Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” I started working out at age 21, otherwise known as the Dawn of Time. I was present for the birth of aerobics classes and the cult-like following of Atkins. And, I survived Flashdance fashion and Jane Fonda high-rise leotards, and endured a stress fracture from many months of high-impact cardio on unforgiving, cement gym floors. In short, I’ve been an eyewitness to trends, cults, and rises and falls of everything fitness. Through it all, I always belonged to – and later worked at – one gym or another – private gyms, large chain gyms and a few one-on-one boutique type facilities. It wasn’t long before I noticed a few patterns, regardless of the type of gym, class or clientele. Can you guess which one? Every gym has at least one creepy guy who…
Are Planks or Crunches Better for a Solid Core? Fitness Pros Set the Record Straight
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” When it comes to strengthening your midsection, crunches and planks are considered the holy grail. However, these exercises target your muscles differently, and there are pros and cons to each. Here’s how to properly do both of these exercises, plus what you should consider when incorporating each into your routine. Crunches A traditional go-to for ab workouts, crunches contract your abdomen to effectively build muscle. “This exercise targets the abdominal muscles specifically, allowing for the development of a defined ‘six-pack’ through bodyweight resistance—which can be increased with weights,” says Stan Kravchenko, NASM-CPT, a personal trainer and founder of OneFit.com. How to do it Here’s how to properly perform a crunch, according to Kravchenko: Photo: Stan Kravchenko, CPT Begin by lying on your back with your feet flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart. Place your hands…
A 2,000-Meter Row Is the Ultimate Fitness Test—Here’s How To Crush It
Read More at Well+Good Rowing is perhaps the very best full-body workout, and that’s not hyperbole—rowing engages 86 percent of your muscles. And the 2,000-meter row is the gold standard test for rowing athletes as the official distance used in rowing championships. It’s an excellent fitness barometer for novice rowers, too. What is the significance of a 2,000-meter row? “If you’re not familiar with rowing, or meters, it can seem like an arbitrary distance,” says CITYROW founding instructor Annie Mulgrew. “But 2,000 meters is just long enough to test someone’s cardiovascular, or aerobic, fitness levels, and also their anaerobic fitness levels. It’s actually an anaerobic threshold workout, adds Laura Simon, assistant coach for the women’s rowing team at Yale, which means it’s going to take you to your max heart rate and your max physical output. “It’s a true test…
For Better or Worse, the Fitness Industry Is Paying Attention to Pregnant People More Than Ever
Read More at Well+Good It’s common courtesy on the subway to give up your seat to someone who is visibly pregnant. Though considerate, the move could have an outdated implication: That they are not physically fit enough to move about the world. While that may have been society’s attitude for a long time, a different perspective is gaining steam—one that appreciates the strength required for childbirth and parenting. Pre- and postnatal workout classes are now common in the fitness industry, with a recent surge thanks to a confluence of scientific and societal shifts. “The truth is that we have to move throughout our daily lives while we are pregnant,” says Amy Hoover, the resident doctor of physical therapy at P.volve, a functional fitness method designed for women. “While it is true that our bodies rapidly change and adjustment is needed,…