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 >

If you own or use trampolines, you need to take steps to prevent injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says. While trampolines are fun and can help improve coordination and strengthen the musculoskeletal system, serious injuries can occur without proper safety measures. In 2018, nearly 314,000 trampoline-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency…  read on >

Don’t let foot problems hobble your autumn activities, a foot surgeon says. “Foot health contributes to your overall health. From beginners to advanced athletes, proper foot care is important to keep your body healthy,” said Dr. John Giurini, chief of podiatric surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston. One of the most common…  read on >

If you’re looking for incentives to hit the gym, new research suggests that staying in good shape may help preserve brain structure, boost memory, and improve the ability to think clearly and quickly. The finding follows an analysis of fitness and brain health among more than 1,200 young adults, average age 30. All underwent brain…  read on >

Doing the right amount of exercise every day is a top health goal. To make sure you’re getting all the right types of exercise, you want to get familiar with these key exercise terms. Then you can be sure these activities are all part of your weekly plan. Aerobic Exercise, AKA Cardio Aerobic exercise means…  read on >

The Alexander Technique has been used for more than 100 years to improve performance, posture and other body mechanics, yet it’s arguably the least well known method for achieving these benefits. Though some people call it a form of bodywork, practitioners describe it as an educational method, because it teaches you to recognize and then…  read on >

Moderate exercise is known to improve blood pressure — and that may include activities that are more exotic than a brisk walk, two preliminary studies suggest. In one, researchers found that “hot” yoga classes lowered blood pressure in a small group of people with modestly elevated numbers. In the other, hula dancing showed the same…  read on >