Why You Should Consider Adding Classical Music To Your Exercise Playlist
For many people, an essential part of any exercise regime is the music that accompanies it. Whether you’re a runner, a rower or a bodybuilder, there’s a good chance you have a favourite selection of tunes and some headphones to help you through.
To Stretch or Not To Stretch Before Exercise: What You Need To Know About Warm-ups
Over the past 20 years, static muscle stretching has gotten a bad rap. Once considered an essential part of any sport or exercise warm-up, static stretching has now been removed from the picture almost entirely.
Connected Workouts Can Help You Get Fit Alongside Virtual Buddies
As researchers in the field of kinesiology, we’ve studied the effects of connected fitness on motivation and fitness outcomes. If you’re looking for ways to beef up your fitness during pandemic-related downtime or to replace a pre-COVID-19 exercise routine
5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Online Fitness Classes
The Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week and strengthening activities on two or more days per week.
Many Of Us Overestimate Our Exercise Levels – Here's How To Calculate How Much You Really Do
Even if you exercise everyday – whether that’s at home, at the gym, or taking your dog for walks – you might not be getting as much physical activity as you think you are.
When Working Out Makes You Sick To Your Stomach
So you’re pedaling your heart out or running like you’re escaping a zombie horde. You’re feeling accomplished, on cloud nine, until … your stomach starts to churn. You may even feel dizzy. Your feelings of accomplishment have turned to agony as you deal with a bout of nausea.
Five Tips To Help You Keep Exercising Throughout The Year
Exercising more is one of the most common new year resolutions people make. But more than a quarter of people fail to keep their resolutions, and only half maintain some of them.
Want To Exercise More? Try Setting An Open Goal For Your New Year's Resolution
It’s that time of year when many of us are setting goals for the year ahead. The most common New Year’s resolution – set by 59% of us - is to exercise more.
Why Group Exercise May Be Even Better For You Than Solo Workouts
Group exercise is very popular. In advance of the coronavirus pandemic, the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that group fitness would be one of the top three fitness industry trends in 2020 – for good reason.
How Your Metabolism Influences How Many Calories You Burn Each Day
It’s a common dieter’s lament: “Ugh, my metabolism is so slow, I’m never going to lose any weight.” But does the speed of metabolism really vary all that much from person to person?
Gut Health: Does Exercise Change Your Microbiome?
It’s well known that the microbes living in our guts are altered through diet. For example, including dietary fibre and dairy products in our diets encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria. But mounting evidence suggests that exercise can also modify the types of bacteria that reside within our guts.
How To Stay Fit and Active At Home During The Coronavirus Self-Isolation
Self-isolation means far fewer opportunities to be physically active if you are used to walking or cycling for transportation and doing leisure time sports. But equally worryingly, the home environment also offers abundant opportunity to be sedentary (sitting or reclining).
Water Exercises Are As Effective As Gym Workouts For Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Swimming, aqua-aerobics, and other water-based exercises are popular for people aged 55 and older to keep fit without putting strain on the joints.
Feeling Sore After Exercise? Here's What Science Suggests Helps And What Doesn't
Have you been hitting the gym again with COVID restrictions easing? Or getting back into running, cycling, or playing team sports?
Dangers of a Sedentary Inactivity Can Take A Toll On Health In Just Two Weeks
As the world digs in for another wave of COVID-19, flu season and winter, people also face a serious risk from reduced physical activity — especially older adults.
The Challenges and Benefits of Outdoor Recreation During Coronavirus Lockdown
For many people, outdoor recreation activities are part of their coping strategy during times of high stress. Connecting with the natural environment is an important contributor to their sense of identity, community and belonging.
Why Some People Find It Easier To Stick To New Habits They Formed During Lockdown
Periods of lockdown represent a massive disruption to people’s daily routines, but they also offer an opportunity to establish new habits.
These at-Home Exercises Can Help Older People Boost Their Immune System and Overall Health In The Age of COVID-19
Older adults, especially those over 65, have five times the risk of hospitalization and 90 times the risk of death from COVID-19 compared with younger adults.
3 Ways Physical Activity Changes The Brain's Very Structure
Regular exercise changes the structure of our bodies’ tissues in obvious ways, such as reducing the size of fat stores and increasing muscle mass.
Whether You Should Eat Before Or After A Workout Depends On Your Fitness Goals
There’s plenty of evidence showing how important nutrition is for exercise, from aiding performance to enhancing recovery.
Why Winter Exercise Is Important For Maintaining Physical and Mental Health
As winter descends on the northern hemisphere and the temperature drops and daylight hours shorten, many people may want to spend more time indoors.
Here's How To Avoid Injury In The Gym After Some Time Away
To the joy of many, indoor gyms have reopened. However, before we pick up the dumbbells once again, we might need to be cautious.
