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Why Climbing Stairs Is The Best Exercise!

climbing stairsYou can run a 5k but running up a flight of stairs tires you out? You can squat heavy and lunge with weights, yet walking up a couple of flights of steps makes it feel like a whole other workout? Here’s a workout that can actually challenge your body, endurance and actual strength and stamina. Climbing stairs is one of the best exercises when it comes to pure FAT BURN, strengthening the lower body, toning the butt, thighs, calves, losing inches from those love handles and belly as well as building great abs. Along with these benefits, it is the immense good it does for your lungs and Cardiovascular System.

Why Should You Choose Climbing Stairs?

  • It is totally free and just about all of us can get access to a set of stairs
  • It leverages gravity and the heavier we are, the harder we’re forced to work and the more calories we burn
  • It is a relatively intense exercise that quickly increases our heart rate and in doing so, can greatly improve our cardiovascular fitness
  • It helps strengthen and shape our most common problem areas like calves, thighs, buttocks and tummy
  • It is a very efficient way of burning maximum calories and is great for those of us with limited time to exercise
  • It can easily be mixed with other exercises like walking, skipping and weight training to maximize results. Stair climbing workouts are easy to build progression into
  • It can be done by almost anyone, regardless of fitness level
  • Because it is weight bearing, it helps build bone strength
  • It is low impact and safe for the knees, provided the correct technique is used and a pre-existing condition doesn’t exist

The way forward with exercise is quality over quantity. Too many people fix a ‘one hour’ workout in their mind and if they can’t find time for that ‘1 hour’, they just don’t do it. Aim for power workouts, 25-30 mins max, where you max out your reps, burn those muscles and really get your heart rate up. 35-40 minutes should include a great warm up and an extremely important cool down.

You can burn more calories walking/running up steps in 30 mins than a 1 hour run or walk, plus it challenges your body. Start off with a couple of flights, walk and run slowly. As you get better, run and then skip 2 steps at a time and run or walk.

In a nutshell, Walking: 

  • Burns More Calories: Stair climbing engages your body’s largest muscle groups to repeatedly lift your body weight up, step after step. Thus, using your muscles to carry your own weight is far higher to running when compared.
  • Maximizes Your Cardio Efforts: It also raises your heart rate immediately, thus, maximizing your cardio benefits
  • Increases Core Muscle Strength: Climbing stairs is a great way to amp your core muscle strength
  • Tones & Sculpts Your Body: It also engages every major muscle in your lower body — glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, abs and calves to exercise and thus tones your body better
  • Low Impact Workout: You don’t have to ideally sweat it out while climbing stairs. Just a few stairs every day will give you a good workout

Safety First: Never run down the stairs, be confident while running up and take a break when needed.

Start doing this regularly and soon, you will be running up flights of stairs, feeling fitter, younger, stronger and leaner! 

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this article with your fellow fitness enthusiasts.

You can find more articles on fitness here. If you’re stuck indoors and don’t have access to stairs, you can join our certified experts for a live, interactive GOQii PRO session where you’ll get one-on-one guidance in real time. Book a class now through the GOQii App.

#BeTheForce 

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Planks: The Quick and Easy Way to Stay Fit!

Benefits of Planks

With everyone’s busy schedule, even squeezing in a 15 minute workout seems like a stretch. Quite honestly, we all want to be fit, lose weight, gain muscle, reduce belly fat or increase stamina and so on, but very rarely find the time to do it. In such a scenario, it is necessary to think about which workouts consume less time but are more effective. There are many exercises that you can perform at any time, anywhere and with no equipment. One such workout is Planks.

Planks strengthen your mid-section, upper-body and lower-body muscles along with the front of your body. It also strengthens the inner core muscles that support your joints. At a time, it works on all your core muscles. It can also help you improve posture, balance and overall fitness.

How To Hold A Plank

  • Lie face down with forearms on the floor and hands clasped
  • Extend your legs behind the body and rise up on the toes
  • Keeping your back straight, tighten the core and hold the position for 30-60 seconds (or as long as you can)

Plank Variations and How to Perform Them

There are different variations for the plank which are a little difficult to perform. Let’s explore them!

