Sometimes yoga takes a backseat to Pilates when it comes to strength-training. We know yoga can work wonders as a relaxation method, but it's no one-trick pony. There are many different types of yoga to choose from. Hatha yoga, for example, is generally used to describe a gentler, relaxing, beginner-level practice while kundalini yoga focuses on meditation and spiritual practices. In contrast, power yoga can help condition and strengthen the body while also increasing flexibility. Here we give you a mini-yoga routine to the lower body, core muscles and upper body -- all in one shot. Try using it as a complement to your normal resistance-training routine.

Trying to lose weight? Incorporate yoga into your routine to help accelerate weight loss.

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It's a fact that as we age, our bodies don't make muscle as fast as they used to. However, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham now believes that people over 65 may experience a "double whammy" effect that can lead to even greater muscle loss.

In young adults, insulin -- a hormone released while eating -- slows muscle breakdown between meals and while resting. According to the study, as we age, not only are our bodies less capable of building enough muscle using protein from the food we eat, but insulin fails to shut down muscle breakdown that occurs between meals and while we sleep. Researchers suspect that a weaker blood flow in older people may blunt the delivery of the hormone and nutrients.

But it's not all bad news. In a follow-up study, researchers found that muscle breakdown can be reversed through strength training. Over the course of 20 weeks, three weekly 20-minute sessions of weight training helped increase and even rejuvenate blood flow in seniors. The result was so profound that the blood flow in the study participants became identical to that of younger people.

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Next time you're sweating it out at the gym, pump up the volume on your iPod. Recent studies showed that women who listened to their workout tunes a bit louder than usual not only increased the intensity of the workout but were in a better mood too. During the study, women who listened to loud music did 36 reps of the leg press, compared to 29 reps for women who listened to low or medium-volume music and 26 reps for those who listened to no music at all.

While the findings were true for both cardio and strength training exercises, the difference was most noticeable in participants who were pumping iron. Could it be that listening to music takes your mind off the fact that good grief, this hurts like heck? Yep, study author Janet McMordie tells MSNBC: "Psychologically, music gets you pumped up and it also distracts you from what you're doing," she says. Additionally, listening to music helps bust boredom in even the most routine workout.

A word of caution, though -- don't crank your tunes too much. Prolonged exposure to levels of 85 decibels or higher can permanently damage your hearing.

Ready to fire up your fitness? Check out our That's Fit playlist, sure to inspire you through the toughest of sets.

What are your favorite workout tunes?

Photo: Josiah Mackenzie/Flickr

If running makes your knees hurt, you might have a little something called, well, runner's knee. Characterized by pain around the kneecap after running, this condition is usually caused by muscular imbalance of the legs and feet, says Sarah Brown at That's Fit.ca. How's it fixed? With R.I.C.E. -- rest, ice, compression and elevation -- plus some strength training, backward running, maybe even some orthotics and a good pair of running shoes.

Is it possible to go too hard and too long when you're working out? Sure enough, says Love+Blueberries expert Dr. Natasha Turner, author of "The Hormone Diet," who weighs in on how more exercise isn't always better.

Turner often sees women doing too much cardio exercise, like running five days a week for up to an hour. You don't need to work out for an hour straight, says Turner, because unless you're a very conditioned athlete, after 40 minutes of exercise, your stress hormones will start to rise -- and this tears down your muscles. Going shorter is key -- and so is strength training.

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If you've ever enjoyed a Cirque du Soleil performance, you'll no doubt agree that the performers in these shows have some of the best bodies in entertainment. They're strong, lean, flexible and have almost magical powers when it comes to acrobatics. I recently went back stage to work with Olivier Renaud, an über fit acrobat from the cast of Saltimbanco, Cirque's traveling arena show. Here, Olivier shares his three favorite exercises, and they're all moves you can do at home. They target the upper body, abs and lower body and I'll admit that Olivier looks fabulous doing them!

Oliver's exercises offer a range of benefits, including strength, balance and proprioception. Proprioception is something you want to train for -- it's basically your body's ability to respond to its surroundings without you intentionally willing it to. For example, if your foot were to hit the edge of the sidewalk, your ankle would have two choices on how to respond. It could either roll out, causing you to tumble over and injure yourself. Or it could instantly retract and keep you up on your feet. This split-second response comes from your body's natural ability to do what is best for you. With a short response time, you wouldn't be able to think, "Gee, let me pull my foot in this other direction." It either happens or it doesn't. Super proprioception keeps you on your feet!

On another note, I took my family to see Saltimanco. This show offered one breathtaking performance after another. My husband and I gasped, and my children belly laughed. I'd see it 20 more times if I could. I think it inspired every one in the audience to hit the gym a bit more too.

For more innovative fitness videos, visit Fitzness.com

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When it comes to exercise, I'm a bit of a cardio junkie. My favorite workout includes some light work with weights, but I have to remember to incorporate some more serious weight training a few times a week. I wondered how often you include strength training in your workout.

