September 27, 2008

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - All The Information You Need

VoIP technology is revolutionary in that it combines internet access with telephone service therefore utilizing the same technology for two very different things. Now, instead of having a traditional phone connection, VoIP technology enables you to use your internet broadband connection to make telephone calls.

1) So how does a VoIP phone work?

Firstly, you need a broadband connection and a router. This device works by allowing you to take phone calls as before. However, with a VoIP phone, the connection is now digital instead of through a phone line. A VoIP phone also has a gateway that connects you to a network. Your voice is then converted to a digital sound and this information can be sent in packets enabling you to have great sound and connection to people with and without the VoIP service.

2) What do you need to get started?

Of course, you need a broadband internet connection. Although VoIP can work with other internet service providers, the voice reception quality will not be as it would be with broadband.

3) What are the benefits of a VoIP phone?

The main benefit is that the VoIP phone costs much less that the traditional phone lines. This applies whether you use a cell phone or home phone service. Unlike home phone services, regular long distance callers really notice the benefits of a VoIP phone. The more long distance calls you make the more you save since with a VoIP phone the location of the caller and the person receiving the call is not important. Since you are also able to take you adapter with you, this service is perfect for the travelers among you. VoIP phones are also cost effective if you wish to add to your service. For example, instead of the normal fee of adding a phone line to your traditional home service, you need only pay a minimal amount since those with VoIP phones need to install any additional equipment.

4) Are there any disadvantages of switching to a VoIP phone?

Although there are some disadvantages, however these are minor. Poor voice quality can occur when the reception is poor. However, this is something we already have to contend with cell phones. Also, since a VoIP phone is connected to a broadband connection, if the company supplying you with this connection has any problem with its power supply, then your call will automatically be cut off. This may also occur when there is poor signal in an area.

5) What are the future applications?

Presently, the majority of companies allow you to be online at the same time as making calls. There are no limitations to this service and in this area can only grow and progress in the future. VoIP phone use will become more and more common and easier to use, as digital phones will be made. This means that a customer no longer needs a router and this will lead to VoIP phones becoming more popular than the traditional phone line.

Seymour Brown writes articles for http://www.voip-basics.com

Comments Off

September 26, 2008

The Expanding World Wide Estate Marketplace — Assisted by The Property Index

There are a range of properties in Dubai for sale on Property Index, from villas to apartments.

Although the Property Index online service is actually a fledgling enterprise, doing business since March 2007, they have gained in reputation very quickly. They are actually a unbelievably easy-going enterprise dedicated to offering expert advice to anyone who is attempting to rent, buy, etc. land in the most popular regions of the world. Their avowal is to offer you assistance to light on dead-on what you require very swiftly as well as without pain. Property can be purchased all over the world nowadays, probably the most fashionable area being real estate for sale in Dubai. It’s easy as falling off a log to specify the great properties available in Dubai, one reason for choosing properties here being a combination of the houses and apartments on the market and the option to live amid this bubbly and bouncy people.

It is one of the most popular markets nowadays, and in view of the beauty and the wonderful weather surrounding you all year, who could say no… Property in Dubai is rich in history, this realm of the world is and has always been home to a lot of civilizations. Only 25-30 years back there’d be merely a dribble of English looking for properties in Dubai. Just ask any one single person who has moved to Dubai and they will corroborate it. Most people would will view it as a trend and others will view it as a that’s more or less an obsession. Patrons keen on moving to this place will range from yuppie couples in search of a challenge in life to pensioners who want to relax and enjoy themselves.

There might well be obstacles when purchasing properties abroad — it stands to reason that there are dozens of varied steps be it when organising, sightseeing or finalising. If you miss out on but a single procedure that is sure to easily generate dramatic obstacles not to forget, more important, monetary loss. As you will likely have assumed with this favored location, properties might be high-cost in this area and this, of course, is just due to the growing demand. Regardless of this the buyer is certainly spoilt in terms of choice in such a region blessed by sunshiny surroundings. It can boast the whole ball of wax a client may want, and then some.

