Why do most people eat energy bars? Is it to stave off hunger between meals? To fuel up before a workout? For an afternoon pick-me-up on a busy day? The founders of Quantum Energy Squares wanted to address all of these concerns in a better, more efficient way than traditional energy bar brands. They knew ...
No days off. Rise and grind. When it comes to fitness, there’s no shortage of motivational one-liners. But a catchy slogan can’t actually get up and do the workout for you. And when you’re juggling work or school obligations and your personal life, some days it just feels like an impossible task.
When we sat down with Instagram fitness pro and ISSA-certified personal trainer Sami Clarke, we figured we’d talk about working out and healthy meal prep. We didn’t fully expect to cover the mood-altering effects of spending time in nature [1], the transformational benefits of a daily meditation practice [2], and the lifelong journey to live in alignment ...
Believe it or not, choosing the right protein can be a very personal decision. Whether you’re hoping to lose weight, gain muscle, or just increase your daily nutrient intake, there are a few factors to consider. Then there’s your diet to think about. Are you vegan or do you follow a plant-based diet? Are animal-based ...
“Electrolytes” might sound like some futuristic sci-fi robot, but they’re actually very real compounds that have a great impact on the human body. So, where can you find natural sources of electrolytes? So great is the impact, that many what to know how to get electrolytes naturally [1].
There seem to be barre-style workout studios popping up everywhere—do you consider a barre class a good workout? Is it worth the $20 to $35 price tag? —Molly C.
Recently, I was at a running store buying new shoes, and noticed a stack of what looked like torture devices—foam rollers, sticks, and small balls with spikes on them. I know athletes and runners swear by these tools for self-massage, but I don’t quite get it. How does it work? Is it worth trying? And ...
I know basically one move that makes use of the medicine ball at the gym. What’s your take on medicine balls—are they even effective? And how do I integrate them into my workouts without embarrassing myself? —Steve S.
From the stiff competition between Michael Phelps and his South African rival to the record-shattering athleticism of the U.S. women’s team (we see you, Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel), the U.S. swim team gave us lots of reason to spend hours in front of the TV this summer.
When asked about her diet, gold medal-winning gymnast Nastia Liukin answered: “My mom always told me to treat my body like an expensive car—to put the best fuel in it.”
What’s the best move to do to get your heart rate up for a quick cardio workout? —Matthew H. If you really want to break a sweat during your workout, look no further than good ol’ burpees. As a benchwarmer on my high school’s track team, I had to do 50 of the punishing-but-effective move ...
Years of daily, hours-long training sessions have sculpted Summer Games competitors’ bodies to meet the demands of their sport—every muscle, tendon, and ligament serves a purpose. That’s why top-level athletes look crazy different from sport to sport.
I’ve seen kettlebells at the gym, but I have no idea how to use them. How are they different than normal free weights? Are they safe for newbies? I’m worried I’ll drop it mid-swing and break something (my foot, the mirror I’m standing in front of at the gym … the possibilities are endless). Help! ...
Being able to wring out your shirt after a class or run is usually a badge of honor—clearly, you worked hard. And a little ripeness post-workout is perfectly excusable. But when your gym stuff smells before you even break a sweat? Not a good thing.
Confession: I can’t do a push-up. I fake my way through them every time I’m in a workout class. What’s the secret if you have zero upper-body strength? —Erin M.
I’ve seen people use sliding disks under their feet at the gym—but I have no idea what they’re doing or why they’re helpful. Explain.—Grace H. Sliders, gliders, skimmers—whatever you call them, they’re deceptively innocent-looking. Usually round little pieces of plastic, you’ll see gym-goers integrating them into their bodyweight exercise routines by placing them under their ...
After working on my plank pose for awhile, I’m ready to step it up for summer. What exercises can I try that will really test my core strength? —Jenn L.
We think about food around 16 times a day. And that’s according to self-reporting participants, from a study performed at Ohio State University—which, note the researchers involved, probably means that number is even higher.
The acronym “HIIT” looks kind of how the workout itself feels. Aggressively all caps, short but effective—it’s like it’s yelling at you.
My bra size fluctuates as I lose and gain weight—why is that? Is there anything I can do to change that? —Mari B.
Cardio-kickboxing on Mondays, CrossFit on Tuesdays, spinning on Wednesdays, aerial yoga on Thursdays, and booty boot camp on Friday—in a time when boutique fitness studios reign supreme, it’s easy to get fit without getting bored. But the one thing running through exercisers brains regardless of the type of workout?
I’ve been drinking a flavored sports drink during my gym sessions, which I noticed is really high in sugar. It tastes great, but taking in the extra calories seems counterproductive to what I’m burning off in my workouts. So what’s better during a workout: water, a sports drink, or something like coconut water? —Michael G.
Let’s be real: The wonderful thing about being in great shape has nothing to do with how you look in a bathing suit—even during summer. Nah. It’s that at any given moment, there’s nothing holding you back from doing whatever you want.
Every time you pick up your phone to check Facebook or go back to the pantry for “just one more” chocolate, your brain is messing with you. But self-control is much easier than you might think. Meditation is the trick.