How Walking Downhill Increases Risk of Falls in Older Adults
Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults and can lead to disability. Luckily, the risk of falls can be reduced with regular exercise– but not all exercise.
Why PE Benefits Are More Than Just Fitness
There are growing concerns about the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people.
Lost Your Motivation To Work Out? Here's Why – And How To Get Back On Track
In the early phases of lockdown, the streets were teeming with runners and living rooms were a blur of uncoordinated star jumps and lunges.
Fat and Fit? There's No Such Thing For Most People
The idea that people can be healthy at any weight has gained credence in recent years, despite widespread evidence that obesity creates health risks. While the idea is attractive, it’s also dangerous because it can lull people who need to lose weight now into a false sense of security.
Distance Learning Makes It Harder For Kids To Exercise, Especially In Low-Income Communities
This fall hasn’t felt much like “back to school” for many children. Instead, many are staying at home and attending virtual classes indefinitely.
Obesity Has Become The New Normal But It's Still A Health Risk
Nike’s London store recently introduced a plus-sized mannequin to display its active clothing range which goes up to a size 32. The mannequin triggered a cascade of responses ranging from outrage to celebration
Here's Why Resistance Training Is So Effective For Weight Loss
Weight lifting, also known as resistance training, has been practised for centuries as a way of building muscular strength.
How Periods and The Pill Affect Athletic Performance
The menstrual cycle, the pill and their potential impact on sporting performance have long been considered a taboo subject.
What Is Overtraining Syndrome and How To Avoid It
There’s a thin line between working hard enough and working too hard. Pushing your body to reach new levels of fitness requires commitment,
Should I Stop Running If My Knee Hurts?
The most common site for pain in recreational runners is the knee. For some, especially older runners, the pain can be a symptom of osteoarthritis. But does running worsen knee pain and osteoarthritis?
People With Eating Disorders Saw Their Symptoms Worsen During The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact across the entire population, but one group likely to have been disproportionately affected is people with eating disorders.
7 Reasons Why Skipping Rope Is So Good For You
While many of us may remember skipping as something we did as children, the pastime has regained popularity during the pandemic as a way of keeping fit.
Fitness Levels In Teenagers Linked To Where They Grow Up
The places and communities that we live in play an important role in our physical health. What we have access to on our doorstep is important to motivating – or preventing – our physical activity levels.
4 Ways To Fix Bad Posture Back Pain by Copying Astronauts
Common poor desk posture is actually very similar to the posture astronauts adopt during spaceflight in zero-gravity. Usually this is a forward leaning posture with a forward head position and the loss of normal spinal curves. Being in space also has similar effects to staying in bed all day.
The Only Factor Determining What Exercise You Do
It’s a common assumption that exercise in older people is difficult and dangerous, so it’s perhaps best avoided.
How Daily Exercise Rules Got People Moving During Lockdown
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has been difficult for people in different ways. But for a lot of people what has kept them going has been their daily exercise.
Should Your Doctor Send You For A Walk In The Park?
Has your doctor recommended you go for regular jogs in the park, countryside walks, community food growing sessions, or some other nature-based activity?
How Much Exercise Is Too Much?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made many of us reevaluate our health and take up new exercise regimes.
Why Kids' Physical Activity Before Age 5 Matters So Much
In the current pandemic many parents of young children are finding themselves spending more time in the role of caregiver than usual.
10 Tips For Looking After Your Back While You're Sitting Down
Apart from reduced social interaction and the domestic juggling involved, homes are not usually designed to replicate a workplace environment when it comes to employees’ health.
Ibuprofen Use Is Common – But Many Athletes Are Unaware Of The Risks
Whether you’re an ultra-marathoner or have just started, injuries and muscle soreness from running are inevitable. But instead of taking a break, many runners reach for ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to get through injuries or pain.
Why Training Your Body For Surgery May Improve Recovery And Reduce Complications
If you’ve had a surgery postponed due to the pandemic, or one is on the horizon, there may be some work you can do right now to prepare and to help improve your postoperative outcome.
Why It Could Be Dangerous To Exercise With A Face Mask On
The coronavirus began to affect sporting events as early as January 30, when the Chinese Football Association announced it was delaying the start of the football season.
5 Tips To Get You Off The Sofa
With the Canadian government continuing to recommend physical distancing measures, many people are finding themselves confined to their homes more than ever before.
Kids Need Physical Education – Even When They Can't Get It At School
When I noticed my 12-year-old son was spending about seven hours a day doing his school work online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I immediately became concerned.
Why Exercise Gets A Death Marker Protein To Refresh Muscles
Even just a bit of intense physical activity prompts a “clean-up of muscles” as the protein Ubiquitin tags onto worn-out proteins and causes them to degrade, according to a small study.
