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If you’ve ever wished for a little extra lift without relying on push-up bras or pricey procedures, you’re not alone. Enter the latest fitness trend taking over social media: the Kourtney Kardashian-approved ‘perky titty’ workout—a chest-focused routine promising to strengthen and sculpt the muscles around your bust for a natural lifting effect.
But let’s be real—can a workout actually make your boobs look perkier, or is this just another internet-fueled fitness myth? We’re breaking down the science behind this viral routine, what it can (and can’t) do, and whether it’s worth adding to your upper-body day. Spoiler: The secret might just be in your posture and pectorals.
In spite of what some might wish, breast tissue itself consists of fat and glandular tissue, so it cannot be "toned" like muscle. This is to say that no exercise—no matter how rigorous—will actually enlarge breasts. But that doesn't mean hope is completely lost.
Underneath and around the breasts are the pectoralis major and minor muscles, which are essentially responsible for defining the chest. Targeting these muscles can give the illusion of a raised, fuller bust by enhancing overall definition, support, and posture. The workout's aim is not to enlarge cup size but to develop muscle and create the illusion of having a better-looking chest.
You can't pump yourself up to larger, perkier breasts. But you can build strength in your pectoral muscles just behind and around the area. This Pilates-inspired, low-impact, high-rep workout routine recommended by Kourtney Kardashian targets the chest, shoulders, and upper body. Her workout combines Pilates-inspired movements that help build muscle endurance and alignment, which are primary considerations for obtaining a more defined, lifted chest region.
While the exercise employs weighted bangles to maximize burn, the exercise can be done with or without weights. Hand weights of 1-3 pounds or resistance bands can also be employed to provide increased resistance and muscle stimulation.
This form of upper body training assists in targeting pectoralis muscles, deltoids, and trapezius, which are all important factors in enhancing posture and upper body strength—ultimately providing the bust with a more lifted appearance.
Whereas pectoral-defining chest exercises contribute to bust definition, posture is also, if not more, so influential on the look of your bust. Bad posture, such as slumping forward, tends to make shoulders appear rounded and bring about the illusion of sagging and deflated chests.
Good posture not only enhances overall body positioning but also naturally makes the bust look better. An engaged core, back, and lifted spine produce a more upright and open chest, which makes the breasts fuller-looking.
Most bodybuilding enthusiasts only pay attention to the strengthening process, ignoring the fact that recovery is just as important in building muscle and stretch. End the workout with a simple but effective stretches that will open up the chest, loosen tightness, and improve blood flow to the muscles.
Though this exercise won't make the bust larger like breast enhancement or changes in hormones would, it does provide real benefits for individuals wanting to improve the chest area naturally. Strengthening the muscles in the pectoralis, helping to improve posture, and targeting flexibility and alignment will allow for a more sculpted and lifted upper body.
This exercise is especially helpful for:
Realistic expectations, however—this routine will not increase breast size in any physical way, but will enhance muscle tone, support, and overall chest appearance.
If you’re looking for a non-invasive, workout-based approach to a more defined and lifted chest, Hot Pilates-inspired routine is a great option. It’s an effective way to build upper-body strength, enhance posture, and create a more sculpted look—all of which contribute to a more confident, lifted silhouette.
So while you can't out-train gravity or genetics, you can definitely work with your body to accentuate its natural form—and that's what this viral exercise is actually all about.
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Who though ditching flashy workout routines and trying this classic strength indicator could be the best sign of living a long, healthy life. With biohacking and wearable trackers and pricey full-body scans, it may surprise you to know that one of the easiest predictors of your future wellness isn't something digital—it's in your grasp, literally.
Grip strength, a traditional gauge of physical vigor, is only now being tapped by researchers and longevity specialists internationally. Several research studies have tied this humble test to everything from cardiovascular function and muscle strength to mental acuity and longevity. A 2015 Lancet study hit headlines when it demonstrated that weaker grip strength was a better predictor of early death than blood pressure.
