Neck Exercises

Neck Exercises, More For Building A Stronger Neck

I feature neck exercises here not because your neck (or my neck
for that matter) needs to be toned to good beautiful shape but because you
invariably involve your neck when you do various toning
exercises .

So, there's a need to keep your neck strong by exercising your
neck muscles.

You've read or heard instructions like these:

"Tuck your chin into your chest" - this involves your neck.

"Keep your neck in straight neutral position" - this too involves
your neck.

"Hang down your neck comfortably" - this again involves your
neck.....

One way or another, in doing exercises, you'll be using your neck
to support, cushion or balance your head and upper body.

Hence, exerciseing your neck is a good way to strengthen your neck
so that it can provide strong support or cushion for your head and upper body.

Other important reasons why you should do neck exercises:

• Stress and fatigue can show up early in your neck muscles and cause pain
  
  
  
• Poor posture and poor body mechanics can lead to many neck problems
  

Regular exercise for the neck can increase the strength and
flexibility of your neck, and help you to avoid these painful "necky issues".

Then, there's another reason - this time for beauty sake.

I'll show you the type of neck
exercises to do to take away a crepey looking neck with folds of tired
looking, loose skin hanging around it.

In place, you'll have youthful-looking, no-lined appearance skin
around your neck.

Before you do exercise for the neck, it's important you take
note of a couple of things concerning your neck:

• Before you begin, always warm up first
  
  
  
• Your neck is one of the most sensitive and vulnerable parts of your body,
  and one of the most common spots for physical pain
  

  So, when you do the exercises, it's very important that you follow
  good, correct form.
  

  
  
• Carelessness can bring more harm than with other exercises. So, be extra
  careful when you do the exercises
  
  
  
• When doing exercise for the neck, you're to use smooth controlled motion at
  all times. Don't jerk or bounce at all
  
  
  
• If you've persistent and severe neck pain, please consult a doctor before
  doing any of the neck exercises featured here
  

  And if you experience any pain while you exercise the neck, you
  should stop immediately and consult your doctor.

The Warm Up Exercise

Exercise 1

Move your neck forward and backward, side to side, and turn your
head from left to right.

Do 20-30 times of each movement to warm up.

Exercise 2

Tilt your head towards one shoulder, drop your chin down your
chest half circling your head to the other side while keeping shoulders down.

Do this in as full a range of motion as you can without causing
pain.

Don't do full neck circles because you could cause compression of
your cervical spine.

Routine of Neck Exercises

Neck Exercise 1

Tuck chin to your chest.

Bend your head backward to the sky.

Relax. Repeat.

Neck Exercise 2

Bend head to the right towards your shoulder.

Then bend head to the left towards your shoulder.

Relax.

Repeat.

Neck Exercise 3

Keep shoulders straight.

Turn your head to the right as far as you can.

Then turn head to the left as far as you can.

Repeat.

Neck Exercise 4

Note: When doing this exercise, don't bend your waist or
hips

Stand with feet hip-width apart, put hands behind your head.

Bend your upper back to the right. Hold it for 3 to 5 seconds.

Then bend your upper back to the left. Again hold it for 3 to 5
seconds.

Repeat.

Neck Exercise 5

Stand with feet hip-width apart, clasp hands behind your back.

Pull downward towards the floor.

Then inhale deeply.

Stand on your toes and look up to the sky.

Exhale and return to the starting position.

Repeat.

Neck Exercise 6

Push hand against your forehead.

Then push your head against hands, resisting the motion.

Hold for 3 to 5 seconds.

Relax.

Repeat.

Neck Exercise 7

Push your right hand against the side of your head. Then push head
against your hand, towards your shoulder, resisting the motion.

Hold for 3 to 5 seconds.

Relax.

Repeat with your left hand.

Right, you're done with the neck exercises. Just commit to do
the exercises consistently, 3 times a week for a session of about 20 minutes.

You'll have strong neck to support your head and upper body - a
very good PLUS point when your neck is engaged to help you do all other muscle
toning exercises!

OK, how about doing a good stretch for
your neck to round up the exercise routine for your neck?