Fitness

Recipe for easy, make-ahead breakfast bars

Recently, we’ve made many moms happy by providing the scientific facts backing up their ongoing claim that eating a healthy breakfast is important. We’ve also discussed some of the guidelines that make up this elusive “healthy” breakfast. But one of the chief obstacles remain: We’re busy people, particularly in the morning. There’s not always the […]

Fitness

How to Continue Running Throughout Your Pregnancy

Ask Coach Jenny Q: How can I continue to run safely through my pregnancy?  ~Elisabeth A: Best wishes to you, Elisabeth, on your pregnancy. It sounds as if you’ve been running regularly, which is great because most doctors encourage women to continue their exercise routines through the pregnancy with modifications to effort levels along the […]

Fitness

Breakfast: Really the Most Important Meal of the Day?

How many times has someone reminded you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? It’s one of those health bromides that most everyone knows — and ignores. We’re usually in just too much of a rush in the mornings to do anything more than grab a pre-packaged or frozen something and call […]

Fitness

How to Chose a Multivitamin

In a recent post, we discussed the research surrounding multivitamins and their potential health benefits. Although some of the studies contradict each other, and some researchers still insist that there are dangers associated with these common supplements, they are widely used. If you do decide to take a multivitamin, how should you chose one from […]

Fitness

Program Overview: Glute Burn

The Glute Burn program is found on the state-of-the-art Vision Fitness® Suspension Elliptical™ Trainers S7100, S7200 and S70. This interval-based, muscle-targeting program is made possible by the adjustable incline feature, which is not available from every elliptical manufacturer. The program automatically varies incline settings in ranges that target the glutes and hamstrings throughout the pedaling […]

Fitness

How to Return to Running after Illness

Ask Coach Jenny Q: I have been unable to run for several months due to illness and injury. What are your recommendations for getting back into running? ~Linda A: Hi, Linda. I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better. Although it can be tempting to jump back in to your running program where you left off before the […]

Fitness

Go for a Spin

If you’re in the market for a challenging workout, or a cyclist looking for a way to escape Mother Nature’s bad days, indoor cycling may be for you. Group indoor cycling, or “spinning,” is a fast-paced workout on a stationary bike led by a fitness instructor. This popular fitness trend has stood the test of […]

Fitness

Why napping is good for you

I grew up in a family of nappers. In fact, my dad used to joke that his second job was mattress testing since he spent much of his leisure time resting on one. Turns out he was onto something. And so are the Spanish and other cultures who believe in the siesta, a little afternoon respite to […]

Fitness

Should You Take a Multivitamin?

In 2011, Consumer Reports reported that Americans were spending about $5 billion per year on multivitamins. This means that roughly one third of the country’s population regularly takes multivitamins (which also generally contain minerals), making them the most commonly taken supplement in the U.S.A. That level of popularity isn’t necessarily proof of a supplement’s safety or effectiveness, however — after […]

Fitness

How to Switch to a Standing Desk

The benefits of stand-up or standing desks have been well-documented, and many offices are slowly making the transition from traditional sitting desks. Standing desks, as their name suggests, allow the user to stand while working, raising the desk surface to a comfortable level. Numerous studies show that this style of workstation can make you more productive, decrease […]

Run first 5K
Fitness

How to Train for Your First 5K

Ask Coach Jenny: Training For Your First 5K Q: My friend started running last year and has really inspired me to start. I want to train for a 5K race but I have no idea where to get started. Running has always been such an impossible challenge that I typically throw in the towel after […]

Fitness

Working It In. Simple Ways to Squeeze Fitness into your Workday

Daily workouts on your home fitness equipment are a great way to establish your fitness and move you toward your goals, but changing your habits during the rest of your day can really push you to the next level. Here are a few workday strategies to help you toward weight loss and better fitness. 6:00 […]

Fitness

Family Friendly Exercise

It’s no big secret that parents are kept extraordinarily busy, and often find little to no time for exercise. Similarly, time constraints can make prepackaged food a much more appealing option than preparing something fresh. A 2011 study published in the Official Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics found that mothers of young children […]

Fitness

10 Quick, Healthy Meal Ideas

These days, it’s normal to work long hours and feel constantly strapped for time. So it’s no wonder so many of us hit the drive-thru for dinner. However, most fast food meals are lacking in the nutrition department. With proper planning, it is possible serve healthy, satisfying meals at home in a matter of minutes. Healthy […]