So what does that mean for your health goals? It means your ability to grasp, hold, and carry may be more important than you think—especially if you plan on reaching your 90s, or even living past 100.
Grip strength measures the force exerted by the muscles in your forearm and hand. Although it may seem specialized, it's more of an indicator of your body's general musculoskeletal health. For Dr. Joshua Davidson, a strength and conditioning expert at the University of Derby, "Grip strength tells us more than how solid your handshake is. It reflects your physical activity level and general energy."
Clinical trials regularly employ a hand dynamometer—you squeeze it to test force—but you don't have to visit a lab to test your power. Davidson's suggestion is the "squeeze test": squeeze a tennis or stress ball as tight as possible for as long as possible. Keeping a squeeze of 15–30 seconds in place is an achievement to shoot for.
While a poor grip may not appear to be a big deal—perhaps you simply have a hard time opening a jar—studies reveal it can be an indicator of underlying health problems. Low grip strength correlates with frailty, sarcopenia (muscle loss), and even a higher risk of falls and fractures later in life.
Decades of research have all proved that the tighter grip strength one has, the longer the lifespan. There's one especially interesting study that followed people from the 1960s into the 2000s. Patients who were in the top third of grip strength were 2.5 times more likely to live beyond the age of 100 than were those with less grip strength.
More recent evidence associates low grip strength with metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, as well as with psychiatric disorders like depression and cognitive impairment. Why? Because muscle has a significant role in blood sugar regulation and maintenance of metabolic health. When grip strength declines, it can indicate more widespread physiological decline.
Actually, a 2019 meta-analysis in Clinical Interventions in Aging discovered grip strength was able to predict disability, cognitive impairment, and even all-cause mortality. Translation: strong hands = strong future.
Whereas social media is full of over-the-top workout fads and fix-it-in-an-hour fitness tricks, the farmer's walk, an exercise as timeless as they come, is slowly creeping back into vogue. Why? Because it's one of the best means of developing grip strength and body stability in general.
The exercise is easy: hold heavy weights in both hands and walk. That's all. But this bodyweight exercise engages your core, builds your shoulders, straightens your posture, and conditions your central nervous system to respond to physical stress.
Research has demonstrated that loaded carries such as the farmer's walk can enhance bone density, balance, and coordination—important elements in preventing injury and preserving independence in advanced age.
And the good news: you can do it at virtually any level of fitness.
Beginner: Three sets of 30-second carries with moderate weights
Intermediate: Three sets of 45-second carries with heavier weights
Advanced: Four to five sets of 60-second carries using challenging or uneven weights such as kettlebells or sandbags
Form counts. Move at a slow gait, activate your core and glutes, breathe fully, and finish every carry feeling as if you could've done just a little more.
Enhancing grip strength is not merely a matter of squeezing tighter. In accordance with experts such as Dr. Davidson and Dr. Leong, the strategy lies in whole-body strength development. Resistance training, particularly for the upper and lower body, enhances total muscle mass and aids in grip development.
An age-specific functional test is the "timed get-up-and-go." Stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn, go back, and sit down again. This evaluates leg strength, balance, and agility—coinciding with what grip strength indicates about the upper body.
For daily training, use these easy exercises:
These moves don’t require a fancy gym—just dedication and consistency.
If you’re aiming for healthy aging, don’t overlook your grip. Grip strength is more than a hand test—it’s a reflection of how well your body is aging. It’s accessible, low-tech, and scientifically backed. Whether you’re 30 or 70, building stronger hands through farmer’s walks and resistance training can add more quality years to your life.
In a world of health-obsessed diagnosing, perhaps it's time to return to fundamentals. In some cases, the secret to living longer lies in learning to hold on harder.
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The balance our body gives us is something that most of us take for granted. Doing exercises that build core strength and help you gain better balance. However, once you start focusing on exercises and yoga poses that allow you to gain better control over your body, a lot of your clumsy attributes like tripping, being unable to catch yourself when you fall and dropping things constantly will improve.
