Desk jobs can pose a risk to your health. Poor posture can lead to muscle imbalance and postural deviation and can lead to pain, which if left unchecked can lead to injury. Who knew sitting at a desk could cause a repetitive motion injury.

Just like in the 7th inning stretch in baseball, stretching in our daily lives is crucially important to decrease muscle tightness which leads to imbalance, pain and potential injury. Static stretching all if the major muscle groups frequently is one tool in your wellness arsenal to maintain a balanced and healthy body.

This post will address how to stretch the deltoids and pectoral muscles, which are often tight in people who spend a lot of time at a desk or on a computer. Improving flexibility in these areas will improve muscle balance between the chest and upper back which will decrease shoulder and neck pain, and decrease the risk of repetitive motion injury in the neck and shoulder areas.

If you work at a desk or in a seated position this blog is for you. Imbalance in the muscles of the neck can cause postural problems in the neck and shoulders leading to chronic pain and possible permanent injury. Maintaining flexibility in the neck and shoulders can alleviate many of these possible problems.

This blog focuses on Static Stretches for the "Calf" or Gastrocnemius Muscle located in the lower leg. Focusing on improving flexibility in this area will improve muscle balance and decrease the risk of pain and injury in the lower leg.

In this blog the Achilles complex, which includes the Soleus and Planters muscles, are discussed and examples of static stretches focused on the lower leg are given. Static stretches focusing on this area can decrease foot pain including plantar fasciitis and help create balance in the muscles of the lower leg decreasing risk of injury.

This stretch is called the Standing Quadriceps Stretch. It's a simple stretch, but is effective in helping to loosen the hips and front part of the thigh. Add this stretch to any well balanced static stretching routine to decrease muscle tightness and imbalance which can lead to pain and injury.

There are a few good stretches that can be performed to improve the flexibility of the hamstrings. Hamstring tightness can attributed to low back and hip pain, and can lead to muscle imbalances that can put a person at high risk for injury.

The adductor complex of muscles are located in the inner thigh and are responsible for moving your leg toward midline. Static Adductor Stretches can increase the flexibility of the inner thigh improving muscle balance decreasing risk of pain and potential injury.

If you have had knee or hip pain this blog is for you. In this blog, we focus on Static Stretches for the Abductor Complex of Muscles which includes the Tensor Fascia Latae (TFL), Illiotibial (IT) Band and all of the Gluteals, which are responsible for which move the leg away from midline. Focusing on flexibility in this area will improve muscle balance in the area decreasing knee and hip pain and reducing the risk of injury in these areas.

This entry will focus on Static Stretches for the Flexors of the hip. This area is important, as tightness in this area can cause instability in the hips and lead to lower back tightness and pain. Static stretching can help to improve muscle balance which decreases pain the risk of injury.

If you sit at a desk, and have low back pain, this blog is for you. This entry will focus on Static Stretches for the lower back. These are important areas to focus on as most people who sit at a desk suffer from muscle tension in pain in this area.

In this entry, we review 2 stretches focused on the abdominal (stomach) region. The abdominals are active with all movement and essential for stabilization and balance. Proper balance in the abdominal and core regions will not only improve performance, but decrease risk of injury.

This entry focuses on Static Stretches for the Latissimus Dorsi and Triceps Brachii. These muscles are important to stretch in order to balance posture and keep the shoulders in a neutral position. Improving flexility in this area will decrease upper back pain and improve overall posture, decreasing the risk of injury to the shoulder and neck. .

This entry focuses on Static Stretches for the Upper Back and Shoulders. People with shoulder and neck pain often find that they have muscle tightness in these areas, and this stretch helps alleviate this tightness. Imbalance in this region can impinge on shoulder function and lead to neck and upper back imbalance, increasing risk of pain and injury in these areas.

If you want to accomplish any goal, the first step is to "show up." This post shares inspiration from the smart Jedi warrior, Yoda, and will help you eliminate your excuses when it comes to health and fitness.

Our brains have an amazing capacity to push us through any difficult challenge. This post will help you learn to "amplify your yes" and provides valuable insights from the world of neuroscience.

This blog post goes into the details of the Integrated Resistance Training model for Optimum Performance (or OPT model™). The OPT Model is a phase-specific integrated training program designed to produce consistent physical, physiological and performance improvements in all clients. The components of the integrated training model are flexibility, core, balance, strength, power, speed, agility, and quickness. If you are looking to make gains in your workout program, the information in this blog is for you.

People talk about working their "Core Muscles" all the time, but what is the core and how do you work the core effectively. This post will cover core training techniques and summarize how to progress your core work program so that you can make the gains in stability, strength and power that you desire.

Plyometrics, or Reactive Neuromuscular Training, is a popular addition to any workout. By including quick powerful movements involving eccentric contractions immediately followed by an explosive concentric contraction one can enhance neuromuscular efficiency, rate of force production and reduce neuromuscular excitability of the central nervous system. Whether you are a Crossfit superstar, or just a fitness enthusiast, plyometrics can be a good addition to your workout.

Speed, agility, and quickness are some of the most important biomotor skills required to be success in all sports. If you are an athlete, the ability to accelerate, laterally move, and redirect movement in all planes of motion are crucial skills. Whether you are a sprinter, powerlifter, football or soccer player; speed, agility, and quickness training is for you.

Many people know to incorporate cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, but forget about the importance of maintaining their flexibility as they are getting stronger. This post goes through the purpose of flexibility training, some definitions that are important to know about flexibility, and some guidelines to help you address your flexibility issues.

As people age, it is usually not a lack of strength that leads to injury, but rather a loss of balance that can result and a devastating fall. Training for improved balance will equip you to maintain your center of gravity and move more efficiently with minimal risk of injury. Balance training should be a component of any well integrated workout program.

Integrated Dynamic Fitness Training is a systematic approach to fitness training which incorporates Flexibility, Core training, Balance Training, Reactive Training, Speed Training and Resistance Training. If you are looking to get results, progressing along this continuum will allow you to make steady gains with minimal risk of injury.

If you have headaches and your upper back gets tired you might have upper crossed syndrome.

Stay fit and have fun working out with your newborn. Alternative exercises incorporating your baby so you can bot stay healthy and fit.

It's Monday and time for a dose of motivation!

Want to see what it's like to work out at X Factor? Check out this video.

Making daily choices related to nutrition, exercise, stress management, safety and general health is the only way to live a healthy and fit life. In my work as a fitness professional, I have noticed that…