All posts tagged: beginners

A barre instructor says this is the one move beginners should start with to improve hip mobility, lower-body strength and core stability

A barre instructor says this is the one move beginners should start with to improve hip mobility, lower-body strength and core stability

Published by Jenni Sidey

If one of your fitness goals is to move with more confidence and control, then you should try a type of exercise called barre. Barre is a low-impact workout that is designed to develop muscular endurance, and improve mobility and balance. “There are so many positives to barre: mobility, proprioception and balance,” says barre instructor Tara Riley. “There’s not really any other exercise that asks that much of you in all of these aspects.” Latest Videos From And there’s one beginner-friendly barre exercise that Riley says encapsulates these benefits—the second position plié. “This is my number one barre move for someone who’s never tried [barre] before because mastering that hip mobility is so important,” Riley says. “Unless you’ve done ballet or gymnastics or something like that as a child, a lot of people have never really moved their hips in this way.” You may like The uniqueness of the movement will help you develop hip mobility and build strength in the legs and core. Here’s how to do it. Start your week with achievable workout …

How to use ChatGPT: A beginner’s guide to mastering OpenAI’s chatbot in 2026

How to use ChatGPT: A beginner’s guide to mastering OpenAI’s chatbot in 2026

Published by skeptic

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways ChatGPT can help with writing, research, images, files, and apps. Free users can start fast, but paid plans unlock higher limits. Projects, memory, and voice mode make ChatGPT more useful. It will be four years this fall since ChatGPT launched, turning AI from something most people talked to for fun on their phones or home speakers into a tool they could use to debug code, create presentations, generate images, shop, and plan trips. In fact, the phrase “chatbot” now feels a little too small, and maybe even dated, for what ChatGPT can do today. Also: I stopped using ChatGPT for everything: These AI models beat it New use cases are constantly being developed for and because of AI, and ChatGPT itself now has to keep up with an exploding industry filled with competitors, from Anthropic’s Claude to Google’s Gemini. Still, if you want to try AI, the OG is a good place to start. You can type, talk, …

A Pilates instructor says these are the five moves beginners usually get wrong and explains how to do them properly

A Pilates instructor says these are the five moves beginners usually get wrong and explains how to do them properly

Published by Jenni Sidey

Correctly performing the movement pattern of an exercise is important for ensuring you don’t injure yourself, but it’s also crucial for getting the benefit from the exercise. “Sometimes, people believe that Pilates is simply too easy, but often, with a simple tweak to an exercise, we suddenly feel the whole exercise change—and we notice we are working much harder,” Helen O’Leary, Pilates instructor at Complete Pilates. “There are certain ways of doing exercises that might mean you move a little more efficiently, or with less pain, or you just get more out of doing an exercise.” Latest Videos From You may like That’s why in-person instruction can be so valuable, because a trained practitioner can spot a mistake and make the right correction. But with so many of us practicing at home using follow-along videos, I asked O’Leary to pick the five Pilates exercises that she sees people struggle the most with. As well as detailed instructions on how to do them properly, O’Leary explains the biggest mistakes most people make with each move, so …

How to Use Grok 4.3 a 2026 Beginner’s Guide

How to Use Grok 4.3 a 2026 Beginner’s Guide

Published by skeptic

Grok 4.3 offers a comprehensive platform for tackling a wide range of professional tasks, from automating repetitive processes to managing complex projects. In this hands-on walkthrough, AI Master introduces the essentials of getting started with Grok 4.3, including how to set up your account, adjust preferences like memory for persistent context retention and explore its various operational modes. For instance, the “Expert Mode” is highlighted as a go-to option for tasks requiring in-depth analysis and decision-making. These foundational steps ensure that users can personalize the platform to align with their unique workflows and objectives. This guide will help you navigate key features and practical applications of Grok 4.3. You’ll gain insight into using the “Projects” feature to organize tasks and streamline collaboration, learn how to automate recurring prompts for improved efficiency and explore advanced capabilities like generating structured outputs or executing Python scripts directly within the interface. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to integrate Grok 4.3 into your daily routines to enhance productivity and achieve your goals. Getting Started with …

Zorin OS vs. Solus: I tested two great Linux distros for beginners to find out which is best

Zorin OS vs. Solus: I tested two great Linux distros for beginners to find out which is best