Fitness

Warding Off the Dangers of a Desk Job

There are certain things that we accept as being unhealthy, like smoking and drinking too much. We rarely put sitting in that same category. It’s surprising, then, that a quickly growing body of research suggests that sitting for long periods of time is not just unhealthy,but could even cause irreversible damage — damage that can’t be undone by […]

Fitness

Your Shape: Understanding Body Types

You’ve probably heard countless times about the importance of setting proper goals when it comes to fitness and weight loss. But what is a proper goal? Essentially, you want to set your sights on something that is both challenging and attainable. Trying to do something extremely difficult like losing eight pounds of fat in a week […]

Fitness

Fitness Myths: Spot Training

One of the most common fitness myths is spot training, sometimes called spot reduction. Spot training is the idea that you can cause weight loss or muscle definition in one area without affecting other parts of the body. This myth is particularly persistent because everyone wants it to be true. Everything would be so much […]

Fitness

Seven Fitness Myths Busted

If I had a dollar for each time someone told me “running is bad for your knees”, I’d have enough money for a pretty nice vacation. Luckily for me and all of the other runners out there, this information is outdated and inaccurate. It turns out that running may actually protect your knees from health […]

Fitness

Working Out for Weight Loss? The Right Diet Makes a Difference!

We’ve come a long way from the days of carb-heavy, low fat diets touting “all calories are created equal.” Recent findings demonstrate that your success in dieting may be about more than calories in/calories out. A side by side comparison of low fat, low carb and low glycemic index diets shows that our bodies respond very […]

How To Feel Like A Kid Again
Fitness

10 Ways to Act Like a Kid That Are Good for the Mind, Body and Soul

Kids have fun. They run, skip, hop, jump and twirl freely. They play tag. They dance, even if they don’t know the right moves — who cares, as long as it feels good? As we get older, we forget what it’s like to be a kid. Kids let their hair down almost all the time (except […]

Fitness

Rest Periods – A Vital Part of any Fitness Routine

When designing their fitness routine — or even just talking about it — most people will discuss their strength training, cardio training, flexibility and diet. Few, however, will even mention their rest periods. Most exercisers figure that if some exercise is good for you, then more is even better, but this practice can be counterproductive and […]

Fitness

Born To Run

Not many people would say that they’re natural born runners. In fact, over 90 percent of people who train for 26.2-mile marathons suffer injuries in the process. But modern biological and archeological evidence both suggest that the human body is actually uniquely suited for distance running, in a way no other animal can compete with. The […]

Fitness

Fun Ways to Eat Less – Try Chopsticks (or Get Naked!)

Who doesn’t like to play with their food?  It’s something your mother probably told you not to do, but now that you’re an adult, give it a try. Especially since it can help you eat healthy. That’s the message preached by Bill Wurtzel, a jazz guitarist turned healthy food guru, in his book Funny Food: 365 Fun, Healthy, Silly, Creative […]

Fitness

Barefoot Running Basics

One reason running appeals to so many people is its simplicity. No advanced skill is required, it can be done anywhere and at any time, and you only need one piece of equipment: a good pair of running shoes. Some people, though, believe running can be even simpler than that. Just leave the running shoes at […]

Fitness

What You Should Know About Cleanses

Our bodies are steeped in toxins and chemicals on a daily basis, and these substances may have an impact on the body that modern science has yet to fully comprehend. It’s understandable, then, that the most searched-for diet fads online are juice cleanses which promise to rid us of these harmful substances. But do these […]

Fitness

10 Ways to Stay Cool in July and Feel Like a Kid Again

Remember being a grade school kid and how much you looked forward to summer vacation? Don’t let that carefree feeling on soaking up the summer days escape you. Celebrate summer while feeling like a kid again. Here are 10 ways to stay cool and feel young. 1. Set up the sprinkler. Or the Slip’n Slide. […]

Fitness

After Baby: Can your Home Fitness Workouts Survive the Fourth Trimester?

