Foam rollers are great tools for improving range of motion before a workout and easing soreness as part of the cooldown after exercise. Rollers come in different densities. As a general guideline, choose low-density if you’re a beginner or if you’re rehabbing and need to slowly work to increase blood flow to the injured area.… read on >
Fitting regular exercise into your daily schedule can improve your health and fitness, and reduce your risk for disease, says MedlinePlus. From yoga to weightlifting, there are many types of exercise to choose from. To make the most of workouts, MedlinePlus suggests: Choose activities that work many different parts of the body. Choose activities that… read on >
You’ve signed up for your first fitness event and you’ve mapped out your training schedule for success. Now add mental preparation to the plan. It’s essential because the very physical training that gets your body into shape for competition can dull your mental motivation and even bore your muscles, according to the American College of… read on >
Here’s a good reason to encourage your teenager to play more than one sport: New research finds kids who concentrate on only one sport may be at risk for stress fractures, tendinitis and knee injuries. “It’s wonderful for a child to love a sport and to want to engage in it, but we must keep… read on >
Research published in the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics highlights two important steps for improving diet and exercise habits. The first is getting practical and personalized tips for making changes that you’ll permanently adopt. The second is developing the inner motivation needed to help make the first step stick. The study recruited adults from a… read on >
Walking speed may indicate whether young stroke survivors are ready to return to work, a new study suggests. And 3 feet per second may be the threshold that predicts whether they can meet a workday’s challenges, the researchers found. One of every four people who has a stroke is younger than 65 years old. As… read on >
Fitness trackers can be great tools for improving heart health, says the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Depending on what’s most comfortable for you, potential fitness trackers include pedometers, smartphone tracking apps or wearable devices. To use a fitness tracker properly, the school suggests: Use the tracker daily. Set healthy and realistic goals. Find… read on >
Pulled muscles occur frequently in athletes. Most strains respond well to nonsurgical treatments, however, some strains can result in partial or complete tears, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The academy mentions these risk factors for muscle strain: Muscle tightness. Athletes should always stretch. Muscle imbalance, which can occur during high-speed activities. Poor conditioning.… read on >
Tired of taking the same old cardio class? It’s time to explore some of the combination classes being offered at both large gyms and small, more personalized fitness centers. One of the most popular options is the multi-discipline class — two or more activities woven into the same workout session, designed to keep fitness fun… read on >
While you can take Social Security benefits at age 62 and get 75% of your maximum, waiting until you reach full retirement age (between age 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born) gets you much closer to the full amount. But the age at which Americans can collect the most dollars has… read on >