Published by skeptic

Jack Wallen/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Solus has come a long way since its humble beginnings. You get just the right amount of preinstalled software and your choice of desktop. Solus is close to Zorin OS, but two factors give Zorin OS the edge. I recently tested Zorin OS 18.1 and dubbed it the best Linux distro – for anyone. I would go so far as to say that it’s the best OS I’ve ever used. That same day, I learned that Solus had a new release as well.  Version 4.9 of Solus was released on April 18, and I opted to download the Budgie version of the OS. I’ve used the Budgie desktop many times and thought it would be a good comparison against Zorin OS. Also: Why Zorin OS 18.1 is simply the best Linux distro – for anyone Why make this comparison? That’s simple: I’m often asked which distribution is best suited for new users, and I always want to make sure I’m …

7 Best Running Shoes for Beginners of 2026, Tried and Tested

7 Best Running Shoes for Beginners of 2026, Tried and Tested

Published by Jenni Sidey

If there’s one thing the best running shoes for beginners shouldn’t be, it’s intimidating. That’s because when you start running (or start to think about starting running), it can feel like stepping into a whole new world, especially now that running has become such a cult-like experience with the advent of run clubs, running-turned-street-style, and uber-pricey recovery gear. (Sorry, runners!) You might feel that you need to learn a whole new lingo of paces, PRs, and training blocks. But running is, and always has been, one of the most simple and accessible forms of exercise. All you really need to hit the pavement is a good pair of shoes—and probably some moisture-wicking clothing. Even still, you’re probably overwhelmed with so many running shoe models plastered across your social feeds—not to mention jargon like “stack height,” “heel drop,” “max cushion,” and “super foams,” to name a few. Most beginners don’t need the priciest, highest-tech running shoes. You’ll want something reliable, versatile, and comfortable so that you actually enjoy your daily jogs. Here are seven shoes I’ve …

Best Fitbit Models for Beginners, Athletes, and Kids (2026)

Best Fitbit Models for Beginners, Athletes, and Kids (2026)

Published by skeptic

It’s been five years since Google officially acquired Fitbit for a reported $2.1 billion, grabbing hardware and software teams that also absorbed assets from Pebble, which Fitbit itself acquired in 2016. So, how have things changed? Well, for starters, Fitbit is now Google Fitbit. It’s not the most imaginative of name changes, and it hasn’t stuck in consumers’ minds, but the good news is that Fitbit devices remain some of the most user-friendly and welcoming fitness trackers available. This is especially true if you’re just starting, or reigniting, your fitness journey. Fitbit’s dominance has waned slightly in the face of countless alternatives, but its affordable approach, user-friendly interface, and great styling make it one of the best wearable fitness brands. If you’re looking for a reliable step-counting, sleep-tracking monitor, you’re in for a treat—and thanks to Google’s stewardship, you can now even find a smartwatch with features to rival the competition. Here are my picks of the best Fitbit trackers, whatever your wearable needs are. For more wearable recommendations, check out our guides to the …

A beginner’s guide to tablescaping with flowers

A beginner’s guide to tablescaping with flowers

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more The art of tablescaping is becoming so popular that RHS Malvern Spring Festival is debuting a floral tablescaping category in its RHS-judged gardens this year. One of the entrants, Ashley Edwards, wedding and event florist at Ash Tree Floral Designs in Birmingham, is designing At The Threshold: The Garden Comes To The Table, which shows the anticipation between spring and summer, when plants, bulbs and flowers emerge with energy and promise. It will feature a mixture of cut flowers and plants, using terracotta pots mixed with cut flowers that look like they are growing through the table. She offers advice to beginners who want their garden tables to look dazzling. Avoid too many colours “That’s a key thing with a tablescape. Things look more …

Sony PS-LX3BT review: Still the best record player for beginners

Sony PS-LX3BT review: Still the best record player for beginners

Published by skeptic

Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of ContentsSony PS-LX3BT review: Setup and hands onSony PS-LX3BT vs. Sony PS-LX310BT: What’s new?Sony PS-LX3BT review: Final thoughts After seven years — a metric eternity in tech time — Sony has finally ventured back into the world of Bluetooth turntables. This spring, the company released the Sony PS-LX3BT ($399.99) and the Sony PS-LX5BT ($499.99), a pair of replacements for its original PS-LX310BT record player. These newcomers have big shoes to fill. Long regarded as one of the best beginner-friendly turntables, the PS-LX310BT was a popular, perennial favorite for its easy setup, fully automatic operation, and minimalist look. It also helped that it was easy to find on sale for under $200 in its later years. Admittedly, I never rode the PS-LX310BT hype train. The record player I’ve used for the past 10-odd years is an entry-level wired, manual turntable that’s served me well for the most part, save for some occasional needle issues. I like it a lot… or at least, I thought I did until I used …