Don't be a One-Dimensional Beauty If you want to be 3-D fit, 'back up' your exercise routine

Exercise Routine

Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

Back Up Your Fitness Routine

Just like your life, your body needs balance. Work both your agonist and antagonist muscle groups to maintain that balance and minimize strain on your joints. If you are looking in the mirror you will only see either the agonist or antagonist. Don’t forget to strengthen both sides.

-Shoulders

Work the back side of the shoulders, including the posterior deltoid, rotator cuff, and rhomboids, which are largely responsible for avoiding shoulder and neck injuries, pain and misalignments. Stay injury-free with exercises like Single Arm Bent Over Abduction (also known as Reverse Flyes), Bent Over Shoulder Extension, and Side-Lying Rotator Cuff- all done with dumbbells.

-Back

Keep gravity at bay (and avoid spinal slouching), by strengthening your upper and lower back muscles with exercises like Lat Pull down, Horizontal Rows, and Trunk Extension.

-Butt

Don’t let your butt fall flat or pancake out to the sides. A perky and taut bubble butt can be the main backside event- even having the ability to draw eyes away from less toned legs and back. If you don’t want your rearview to be a big fat turn off, focus on exercises that strengthen the hamstrings (which help to push up the rear) and firm the butt, like Squats and Lunges. Try this workout to perk up your butt- Click here for video

So what if, except for the hair salon handheld mirror, you rarely get a glimpse of your other half. It’s time to shift your focus to the unseen and make sure to back up your fitness routine for the sake of what others see, and for the sake of your health.