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Amanda MacMillan
Published
These products claim to tone muscles and speed workout recovery. But the jury is out as to whether they’re worth the hefty price tag.
If you thought osteoporosis was only an issue for women and older men, you were wrong
A new theory behind the elusive runner's high
The biological reasoning behind our favorite pre-race laxative
How much water you actually need to drink and how to make sure you're actually drinking it
You’re strong when you run flats but as soon as you hit a hill, you’re gasping like a fish on land. Here’s what’s going on.
The downside of doing a different workout every day
If your upper-body strength leaves much to be desired, here's a bit of advice.
We know you’re curious. You should be. Boxing is a great full-body, low-impact workout. Here are a few tips for incorporating it into your fitness repertoire.
Several times now, I've come down with a sore throat and sniffles in the days following a marathon or triathlon. Am I allergic to exercise?
It's a great fitness tool—but there are other ways to use it besides swings
I've been eyeing a course record, but this summer heat is making me lethargic. Any advice on tackling the perfect ride?
It's summer! I'm doubling my mileage and already feeling the pain. What can I do, aside from cutting back or resting, to stay healthy?
Four ways to avoid a potentially dangerous inflammatory response
The number of hours you're supposed to shoot for: 4
Help! I just signed up for my first off-road race, but I live in a concrete jungle
Jumping and "plyo" exercises boost speed and power. But they can benefit distance athletes, too.
Whenever I train or race in the heat, I always feel a strong urge to take a nap. Why, and what can I do to counter it besides loading up on caffeine?
I enjoy beer in moderation, even when training for races. But I have friends who stop drinking entirely for a month leading up to the big day. Are they on to something?
Expert tips to help you get the most out of your strength session—so you don't waste your time.
My city gets smoggy during the summer months. Will it make me sick to train outdoors?
A little of both, probably
Fat and fit is a myth, but a few extra pounds won't kill you—and being skinny won't necessarily save your life.
I got myself a sport watch and it came with a chest strap. I'm tempted not to use the strap because heart rate training seems difficult. Any tips for making it simple?
I know I need some help with my current workout regimen, but I don't know where to start.
I'm an endurance athlete and I feel like if I can't get in at least an hour, working out is pointless. Is there any benefit to training if I have less than 20 minutes to do it?
Basketball or soccer games with friends can take the place of cardio, but they shouldn't be your only form of exercise.
Losing fat and boosting muscle mass can make a big difference in how you burn calories.
Some top-tier bikes tip the scales at just over ten pounds—with a $15,000 price tag. But we have good news: You can save your money, and still go fast.
Boost reaction time and reduce clumsiness on the field with these expert moves.
Turns out you'll start to see and feel results from a new workout routine very quickly—sometimes after just one session.
Maybe. But first, don't assume you're actually iron deficient.
For the first time, the energy-boosting adhesives are being marketed specifically to athletes. Here's what you need to know about them.
There's no scientific evidence proving that salt therapy will make you a better athlete. But it can have some surprising health benefits that have nothing to do with the respiratory system.
Some companies claim that their clothing can make you burn extra calories. Don't believe the hype.
There's nothing wrong with tuning into a show while you're on a trainer. It can actually have some surprising benefits—if done in moderation.
Plus the secret to Lindsey Vonn's amazing comeback.
Feed your competitive appetite—sometimes without even leaving the house.
I just had surgery after a skiing accident, and my wrist is in a cast for several weeks. What can I do to avoid losing strength while I can't move it?
My buddy and I have a bet going. He says snowboarding burns more calories, I say downhill skiing does. Who's right?
Sign up for a midnight fun run on New Year's Eve—and kick ass. Here's how.
Turns out the spin bike is the key to getting—and staying—fast
I'm a runner coming off my competitive season, and I've been super vigilant about watching my weight. Is there anything wrong with gaining a few pounds over the holidays?
My heart feels like it skips a beat every once in a while, especially during exercise. Is this something I should get checked out?
I'm training for an upcoming marathon, and my company's giving out influenza vaccines the week of my race. Will the shot impact my performance?
I'm planning to spend a lot of time at the gym this winter. How do I know that mine gets a clean bill of health?
My house is filled with sweets this time of year. Can I use them instead of sport gels and gummies for long runs and bike rides?
I've always heard that exercise is good for the brain, but does it actually have a real-world impact?
I hear the whole stunt-man thing is a great workout. Is it worth incorporating into my routine?
