Author Archives: Kevin Burgess

Exercise Spotlight: Wrist discomfort during pushups and pushup hold

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Exercise Spotlight: Wrist discomfort during pushups and pushup hold

Try this if you normally do pushups on your knuckles

The pushup (and pushup hold) is an excellent overall exercise for chest, shoulders, upper back, and core strength. For some folks, it’s not uncommon to experience discomfort in the wrists when attempting pushups with proper hand position. This is often due to stiffness in the wrists and fingers and causes exercisers to do pushups on their knuckles in order to keep wrists neutral.   If you do have a wrist injury, arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, etc, be careful with how much weight (if any!) that you put on your wrists when doing pushups. 

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Fitness Fun & Facts: The Importance of Optimal Breathing

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Fitness Fun & Facts: The Importance of Optimal Breathing

Every breath you take

Your breathing patterns affect numerous functions in your body. At the same time, how your body functions can also affect your breathing patterns.

Several studies have been done to demonstrate how dysfunctional breathing patterns can affect postural stabilization, increased exhalation of CO2 which can elevate the body’s blood pH, as well as lead to various muscle imbalances. They can also cause muscle tension, reduced motor control, muscle spasms, and increased pain sensitization.  Additionally, quick breathing affects body chemistry such as changes in magnesium, calcium, and potassium which can affect motor control mechanisms involved with core (muscles between the shoulders and the hips) function. 

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Fitness Fun & Facts: Setting up workout space at home

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Fitness Fun & Facts: Setting up workout space at home

Fitness options at home

Are you looking to make some habit changes such as increasing physical activity? Too busy to go to the gym? Exercising at home is a safe, viable option. If you do have a gym set up in your garage, basement or other room – great! However you don’t need a lot of space or equipment to get your body moving to reach your health and fitness goals.

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