might otherwise be completely at rest. Something as simple as flexing and holding the glut muscles (those are the muscles in your buttocks) as you sit and stand means that over the course of the day those muscles get worked dozens of times, leading to a stronger, more shapely backside. Remembering to “suck it in” every time you answer the phone can help a belly disappear.

The simplicity of isometric exercise makes such a program easy to stick to, as well. Because it does not wear you out or require a lengthy time commitment, isometric exercises start toning your muscles and releasing more of your energy into your activities without hardly any effort or commitment from you. Once you see how well the simple exercises work, you’ll want to add more advanced isometric exercise for even better and faster results.

Ellen Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/age-is-not-a-factor-in-fitness-find-newfound-energy-with-isometric-exercise-83954.html

There are all kinds of ways to get exercise fitness whether you take up swimming, jogging, cycling, skiing, walking, aerobic dancing, or any number other activities that will get your heart pumping and are excellent for your heart health. Whether you stick to cardio exercises or a structured fitness program all physical activity will make you heart happier. Here are some excellent ideas for exercise fitness.

At home – it’s convenient and safe to work at home and it sets an excellent for you children if you have kids. When you exercise at home you can combine it with other activities. Here are some ideas for exercise fitness at home.

1. Do your own house work.

2. Spend time working in your garden – rake the leaves, dig and pick up the trash, rake your leaves, mow your grass without the riding tractor.

3. Go for a short walk before breakfast and/or after dinner. 10 minutes is a good place to start and then work up to at least 30 minutes.

4. Walk to the corner store rather than driving.

5. Invest in a stationary bike and then watch your favorite show while biking.

6. Stand up while you are talking on the telephone.

7. Take your dog for a walk.

8. Stretch to reach items that are in high spots.

At The Office – most of our jobs these days are sedentary and they take up a large part of our days. Here are some ideas to increase your physical exercise fitness during the day.

1. Brainstorm while taking a walk rather than sitting around the round table.

2. Stand up while talking on the telephone.

3. Rather than phoning your co-worker down the hall walk down to their office and speak in person.

4. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or if it’s too far for starters then get off a few floors below yours.

5. While waiting for your plane at the airport walk walk walk.

6. When on business trips make sure your hotel has a fitness center.

7. Take a jump rope to the office.

8. Form a sports team and have some fun while raising charity money.

9. Join a fitness center near your office.

10. Get off the bus a few blocks from work.

At Play – recreational time is good for your health and you should look for exercise fitness whenever possible.

1. Plan family vacations or outings to include physical activity such as hiking or backpacking.

2. Explore sights in the cities you visit by walking or bicycling.

3. Make a date with a friend to go for a walk. Do it regularly.

4. Go dancing – there’s no better way to have a lot of fun and get a great workout.

5. Take a walk at the beach and enjoy those waves lapping at the shore – so relaxing.

6. Join a fitness center and get fit.

7. Take up golfing and walk rather than using a cart.

8. Play tennis or racquetball.

9. Have a picnic and a game of croquet.

10. Rent a rowboat or canoe to enjoy a paddle on the lake.

Here a so many great ideas for exercise fitness for home, work, and play – which ones will you choose.

Ramone Stevenson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/exercise-fitness-130031.html

Sitting in a wheelchair for long periods of time can cause annoying restlessness and be quite uncomfortable for those persons who are disabled. It’s important to keep the body moving and make exercise in your wheelchair a daily part of your fitness program, regardless of your disability.

Wheelchair exercise will help increase strength, flexibility, improve mobility, strengthen the heart and lungs, and help control weight.

Before any exercise session, it’s always a good idea to warm up, stretch and cool down for about ten minutes before and after workouts. Start slowly and work up to more weight and then to more challenging exercises. An upper body workout would include exercises for the arms, torso, neck, and shoulders.

Everyone, depending on the disability, has a unique situation, so consult with your doctor first to determine which exercises are better for you.

There are two basic types of wheelchair exercise that will be important to know for your workout — resistance training and strength training.

The first type of wheelchair exercise is resistance training. It uses large, stretchy rubber bands called resistance bands. Wrap the bands securely around a door, pole, arm of your wheelchair, or other stable object. Now pull the bands towards you or away from you to work your muscles. You can use the bands to do arm and leg extensions, shoulder rotations and pull downs.

The second type of wheelchair exercise is strength training. This is done by lifting free weights or dumbbells. If you don’t have free weights or dumbbells you can use cans of food. Look around. Weigh them if you can. Start with 1-2 pound weights and work up slowly Lift while you are watching TV if you like.

The benefits of strength training include the ability to perform daily activities, like pushing wheelchairs, carrying items and transferring. Many wheelchair users have an inefficient ‘push’ and strengthening the muscles involved will greatly help.

If resistance training or strength training is impossible for some reason or if you would like to supplement it, get a video or DVD that is especially for keeping fit and exercising while one is in a sitting position.

Remember to always keep a positive attitude. Use discipline to get into a regular exercise and fitness program you’ve created for yourself and continue to do it. Set goals and rewards for yourself. Don’t do anything you know you shouldn’t. Start slowly. Keep your eye on the end result. A good fitness and wheelchair exercise program, regardless of the disability, can significantly improve your health and increase mobility for you and others who are disabled.

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Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/what-you-should-know-about-wheelchair-exercise-and-fitness-for-the-disabled-95442.html