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Tips From The Trainer: Teen Focus

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

A total body workout is the key for teenagers wanting to be in great shape, says Shawn Balow, a personal trainer at Tampa's Downtown YMCA. He should know, as Balow, 33, and oversees conditioning for the student athletes at Plant High, where he's a business education teacher and track coach.

He says a lot of teenagers get caught in "the mirror complex," where they focus only on part of their still-growing bodies. For boys, it's often the chest, while many girls obsess about their legs. Instead, it's more important that they learn early how to do a variety of exercises the right way.

"Establish correct form and technique because that will last a lifetime," he says.

Exercises that work for teens will work well for people of any age. It's all about good fitness and form, Balow says.

This move, featuring Plant High student Trenor Wilkin, works the whole upper body.

EXERCISE: PUSHUP WITH ROTATION

Start in pushup position. Complete a normal pushup.

At top of second pushup, raise one hand off the ground.

Rotate upper body so hand is above your head. Return to normal pushup.

Complete steps one to three with other arm. Then return to normal pushup.

Repeat this alternating procedure the desired number of times.

Need help learning the steps to this exercise? Follow along with a video of personal fitness trainer Shawn Balow's student demonstrating this move at TBO.com, Keyword: Trainer

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