Or is the test they give me at the shoe store good enough?
Long flights and car trips wreak havoc on my body. How can I reduce the stress of travel and keep up with my current exercise routine?
I want to see if my smartphone can make my workout better, but there are so many choices. What are some tried and true apps that I won't just delete a week in?
I like to exercise in the afternoon or evening, but I often feel too tired to motivate myself. Could a quick rest help?
I hate exercising early in the morning, and I always have obligations at night. How can I squeeze in an effective midday workout?
Sometimes you have to get out of your head to get into your run.
Should I be concerned about Vibrio vulnificus cases reported in Florida and Maryland?
Sometimes when I'm in the middle of a really hard workout, it tastes like I'm sucking on metal. Here's why.
Bring on the bass.
Hill sprints will change the way you run
I thought that starchy foods aren't good for you—why do I keep reading about the health benefits of this certain type?
The last time I ran a marathon, I got sick a month before the race. Is there a connection—and if so, how can I prevent that from happening again?
After an Ironman or an ultramarathon, is it better to take days (or weeks) off of strenuous exercise, or to get right back out there?
Ultrarunner Adam Campbell says he was zapped during the Hardrock 100 trail race this month, but still managed to finish in third place. How is that possible?
When my wife and I go on long runs together, she always manages to finish strong while I fall behind. Am I just out of shape, or do women have an advantage in endurance sports?
I usually sleep for a full eight hours, but lately my new baby has been waking us up every few hours. Does interrupted sleep still count as sleep?
Two brothers and a sister—whose parents are endurance athletes—attempted to swim the English Channel together this month. Does the family factor add any advantage?
Cycling is known for being low-impact. But does that mean it's bad for your bones?
How should I schedule giving blood around my training schedule?
It may not be coincidence that led host country Brazil to the World Cup’s semi-final round for the first time in 12 years. But if Brazil really did have a home-field advantage, what do we make of the team’s tournament-ending, humiliating loss to Germany Tuesday? While a large…
If you never have to worry about actually performing at the top of your game in the heat, then by all means head inside to the treadmill, says Chris Jordan, creator of the 7-Minute Workout and director of exercise physiology at Johnson & Johnson’s Human Performance Institute.
Bet you didn’t think this would come up in your fitness regimen, but your esophagus needs love during training, too. Intense exercise can contribute to heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and there’s a good chance that ramping up your routine may be causing your symptoms, says…
How do we put this nicely? If you’re anything like the participants in a recent Canadian study, you’re probably wrong about your workout intensity. (And yes, you probably are like them, considering that the group contained both men and women of different ages, ethnicities, and BMI classes.)…
We know— it’s hard to pass up the breadbasket, especially if you know you’re going to burn off all those empty calories. And while athletes need carbs—and have a bit more leeway in the unhealthy foods department—it’s prudent not to make white bread a regular staple in…
Think of those tough spots as badges of honor! “Callus formation is a natural response to friction and pressure,” says podiatrist Megan Leahy of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. “Because runners obviously take more steps than non-runners, calluses may occur more readily.” Calluses can be harmless,…
A few weeks before my first “half distance” triathlon—which consisted of 70.3 total miles, including a half marathon at the end—I slipped into a brand new pair of sneakers, intent on breaking them in during my next few practice sessions. They’re triathlon-specific shoes, outfitted with elastic bungee laces and a…
If you’re the type of person who regularly burns the midnight oil, the thought of waking up for a 6 a.m. workout may be pretty unappealing to you. And you’re not alone: A study presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies’ annual meeting last week reported that…
This may not be the answer you’re looking for, but it’s the truth: The most effective way to get back into shape (and stay that way) isn’t by just doing one magic move over and over. The good news? You may not have to work out more than or…
Depending on the school of thought you’re following, meditation can be practiced in a number of ways—sitting cross-legged in a dark room, while on a long run, or even on a crowded bus with the help of a smartphone app and a pair of headphones. In general, though,…
Vitamin B12 shots have been around for years, and they’re often marketed as a miracle cure for everything from fatigue to depression to those stubborn extra pounds you can’t shake. And while it’s true that a B12 deficiency can contribute to those things, there is…
If your everyday routine includes hour-plus sweat sessions, you can probably rest easy, says Brook Schantz, a registered dietitian and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics at Loyola University Medical Center; there’s a good chance your body needs more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of 2,300 milligrams of…