Can Exercise Offer The Same Mental Boost As Caffeine?
Your alarm goes off and it’s time to start another day. What’s your first step? Perhaps making a cup of coffee? You may want to consider a brisk walk instead.
The Best Way To Exercise To Burn Fat
When it comes to losing weight, people often want know the best way to shed excess pounds – and there’s no shortage of fad diets or fitness crazes claiming to have the “secret” to fat loss.
Here's How Exercise Can Help Chronic Stress And Your Mental Health
Suffering a quarantine dip in mood? Struggling to find motivation to do anything? You are not alone.
How To Best Stretch Before And After A Workout
Many people see stretching as an essential part of any exercise or workout regime.
QiGong for Spiritual Development and Balance
Throughout history, peoples in many parts of the world have sought ways to develop their energetic potentials for improved health, martial power, and to bring themselves closer to the divine. In China these practices are called QiGong. It is believed that the correct regulation of body, breath, and mind will harmonize yin and yang, balance Qi and blood...
Active Commuting Could Make Children's Return To School Better For Their Health And The Planet
Children across the globe have not been at school for some time, and this prolonged absence from the daily routine has given many of us a chance to think about what should happen when schools re-open.
How To Find Ways To Move Your Body While Social Distancing
Recent Fitbit activity tracker data show a significant drop in physical activity worldwide that corresponds with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. In the United States, physical activity has fallen by 12%.
Yoga: A Fitness Resource For People With "Round Bodies"
Yoga! Suddenly, everyone wants to know about this gentle approach to whole-self fitness. A Roper poll revealed that over six million Americans (more than 3% of the population) already practice yoga. You don't have to be lean to do yoga.
Exercise May Help Reduce Risk Of Deadly COVID-19 Complication: ARDS
Scientists are constantly revealing newly discovered benefits of exercise. In experiments over the past 10 years, my research has found that exercise can help with a respiratory problem known as ARDS.
Why Regular Exercise Has Long Term Benefits For Immunity
People around the world are staying at home as part of social distancing measures to limit the transmission of the novel coronavirus. In some countries people are being encouraged to exercise once a day.
How To Stay Fit At Home During Lockdown
A third of humanity is now under lockdown. This measure is crucial to minimise the spread of COVID-19, but what impact will it have on health and wellbeing?
Pilates Exercise On The Ball Heals Body and Soul
When I first laid on a Pilates mat after twenty years of not dancing or doing any sort of physical activity with the exception of walking, surprising and volatile emotions surged up. The first emotion was denial -- I don't need this, I have managed for years without structured exercise. Then there was a deep releasing of regret and grief
How Older People And Those With Chronic Health Conditions Can Stay Active At Home
Fitbit recently released data showing a global decrease in physical activity levels among users of its activity trackers compared to the same time last year.
3 Posture Correction Methods For Too Much Screen Time
In the 21st century, we all spend a ot of time in front of a screen... whether at home, at work, or even at play. What this often does is cause a distortion of our posture that then leads to problems in our body leading to discomfort and pain.
Anxiety About Coronavirus Can Increase The Risk Of Infection — But Exercise Can Help
Worried about COVID-19? You may be putting yourself at undue risk, because chronic anxiety suppresses the immune system and increases our risk for infection.
Why Girls And Women Need More Time In Nature To Be Healthy
Supporting girls and women in their efforts to be physically active must become a global public health priority.
How Yoga Is Helping Girls Heal From Trauma
Childhood trauma has a devastating impact on both the mind and the body of children who experience it. But that mind-body connection also offers a path toward healing.
For Older Women, Exercise Buddies Make All The Difference
Older women are more likely to take up exercising and stick to it if they are part of a small group guided by a personal trainer.
What Are Tai Chi Health Benefits?
Tai chi is growing in popularity in the UK, with more clubs and classes popping up around the country and people of all ages wanting to give it a go.
How Toxic Sport Cultures Are Damaging Female Athletes' Health
Recently, several elite sportswomen have spoken out about toxic sport culture and the damage it does to their long-term health.
Running A Mile A Day Can Make Children Healthier – Here’s How Schools Can Make It More Fun
Children today spend more time sitting than ever before. And research shows that as they grow up, children tend to become more sedentary and less active.
Is Snow Shoveling A Healthy Exercise Or A Deadly Activity?
As an exercise and health researcher, I can confirm that snow shoveling is an excellent physical activity.
Why Moving Around Now May Improve Your Mood Later
Increases in physical activity tend to be followed by increases in mood and perceived energy level, research finds.
The Serious Consequence Of Exercising Too Much, Too Fast
There are more incidents of skeletal muscle ruptures that are causing harm in other parts of the body.
How Much Protein Powder, Shake, and Supplement Can Our Body Actually Use?
