Part III:  Featured Article

Fitness weight loss programs-tips to keep your fitness weight loss program safe

Fitness weight loss programs-tips to keep your fitness weight loss program safe   by Josh Neumann

If you are like millions of people today, you know you need to go on a fitness weight loss program to burn off those unwanted pounds. If you have made the decision to embark on a workout program, you will need to engage in some good warm-up exercises to avoid injury and ensure your workout routine is as productive as possible.

The honest reality is that many of the injuries that occur during workouts could be prevented with some simple stretching exercises done beforehand. Here are some guidelines to help get you limbered up before your exercise routine.

Before you do any of the stretches recommended below, do jumping jacks for several minutes to loosen up and get ready for the workout. This simple repetitive motion will get your blood flowing and will warm you up for your workout. Also, jogging in place is a great alternative when first starting out.

The first stretching exercise you should do is to stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Now, reach down as far as you can with both hands and try to touch the floor. If you can't reach the floor, it's okay. Just reach as far as you can.

Next, grab a chair, and while standing straight up put your right leg on the surface. Now, lean forward as far as you can towards your extended leg, extending yourself as far you can go. This is another tremendous stretching exercise for your legs to ensure that you don't pull a muscle during your workout.

After repeating this routine several times with both legs, stand straight up, and grab the chair with your right hand. With your left hand, grab your left leg and extend it upwards until your foot is touching your back.

Hold this position for about eight seconds, keeping your leg in an upward position. This is another awesome exercise to keep your legs stretched and ready for the workout.

For the last leg stretch, sit down and extend your right leg out. Reach towards it, trying to reach your foot. If you can't extend that far, simply go as far as you can. This is another excellent stretching exercise for your legs.

To workout your lower back, use a mat or rug, and lay down flat on your back facing the ceiling. Reach out and pull your legs into your chest. You will feel a burning sensation in your lower back; this is an excellent stretch to stretch out your back before a workout.

Repeat these stretches after your workout. Many people only stretch before they exercise, not realizing that stretching afterwards helps prevent injuries and muscle cramps that may occur because of the workout.

Remember; don't skip these crucial stretches before beginning your exercise routine. Many people have gotten injuries because of simply failing to properly stretch-out before their fitness routine.

Injuries are so easy to avoid when you've stretched properly beforehand-don't make this mistake. Do these stretches and you will enjoy a very productive and effective fitness weight loss program while avoiding injury at the same time.
 

About the Author

To learn more great tips on finding fitness equipment for your home gym, as well as how to stay in shape for the rest of your life, try checking out http://www.onlinefitnesstips.com. OnlineFitnessTips.com is a popular fitness site that teaches people how to set and achieve their fitness.