• 46 percent of you include strength training one to three times each week.
• 30 percent of you strength train more than three times each week.
• 16 percent of you include strength training at every workout.
• 8 percent of you rarely strength train.

I asked Elise Gulan, Exercise TV trainer, how often she recommends strength training for her clients. Gulan said, "Strength training is an irreplaceable aspect of any comprehensive fitness regime. It builds lean muscle mass, which increases the resting metabolic rate for optimal aesthetic results. It also builds muscle that helps support and align the spine and improves bone density which is imperative for women over 30. Full body strength training (like yoga, pilates or weight work) 3-4 times a week in combination with cardio and stretch is a very achievable goal ... even in today's busy world!"

Want some suggestions to get you started? Try some of these great strength training moves from Mayo Clinic. And be sure to check out some of Elise Gulan's featured workouts on Exercise TV.

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Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.

When you think of working out, what does that entail? Going for a run? Visiting the gym? Following along with a fitness DVD? Whatever your favorite activities are, the best workout routines are those that are well-rounded. I know that I love cardio workouts. There's something about huffing and puffing at the end of a routine that makes me feel like I really accomplished something. But I know how important -- and effective -- strength training is for my body. So I wonder ... is strength training a part of your workout?

Last week, FitSugar taught us how to break the treadmill boredom. Now they've got six tips for mixing up that tedious strength training workout -- exercise balls, resistance bands and multitasking are just a few of their tried-and-true tactics. Click here for a slideshow featuring all six.

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You should be able to work out anywhere in the world at any time of the day. You don't need a massive gym full of equipment (although that can be nice), and you don't need a full hour to get something accomplished. In this video, our fitness expert Fitz explains the function of the chest muscles and offers a variety of methods for training, using equipment, partners or nothing at all.

To view more innovative training videos, visit Fitzness.com.

The fitness equipment Fitz uses in the video can be found at Power-Systems.com

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Join fitness pro, Fitz, for this simple yet challenging move that will engage every muscle in your core. Try it with your legs bent, as shown in the video, or tone it down and do it with your knees bent. The Windmill allows your obliques to engage at their full range of motion and will help your low back grow strong as well. Once you master The Windmill as shown, try it with a medicine ball in between your feet.

For more innovative training videos and incredible belly busting recipes visit Fitzness.com!

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Triceps have a special function and if you understand what it is, you'll always be able to work them. Fitness expert, Fitz, also shows you what counts as a very stupid way to work your triceps. Ignore the stupid one, and get busy with the really effective choices, shown here in this video.

Discover innovative training tools, yummy low fat recipes and celebrity-laden interviews by visiting Fitzness.com

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Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Eric Stoltz has one of those careers any actor would kill for. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Mask, Pulp Fiction ... the list goes on and on. He's currently on a tear, directing all sorts of hit primetime shows too, but this week we sat down to chat about his guest role on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. My opinion: Eric is really smart, relaxed and funny. He also happens to know the secret to losing weight -- you might be surprised by how simple it actually is!

Fitz: You're playing a serial killer on Death Row for a couple of weeks on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. Any similarities between you and your character?

Eric: Fortunately, no. But it did get me interested in reading and learning more about serial killers. Although repellent, they're often very brilliant, bold and fearless people. Evil characters like that offer me a great opportunity to be creative.

Fitz: Does that mean you're really a super nice guy?

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Wish you didn't have such an appetite, especially during this calorie-filled holiday season? RealAge offers a trick for curbing that thing -- and it doesn't have anything to do with eating. This strategy has everything to do with exercise.

Seems that the right combination of physical activity has the power to make you eat less. All it takes is cardio and strength training -- not just one, but both.

Men in one small study engaged in aerobic exercise and weight training for 16 weeks and found they ate significantly less than guys who went with one or the other or didn't exercise at all. Experts think the combo approach has a positive effect on blood levels of fats, glucose, amino acids and satiety hormones. Basically, the well-rounded fitness plan produces hunger-controlling physiological changes. Believe it? Give it a try and see if it's true.

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Fitness is important at any age -- it keeps your body looking and feeling good, it helps prevent a host of chronic conditions, and it boosts your energy. But as you approach the big 4-0, there are some additional reasons why exercise is important.

Exercise helps alleviate some of the symptoms of perimenopause, which can begin anytime during your 40s. Exercise is also a proactive measure against the estrogen loss that will occur later during menopause; it can help prevent related problems such as bone loss. Menopause may seem far away -- but being active now will make it easier when menopause comes knocking on your door.

Revolution Health has fitness tips for women in their 40s:

• Increase your core strength, balance, and flexibility. Improving these areas and maintaining them will help prevent falls and stiff, achy joints as you get older. Activities such as Pilates and yoga will help. AOL Health has tips on strength and flexibility exercises.
• Do weight-bearing exercise. Bolster your bone density by participating in weight-bearing activities such as jumping rope, aerobics, tennis, and jogging.
• Keep up the cardio. Cardio workouts will help keep your heart strong and help you maintain a healthy weight.

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