  1. Side Plank: Roll to the side and come up on one foot and elbow. Make sure your hips are lifted and the core is engaged. Hang tight for 30-60 seconds (or as long as you can)
  2. Reverse Plank: Start by sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Place your palms on the floor, below your shoulders, squeeze your buttocks and thighs, and then push your body up into a reverse plank position. Alternatively, you can begin by placing your elbows rather than your hands on the floor, for a less dramatic lift. Keep your body in a straight diagonal line from your shoulders to heels. Ensure that your hips are in line
  3. Dynamic Prone Plank: Starting with a standard plank position, raise the hips as high as they can go and then lower them back down. Continue this movement for as long as possible. Make sure the Back stays straight and the hips don’t droop.
  4. Plank to Push-Up: Starting in a plank position, place down one hand at a time to lift up into a push-up position, with the back straight and the core engaged. Then, move one arm at a time back into the plank position (forearms on the ground). Repeat alternating the arm that makes the first move
  5. Jumping Jack Planks: There are planks, and then there are planks with pop! Start in a traditional plank (shoulders over the wrists and the body in one straight line) but keep your feet together. Then, simply do jumping jacks with the legs, moving them out to the sides, then back together. Aim for 12-15 hops (out and in is one)

Fun Fact: Just by holding a plank for 30 secs a day, you can make your core stronger. It also helps you lose fat!

One word of caution is being careful when performing planks. Overdoing it could lead to injury. This is important if you have back pain or an injury. If you’re trying it for the first time, get into it slowly and gradually till you can hold the plank for longer duration. The duration can be increased with  practice.

Points to Remember

  • Keep breathing while doing the Plank. In essence, don’t hold your breath
  • Ensure that your hips, head or shoulders do not drop
  • Don’t place your hands very close, it can create internal rotation and instability in your shoulder joint
  • Try to hold the Plank in a proper position for a short duration rather than holding it in a wrong position for a longer time

What do you think? Try out planks and its variations and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can find more articles on fitness here. You can also join our certified experts for a live, interactive session on GOQii PRO. Book a class now from the GOQii App.

#BeTheForce

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व्यायाम को एक आदत बनाने में आपकी मदद करने के लिए 6 ट्रिक्स

व्यायाम को एक नियमित आदत बनाने का प्रयास करेंअमूमन जब आप आपने बॉडी शेप में आने के लिए एक नया वर्कआउट रूटीन सेट करते है, तो आपके इरादे अक्सर आपके एक्शन से मेल नहीं खाते। आपको एहसास होने लगता है कि कुछ हासिल करने का इरादा रखने और उस इरादे को पूरा करने के लिए वास्तव में काम करने के बीच एक बड़ा अंतर है। इसके बारे में खुद को परेशान नहीं करने की जरूरत है। हमेशा कोई न कोई रास्ता होता है जो इस अंतर को कम कर सकता है। आइए कुछ तरकीबों पर गौर करें जो वर्कआउट को आपकी आदत बनाने में आपकी मदद कर सकते हैं!