Comments Off

September 25, 2008

Jewelry Stores

Festive time is knocking the doors these days and so increased the visit to the shopping stores for some people. If you are also making some shopping plans then it becomes really necessary to know about the perfect and fine jewelry store where you will get everything of your choice within your range. So, forget all about a lavish jewelry store in good locality displaying all glittering jewels to tempt you but their prices are generally really scaring. Therefore, shopping from a good online jewelry store is a very good option these days where you get total satisfaction and worth of your money.

Internet shopping or shopping stores at internet are really wide in their offer. Here, you can get from a cheap jewelry made on inexpensive items like beads and glass to the heavy and costly jewel of diamond, pearls and emeralds. Thus, it is a shopper’s paradise where varieties are so high that you hardly have imagined.

Not only this, here you can also save yourself from dealing with different sales person and decide of your own in comfort of your sitting room. Just click a button and the whole lot of variety will be displayed in front of you. Choose your desirable piece as per your pocket size in great varieties thus; internet jewelry stores are a rage among buyers nowadays.

Internet jewelry stores also provide important specifications about their product to ensure a buyer about their piece as a guarantee. Further, they also undertake the work of getting your possession delivered to you that saves the time and convenience too. These jewelry stores also have a reach to numerous wholesalers and manufacturers that offer great deal in varieties, designs and styles with fluctuating prices so, shopping from these stores are an intelligent and effective way to get your preferred jewels.

Displaying rare and antique jewelries on internet jewelry stores is also a reason for its popularity. As they have a great access to different experts and manufacturers throughout the world, they offer something exclusive and distinctive to cater those who have an unusual taste and division.

So, still if you haven’t tried out the pleasure of shopping from an online jewelry store then at least give it a try. You will surely, get impressed with its greater selection, wide variety and efficient prices that will take your heart easily. Surprise someone with a classy ornament and gift from the world of online stores that is really huge and incomparable.

For more information on discount jewelry stores visit http://www.glimmerrocks.com

Author is an experienced jewelry business expert.

Comments Off

September 24, 2008

Why, How and Where to Buy a Replica Watch

Replica watches are basically inexpensive versions of original branded luxury watches. If you love watches and are interested in building a watch collection, replica watches could be an economical proposition. The beauty of replica watches is that one could buy many models and makes of watches for the cost of one, be it Omega, Tag Hauer, Cartier, Corum, Patek, Franck Muller, Breitling, Vacheron or a rolex replica.

Watch shopping

A watch is an accessory that makes a personal statement. Whether the watch is a simple wristwatch or a jeweled one, a replica watch or an original one, it is a symbol of expression and to most a status symbol. Crafting a watch, down the years has always been a question of elegance and prestige. The mind blowing range of watches available today makes the selection of a wrist watch thoroughly confusing and at times enticing. Although most watches available today use the latest quartz technology and require less or no maintenance.

Retail outlets are always your best bet to buy watches, since they facilitate the inspection of the watch and assure warranty and after sales service. Today’s watches incorporate a lot of steel and titanium because they are more popular, however, the luxury brands also incorporate platinum and gold. Watches also come with a lot of features including date-time functions, chronographs, alarms, water proofing etc. All the features and their use should be kept in mind while making a decision.

However, the availability of replica watches in a retail outlet is a slightly outrageous proposition. Replica watches are marketed by thousands of companies on the internet or hawked on the streets. Most of these companies offer warranty and support anywhere between 30 days to 1 year. If you are considering buying a replica watch from the internet, make sure you verify the price from as many sources as possible and use your credit card to buy one, since it will help in implementing the warranties specified. Try and check the credential of the company, if you can, before you make the purchase decision. Most replica watches are generally available in the range of $100 to $1000. These are exact reproductions of popular brands and models replicated along with logos, markings, serial numbers and all other external features. Replica watches comes from three major sources, Japan, South East Asia and Switzerland. Replica watches from Switzerland are considered the best and thus have a higher price tag.

