Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 27)

and great for stress management and anxiety,” she says. There are many types of yoga, though, so do some research to find the right one for your ﬁtness abilities. Form vs. Function The more you delve into exercise, the more you hear about the need for “proper form.” But does it really matter? And if so, why? “The bottom line is the lower intensity the exercise, the less form matters. Whether it’s light body weight resistance or a walking program, I wouldn’t really sweat it,” says Jamila Brown, health education specialist at Gwinnett Medical Center. But form becomes more important as you increase the intensity—say in moving from walking to running—and in many strengthtraining exercises. “For squats and lunges, make sure you receive proper instruction on how to use the hips as opposed to letting your knees do most of the work,” Brown says. “With upper-body exercises, it’s really important to maintain a straight spine because if you let it round out, you change the position of the shoulders, which can ultimately strain muscle tissue.” ROCK STAR At this level, you’re not looking for your big ﬁtness break: You’ve already found it. But now you’re addicted to the action and occasionally ﬁnd yourself looking for a new ﬁtness “high.” Look no further. AEROBIC AND STRENGTH TRAINING: The concept of extreme ﬁtness challenges for serious exercisers is on the rise, says McCall, who participates in a few of the high-energy exertions himself. Urban challenges and adventure races that pack more demanding elements than a typical marathon are growing in popularity, as are military-style mud runs. “Mud runs put you through obstacles that Marines use as part of their training,” McCall says. “There are also Marine Corps training facilities where drill instructors are more than willing to provide the ‘encouragement’ that you need.” Muddy Buddy races are similarly grueling feats of ﬁtness, where teams of two or three people mountain bike and run together. “These events offer ways to work with someone else, have a training goal, and do something fun and out of the ordinary,” McCall says. FLEXIBILITY: If you’re already taking the rest of your routine to the extreme, chances are you’re warmed up and limber. To change things up, try a more intense yoga class, such as Ashtanga (“power yoga”) or Bikram, which is performed in a heated room. However you decide to round out your routine, McCall advises making it ﬁt who you are and where you are today. onlIne Visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/fitnessprogram or call 678-312-2810 to set up an appointment with a GMC exercise specialist. Start Your Own Exercise Program Vim & Vigor · FAL L 2011 27 http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/fitnessprogram

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil's Feature
So Long, Suffering
The Will to Recover
Healthy Hues
The New Survivors
First (Aid) Things First
Find Your Groove
A Healthy Tune
Stay in Circulation
‘X’ Marks the Spot
Pregnancy Predictors
Play It Safe
Prime Time Health
Full Strength
Lifesaving Gift
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center