April is National Kite Month. Who knew? On March 20th, we officially transitioned to Spring having already been teased with a sprinkle of some warm days in the high 60s. Spring is the time of the year when most kite fliers begin to pull their kites out of the closet, dust them off and prepare for flight. Another fun fact? Flying a kite has real health benefits. It helps engage your eye muscles by watching the bobbing shapes against the blue sky. Looking up also helps stretches your spine and counteracts some of the effects of sitting at a desk all day, while looking down helps stretch neck and shoulder muscles and promotes flexibility. Not only that, but you also have to find (and walk to) a nice open space, and often run to launch that kite into the sky. The excitement you feel may even increase your heart rate for a quick cardio burst. I realize that flying a kite 3-5 times during the work week is a difficult monthly challenge to complete. Instead, we will honor National Kite Month with our own interpretation of a “Fly Challenge.” (Health Benefits of Flying a Kite, 2018)
The chest muscles (aka pectorals or pecs) are one of the key muscles groups that sometimes get overlooked when developing a fitness regimen. The legs, the abs and the arms generally receive all the love, but we forget how working the chest can result in both improved strength and posture. And the benefits don’t end at the physique. These muscles are necessary for essential functions used throughout the day. You use your chest to push open a door, wash your hair and get up and down from the floor. The chest muscles are also essential to moving the arms up and down and across the body. (Waehner, 2020)
A Chest Fly is an excellent exercise to target those chest or pectoral muscles (I think you see where I am going with this). The Chest Fly can be performed on a flat bench or on the floor with dumbbells (you could even use two jars of spaghetti sauce or two unopened bottles of wine if you don’t own weights). The Chest Fly works your triceps, your shoulders and your pectorals. Start by lying on your back with your feet on the floor. Hold one weight in each hand so that your palms are facing. Now, breathe in as you lower the dumbbells to the side of your body in a wide arc until you feel the stretch in your chest. It is important to use proper form. Be sure not to arch your back or swing your arms! You are using the triceps when you extend your arms behind you, and you are working the shoulders and chest every time you return to the starting position. (Weishaupt, 2022)
So, let’s fly throughout the month of April. Join us and follow along with Tycor's Fly Like a Kite Chest Fly Challenge!
And if you do have the opportunity this month, GO FLY A KITE, and be sure to send us picture as your kite catches the wind!
As always, we do recommend you contact a physician when starting a new exercise routine-this is no exception.
How can we help you? We are always happy to answer your questions...feel free to CONTACT US!
Sources:
Health Benefits of Flying a Kite. (2018, August 13). Retrieved from visitrockawaybeach.org: https://visitrockawaybeach.org/health-benefits-of-flying-a-kite/#:~:text=Flying%20a%20kite%20helps%20your,shoulder%20muscles%20and%20promotes%20flexibility.
Waehner, P. (2020, December 23). Why You Need to Work Your Chest Muscles. Retrieved from www.verywellfit.com: https://www.verywellfit.com/your-best-chest-1229817
Weishaupt, J. (2022, June 26). How To Do Chest Flyes. Retrieved from www.webmd.com: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/how-to-chest-flyes#:~:text=The%20chest%20fly%20is%20a,with%20just%20their%20body%20weight.