The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. 

The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.

Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

 

~George Bernard Shaw~

Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out.  That is what it is for.

Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself.

 

~George Bernard Shaw~

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the
desire to beat others.

--
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Medicine Ball Workouts – Complete Body Workouts With Just A Medicine Ball

 

Weighted medicine ball workouts can be a highly effective way to train your body. You can target almost every muscle in your body, producing gains in strength and flexibility. The range of motion allowed by the medicine ball makes it superior to many forms of resistance exercise, and with the added benefit of throwing, it is very effective.

Medicine ball workouts can be one of most efficient ways to improve your body when you have limited space and resources. They take up almost no room and the investment in buying a quality ball is very low.

Here are a few exercises you can do with a medicine ball to improve your body.

The Woodchopper – Start with your feet spread approximately shoulder width apart. Hold the ball high over head with both hands. Bring the ball down swinging it like an axe, coming between your legs. Maintain control all through the swing, not allowing yourself to get wildly out of control. Go back to the top position and repeat until you have done 20 reps.

The Squat Press – Hold the ball in front of you at chest level with both hands. Bend deeply at the knees. Now quickly stand to an upright position while extending both arms high about your head. The movement looks very similar to shooting a basketball. Do 20 reps.

Weighted Ab Crunches – Using the medicine ball for weight on your chest, do abdominal crunches lifting your head and shoulders. Do a minimum of 20 reps.

Seated Twist – Sit down on the floor with your legs in front of you. Holding the ball extended directly in front of you twist your body slowly side to side. Go as far as your range of motion allows. Do 20 reps to each side.

Toe Touches – Lying on your back bring your legs up to a 90 degree angle. With the ball held straight out behind you on the floor, lift with your arms and shoulders bringing the ball up to touch your toes. This one will give you a great burn. Do 20 reps.

Circles Swings – One of the most basic of the medicine ball workouts movements is the circle. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold the ball in both hands, down in front of your. Now with complete control bring the ball in a full circle going to the left. Once you are at the bottom reverse and go to the right. Complete 20 reps in both directions.

Medicine ball workouts are not difficult or complex. They are simple movements using the weight of the ball for added resistance. Due to the ease of movement, full range of motion, and resistance they are a favorite method of training for many trainers and sports fitness experts. They are easy on the joints and easy to handle. You can develop great physical condition with just a simple medicine ball. Give it a try, it is fun and challenging at the same time.

 

"I like work - it facinates me.  I can sit and look at it for hour."

 

If the rock falls on the egg,  too bad for the egg.
If the egg falls on the rock,  too bad for the egg.

-Anonynous

Is Pau Gasol still among the best active power forwards in the league? NBA Special

Is Pau Gasol still among the best active power forwards in the league? NBA Special

After having another outstanding regular season in Los Angeles Lakers uniform, the Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol's performance received a major setback in this year's play-offs which brought forth a burning question on Gasol's competency for the first time in his sparkling career.

Looking to defend the NBA title for the second time running, the Los Angeles Lakers crashed down against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semi-finals. They were swept by the eventual NBA Champions 4-0 and a part of that thrashing has to do with Pau's poor performance.

After the Lakers exit from the playoffs, many questions were raised as to whether Pau Gasol is still worthy of the reputation of being among the top power forwards in the league.

Although Gasol has lost the agility and athleticism at the age of 31, however it's too early to remove him from the list of top active power forwards in NBA on account of just one play-off trip.

Coming in NBA with the third overall pick during the 2001 NBA Draft, the 31-year-old Gasol grasped all the attentions with his extra special abilities and strength on the court. During his first year in the league with the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds and went on to win the NBA rookie of the Year award.

On the start of his career, Gasol earned the reputation of a constant double-double threat and transformed a weak Grizzlies' line-up into a formidable threat. Four-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol played six complete seasons in Memphis Grizzlies uniform and helped the team to race away into the play-offs three times.    

The ultimate attention that was drawn by Gasol pushed the Western Conference elite, Los Angeles Lakers to make a run for the big man. During the 2007-2008 season, Lakers acquired Pau which eventually brought a much needed boost up in the team after the departure of the legendary Shaquille O'Neal.

Los Angeles Lakers was struggling big time since Shaq left the franchise as the whole burden was shifted on the sharp-shooter Kobe Bryant. Lakers missed a play-off berth and were eliminated in the first round two times before having Gasol on the roster.

Pau Gasol's arrival turned out to be the revival for Los Angeles Lakers. Playing first complete season with the power forward Gasol, Lakers busted who ever came in their way and became the NBA champions once again. The next season depicted the same scenario in which Gasol and Bryant absolutely dominated the NBA teams and clinched the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the second straight year.    

After making into the play-offs as expected in the last season, Gasol's performance descended considerably on the big platform which ultimately pulled Lakers out of the Championship contention in the Western Conference semi-finals.

There is no doubt that Pau Gasol's performance was no up to the mark in the post-season in which his scoring average dropped down to 13.1 points from 18.8 in the regular season. However, considering the incredible talent he carries, it's too early to have him out of the top active point guards list. Pau Gasol still has some good years left in his career and he will definitely recuperate in the next NBA season.