एक्सरसाइज को आदत कैसे बनाएं

  1. एक लक्ष्य निर्धारित करें और खुद को उसका एक रिमाइंडर भेजें: मैं कसरत करना चाहता था क्योंकि मैं हमेशा एक सैनिक की तरह फिट रहना चाहता था – यही मेरा लक्ष्य था। मैंने अपने फोन पर सुबह 5 बजे के लिए “एक सैनिक की तरह फिट रहें” के लिए एक रिमाइंडर सेट किया। यह मेरी सुबह के अलार्म के रूप में भी काम करता था। एक ऐसा लक्ष्य निर्धारित करें जहां आप हर रोज खुद को याद दिलाएं और आप जब तक अपना वर्कआउट पूरा ना कर लें आपको नींद नहीं आनी चाहिए।
  2. दोस्त को चुनौती दें: जिस दिन आप वर्कआउट शुरू करने का प्लान बनाते हैं, उसी दिन अपने दोस्त को चुनौती देदें। मैंने अपने दोस्त को मैसेज किया, “अरे, अगले 30 दिनों में, मैं अपना स्टैमिना 6/10 से बढ़ाकर 10/10 करने जा रहा हूं’। यकीन मानिए, आपका दोस्त आपको यह कभी नहीं भूलने देगा कि आपको रोजाना व्यायाम करने की जरूरत है।
  3. 21/90 नियम का प्रयोग करें: यह नियम कहता है कि किसी आदत को बनने में 21 दिन लगते हैं। एक लाइफस्टाइल बनाने में 90 दिन लगते हैं। इस नियम के अनुसार आप 21 दिनों तक एक भी दिन स्किप नहीं कर सकते। इन 3 हफ्तों में एक्सरसाइज आपकी आदत बन जाएगी। और एक बार जब आप इसे करने में सक्षम हो जाते हैं, आप इसे अगले 90 दिनों तक करना जारी रखेंगे।
  4. 1 रेस्ट डे के साथ खुद को रिवार्ड करें: 1 दिन अपने “रेस्ट डे” के रूप में रखें। यह आपकी मांसपेशियों की रिकवरी के लिए भी महत्वपूर्ण है।
  5. इसे आनंददायक बनाएं: ऐसे में आपका पसंदीदा म्यूजिक एक जादू का काम करेगा।  बिना बोर हुए आप अपनने वर्कआउट से प्यार करने लगेंगे। यह वास्तव में कुछ ऐसा है जो मैं करता हूं और इसका भरपूर आनंद लेता हूं।
  6. बेबी स्टेप्स लें: आखिरी लेकिन सबसे काम की ट्रिक – जब मैंने वर्कआउट शुरू किया, तो मै पूरे “जोश” में था। मैं सेट्स और रेप्स की गिनती करना भूल गया और बहुत सारी एनर्जी के साथ वर्कआउट किया। मुझे हमेशा से लगता था कि जितना ज्यादा वर्कआउट करूंगा, उतनी ही जल्दी मुझे परिणाम मिलेंगे। लेकिन हुआ ठीक इसका उलटा। दूसरे दिन के वर्कआउट के लिए मेरे पास कोई एनर्जी नहीं बची थी। तो, यह मेरे लिए एक सबक के रूप में था – शुरुआत में बहुत ज्यादा करने से बर्नआउट होता है; जो आपकी वर्कआउट कि आदत के छोड़ने का कारण बन सकता है। तो, शुरुआत में 15-30 मिनट के लिए हल्की तीव्रता वाले व्यायाम से शुरुआत करें। हमारा एकमात्र उद्देश्य नियमित होना है – यानी कि हम बिना किसी दिन नागा किये रोज़ाना वर्कआउट करते रहे। “एक समय में एक कसरत। एक बार में एक दिन। एक समय में एक भोजन” – चालेन जॉनसन।

अब जब आप इन आसान ट्रिक्स के बारे में जान गए हैं, आइए वर्कऑउट्स को एक आदत बनाने का लक्ष्य रखें! अच्छी सेहत की चमक का आनंद लेने के लिए अपनी व्यायाम का आनंद लीजिए।

यदि इस लेख ने आपकी मदद की है, अपने विचार हमें नीचे कमेंट्स में बताएं। आप यहां मोटिवेशन और फिटनेस पर और लेख पढ़ सकते हैं। यदि आप लगातार बने रहना चाहते हैं या काम करना शुरू करना चाहते हैं, GOQii PRO पर लाइव, इंटरैक्टिव, मज़ेदार सेशन के माध्यम से एक विशेषज्ञ से सही मार्गदर्शन प्राप्त करें। GOQii ऐप के माध्यम से अभी क्लास बुक करें।

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Effective Stretches For Muscle Recovery After A Workout

muscle recovery

Every athlete, no matter how good, always follows a workout pattern to avoid injury, pain or stress to muscles. This usually begins with a warm up and ends with a cool down. Both are necessary as they improve performance, reduce the risk of injury and decrease muscle tension. They also improve flexibility, keep the blood flowing and help one attain better posture while reducing any aches and pains. If you have been skipping stretching due to a lack of time, we can try some of these quick, simple and effective stretches for muscle recovery after every workout.  

