Upper-Body and Lower-Body Exercises

Upper-Body Exercises

Upper-body strength and endurance is important in your daily life. To complete daily tasks such as lifting, pushing, and pulling objects, it is important to have good upper-body strength and endurance. Just think of how hard it would be to lift and carry a book bag full of school books if you did not have good upper-body strength. Remember that many cardiovascular exercises use the upper-body, such as rowing, walking, and running. Many sports such as basketball, field hockey, and lacrosse can provide you with an upper-body workout, as well as a cardiovascular workout. In this interactivity, explore several upper-body exercises. Click the player button to begin.

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Lower-Body Exercises

Without your lower body, it would be impossible to do everyday activities such as walking, running, climbing stairs, sitting, and standing. There are many benefits to having a strong lower-body, including improved balance, prevention of injuries, and better athletic performance. Many exercises that improve muscular strength and endurance require little to no equipment. In this interactivity, explore several lower-body exercises. Click the player button to begin.

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Repetitions and Sets

Repetitions and sets are an important part of any fitness routine, especially resistance training. A repetition is a term used to describe the number of times you repeat a specific exercise in one session. A set is a term used to describe the number of times you complete a group of repetitions. Consider the following scenario: as part of your fitness routine, you plan to perform two sets of ten repetitions of squats. This means you are planning to complete ten squats, take a brief rest, and then perform an additional ten squats. When designing your fitness routine, the number of repetitions and squats you plan to perform will depend on your level of physical fitness. If you are beginning a new fitness plan, you may choose to begin with just one set of ten to twelve repetitions. As your level of physical fitness increases, you may decide to increase your number of sets.

 

Upper-Body and Lower-Body Exercises Review

Now that you have investigated a variety of upper-body and lower-body exercises, check your knowledge by completing this non-graded interactivity. Click the player button to get started.