Once only used by bodybuilders, more and more people are using sports supplements as a regular part of their health and fitness regime – and the industry is booming worldwide.
Why Fitness Trackers May Not Give You All The Credit You Hoped For
Wearable fitness trackers have less accuracy when used in certain ways.
What Is The True Value Of Exercise For Older People And Society In General
Research shows that the benefits of older people going to exercise groups go beyond self-improvement and provide good value for society,
How Small Increases In Physical Activity Can Make A Big Difference
You know physical activity is good for you. But, that isn’t always enough to get or keep you moving.
5 Questions Answered About Tracking Your Heart Rate
The rise of wearable fitness trackers has increased the number of people monitoring their heart rate, both throughout the day and during exercise.
Which Is Better For Mental Health, Team Sports Or Solo Exercise?
Exercise is not only good for your physical health, it’s good for your mental health, too. Indeed, many people even take up exercise as a way of boosting their mental well-being.
Things People Say About Exercise That Aren't True
There are a lot of reasons people don’t exercise, and a lot of misconceptions about exercise.
Qigong: Energy Medicine and Antidote to Stresses
Qigong has helped me understand and connect with myself as an energy being. Different forms of qigong emphasize different qualities, from meditative and healing to medical and martial arts; some incorporate branches of philosophy, such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
How Controlled Breathing Helps Elite Athletes – And You Can Benefit From It Too
Professional sport is full of stories of elite athletes “choking” emotionally and mentally under the pressure of competition.
High-intensity Exercise Improves Memory and Wards Off Dementia
For the first time in human history, older people outnumber younger people. This has created unique health challenges. Dementia may be one of the scariest.
How Endurance Running Is Not So Much A Liberating Hobby But More A Cult
Endurance running is in. Fitness enthusiasts and elite runners alike spend their weekends pounding the pavements and bounding through the countryside.
Is It Better To Exercise Before Breakfast?
Exercise is recommended for people who are overweight or obese as a way to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Running May Help You Live Longer But More Isn't Necessarily Better
It’s free, requires no equipment and the scenery can be stunning – it’s no wonder running is among the world’s most popular sports.
Why Cancer and Exercise Do Mix
When you hear the word “cancer” probably the last thing that you think of is physical activity.
Heart Disease Risk Starts Young – Improving Teenager Health Is Essential
While the condition is often associated with older adults, rising childhood inactivity and poor fitness levels mean that the risk factors associated with heart disease are more common among teenagers than most people think.
Which Sports Are Best For Health and Long Life?
Millions of people around the world, including nearly 60% of Americans, Australians and Europeans, participate in sports.
How To Be Fit In Your 60s and Beyond
Ageing is inevitable and is influenced by many things – but keeping active can slow ageing and increase life expectancy.
How To Start Exercising If You're Out Of Shape
Perhaps your GP has recommended you exercise more, or you’ve had a recent health scare. Maybe your family’s been nagging you to get off the couch or you’ve decided yourself that it’s time to lose some weight.
Why More Kids Don’t Play Outside
Moms in low-income neighborhoods say physical and social barriers in their neighborhoods discourage them from allowing their children to play outside, according to a new study.
10 Stretches To Keep You Limber Throughout Your Life and Overcome "Inflexibility"
Most people -- men especially -- tend to skimp on the stretching facet of their workouts. By committing to a flexibility routine, however, you can actually prevent injuries that can sideline you in later years and instead continue to use your body more fully, because you'll maintain greater range of motion in your muscles and joints.
Why Even Short Periods Of Physical Inactivity Are Damaging To Our Health
As a society, we aren’t getting as much exercise as we should. In fact, current activity guidelines state that adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity – or 75 minutes of vigorous activity – every week.
How Children Who Dread PE Lessons At School Can Be Given A Sporting Chance
For some school children, PE is the best lesson of the week – a chance to leave the desk behind, get outside, and enjoy a run around with friends.
Not Enough Time To Exercise? High-Intensity Training Can Fit Into Your Daily Life
Physical inactivity is a global health problem. But despite overwhelming evidence that regular exercise is highly beneficial, the challenge of encouraging people to be more active remains.
Downsizing To An Early Death? Why Exercise Is So Important As You Age
It’s well-documented that regular exercise is good for us. Being active can reduce your risk for a variety of diseases such as heart disease and cancer, as well as improving psychological well-being.
Rainbow Yoga With Adriene

Rainbow Yoga! The perfect 17-minute practice to brighten your day, to help turn darkness into light.
Is Vigorous Exercise Safe During The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy?
Expectant mothers receive an avalanche of information about potential risks to their baby.
After Sexual Assault, Some Survivors Seek Healing in Self-Defense
A number of sexual assault survivors report enormous benefits from specialized classes, but not all therapists are on board.