Replica watches

Replica watches have a very high demand in the growing and “beginning to succeed” breed of people, who would like to enhance their personality and make statement amongst their friends and colleagues. The most popular amongst this class of people is the Rolex replica watch. Rolex being the most sought after brand, a Rolex replica that is Swiss made commands a very high price. Swiss made Rolex replica watches are known to be the best they can come close to the original. They differ only in weight and feel which can be distinguished by the most experienced of hands.

Rolex Replicas: The most common available replica is the popular Swiss brand - Rolex, a brand known for high quality and high price. Genuine Swiss-made Rolex replicas are so close to the real Rolex that it is sometimes almost impossible to identify the difference. However, they differ in weight, feel and many other characteristics which can only be classified by the most experienced eye and hands.

Other brands include Omega, Bvalgari, Patek and Cartier that are in most demand. Replica watches of these brands are also available, however they rank only after the most sought after Rolex replica.

My name is Razvan Marian and I am a freelance writer. I’ve been doing this for quite a while now and I really enjoy it. You get to know a lot of people and cultures all around the globe. Right now I am working for a company that sells replica watches. They have quite a good offer. You can see it here : Replica watches

Comments Off

September 19, 2008

The 3 Rules to Staying Fit

It seems like I’m always telling people that the best way to get fit, boost your metabolism, and constantly burn fat is to make sure that you work out frequently. But much of the time, I think that this is interpreted as “working out five times a week”, or making sure to “get to the gym every day”. While this is a great habit to have, there is a way to incorporate frequency into your program at an even more practical level. For example, a great nutritional practice is to eat frequently, but that doesn’t mean that you try to eat “every day”. You should actually be eating up to 8-10 times per day. Guess what? Exercise is no different. This may cause some jaws to drop, but there is absolutely no reason why you should not be exercising up to 8-10 times per day!

Of course, this sounds absurd and extreme. No one in their right mind is going to come to the gym 8-10 times per day. The good news is that you don’t have to. A great secret to a lean and muscular body is to “grease the groove”. This means that constantly, throughout the entire day, you have small activities that you do to shoot your heart rate up just a little bit. This doesn’t mean you have to breathe hard, sweat or even spend 5 minutes in a routine outside of your normal daily workout at the gym or elsewhere. It just means that you have *something*, some set of rules that you follow, to force you to do just a little bit, now and then, throughout the whole day.

This is where the Three Rule concept fits in. This week, try something new. Give yourself three rules, based on three different exercises. In this case, let’s say the three exercises are: 1) a regular or knee pushup; 2) a body weight squat; and 3) a crunch. The next step is to generate a quantifiable goal that you will reach with each rule. Pick something that is achievable, let’s say 30 pushups, 30 body weight squats, and 45 crunches. So Rule 1 is that each day, you must complete 30 pushups, Rule 2 is that each day you must complete 30 body weight squats, and Rule 3 is that is that each day you must complete 45 crunches. Your regular workout in the gym does not count as a time to complete your three rules. You must finish them sometime outside of your normal workout.

So here’s how a sample day for a working professional might look. In the morning, before your cup of coffee or breakfast, you complete 10 pushups and 10 body weight squats. Then, in the mid-morning, next to your desk at work, you complete 15 crunches. Right before you head to lunch, you do 20 more body weight squats (by the way, this completes Rule 2, and if you get funny looks, just do them in the bathroom stall). After lunch, before you head in from the parking lot, you do 10 more pushups. In the mid-afternoon, it’s 15 more crunches next to the desk. Finally, after you’re off work, at home, next to the couch, or before bed, do 10 more pushups and 15 more crunches. When it’s spelled out all at once, it looks like quite a bit of work, but that entire day probably amounts to perhaps 5 total minutes of exercise. Obviously, that isn’t enough to see a huge response, but when combined with a daily routine of 30-60 minutes at the gym, it’s enough to make a difference, because each time you do something that gets the body and limbs moving, you’re pushing your metabolism up just a little bit. That little bit can amount to double digit pounds of fat in a single year! The added bonus is that after your quick 30-60 second exercise break, you’ll find yourself much more focused and productive.

