Review and Remedy

From boot camp classes to circuit training, jumping jacks are showing up in many hardcore workouts. The trend of doing back-to-basics calisthenics reflects the philosophy of multitasking. Many vigorous calisthenics, including jumping jacks, do more than burn calories. They function as cardiovascular, strengthening and stress-relieving exercises. Make jumping jacks part of a daily or weekly fitness plan and modify them to meet your fitness goals. Aerobic Benefits The primary benefit from doing jumping jacks is that it elevates your heart rate. You breathe more deeply while jumping, which delivers oxygen to your bloodstream and ultimately to your muscles. You burn fat at a rapid rate, promoting weight loss. If you weigh 130 lbs. and do vigorous jumping jacks or other calisthenics, you burn 472 calories per hour. If you weight 155 lbs. you burn 563 calories per hour, if you weigh 180 lbs. you burn 654 calories, and if you weigh 205 lbs. you burn 745 calories. Strengthening Ben...

It's no wonder people are looking to boost their endurance and stamina. With the barrage of obstacle course races popping up across the country and around the world encompassing short sprints and hurculean distances alike, these two traits are key. The thing is, “people tend to focus on  cardio  activities like running or cycling,” says Will Torres, a New York-based personal trainer and founder of the personal training studio, Willspace. But that’s only a small part of the endurance-building equation. "You also need to improve your strength,” notes Torres. When you build your  leg muscles , Torres explains, you’ll better able to propel yourself further in every step you take while running. “The added muscle also helps absorb the impact that would otherwise put stress on your joints,” he adds. If you're looking to take on a Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, or any other endurance race, take a look through Torres' sneak tactics. You're probably not doing these seven...