Author: Irene Pastore

Hello! I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates Instructor who specializes in fitness after 50. My service is Live Streaming. Connect with me from anywhere in the world. I look forward to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Virtual Fitness: How To Do A Fitball Squat

November 2, 2021

Fitball Squat

Deep Squat For Lower and Upper Body

The Deep Squat is a strength training exercise that works the backside, thighs, legs, front shoulders, and core.
INSTRUCTIONS: Stand with feet hip width or slightly wider. Bring the tailbone back and bend your knees, while lifting the fitball. Keep your back straight. Maintain a slow, steady pace.
ERRORS: Rounding the back. Moving too fast.
MODIFICATIONS: 1) Omit the fitball. 2) Move halfway down with knees at 90 degree angles. 3) Cross arms on chest.
CAUTION: Stop the exercise if you experience knee discomfort.
BENEFITS: Strengthens thighs (quadriceps and hamstrings), backside (gluteals), shoulders (front deltoid), spinal stablizers (core).
EXERCISE DOs and DONTs – As with all exercise programs, when using exercise videos that appear on this site, you need to use common sense. If your muscles are weak, either do the modifications, or don’t attempt this exercise if it’s too difficult for you. When starting an exercise program, be sure to discuss your plans with your healthcare provider
Please leave comments. It helps others to learn.

How To Do TRX Rows

October 31, 2021

TRX Rows

The TRX Row is a strength training exercise that works the upper back and arms.
INSTRUCTIONS: Determine the pull angle. The lower you are to the floor, the harder it will be to pull yourself up. Your body should make a straight line from crown of your head to the feet. Draw shoulder blades back. Keep the spine long. Feet are about hip width or slightly wider. Bend elbows as you slowly pull your weight forward until your elbows are in line with your shoulders. Release to start position while keeping shoulder blades retracted. Aim for slow, steady, controlled movement.
ERRORS: Looking up. Rounding the shoulders and back as you straighten your elbows. Yanking the handles and arching your back as you pull forward. Moving too fast. Lifting shoulders. These errors usually indicate that you’re leaning too far back in the start position.
EXERCISE DOs and DONTs – As with all exercise programs, when using exercise videos that appear on this site, you need to use common sense. If your muscles are weak, either do the modifications, or don’t attempt this exercise if it’s too difficult for you. When starting an exercise program, be sure to discuss your plans with your healthcare provider

Virtual Fitness: How To Do A Standing Cable Chest Fly

October 31, 2021

Standing Cable Chest Fly

The Standing Cable Chest Fly is a strength training exercise that works the chest muscles.
INSTRUCTIONS: Adjust the pulleys to shoulder height. Select your weight. Using a neutral grip, take hold of each handle, one at a time. Step forward with one foot into a split stance. Bring arms together into the start position. Inhale as you slowly release the pulleys back as shown in the video. Exhale as you bring the pulleys forward. There is a slight bend at the elbows during movement.
SPLIT STANCE: Step your right foot forward and bend your kneee. Lift the heel of the left foot while keeping your left knee straight.
BENEFITS: The Standing Cable Fly strengthens the pectoral muscles.
RELEASING THE HANDLES: To release the handles, bring arms together, bend elbows. Place your arms on your chest. Take a step back toward the cable machine. Step to the right. Release the right handle. Move to the left and release the left handle.
ERRORS: Using too much weight. Lifting shoulders up. Moving too fast.
EXERCISE DOs and DONTs – As with all exercise programs, when using exercise videos that appear on this site, you need to use common sense. If your muscles are weak, either do the modifications, or don’t attempt this exercise if it’s too difficult for you. When starting an exercise program, be sure to discuss your plans with your healthcare provider