A new study finds that the single biggest influence on kids’ physical activity levels is the exercise habits of their closest friends.
Exercise
Five Unconventional Fitness Classes to Try Now
Tired of your mindless treadmill routine and all that running leading nowhere? Consider mixing up your fitness plan, with more and more gyms offering unique classes for workouts that are effective — and fun.
Q&A: How a Little Exercise Brings Big Benefits
New York Times columnist and author Gretchen Reynolds explains in her new book why you don’t need to train for a marathon to benefit from exercise. And she sings the praises of “fartleking.” What’s that? Read on.
Watching TV Steers Children Toward Eating Junk
Spending time in front of the tube not only leads to mindless eating, but also sets children up to prefer unhealthy foods in general.
Exercise Keeps Muscles Young, Even in Elderly Heart Patients
Doctors previously thought exercise would worsen heart failure patients’ condition, but a new study finds it actually strengthens muscles, improves health and may even boost recovery.
5 Common Mistakes You’re Making at the Gym
Hitting the gym every day is great — unless you’re doing it wrong. We’ve asked fitness experts to help tweak your workout to make it more effective.
Walking to School, Libraries and Markets Helps Keep Kids Slimmer
A cluster of studies relies upon geographical data-mapping to analyze the impact of neighborhood on children’s health.
64 Calories a Day: What Kids Need to Cut to Reverse the Obesity Trend
Researchers analyzed historical data on children’s height and weight and calculated that the childhood obesity rate will rise to 21% by 2020 unless children eat less, exercise more or both.
For Successful Weight Loss, Forget Fad Diets and Pills
A survey of successful weight losers highlights the strategies that worked: exercising and eating fewer calories and less fat
The Healthiest Places to Live in the U.S., Ranked
How healthy is your county? An interactive survey ranks 3,000 U.S. counties on health measures including the number of fast food restaurants and the level of physical activity among residents.
How ‘Bring Your Dog to Work’ Days Could Lower Stress
A study finds that your four-legged companion can be a great stress reliever at work and encourage better relationships with co-workers too
What a Workout! Women Report that Exercise Triggers Orgasm
Up to 15% of women apparently experience orgasm as a fringe benefit of physical exertion. Crunches, anyone?
Ibuprofen Can Prevent Altitude Sickness
A new study suggests that popping a few Advil before a high-altitude climb can prevent symptoms like headache, nausea and fatigue.