I am writing this in the thick of the post partum period. Seven weeks ago we welcomed our beautiful little girl to join her big two-and-a-half-year-old brother in our family. Although I’m motivated to work out and regain my fitness, I’m also reminded that babies are a classic example of ideals meeting reality. While some […]

Fitness

Protect Your Feet

If you’re an athlete or a gym rat, you likely spend even more time on your feet than the average person. For example, runners’ feet hit the ground close to 40,000 times during a marathon. So if you want to stay healthy, you need to make sure your feet do, too. Not surprisingly, foot problems are […]

Fitness

Strength and Cardio Training: Should They Mix?

Strength and cardiovascular training methods are often at odds. Many people train in strictly one or other, believing that the neglected training style will somehow hinder their progress. Gym myths and misunderstandings just add to the confusion, promoting ideas like “running burns muscle.” Other exercisers simply don’t know how to incorporate both strength and cardiovascular […]

Fitness

Exercise Recommendations for Cancer Survivors

Getting back to exercise may be the last thing on your mind after cancer treatment — but it may be the best thing for you. Once, the common view was that patients in recovery should rest and avoid activity. Not anymore. The American Cancer Society recently released new guidelines that recommend both good nutrition and exercise for survivors to […]

Fitness

Living With Flat Feet

It may surprise you to learn that we are all born with flat feet. The arches on the insole of the human foot are caused by a tightness in the tendons that hold the foot together. From birth until about three years of age, these tendons are loose, allowing the entire foot to contact the […]

Fitness

Is Marriage Really Good for Your Health?

Marriage is good for you, according to numerous studies. I know for a fact that it’s good for providing love, happiness and companionship — but on my recent 27th wedding anniversary, I set out to discover just how good marriage actually is for my health. The Correlation Between Marriage and Health Lots of research suggests that married people live longer, enjoy a […]

Fitness

Six Supplements that Could Improve Your Workouts and Your Health

Working out regularly on your Horizon Home Fitness Equipment can go a long way towards getting and keeping yourself fit, but do you find yourself wondering if you should throw a little supplementation into the mix? Will vitamins keep you healthy? Will protein fuel your workouts or slow you down? Here’s a little research to […]

Fitness

Improve Your Breathing, Improve Your Performance

Blinking, the beating of your heart, swallowing – these are all things we do countless times a day, often without even noticing. In fact, the average person breathes over 20,000 times in a single day. Breathing in particular has been the focus of many forms of traditional medicine and exercise over the centuries: yoga, tai […]

Fitness

10 Ways to Keep Your Cool When Exercising in the Heat

Like many athletes, I spend each winter counting down the days until spring. I am not a fan of running or biking in the cold, so the warm weather is always a nice welcome. But before too long, summer comes — and I’m complaining about the heat! Exercising in the summer is more than just uncomfortable. It […]

Fitness

Athletes: Tips to Stay Fit in the Off-Season

As a runner, I look forward to fall because it’s race season. I train hard throughout spring and summer so I’ll be in peak condition once autumn rolls around. But that doesn’t mean take it easy all winter. If you’re also a runner – or a cyclist, tennis player or ice hockey player – you may not […]

Fitness

How to Use Periodization Training in your Cardio Workout

There are many potential stumbling blocks that may pop up as you pursue your fitness goals. Plateaus, overuse injuries and even plain old boredom can all slow your progress and eventually impede your performance in competitive events. A common piece of wisdom, heard in gyms all around the world, says that variety is the key to avoiding these pitfalls, […]

Fitness

How Much Exercise Does it Take to Make a Difference?

Getting results from your home fitness equipment may be more attainable than you think. It’s easy to feel like there’s no point to working out if you can’t complete your scheduled hour-long elliptical workout or five-mile run, but the evidence is increasingly showing that the first 10 to 20 minutes of your workout make the […]

Fitness

Choosing the Right Pair of Sneakers

Socrates once said “When our feet hurt, we hurt all over.” As usual, he was on to something. Running and working out become that much easier when your feet feel good, and the right pair of sneakers can prevent leg, knee, hip and foot pain now, as well as down the road. “Sneakers” may be a old-fashioned […]

Fitness

Potential Benefits of Beet Juice

An ever-growing number of products on the market claim to enhance athletic performance by manipulating various biological systems and functions. A relatively new group of supplements use certain nitrates to improve muscular endurance, and these nitrates – in addition to several other beneficial compounds – are present in high concentrations in beet juice. How effective is beet juice at increasing […]