This is something I do personally. Here are my 3 rules: Rule 1) 10 1 arm pushups or 10 1 leg squats; Rule 2) 50 regular pushups; and Rule 3) 25 body weight squats. I do them all at some point throughout the day. It’s a great reason (or excuse) to get up and take an active break from sitting at the computer or reading a book, as well as great way to jump start the morning. Try it out and tell me what you think - my e-mail is elite@pacificfit.net.

Head trainer Ben Greenfield runs the online training website Pacific Elite Fitness, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sport Science and Exercise Physiology, as well as certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CPT & CSCS). For over 6 years, Ben has coached and trained professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, and helped hundreds of individuals achieve their personal fitness goals. For more information on online personal training and fitness, contact Ben at elite@pacificfit.net.
www.pacificfit.net

Comments Off

September 12, 2008

Mortgage Plans Aimed at Optometrists, Architects etc.

Special mortgage brokerage plans are catering to a few borrowers in select professional occupations. Lots of mortgage agencies can offer superior returns multiples and, furthermore, pretty favorable rates above all to dentists, architects, and others. Naturally solely approaching the house bank or typical mortgage lender unsophisticatedly probably won’t be the most sensible of approaches! They may not be able to fix the best interest rates availabe. At the MORTGAGES FOR PROFESSIONALS syndicate you’ll find expressly skilled mortgage advisers who will assist you in pinpointing the most commendable agreements.

Mortgages for Professionals may boast a lot of years of brokerage know-how and have built long-standing industry relationships with every market leading English agency. As is to be expected this empowers them to propound the most recommended professional mortgage or, alternatively, remortgage plan presently to be had you can hope for. The company’s specifically skilled mortgage adviser will discuss the transaction for the shopper.

You will find that there are scores of benefits in getting the MORTGAGES FOR PROFESSIONALS syndicate to help with that mortgage - the important thing to keep in mind is that they will be able to be of assistance however tough your situation may be! Mortgages for Professionals can be of aid with scores of matters, extending to special greater income multiples mortgages (around five times your salary ), reduced remortgage rates and special reduced deposit mortgage rates; to mention only a few here. There’ll be a great number of motives for someone to decide on that specifically skilled mortgage adviser, but in case you happen to be tied down with other things and need a bit of extra help this specifically skilled mortgage adviser might be rather worthwhile. www.mortgagesforpofessionals.com work with many different banks to broker a great rate for professionals. If you are looking to secure a mortgage, get in contact with one of their experienced mortgage brokers.

Mortgages for Professionals is a rare finance business because they truly listen and you’ll only have to sign your name on the deal. They will state exactly which papers are all right to make available and whom to address for reduced rates for mortgages and remortgages to be had for surveyors, doctors and other professionals.

Comments Off

Defeating Back Pain Forever

Back pain, one of the most common physical, and debilitating ailments today, affects 70% - 80% of us at one time or another in our lives. However, as a result of the obesity epidemic, that number continues to climb. So if you are suffering or have suffered from back pain, you are not alone!

Back pain suffers, resulting from wear and tear and the aging process, generally are over 40 years of age; but it is not uncommon for individuals in the 30’s to experience back challenges. The complex spine changes during aging at varying rates from individual to individual as determined by genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and prior injuries.

Just remember, the odds are in your favor that you will experience some sort of back pain in the future.
So what do you do when that happens, and how do you prevent it from happening again? There lies two, seventy two million dollar questions.

First off, don’t panic! Over 95% of back pain does not require surgery, and will subside on its own anywhere from a couple of days to months. With the back, it is rather tricky to predict how quickly it will heal. Be patient, and keep positive!

