All posts tagged: Fitness

‘There’s no need to obsess over 10,000 steps’ – just do this instead, says a physiotherapist

‘There’s no need to obsess over 10,000 steps’ – just do this instead, says a physiotherapist

Published by Daniella Wilson

We’re all becoming more aware of how important it is to look after ourselves. It’s fundamental if we want not just to live longer, but more importantly, to live well. Yet, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice that’s out there: supplements, fad diets, superfoods and endless wellness routines. That’s why physiotherapist, author and anthropologist Ana Galeote wants to strip away the noise and help us return to the essentials. The expert travelled to Okinawa, Japan, the famed “island of centenarians”, to discover how so many people there live well into their 90s and beyond with such independence and vitality. What she found weren’t secret potions or mystical techniques, but something far more powerful: simple habits, daily movement, and the strength of community. And, she does some myth-busting, including the need to do 10,000 steps a day. This interview takes us on a journey through the human body to understand how we can truly care for it to add more years to our lives, and more importantly, add more life to …

Why You Should Add Eggs to Your Protein Rotation

Why You Should Add Eggs to Your Protein Rotation

Published by Jenni Sidey

Poached. Fried. Soft-boiled. On sourdough or with fries. Give them to us however you got ‘em. But is there a preferred window to indulge in eggs from a fitness perspective? And should we really be skipping the yolk? It turns out, the science is rapidly changing in the world of eggs. Luckily, here our experts have dug down, scooping out the nutritional know-how you need to help you maximize your eggy intake. Why are eggs so good? “I absolutely love eggs,” says Nutritionist Dana Chapman, who’s presumably knocking off poached eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Taste and versatility aside, Chapman is a fan of hen’s jewels for their nutritional content. We’re talking massive levels of choline—a key nutrient needed for brain health and protective against conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, as well as being integral in the production of neurotransmitters associated with motivation, sleep, and libido. They’re also packed with vitamin A, essential for reproduction, gut health, good eye sight (see also: carrots), and healthy skin. Eggs also provide your daily dose of selenium which …

The Benefits of Hitting the Sauna After Your Workout, According to Experts

The Benefits of Hitting the Sauna After Your Workout, According to Experts

Published by Jenni Sidey

We could discuss sauna benefits all day. Of the myriad trending wellness hacks, a traditional sauna—not an infrared sauna, not the steam room, and certainly not an ice bath—is one of the most reliably beneficial and scientifically validated modalities out there, backed by decades of research and confidently endorsed by leading physicians and scientists, many of whom are sauna users themselves. Generally speaking, you don’t have to stress about finding the perfect time to use a sauna. “As long as it’s part of your routine, the benefits—the cardiovascular benefits, the neurological benefits, the overall anti-inflammatory benefits, the mitochondrial benefits—are going to happen no matter where it falls in your day or week,” says Jason Sonners, DC, PhD, a longevity and recovery expert leading research at the University of Miami’s Department of Molecular Biology. That said, there are some reasons to schedule your sauna time right after your workouts. For example, “if you’re using it for muscle soreness, specifically, then the closer to the workout, the better,” Dr. Sonners says. A post-workout sauna sesh can also …

Your smartwatch is lying to you about your fitness. Here’s how

Your smartwatch is lying to you about your fitness. Here’s how

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore You check your smartwatch after a run. Your fitness score has dropped. You’ve burnt hardly any calories. Your recovery score is really low. It’s telling you to take the next 72 hours off exercise. The worst bit? The whole run felt amazing. So why’s your watch telling you the opposite? Ultimately, it’s because smartwatches and other fitness trackers aren’t always accurate. Smartwatches can shape how you exercise Using wearable fitness technology, such as smartwatches, has been one of the top fitness trends for close to a decade. Millions of people around the world use them daily. Smartwatches aren’t always accurate (Getty/iStock) These devices shape how people think about health and exercise. For example, they provide data about how many calories you’ve burnt, how fit you are, how recovered you are after exercise, and whether you’re ready to exercise again. But your …

How To Make Exercise Even Better For Your Heart And Sleep

How To Make Exercise Even Better For Your Heart And Sleep

Published by Sam Flores

You might have heard of “chronotypes”, or a person’s natural body clock that determines whether they’re a night owl or an early bird. That’s usually mentioned in relation to sleep. But a new randomised controlled trial suggests that it might impact our peak workout time, too. Published in the BMJ journal OpenHeart, the research found that, “Aligning exercise timing with individual chronotype significantly enhances cardiometabolic and sleep-related outcomes in at-risk adults.” What did the research show? The scientists conducted a 12-week trial in which 150 sedentary participants, aged 40-60, had their chronotype assessed with a questionnaire. They all had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. The participants were split into groups, including a chronotype-aligned exercise (CAE) group, who worked out when best suited their chronotype, and a chronotype-misaligned exercise (CME) group, who exercised outside of their natural “best” time. Participants completed five 40-minute moderate-intensity sessions a week for the duration of the trial. Researchers measured their blood pressure, heart rate variability, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol levels, sleep quality, and oxyegn use. The reduction in blood …

