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Every bit of exercise counts toward a longer life, even taking the stairs

Good news for busy people everywhere. A new study reported that every little bit of activity you get in can add up to a longer, healthier life — not just when you do it in half hour or more increments. While advice for the past 30 years as has usually told us to get at least 10 minutes at a time, the latest research from Duke University School of Medicine shows that it doesn’t really matter how you get it, as long as you do. No matter the length of segments people got their exercise, those who moved more were less likely to die over the next six to seven years that those who were less active. Guidelines typically recommend that people get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week, or about 30 minutes, five times a week. But while, the 10-minute-at-a-time bench mark was widely accepted, it…

These two workout classes are dirtier than your toilet

Gym classes are a great way to keep up motivation to workout. However the camaraderie you build when spinning or spotting isn’t the only thing you’re sharing. It seems that certain gym classes leave you more open to swapping bacteria. While all gym equipment — and all public places, for that matter — carry some expectation of germs, a recent study conducted by EllipticalReviews.com found that there are two gym classes in particular that are more unhygienic than a toilet. The researchers took three swab samples from equipment in four different workout classes (spin, hot yoga, barre, and weight-based workouts). The swabs were measured for the volume of microbes found and then the three samples were averaged to determine the level of colony-forming units (CFU). Weight-based workouts were the worst, with an average of 153,410 CFU detected on an average barbell. For comparison, a toilet seat comes in with about 3,200 CFU — that…

Here’s how you can maximize your walking-only workout

Gym membership get too expensive? Running not an option? Here are are a few ways you can take that daily walking workout to the next level. Time to get moving! 1. Add intervals Walking faster isn’t the only way to burn more calories. Researchers from Ohio State University found that changing pace can increase metabolic heart rate by nearly 20 percent over those who maintain a fixed pace while they walk. The study also found that we tend to walk faster when we have longer distances to cover. So set a goal for at least one long distance walk per week, and practice picking up the pace every five minutes or so. 2. Head uphill While it’s great to walk a track, or circle your office building when the weather gets cold, consider adding some gradient to your walk. It’s a no-brainer than you’ll expend more energy and burn more calories than…