Please be aware that some chronic back conditions such as spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and osteoarthritis may never completely heal without a physicians care. Symptoms generally come and go, and then come and go again, where the recipient learns to manage the condition with medication, exercise, physical therapy, spinal blocks, and/or surgical intervention. Treatment all depends on the severity of the condition as determined by the physician’s interpretation of the X-Ray, and/or MRI.

Recovery Tips-

1. Avoid motions that irritate it, but don’t stay in bed for days on end which will weaken you

2. Ice for the first 48 hours, then apply a heating pad thereafter. 15-20 minutes at a time

3. See your doctor if pain persists longer than 1 week.

4. Follow pain medication recommendations (such as NSAIDS)

5. Light massage, and pain free range of motion stretching

6. Light walking (no hills) can help

7. Physical Therapy- massage, electric muscle stimulation, ice, heat, exercise, stretching

8. Pool therapy

9. Don’t panic! Be patient! Most cases will get better over time.

10. KEEP MOVING (pain free movement) is the KEY!

Now that you are managing your back pain, let’s focus on preventing it from occurring
again. Depending upon the severity of your specific back condition, you can decrease the chance
of returning pain, manage ongoing pain, or possibly prevent a reoccurrance. But HOW?

“The Secret Answer” - EXERCISE CORE MUSCLES in synergy with your particular condition.

Your goal should be to safely strengthen your core muscles to the max. The core muscles keep you upright, balanced, and able to maintain your spine in a stable position. The muscles that need to be worked are the back, legs, abdominals, and hips. By keeping these muscles strong, and flexible, it will provide a more secure base adding protection for a vulnerable spine. Warning: if you don’t strengthen your core, the older you get, the weaker your muscles become, and the more vulnerable you will be to pain.

When I mention exercise the core, I am referring to doing the proper exercises for specific conditions. It is impossible for me to tailor this prevention protocol for everyone, since each person needs their own specific program with medical team input. However, I will give you a few basic back strengthening tips. In correlation with your specific condition, you must clear specific exercises with your health care team.

Prevention Tips-

1. Stay active - use back smart exercises on a regular basis

**I will be listing specific back smart exercises in future editions of the multimedia Wellness WORD Newsletter.

To reserve your complimentary multimedia subscription, simply go, right now, to
http://www.WellnessWord.com

2. While walking and exercising, maintain proper spinal alignment (good posture)

3. Keep your weight under control

4. Don’t smoke

5. Strengthen your core muscles

6. Keep the muscles limber and stretched

7. Do cardiovascular exercise ( ex. walk) on a regular basis.

8. Lift with proper form (use legs); proper spinal alignment

9. Contract abdominals throughout the day to protect spine as well as strengthen supporting muscles

10. Avoid the following:

Straight leg sit-ups

Bent leg sit-ups during acute pain

Leg lifts (lifting both legs while lying on your back)

Walking at a high incline

Lifting heavy weights above your waist (shoulder press, standing bicep curl)

Any stretches done while sitting with your legs in a V position

Toe touches while standing

Running or repetitive stair climbing

Excessive spine twisting, and bending

My intention for writing this article is to inform you there is hope. You can get over back
pain, and do certain things to prevent it from returning, or returning with more intense symptoms.

Note: Please consult a physician for clearance prior to starting an exercise program.
__________________________________________________

To receive your Multimedia Wellness WORD Newsletter for NO CHARGE, simply
visit http://www.WellnessWord.com to get the final WORD on health, fitness, and
nutrition in America today.

Discover all the tips, tricks, and truth in multimedia (video, audio, and text).
___________________________________________________

***** Attention: Ezine Editors / Website Owners *****
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your eZine, Blog, Autoresponder,
or on your website as long as the links, text, and resource box are not altered
in any way.