How Hyrox became the everyday athlete’s Everest as global participation surges

How Hyrox became the everyday athlete’s Everest as global participation surges

Published by Sam Flores

When Jessica Thompson walked into Hyrox Atlanta last October, she felt intimidated by the sea of fit bodies. She had spent months training for the fitness race, but now, watching muscled men and women sprint and squat, she questioned signing up. “I was terrified,” she said. “I almost turned around and walked out.” But as she ran through Hyrox’s signature start tunnel, she felt calm and confident. She was competing that day as an adaptive athlete. After surviving a car crash nearly 20 years earlier, she had limited movement in her left arm and struggled with balance. But she loved a challenge. And as she moved through the race, she was buoyed by cheering spectators. “I was used to being told everything I couldn’t do,” Thompson, 39, said. Showing herself that she could do a Hyrox, she said, was “life-changing.” Since Hyrox first began in Germany in 2017, the events have exploded in popularity. Races sell out in minutes, and in some cities, they have waiting lists of thousands. More than 1.5 million people in …

Democrat demands RFK Jr. insist on Trump mental fitness test, invoke 25th Amendment

Democrat demands RFK Jr. insist on Trump mental fitness test, invoke 25th Amendment

Published by Sam Flores

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about President Trump’s mental fitness Friday, pressing him about some of Trump’s recent social media posts. During a Friday hearing in the House Education and Workforce Committee about the budget of the Department of Health and Human Services, Takano presented large… Source link

Is Your Proteinmaxxing Hurting Your Gut?

Is Your Proteinmaxxing Hurting Your Gut?

Published by Jenni Sidey

If you’re reading this, chances are protein ranks high on your list of priorities. It builds muscle, curbs cravings, and aids recovery, making proteinmaxxing less of a fleeting trend and more of an obvious lifestyle choice. But if you’re one of the roughly three million Americans living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis—that protein obsession hits a little differently. On one hand, chronic inflammation and malabsorption might increase protein needs. Flares can also strip weight fast—potentially taking muscle along with it—making it seem smart to bank as much of the macro as you can. But certain protein-rich foods, or simply eating too much of it, can irritate an already volatile gut. So are all those shakes and steaks helping your cause or unwittingly making things worse? When protein backfires More protein isn’t always better, especially when your gut lining is inflamed. “Most of the protein you eat is meant to be broken down and absorbed in the small intestine,” says Karan Rajan, MD, a gastrointestinal surgeon and the founder of LOAM. “But …

People with better cardiorespiratory fitness tend to be less anxious and more resilient in emotional situations

People with better cardiorespiratory fitness tend to be less anxious and more resilient in emotional situations

Published by José Betancourt

A study in Brazil found that individuals with better cardiorespiratory fitness tended to have lower levels of trait anxiety. They also tended to be more resilient in situations of emotional stress. The paper was published in Acta Psychologica. Cardiorespiratory fitness is the ability of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles to supply and use oxygen efficiently during sustained physical activity. It reflects how well the body can perform activities such as walking, running, cycling, or swimming over time without becoming overly fatigued. A person with better cardiorespiratory fitness can usually exercise longer and recover faster after exertion. This form of fitness is important because it is closely linked to physical health, endurance, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. One key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness is maximal oxygen uptake, called VO2max, which estimates the body’s capacity to use oxygen during intense exercise. Resting heart rate is another indicator, because lower resting rates are associated with better cardiovascular efficiency. Heart rate recovery after exercise is also useful, since faster recovery generally suggests better fitness. Endurance …

Tell us: do you use AI for fitness? | Fitness

Tell us: do you use AI for fitness? | Fitness

Published by Sam Flores

According to reports, people are incorporating AI into their fitness routines in a variety of ways; they have it write up training plans, design meal plans and workout playlists, and provide feedback on form. We want to hear from you: how are you using AI in your workouts? Share your experience You can share your experience using this form. Your responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For alternative ways to get in touch securely please see our tips guide. How do you use AI in your workouts? Please include as much detail as possible. What prompted you to incorporate AI into your fitness routine? Please include as much detail as possible. How do you feel about AI in general? Do you use it in other areas of your life? …