2 questions

Stella_Mayfair
Stella_Mayfair Posts: 226 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
1) What are electrolytes and why do we need them? How many? In the simplest terms please.

2) What are some great exercises for the back? I want it strong and lean/straight.

Replies

  • mizztanjo
    mizztanjo Posts: 153 Member
    1) Electrolytes, in the easiest terms possible, keep your cells fully charged. (esp nerve, heart, and muscle.)

    2) Yoga!! Yoga is the best thing you can do for your posture :)

    Hope that helps :)
  • parkes93
    parkes93 Posts: 76
    Back exercises would be .. Single arm rows , pull ups , bent over rows
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    You can't fool me. That's four questions.
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    Electrolytes are salts, usually sodium chloride (table salt) and potassium chloride. They keep the body's electrical system (nerves) working properly. For exercise under about an hour, you typically get enough in the foods you eat. Beyond an hour or so, a serving of Gatorade, or a Gu gel or similar supplement every 40 minutes or so is usually enough.
  • Fairytern
    Fairytern Posts: 11 Member
    Well the electrolyte question has been answered sufficiently. As far as back exercises, one must always remember that the spine is like a bridge supported by muscles (suspensions) all around its column. Each side, back AND FRONT. Thus abdominal muscles, (deep and inferior/nearer the surface) should also be worked to ensure balanced strengthening of the back. As is implied in prior answers, stretching and flexibility (yoga for example), are as important as resistance training for a healthy and symmetrical posture. Planks, reverse crunches, crunches on an incline, Russian Twists, Theraball bridging while doing upper extremity dumbbell work, all of these things are useful and effective in my experience.
  • Stella_Mayfair
    Stella_Mayfair Posts: 226 Member
    Ty all and "DavPul" for making me lol. Ok so sodium= electrolytes? B/c I have too much of that sometimes. As far as the back-ty all. I use to dance and was able to do the reverse crunches, but that requires 2 ppl, and for me to arch my back.
  • Fairytern
    Fairytern Posts: 11 Member
    If reverse crunches are too difficult because of back issues, try graded leg lifts. Lying flat on the floor, legs straight and ankles together, raise straight legs to the ceiling and lower as far as you can go without resting on the floor if possible. It's a little more tolerable and you can lower legs as it suites you and get closer to the floor as you get stronger :-)
  • Stella_Mayfair
    Stella_Mayfair Posts: 226 Member
    If reverse crunches are too difficult because of back issues, try graded leg lifts. Lying flat on the floor, legs straight and ankles together, raise straight legs to the ceiling and lower as far as you can go without resting on the floor if possible. It's a little more tolerable and you can lower legs as it suites you and get closer to the floor as you get stronger :-)

    ty. What is the downside of too much sodium?
  • jspanman
    jspanman Posts: 686 Member
    I am so taking up yoga!

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