Those suffering from back pain obviously need more than just a band aid, but the Mighty Body Band might be just the thing to bring users back from pain. Designed by veteran yoga practitioner/teacher Miguel Latronica ERYT, the Mighty Body Band is used in many types of fitness activity and exercise including yoga, Pilates, cross training and general stretching. It can help build better coordination and agility for balance exercises and help with strength work, as it can alleviate low back pain by releasing lateral hip rotators and hamstrings. Video after the jump
Tag: Pilates
Take an Online Pilates Class from a Pro
It’s not always easy to get to a Pilates studio. And some people don’t realize that all that equipment isn’t essential to working out your core. Pilates can be done at home, but it helps to have a good teacher to get those poses right. Continue reading Take an Online Pilates Class from a Pro
Made in America: Bijubee – Yoga, Pilates, and Exercise Wear
What does a “victorious crowned bee” have to do with yoga? Not much until taking a look at the line of yoga apparel from Bijubee. Based in South El Monte, California, Bijubee offers the active woman a very extensive line of yoga and exercise apparel, plus every piece is designed and manufactured “with love” in America. Video after the jump
Made in America: SilverSport
Most of us who frequent the gym know that it can be a place with some ‘funky‘ smells. Not because the attendants do not keep it clean, but because some of the materials in the equipment like vinyl, rubber and plastics can be difficult to rid of smells. The warm and humid climate, along with the human contact is the perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria to grow and thrive. This is where the company SilverSport saw a need and they have developed a line of products to help your workout be as clean and odorless as possible. Continue reading Made in America: SilverSport
Top 5 Exercises That Can Damage Your Back
Whatever your fitness goals may be, getting injured isn’t one of them. That’s the message Belltown Spine & Wellness Center, a chiropractic clinic in Seattle, is trying to get across with its list of the top five potentially damaging back exercises.
First up on the clinic’s list is running. Although it’s one of the most affordable ways to get fit (all you need is a good pair of sneakers and a trail), no two runners have the same gait. Even seasoned marathoners may be unknowingly doing more harm than good to their body, which is why Belltown Spine & Wellness Center stresses honing your stride and running in moderation, particularly for beginners.
Also making the list are yoga and pilates. Both exercises are designed to improve flexibility and condition your body, but both are also potentially damaging to your back. (The New York Times also did a controversial piece on the negative side effects of yoga.) The clinic’s advice, always perform yoga and pilates exercises with the help of an instructor. Continue reading Top 5 Exercises That Can Damage Your Back
Ladies, Reform Your Core!
Ladies, if you are the type of person who has the discipline to get into a workout routine at home, then there might be a new piece of equipment for you. Nautilus has announced the launch of the CoreBody Reformer, a new piece of fitness equipment specifically designed to help women build their core strength by combing the moves of yoga for flexibility; dance for calorie-burn; and Pilates for muscle strength and tone. All in one package that is light and easy to carry over one shoulder.
Improved Pilates Platform That You Can Stick With
While Pilates can be done at home, this is a case where more equipment is always a good thing. The problem with this however is that it can take up space very quickly. For urban dwellers, those with limited space or just anyone who doesn’t want a “gym” in their home, there are fortunately a few alternatives.
The latest is the Wrist Saver Block from Stick-e, a multipurpose foam block with handle that is designed to provide a safer, more stable and more comfortable workout. The light weight block with an internal handle optimizes wrist positioning during upper body weight bearing exercises, yoga poses and pushups. As a result, it provides better comfort and strength.
(Videos after the jump) Continue reading Improved Pilates Platform That You Can Stick With
Puretoes Leaves Digits Free for Activities
Participating in an exercise class barefoot is not always appealing. The floors are grimy. Your feet might not give you the traction you need, particularly if the room is cold. You may just feel more comfortable with your feet covered. That said, socks and other footwear are not compatible with disciplines such as yoga, palates, dance and some forms of martial arts. In these disciplines traction and balance are essential.
In steps Puretoes. These are foot coverings – Puretoes doesn’t identify itself as socks – with a grippy material on the sole and stops at the toes. The combination of the free toes and the grippy coating on the ball of the foot and the heel make it possible to do many poses and combinations called for in several disciplines. There are separate holes for the big toe and the rest of the toes, which helps keep the foot covering firmly on your foot. You still have the ability to spread your toes to balance for poses such as the tree pose. You can do a karate kick without worrying your stocking-feet will slide out from under you.
There are similar products on the market, including toeless socks from Stick-e, which also have grippy coating painted to the bottom. While those socks are knit and similar to regular socks, Puretoes are made from a material that appears to be a light neoprene with a brushed material on the inside to provide comfort.
Puretoes Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Puretoes ‘Not-a-Sock’ Foot Coverings]
Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Reformer Like Medieval Torture Device
During the Late Middle Ages there was the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and of course the Spanish Inquisition. These saw non-believers “punished” in a variety of ways – and here is where the name “Pilates Reformer” comes to mind.
According to Well+Good NYC, 1,500 exercisers went to the ER because of equipment-rated accidents (source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). One product mentioned is the “Reformer.”
While not a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift, we think there is a concern with devices such as Pilates Reformer. So our word of wisdom is to be sure to read the instructions, or ask for guidance prior to using any new equipment. More importantly know your limits.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.
CES 2011: The Gymbox Goes for Free the TV Challenge
Last August Samsung kicked off its “Free the TV Challenge” to spur development of new connected TV content, and developers from across the country were invited to submit their best ideas for 2D and 3D TV applications across a range of categories. Finalists were selected from this range of submissions and the winners of the challenge will be announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
We found there to be some very interesting finalists, but we’re pulling for Gymbox, which provides weekly, full-length workouts on demand. These include Step Aerobics, Kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates, Core Strength, Treadmill, Cycle, Strength Training, and Stretch. New classes are added weekly so you never have to repeat the same workout twice.