Jim O’Connor- Exercise Physiologist / The Fitness Promoter

Copyright (c) - Wellness WORD, LLC
9461 Charleville Blvd. #312
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
1-866-935-5967

Jim O’Connor, Beverly Hills celebrity fitness consultant, has conducted thousands of personal fitness consultations with celebrites, business executives, and highly motivated individuals throughout Los Angeles. He is the Chief Exercise Physiologist for WellnessWORD, LLC, a health, fitness, and nutrition promotion company. Jim is the author of a wellknown, world wide multimedia newsletter called Wellness WORD, published online every other week promoting the health and fitness truth. He also is the author of a popular
ebook called Home Gym Shopping Secrets.

http://www.WellnessWord.com
http://www.HomeGymShoppingSecrets.com
http://www.HomeGymResources.com

Comments Off

September 10, 2008

The Cybercock Glass Dildo, as Good as it Gets!

The manufacturer responsible for this sex toy, Spartacus are perhaps the most widely recognised and most prestigious companies involved in the design and production of toys. They are manufacturers of a large number of different legendary sex aids such as the Pleasureskin Cock and of course the Nexus O. Spartacus are known for being price competitive, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you are unlikely to see any a lower cost offer offered by a competitor.

The pliable material of the Cybercock makes it possible to achieve penetration at angles that may not be possible during normal intercourse, allowing the user find new pleasures and hither to un discovered parts of your body. This dildo can be bought in a good selection of colors, lengths and widths. The Cybercock has marvelously sculpted ticklers at the base, that will help you take your sexual pleasure to into another league. Not only is it great fun but, the Cybercock is made with non toxic materials, so you can be comfortable in the knowledge that it is genuinely perfectly harmless to enjoy. The Cybercock is equipped with an add on vibrator package, meaning this is sex aid of the best standards.

The Cybercock has remained amongst the best selling glass dildos for the last four years. It’s success is based on the unit’s build quality and competitive price. Originally produced for use by two people, it is never the less perfect for use on those lonely nights. This sex aid is the ideal addition to any dildo connoisseurs collection. The Cybercock dildo is also a favorite with guys of any orientation. This sex aid would make a great first dildo for anyone who does not already own such an aid. The Cybercock can be used for the stimulation of both female erogenous areas.

Comments Off

September 8, 2008

The PS3 Isn’t Just a Game Console

While a new video game console can bring your family entertainment for many hours, picking the wrong one due to bad information can lead to serious disappointment. When you are shopping for a new game console, you may find it difficult as there are so many different options to choose from. There is misinformation everywhere, so the information you are looking for may prove difficult to find.

First off, here are some questions that you need to ask yourself and you should keep in mind while reading:

-What are the types of games that interest you?
Do you plan on buying an HDTV anytime soon or do you already have one?

Why dont we go over your financial situation so we can figure out what your budget is for it?

Which piques your interest the most, playing games with a group or the solo playing experience?
Do you currently have any of the old game systems?

There was a period in time where one could not find a game system that cost more. Fortunately, prices are lower now than at that time. Now priced at four hundred US dollars (it all depends on the model you plan on buying)this price is more comparable. Prices change constantly so chech the latest video games console prices online.

The Playstation 3 is more than another mere game console! It has the capability to be a Blu-Ray, CD, or DVD player; as well as; it can upgrade DVDs to HD. Blu-Ray is now the leading high-definition film format; thus, if you’ve got an HDTV but no HD movie player, a PS3 might be a great means of getting both your movie and your gaming needs met in just one place. Without an HDTV display, movies in Blu-ray format don’t provide any better quality. This feature doesn’t translate well for use with a standard definition set.

While the PS2 controller is nearly identical to it, this unique controller utilizes a motion sensing technology known as Sisaxis. The controller, which can be tilted in six different directions, is able to sense which of the directions to which it has been tilted. The results vary from game to game based on well this has been incorporated. Doing it well means you’ll gain lots of experience, doing it wrong means you’ll be nothing more than a problem. You need to keep in mind that the Sixasis controller is missing the vibration feature. The DualShock 3 controller with vibration will not be included with the new PS3’s, even though it has been released, until June 12, 2008.

