Tips & Tools

Our Tips and Tools section offers a variety of exercise articles, fitness charts, checklists and other resources to help guide and challenge you as you work towards improving your physical self.

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Articles

6 Month Shape Up Workout
Anyone can get more fit and trim fat with this six month fitness program including exercise descriptions and week-by-week routines.

A 5-Step Injury Recovery Plan
When exercise leads to a strain, sprain, or overuse injury, follow these helpful, healing steps.

Athlete's Foot
Every year, millions of people get athlete's foot (tinea pedis), an infection of the outer layer of skin caused by fungus.

Benefits of Strength Training
Strength training is exercise that uses resistance--for example, weights--to strengthen and condition the musculoskeletal system, improving muscle tone and endurance.

Blood Platelet Quiz
Do you how important platelet transfusions are? Do you know about apheresis (a-fur-ee-sis)? Take this platelet I.Q. quiz!

Calculate Your Body Mass Index
Finding out your body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to figure out if your weight is healthy for your height.

CPR for Adults
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for adults in three easy steps.

Dehydration
Dehydration means the body does not have enough fluids to function at an optimal level.

Dispelling Exercise Myths
With all the information available about fitness and exercise, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Let us help.

Exercise and Bone and Joint Conditions
Here are some exercise tips developed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons for individuals with osteoarthritis, low back pain, osteoporosis or total joint replacement.

Factors Affecting Strength
It's important to realize that there are six primary factors affecting every individual's ability to achieve strength and muscle development.

Fitness Fundamentals
You have taken the important first step on the path to physical fitness by seeking information. The next step is to decide that you are going to be physically fit. This article is designed to help you reach that decision and your goal.

Football: Parental Concerns
Questions and answers covering the essentials any football parent should know.

General Health and Fitness: Ages 7-16
Activities for young children should focus on fun. Moving into adolescence, be sure to emphasize aerobic fitness and general strength training.

General Health and Fitness: Ages 17-49
The activity level of individuals in this age range make them prone to injuries. Strive to progressively improve aerobic and strength conditioning, with an emphasis on consistency and achieving personal goals.

General Health and Fitness: Ages 50+
As individuals gradually mature, other considerations regarding activities and injuries must start to be considered. Continue to emphasize aerobic work and good nutrition habits, with moderate strength training.

Hamstring Strain
The hamstring is the large muscle on the back of your thigh. A hamstring strain is a slight tear in the muscle tissue.

Heat Therapy
Benefits of continuous low-level heat therapy last for days after treatment of acute low back pain.

How to Avoid Lower Back Pain
Learn how to prevent ruptured, bulging and herniated discs, back strains and other back problems that can lead to lower back pain and sciatica.

How to Feed Your Muscles
Nutrition tips for strength training.

Keys For Success In Exercise
Keys for how to start exercising properly, including a list of benefits, training tips and advice for older individuals who seek a healthier life.

OTC Pain Relievers: Which Ones are Right for You?
For pain relief, the differences among products are usually more subtle than significant. But using OTC pain relievers safely is not as simple as you may think.

Pay Attention to Pain and Soreness
When any workout or specific exercise causes you pain, pay attention. Knowing how to react can help you avoid a serious injury.

Physical Activity Quiz
Test your exercise expertise by answering these questions about the role of exercise: How much? How often? How come?

Pilates: A New Way to Strengthen, Lengthen, Tone - and Recover
Primarily using one's own body weight as resistance, the Pilates method consists of a series of progressive, range-of-motion exercises. The physiotherapeutic exercises are very low impact and ideal for strengthening and toning the body.

Pilates Power: An Overview
The nonweight-bearing aspects of Pilates offer a welcome respite for baby boomers and others with joint problems.

Real Life Exercise!
Our daily lives no longer require the physical activity that our ancestors' lives did. Their day was filled with the physical activity required years ago to run a home and probably a farm. That daily activity kept them lean and fit.

Skiing the Austrian Alps? Pack your mouthguard
Without the proper oral protection, a trek on the mountain bike or finally conquering that ski slope could cause permanent tooth damage.

Sprains and Strains
Defines sprains and strains, lists the causes and symptoms of each, and outlines the differences between these very common injuries.

Top Ten Workout Mistakes
These common workout mistakes are not only counterproductive to your workout, they can be hazardous to your health. Learn what to avoid when working out.

Walking: Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle
Research has shown that the greatest health benefits of exercise occur when sedentary people become moderately active. This is good news to people who thought vigorous activities like marathon running were the only way to get beneficial results from working out.

Watch Out for Acute Stress
Acute stress from sudden forceful movement can cause strains, tears, and even fractures. Learn some sports smarts and avoid injury.

Why Exercise? 10 Reasons to Get Up and Go!
Many people think of exercise only as a way to lose weight or get in shape. But regular physical activity helps us in many other ways as well. From clearing our minds and arteries to fighting off cancer, exercise promotes good health.