Network Magazine autumn 2015 | Page 16

So, how is it possible to elevate heart rate, include core exercises and upper body movement and effectively work the tummy, hip and thigh areas with the current educated methodology of the importance of muscle fatigue within an appropriate repetition range? Move! The key factor is movement. The more the body moves, the more muscle groups are involved and thus heart rate and core temperature will also increase. Movement in more than one plane – saggital, frontal and transverse – will increase the functionality of the exercises. Combining upper body movement with conventional tummy, hip and thigh exercises will challenge the core muscles. Rotational (transverse) movement has increased in popularity, reflecting a greater appreciation of the importance of this range of movement in everyday life. Tasks such as picking up a bag, moving shopping out of a car, and even the apparently simple act of walking, require a degree of rotation in order to be carried out efficiently. Lunges to the front and side can incorporate rotation to increase intensity, and also reflect the functionality required for daily activities. Balance it out The tummy, hip and thigh class can also provide an opportunity to include balance and stability training to participants. This is most effectively performed when the body is in an upright position and the feet are either close together or one foot is off the floor. A good example of this is the lunge. It is usually recommended to position the feet so that they are shoulder-width apart in order to assist with maintaining balance and the body’s upright position. A simple, safe and effective way to challenge balance is to bring the feet closer together, for example by placing one foot directly in front of the other, as if balancing on a beam. This will encourage the muscles of the feet and ankle to work much harder to keep the body in this posi tion. Often these muscles are neglected, but they are the foundation support for the rest of the body and thus play a very important role in maintaining balance in the upright position. Add a little weight… Have you ever wondered if there are any exercises that can use a light weight effectively? When performing exercises that use multi- The 30-second article • Tummy, hip and thigh classes have been around for decades, but often get criticised for perceived ineffectiveness, low heart rate, lack of variety and lack of upper body conditioning • Bring this format up-to-date by incorporating multi-planar, functional and upper body movements • Incorporate balance and stability training into the class through exercises such as lunges • Adding a light weight to multi-planar exercises can challenge the upper body and add a level of momentum to encourage core muscle activation • Don’t get stuck in a rut – re-energise your class and keep changing the format and the exercises. AEROMIC POUCHBELTS AND MORE–AVAILABLE NIGHT & DAY ALL YEAR ROUND AT SEE US XPO FILEX E 2015! www.fitnessaudioshop.com.au Yes - the full range of Aeromic arm pouches and waist-worn pouch belts, plus Aeromics, E•Mics, Fitness Audio mixers and wireless systems, and all the accessories in our range are now available online, any time. Pay using Paypal or your credit card – web orders are generally processed within 24 hours from stock on hand. As always, for professional assistance in the selection and installation of our products we strongly recommend you contact our Preferred Dealers around Australia: Luke in Sydney - 9585 8687 Manny in Canberra - 6239 2722 Paul in Melbourne - 0410 587 544 Michael in Newcastle - 4952 3609 Brad in Nambour - 5476 4566 Roger in Adelaide - 0409 300 900 Gary on the Gold Coast - 5540 7800 Ronnie in Perth - 0438 938 033 …or call us at our office in Alexandria, South Sydney 9.30 to 3.30 Mon-Fri - 02 8399 1052 FitnessaudioShop is a division of Aerobic Microphones Australia Pty LTD ABN 30 067 052 073 16 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2015 TM A U S T R A L I A Email: [email protected] JP’s Blog: http://blog.fitnessaudio.com.au PANTONE 165 C PANTONE 661 C