You will find a lot of the same games for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Comments Off

September 5, 2008

Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Exercising the Abdominals

The abdominal muscles are essential for maintaining good posture and core stability, however many exercisers are unclear on the correct way to exercise them. Traditional exercises for the abdominals include crunches and sit-ups also known as trunk curls and curl-ups. The following are ten things to avoid when performing exercise for the abs.

1. Do not use a machine or contraption of any kind to exercise the abs, body weight and medicine balls are more than sufficient. No contraption or machine will ever work as well as a perfectly performed curl-up performed on the floor.

2. Do not pull on your neck with your hands while performing curl-ups this may cause excessive strain on the muscles and vertebrae and prevents the training of the neck flexor muscles. Rather place the fingertips on the ears.

3. Do not hoist your body up by throwing the arms and shoulders forward. Rather imagine having double-backed tape stuck to your spine and the back of your head and peeling the back slowly off the floor. Starting by peeling the back of the head, then the neck and then upper back off the floor. If you find it impossible to curl up to a 60-degree angle from the floor with the fingers touching the ears, try performing curl-ups with hands on the floor by the sides, pointing straight ahead or folded across the chest. Even laying propped up on a gradient of some kind will help, as this moves the center of gravity further towards the muscle origin, making the exercise easier.

4. Do not perform double straight leg lowering exercises for the lower abdominals and never allow them to be thrown down by a partner. This action can strain the lower back and actually stretch the abdominals and make them weaker. Rather perform double-knees to the chest in the lying position: hold the legs at 90 degrees of hip and knee flexion and then gently peel the tail bone off the floor (not the entire back) to cause a posterior tilting of the pelvis. Also, try performing scissor actions with the legs, but only if the low back remains flat against the floor.

5. Do not perform curl-ups with a straight back. This will only focus on the hip flexor muscles (iliopsoas) and may strain the lower back. Keep the spine as round as possible both during the upward movement and the downward movement.

6. Do not perform curl-ups with a “hole” in the lower back - this may strain the back, stretch the abdominals and actually make them weaker. Before starting the exercise, perform a drawing in maneuver and tilt the pelvis posteriorly by pressing the lower back into the floor. (Imagine trying to squash a grape under the low back to make sure the lower back remains flat throughout the exercise).

7. Do not perform curl-ups with excessively bent knees, especially if you have tight hip flexors and an excessive forward tilt of the pelvis. It is a common misconception that flexing the hips puts the hip flexor muscles “on slack” making them less able to contribute to the exercise, and targeting the abdominals more. (This assumption is false since the iliacus muscle spans a single joint and can work quite efficiently even near full hip flexion). Repeatedly, exercising in this manner may cause these muscles to tighten and shorten even more. Flex (bend) at the knee and hip only enough to allow the lower back to flatten into the floor.

8. Do not perform curl-ups on an excessively soft or springy surface e.g. a mattress, trampoline (?) or thick foam mat as this will assist in the exercise or make the flattening of the lower back more difficult.

9. Do not fix the feet under a bed or have anyone hold them when performing multiple curl-ups as this will allow for a majority of the sit-up to be caused by the hip flexor (groin) muscles. If the abdominals fatigue or are not strong enough to hold the back flat, the hip flexors will cause an forward tilt of the pelvis and the development of a “hole” in the lower back as discussed in 6.

10. Do not avoid doing abdominal exercises. Many exercisers are reluctant to perform abdominal exercises because they experience more discomfort in their neck and lower back than in their abdominals.

Follow the suggestions and alternatives presented here (and lose bodyfat) and you’ll be well on your way to obtaining the coveted “six pack” abs.

David Petersen is a Personal Trainer/Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and the owner and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Inc. based in Oldsmar, Florida. More articles and information can be found at http://www.bossfitness.com

NOTE: You’re free to republish this article on your website, in your newsletter, in your e-book or in other publications provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this note, author information and all LIVE website links as above.

Comments Off
« Previous entries