Running is one of the most popular ways for people to have fun and increase their overall fitness. It's easy to do, doesn't require a large initial investment in equipment, and can fit into nearly anybody’s schedule. It's a simple, enjoyable way to take care of yourself and your body.
If you've decided that this year is the one you will run a marathon, congratulations! Whether your goal is to get fit, raise money for charity, or simply cross something off your bucket list, running a marathon is an admirable goal. And, with smart training, it's achievable for almost anyone at any age.
We've known for decades how important it is to warm up before running. A warm-up routine literally warms the body, increasing heart and respiration rates, taking oxygen to the muscles and tissues. Increasing the body temperature gently prepares muscles, tendons, and ligaments for exertion, easing the stress of transitioning from rest to work....
When we are feeling fired up for a run, it can be tempting to give in to enthusiasm and take off at speed. And when we have limited time in a busy schedule to train, warming up first can feel like a waste of time. But running without warming up not only increases the risk of injury, but it also increases soreness and recovery time, and will...
Dehydration is a serious health risk during exercise, particularly when working out for long periods of time, in conditions of high heat or high humidity. During physical activity, the body cools itself and regulates your temperature through sweating, resulting in fluids being directed toward the skin and away from vital functions. Sweat on the...
We all know people (and maybe we are those people) who make a fitness plan every summer, every New Year, or every birthday. But, statistically, 90% of those people do not maintain their fitness plan for longer than 3 months. If the goal is to look a little bit better on the beach for spring vacation, that might be adequate; but if the goal is to...
Research has repeatedly proven that regular exercise is integral to having a healthy body and mind into old age, preserving physical and mental abilities and preventing illness into advanced years. While physical activity is generally healthy and provides positive benefits, there are a few specific exercises that are particularly effective in...
The core muscles are the muscles in the torso and trunk of the body. Not only the major muscles of the abdomen in the front, and the spinal erectors in the back, but also the smaller, stabilizing muscles, including the obliques, the lateral muscles in the back, and the trapezius. Working together, this group of muscles surrounds, stabilizes, and...
Strenuous exercise raises your core body temperature, and activates the natural cooling system. While there are many processes involved in regulating the body temperature, to put it simply: the body begins to sweat, and the process of sweat evaporating off the skin lowers the skin temperature. This lowered skin temperature cools the blood as it...