Strength training has gained traction as a foundational component of any well-rounded fitness regimen. Renowned health organisations and industry experts emphasise its importance not just for athletes or bodybuilders but for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Incorporating strength training into your daily exercise routine can be a proactive approach towards maintaining optimum health, which in turn may be helpful if you’re applying for health insurance.

Here’s a concise guide on how to do strength training at home.

Steps to do strength training at home

Designate an appropriate space

Selecting the proper environment is paramount. Begin by identifying a suitable area in your home that provides enough space for movement. This not only ensures safety but also maximises the effectiveness of each exercise. A well-ventilated room with adequate lighting can also enhance your training experience.

Gather essential equipment

While strength training exercises mainly capitalise on using one’s own body weight, integrating specific tools can enhance your workout sessions.

• An exercise mat provides crucial cushioning and grip, ensuring stability during workouts.
• Resistance bands or tubing offer dynamic tension exercises, adapting to different strength levels.
• Dumbbells, known for their adjustable resistance, can be very useful. As a budget-friendly alternative, filled water bottles can serve as initial weights.

Commence with a warm-up

Every effective workout begins with proper preparation. Before diving into the main exercises, dedicate 5 to 10 minutes to warm up. Activities like a brisk walk or spot jogging can elevate your heart rate, readying your muscles and joints for subsequent activities.

Start with bodyweight exercises

Basic yet powerful, these exercises rely solely on your body’s weight.

• Lunges: This robust exercise is ideal for the legs and glutes. Pay keen attention to form by stepping forward and bending both knees at a right angle.
• Squats: Incorporate this into your exercise regimen to work your core muscles, shoulders, back, legs and triceps. You can use light dumbbells to add weight.
• Planks: This exemplary exercise targets the core muscles. Focus on maintaining a straight body alignment from head to heels.
• Push-ups: This is a comprehensive upper-body exercise. For push-ups, if you're just beginning, it’s all right to drop those knees down. You‘re still giving your chest muscles a workout.

You know, just like choosing the right insurance plan can be a game-changer, picking a solid workout move can be, too. We're talking about the burpee. Yes, a simple "how to do a burpee" search might've brought you here. This one exercise packs a punch. It's like the Swiss army knife of workouts. The best part is, you don’t need weights or fancy gym equipment. For those wondering how to do burpees - it's a quick move that starts with standing, going to the ground, and then popping back up. Stick around, and we'll break it down for you.

Steps to do burpees at home

If you're searching for a top-notch dynamic full-body workout, burpees are what you need to master. We have broken down the steps to help you do it right.

·       Starting stance

Kick things off by standing upright. Your feet should be about as wide apart as your shoulders. Keep your arms resting by your sides.

·       The squat

Now, push those hips backwards, bend those knees, and drop into a squat (like you're about to sit on an imaginary chair). Make sure that your back does not sag.

·       Hands down 

Place your hands on the ground so that you can see them right in front of your feet. Next, shift your weight onto those hands. Hop and land softly in a plank position. Aim for a straight line from head to toe.

·       Back up

Bring your knees ahead behind your elbows, stretch those arms up and give a little jump. Make sure you land at the starting point of the burpee. When your feet touch down, gear up for the next round.

Chlamydia, an often-encountered bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), generally doesn't manifest noticeable symptoms in the early stages.

Approximately 40-96 per cent of people with chlamydia may not show any signs. Nonetheless, it can still pose health risks in the future.

You may encounter severe complications if chlamydia is untreated. Therefore, it’s vital to have regular visits and discuss any troubles with your doctor or a healthcare expert.

One can contract chlamydia through various sexual activities, including vaginal, anal, or oral contact with an infected partner. Ejaculation is not a factor in transmission. Pregnant individuals with chlamydia can also pass it to their newborns during childbirth.

What Causes Chlamydia?

When it comes to chlamydia, women bear the brunt more than men. The infection rate for women is roughly double that of men in the United States.

• Chlamydia, caused by the bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, can lead to various health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease, pneumonia, cervical inflammation, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

• You cannot pass on Chlamydia through kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.

• You can contract the disease if you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex without using a condom or another barrier method with a partner who has chlamydia. Also, if you're pregnant, there's a risk of passing it to your baby during childbirth.

• It's essential to remember you can still get chlamydia even if you had it before and received treatment. So, if you or your partner notice chlamydia symptoms, don't hesitate to see a doctor promptly.

