fitness

Cardio Fitness Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

By Diana J. Smith 3 days ago
  • New research published in PLOS Medicine found that there may be no limits to the benefits of cardio exercise, especially among active people—such as runners.
  • Even by increasing your daily physical activity by as little as 1,000 steps, you can improve your cardio fitness and may lower your risk of heart disease.
  • Those who logged the most physical activity had about about 60 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who logged minimal activity.

    As runners, we already know that high levels of physical activity, including logging long runs, can improve our cardio fitness and has a slew of health benefits. And new research published in PLOS Medicine further supports you getting out there for a daily run or walk. Researchers found that the more active you are, the less at-risk you are for cardiovascular disease, with no threshold to the benefits. This effect was particularly

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    A fitness magazine apologized for telling people to ‘burn off those Christmas calories’ with exercise

    By Diana J. Smith 2 weeks ago
    santa on the treadmill
    You don’t have to ‘burn off’ food consumed over Christmas. Getty

    • Women’s Fitness magazine apologized for a tweet encouraging people to “burn off those Christmas calories” with exercise.

    • The tweet was condemned by health professionals for promoting the “damaging” notion that movement should be punishment for eating.

    • “Because exercise is too often portrayed as a way to burn off food, it’s not seen as an enjoyable part of life and therefore long-term health outcomes aren’t often achieved,” registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert told Insider.

    • Women’s Fitness did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for further comment.

    • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

    A British fitness magazine apologized after posting a tweet encouraging people to “burn off those Christmas calories” with exercise.

    On December 27, Women’s Fitness tweeted: “Are you getting out for a run, walk or cycle today? It’s a great day to burn off those Christmas calories… post

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    Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers boost physical activity levels

    By Diana J. Smith 3 weeks ago
    fitness tracker
    Credit: CC0 Public Domain

    Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers do help boost physical activity levels, finds a review and pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

    The size of the effect is small to moderate, but it may be worth offering them on prescription to motivated patients, given the importance for health of increasing daily physical activity by any amount, say the researchers.

    Globally, more than a quarter of adults don’t meet recommended physical activity levels. Physical inactivity represents a leading cause of death worldwide and is thought to cost billions of dollars every year.

    Some of the most effective strategies to increase physical activity include behaviour change techniques, such as self-monitoring and feedback, which smartphone apps and wearable activity trackers can provide.

    Smartphone ownership is widespread, with activity trackers and fitness apps used by around a third

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    20 fitness trackers and smart watches that are on sale now

    By Diana J. Smith 3 weeks ago

    With so many fitness trackers and smartwatches on the market, it can be difficult to choose the one that is right for you. To help you out, we rounded up 20 of the best-selling fitness watches and health monitors that won’t break the bank. Not only are they on sale for up to 80% off, but when you use coupon code MERRY15 at checkout, you will score an additional 15% off your purchase thanks to our 2-day Christmas sale.

    PureZen Fitness Tracker, on sale for $25.49 when you use coupon code MERRY15 at checkout

    This sleek, fitness tracker not only monitors your heart rate, sleep, calories burned, and steps taken but also keeps you updated with notifications for calls, text messages and your favorite social media accounts.

    GoBe2 Complete Smart-Life Health Tracker Band, on sale for $127.49 when you use coupon code MERRY15 at checkout

    This health tracker, which offers

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