One such yoga pose that can help you improve your balance and focus, is Vrikshasana. As you may know, there are different types of yoga, while some help you strengthen your body with rapid movements and endurance, others are more movement based, focused on the flow and connection between poses. These consist of many different asanas that focus on different aspects of your health and body.
According to the International Journal of Yoga 2016 study, while most of us focus on backward and forward movement, sideways balance involves hip and ankle muscles too. It's been found that sideways changes are controlled by hip muscles, while forward and backward changes are controlled by ankle muscles. Virkshasana aims to strengthen our ankles and take pressure of your feet with the help of your hip muscles. Here is how it benefits our health.
Tree Pose makes you stand on one leg, which really challenges your balance. Your brain and muscles work together to keep you steady, strengthening this important skill for everyday activities and preventing falls. It helps your body learn to control its center of gravity.
To stay standing tall in Tree Pose, your standing leg muscles have to work hard to support your weight. Holding the pose builds strength in your thighs, calves, and ankles, making them more stable and resilient for walking, standing, and other movements.
When you reach your arms overhead in Tree Pose, it creates a nice stretch along your sides and back. The way you position your lifted leg can also create a stretch in your hips and inner thighs, improving flexibility in these key areas of your body.
By engaging different muscle groups and requiring focus, Tree Pose helps to wake up your entire system. The combination of stretch, strength, and balance work can leave you feeling more energized and connected to your body after practicing the pose.
Although not the main focus, staying balanced on one leg in Tree Pose requires your core muscles – those in your abdomen and back – to work to keep you upright and prevent wobbling. This helps to strengthen your core for better posture and stability.
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Body Mass Index or BMI is a calculation that is used to understand the relationship between your height and weight. It is very commonly used in healthcare settings and also in gyms or weight training centers. It helps fitness coaches and healthcare professionals to categorize people as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. The goal of BMI is to get a rough estimate of body fat, which can then highlight potential risks for chronic health problems.
But while BMI is easy to calculate and useful as a general guideline, it doesn’t tell the full story of a person’s health.
The formula for BMI differs slightly depending on the measurement system you use.
Metric: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m²)
Imperial: BMI = (weight in pounds ÷ height in inches²) × 703
For example, someone who weighs 180 pounds and is 5 feet 6 inches tall (66 inches) would have a BMI of:
(180 ÷ 66²) × 703 = 29.0
That would place them in the "overweight" category.
BMI is also divided into these categories that then determine where the person falls under the spectrum from underweight to obesity:
Generally, the higher your BMI, the greater your risk of health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, fatty liver, and even certain cancers.
While BMI is not a diagnostic test, it can be a helpful screening tool. It is used to track trends in population, raise awareness of weight-related risks, and to initiate conversations between patients and healthcare providers.
However, BMI often leaves out the muscle mass, bone structure, or fat distribution. One of the most common example is when an athlete with high muscle mass is classified as "overweight" despite having a low body fat.
This is why, there are other ways to measure too, including:
Excess belly fat is a stronger risk factor than fat stored elsewhere.
Men: waist > 40 inches
Women: waist > 35 inches
Tools like InBody or SECA scales provide a breakdown of fat mass, muscle, and water weight—offering more detail than BMI.
This scan is the gold standard for measuring body fat, bone density, and fat distribution—but it’s expensive and not widely available.
Lab tests like fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, and inflammation markers help assess overall health more accurately than BMI alone.
BMI could also vary depending on your ethnicity. More South Asians are risk for diabetes and heart disease at lower BMIs. For them, "overweight" may begin at 23 and "obese" at 25. African Americans may have higher muscle mass and lower visceral fat, which can cause BMI to overestimate health risks. Hispanic and Indigenous populations may carry more risk at lower BMIs due to genetic factors.
While it is important to care about your BMI, however, it should not be the only way to measure your health. You must also consider waist size, body composition, fitness level, blood test results, and ethnic background.
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