Face yoga is something you’ve probably heard of if you follow beauty trends or browse beauty content on social media. A wide variety of people, ranging from celebrities to teenagers, swear by the practice of face yoga. It is a set of exercises, stretches and massages for your facial muscles. It intends to promote healthy skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. However, many people still wonder — does face yoga work? Here, we will talk about face yoga’s potential benefits, and how to practice it.

Is face yoga effective?

Face yoga (also called facial yoga) incorporates facial exercises, stretches, and massage methods such as acupressure. It’s believed to counteract stress and ageing indicators like frown lines and sagging skin. While face yoga’s advantages need to be studied better, supporters of the trend believe that it can:

1. Improve blood circulation
2. Make your skin shine
3. Tone and strengthen facial muscles
4. Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
5. Improve dark circles by reducing puffiness
6. Boost confidence and improve mental health
7. Provide musculoskeletal pain relief

Many face yoga practitioners promote the non-invasive technique as a natural facelift. But you might wonder, “How do the alleged advantages match up to the science?” Surprisingly, there aren’t too many scientific studies on face yoga.

Some specialists believe that face workouts help reduce apparent indications of ageing. They may work by retraining weak facial muscles and increasing blood flow to your face, resulting in smoother, brighter skin. Other experts argue that research on these benefits is lacking.

Remember, consistency is essential in any training plan. Aim to do a few minutes of face yoga every day. Be patient, as results may take some time to appear.

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Push-ups are a timeless workout, efficiently engaging various muscle clusters, particularly the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Since you don’t use specialised equipment for push-ups, you can go for them virtually anywhere. Hence they are very popular among those aiming to amplify upper body potency and general well-being.

Yet, the query of an ideal daily count for push-ups remains unanswered. The perfect count hinges on personal fitness tiers, aspirations, and other factors. This piece explores the answer to your question: how many pushups should I do a day?

What Do Push-Ups Do to the Body?

Push-ups, while mainly engaging your upper body, are ideal for strengthening the core, shoulders, arms, chest, and back. Primarily, they target the pectoral muscles located in the chest, triceps in the upper arms, and deltoids in the shoulders. Maintaining proper form is paramount when performing pushups. First, assume a plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Engaging your core muscles, maintaining a straight body alignment, and lowering yourself until your chest is near the ground before pushing back up is crucial. Avoid sagging hips or arching your back to prevent strain on your body.

How Many Push-Ups Should You Do Per Day?

The number of pushups you should aim for daily depends on your fitness objectives.

• For beginners, it is crucial to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. Begin with a manageable number of pushups and incrementally add more over time. A reasonable starting point could be 5 to 6 push-ups performed in 2 sets daily, with a one-minute rest between the sets. These need to be performed in proper form to avoid strain or injury.
• Individuals who have reached intermediate and advanced levels might set more ambitious goals. The range can vary between 50 and 100 pushups per day, split into multiple sets. You may distribute the sets across the day to avoid fatigue and enhance recovery.
• Keep in mind that prioritising quality over quantity is crucial. Concentrate on executing every push-up properly, as an improper technique may result in muscle imbalances and potential harm.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced person, gradual progression is key. When you push yourself too hard early, you risk muscle strain or burnout. Instead, gradually increase the number of daily push-ups, allowing your muscles and joints to adapt and strengthen over time.

What Are the Benefits of Push-Ups?

Including push-ups in your exercise routine has several benefits-

• Improved Upper Body Strength:

  Push-ups effectively strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps, contributing to better performance in daily activities and other exercises.
  
  

• Enhanced Core Stability:

  Engaging the core muscles during push-ups promotes better posture and balance, reducing the risk of back injuries.
  
  

• Increased Bone Density:

  As a weight-bearing exercise, push-ups help build bone density, which is particularly beneficial in preventing osteoporosis.
  
  

• Cardiovascular Health:

  Regular physical activity, including push-ups, can improve heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
  
  

• Convenience and Accessibility:

  Push-ups require no equipment and can be performed anywhere, making them an accessible option for maintaining fitness.
  
  

Conclusion

Remember that muscles require adequate rest and recovery after exercise. Distribute your pushup sets throughout the day and incorporate rest days into your routine. Adding variety to your push-up routine is beneficial. While standard push-ups are effective, incorporating variations can target different muscle groups and prevent monotony.