Stretches for Muscle Recovery Post Workout 

To get started, we must focus more on the muscles used during the workout. 

1. Gentle Walk or Jog 

A very light jog or walk is the simplest and the most perfect way to cool down naturally. You can do spot jogging or move around the room at a normal walking pace. 

2. Hip Flexor Stretch in Lunge Position hip flexor lunge

  • Get into the lunge position starting with both hands on the left knee
  • The right knee and calf should be on the ground
  • Now use your right hand to slowly pull up your right foot until you feel a stretch in your hip area
  • Hold the position for 20-40 seconds
  • Slowly release and repeat for the left leg

3. Toe Touchtoe touch

  • Stand with the feet together or shoulder-width apart
  • Keep the knees straight, do not lock it
  • Bending at the hips, slowly lower the head down toward the knees, keeping the back as straight as possible
  • Reach towards the toes, and let the neck relax
  • Hold for up to 20-40 seconds
  • Rise slowly back up to standing position.

4. Standing Calf Stretchmuscle recovery - standing calf stretch

  • Stand near a wall with feet shoulder width apart
  • Place one foot in front of the other, front knee slightly bent.
  • Keep your back knee straight, your heel on the ground, and lean toward the wall.
  • Feel the stretch all along the calf of your back leg.
  • Hold this stretch for 20-30 seconds.

5. Standing Quad Stretchstanding quad stretch

  • Stand upright with your feet together
  • Raise the heel of one leg up behind you and pull that leg up towards your butt with your hand
  • Keep pulling your leg up until you feel it stretching your quad, but not to the point of pain
  • Hold the stretch for a few counts and then switch sides

6. Seated Hamstring StretchSeated Hamstring Stretch

  • Sit down with both legs straightened out in front of you, knees and heels together. Then reach both arms forward towards your toes to feel a stretch through the back of the legs.
  • If possible, try and hold your toes in this position for a minimum of 60 seconds while taking deep, slow breaths
  • Keep your legs straight, without letting the knees buckle. If you’re unable to reach your toes while keeping your legs straight, you can hold the end of a towel looped around your foot
  • As you hold this stretch and feel your muscles start to adjust and relax, you can start going deeper on your exhale and hold, which will slowly increase your hamstring flexibility

7. Seated Twistseated twist

  • Sit on a mat and stretch the legs out in front of the body
  • Bring the left leg over the right leg and place the left foot on the floor, bending the left knee
  • Twist to the left and use the right arm to press the left knee gently inward
  • Hold for 30 seconds
  • Untwist and repeat on the other side

8. Overhead Tricep Stretchoverhead tricep stretch

  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and roll your shoulders back and down to release any tension
  • Reach your right arm up to the ceiling, then bend your elbow to bring your right palm down toward the center of your back
  • Bring your left hand up to gently pull your right elbow downward
  • Hold this stretch for 20 to 30 seconds before switching arms
  • Repeat on both sides 2 or 3 times, attempting to get a deeper stretch with each repetition.

9. Child’s Posechild's pose

  • Kneel on the floor with your toes together and your knees hip-width apart. Rest your palms on top of your thighs
  • Lower your torso between your knees. Extend your arms alongside your torso with your palms facing down. Relax your shoulders toward the ground
  • Hold for 30-40 seconds
  • Bring the arms back in and slowly sit up

Few Tips To Prevent Injuries 

  1. Do not over stretch yourself, listen to your body and stop if you feel pain
  2. Maintain correct posture, or else you might end up stretching the wrong way which will cause more harm than good
  3. Inhale and exhale through your stretches
  4. Always start at a slow pace to last longer.

If you have any injury or medical condition, perform the stretches under supervision and talk to your healthcare provider before starting any program. If you’re unsure on how to perform stretches correctly, do it under a certified trainer’s guidance. You can book a LIVE, interactive, online, GOQii PRO session from the GOQii App, where you can get one-on-one guidance in real time by certified fitness experts.

We hope this article on effective stretches for muscle recovery helps you. For more articles on fitness, check out Healthy Reads now! 

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]