Muscular balance and upper-body fitness are essential for good physical and mental well-being. Oftentimes, the upper body is the first part of the body to show wear and tear from the stresses and strains of daily life. As posture deteriorates, the heart and lungs become physically strained. Think about what a rounded upper back and anteriorly migrated shoulders do to range of motion.
Upper-body exercises are important for maintaining proper posture, aligning the spine, and maintaining joint positioning, as well as strengthening the neck, shoulders, arms, and torso.
In this unit, you’ll learn about how upper-body fitness contributes to the performance of daily activities and exercise programs. You’ll also learn all about how to achieve and maintain a fit upper body.
When you complete this course study material, you’ll be able to:
- List the advantages of having a fit upper body
- Identify some of the activities that benefit from a fit upper body
- Describe several upper-body fitness routines
- Suggest specific exercises for the neck, shoulders, arms, chest, and upper back
- Evaluate upper-body fitness