If you encounter pain or discomfort during pushups, pay attention to your body’s signals and modify your routine accordingly. Don’t overlook the significance of proper nutrition and hydration. These elements play a vital role in muscle recovery and overall fitness. And remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes ensuring you have proper medical insurancecoverage for any unexpected injuries or health concerns.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

Typically, a health plan will offer coverage against several diseases, medical expenses incurred during sudden hospitalisation, reimbursement of hospital bills and other related medical costs.

It is also essential to buy health care policy in India from a reliable and well-known insurance provider. The goodwill of the company will impact the acceptability of your insurance policy across different health care centres. You must also compare health insurance policy offered by private and public sector domains so that you do not miss out on a policy which is within your budget with adequate coverage.

Several health insurance providers allow the insured to customise their insurance plan with add-on covers which will enhance the overall coverage. Not only that, some insurance providers offer the option of structuring the premium as per your convenience. Apart from these factors like entry age, co-payments and deductibles (if any) must be borne in mind when going through different insurance policies on health.

ICICI Lombard offers several health insurance covers which are designed to match the needs of different customers. With the gamut of options made available by such a reliable insurance provider, it becomes extremely easy to compare health insurance policy of your choice with several others and select one which perfectly suits both, your budget and needs. To do this, you can meet with the insurance agent, get quotes and select the policy or simply log in to the company’s website and read through several health insurance plans available. The online mode of research is extremely hassle-free as you have the ease of searching for your health insurance policy at your convenience.

The pursuit of a toned and flat stomach frequently leads people to explore diverse exercises that promise to target stubborn stomach fat.

Planking, a famous isometric exercise, is popular for its promise to sculpt a leaner middle. In this article, we delve into the query: Can planking reduce belly fat?

Understanding the plank

One of the most effective and healthy workouts is the plank. A plank strengthens your body’s core by allowing you to use several muscles at once. Planks enhance posture, increase flexibility and tighten your stomach.

Steps to do a plank

• Place your forearms on the ground in a push-up position.
• Make sure that your elbows are steady, right below your shoulders.
• Hold an upright posture using the middle section of your body.
• As you hold the posture, pay attention to your breathing.
• Make an effort to hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Now kneel down to complete the plank.

Mistakes to avoid while doing planks

Let’s look at the errors you must avoid when carrying out this exercise regimen.

1. Avoid bending or arching your back

• Your shoulder, back and butt must all be in a straight line.
• As you lay down, your lower torso must remain straight, and your toes ought to remain tucked within.
• You should not lean ahead or elevate your head.

2. Avoid pulling your stomach down

• Lowering your stomach while preserving the plank posture may not work because planks aim to tone the belly.
• As an end result, make sure your shoulders and butt are in alignment and that your belly is up.

3. Don’t attempt to hold for a longer duration

If you maintain the plank posture for more than 30 or 60 seconds, you risk losing concentration on your abdominal muscles. You will succeed if you keep the plank position for no more than 30 seconds while maintaining proper form.

There remains a sense of ambiguity surrounding the question, “can pull-ups increase height?” To be clear, engaging in pull-ups does not directly lead to a growth in stature. However, this exercise aids greatly in refining your posture and creating the illusory effect of increased height.

Correct posture relies primarily on robust core muscles and a resilient back that helps keep your spinal column correctly aligned. By fortifying upper body muscles such as arms, back, chest and abs through consistent and appropriate exercises, you can attain an upright posture that gives off an impression of a taller physical stature along with improved balance.

Can pull-ups increase height?

Regularly incorporating pull-ups into your exercise routine holds the potential to enhance the secretion and availability of growth hormones, which could plausibly influence your stature.

Nonetheless, it is imperative to approach this exercise prudently and refrain from putting excessive strain on your physique or unwarranted muscle reinforcement. Employing caution will avert injuries and hindrances in accomplishing your height-related aims.

Performing pull-ups correctly and consistently is important if you want to experience this exercise’s benefits.

The perfect way to do pull-ups

It’s crucial to start with the correct posture to get the most out of your pull-ups. Stand tall beneath the bar, keeping your arms directly above it and your palms facing away from you. Then, jump up to grasp the bar firmly.

The height of the bar should be such that your legs are entirely airborne. Additionally, if you wish to cross one leg over the other, you can do so for the purpose of stabilising your lower body.

Subsequently, gradually lower your elbows while ascending and ensure they point directly down towards the floor. 

Furthermore, it is important to avoid any swinging motion and maintain upright alignment both upward and downward during bar gripping. When reaching the top, you can pause briefly before descending smoothly without jerking.

The right number of pull-ups

Wondering how many pull-ups you need to do daily? You can start with 3-5 pull-ups if you’re a beginner, and go up to 25 pull-ups, 2 to 3 times a week.

Conclusion

Incorporating pull-ups into your weekly strength training routine can be challenging, but it is an exercise that effectively strengthens your upper body and improves fitness in general. Despite its difficulty, the benefits make it worth considering. Even if you are a beginner with pull-ups, simply hanging from the bar or engaging in assisted variations can still contribute to strengthening your muscles.

The pike push-up, a delightful twist to the classic push-up, promises to challenge your upper body in fascinating ways. If you want a powerful exercise that targets your shoulders and challenges your core stability, then learning how to do a pike push-up is your ticket to fitness innovation. Get ready to embrace a new perspective on push-ups as we delve into the steps of how to do a proper pike push-up.

Steps to do a pike push-up

Mastering a pike push-up involves precise movements that target your upper body strength and shoulder muscles. Let’s look at how to do a pike push-up step by step.

Warm-up

Always warm your body up before exercising, including a pike push-up. A few minutes of light cardio and dynamic stretches can help prevent injury.

Start with the right pose

Assume a high plank position, forming a straight line from head to heels. Engage your core muscles; avoid arching or rounding your back.

Create the pike shape

Keep your hands straight and at a width equal to your shoulders. Your fingers should be pointing forward, aligning with your shoulders. Elevate your hips and back towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body. Your head should be between your arms.

Lowering phase

As you bend your elbows, bring your upper body closer to the ground. Your head should move towards the floor between your palms, threading through your arms.

Elevate with power

Push your body back up slowly to ascend to the pike (inverted V) position.

Repeat with control

Do the pike push-up steadily, focusing on maintaining your form and raising your body up and down.

Sync your breathing

Inhale as you lower yourself towards the ground; exhale as you elevate back to the pike pose.

Gradual progress

If the pike push-up seems confusing, start with a simpler version against a wall instead of the floor. Work your way towards the full movement as you gain strength and confidence.

You can consider more challenging forms of pike push-ups if your fitness level allows you to do so. For instance, you can try out the diamond push-up (holding your thumbs and fingers in a diamond shape while doing a push-up), if you’ve already become a pro with the initial stage. But remember to consult a fitness trainer before starting with more challenging versions. Additionally, remember to have health insurance against any accidents or mishaps that might occurs during your exercise. 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to do a proper pike push-up with ease, you can think of variations. This exercise might appear puzzling at first, but with these steps, you can master the technique. Embrace the challenge, add it to your fitness routine, and watch your upper body strength and stability soar. Remember, fitness is a journey filled with intriguing twists and turns, and the pike push-up is a great way to increase your strength. Get ready to push yourself and elevate your upper body workout routine with this intriguing version of the classic push-up.

Most salaried employees who are covered by their employer's group health insurance schemes put off buying personal health covers till they are close to retirement. Some may buy it only after retirement. But it makes sense to buy an individual policy, or at least a top-up even while you continue to enjoy your employer-provided schemes. This is because of the waiting periods which do not allow you to claim immediately after buying the policy. In group policies, there is typically no waiting period.

Most policies have a 30-90 days waiting period, during which you will not be able to claim any hospitalisation expense, except in case of accidents. This is to ensure that the buyer does not purchase the policy immediately after he or she is diagnosed with an illness and then try to claim the money for the treatment.

Then there is a waiting period for specific ailments like cataract, stones (kidney or urinary tract stones), arthritis, hysterectomy, hip or knee replacements and so on. The waiting period in these ailments vary from one to two years. Most companies have a list of 10-20 such ailments. Some companies may have a longer waiting period for those above 60 years.

There is also a personal waiting period which would include ailments like diabetes or high blood pressure, which are discovered at the time of the medical check-up while buying the policy. This waiting period, too, is typically for two years.
Then there is a waiting period for pre-existing diseases which may not get disclosed during the medical check-up. This can be up to four years, which is the maximum limit prescribed by IRDAI.

"Medical check-up is restricted and there could be conditions may not get detected. So, at the time of hospitalisation if the doctor says that the particular condition was pre-existing then it may not get covered," says Divya Gandhi, head-general insurance and principal officer, Emkay Insurance Brokers.