Health & Beauty

Photo: Courtesy of Kaisa Keranen Give the barbells and weight machines a day off and reach for some resistance bands instead. They might look flimsy, but those brightly colored cords are some of the most powerful pieces of equipment in the gym. And if you’re traveling this summer or have …

Photo: Twenty20 Even if you hit the pool multiple days a week, your first organized open-water swim can feel disorienting, intimidating or just downright difficult. “Swimming in open water is completely different from swimming in a pool. There are no lane lines, and in most cases you can’t see the …

Photo: Twenty20 The basis for all movement breaks down to one crucial fit factor: core strength. Whether you’re running, lifting, boxing or downward dog-ing, you need a solid center to crush every exercise — especially if you want to do so sans aches. “Core strength provides a firm platform to …

Photo: Pond5 Short and uber intense, CrossFit workouts combine gymnastics, sprints, plyometrics and Olympic weightlifting for an all-around kick-butt challenge. But there’s a good reason people keep coming back for more. The workout of the day (WOD), which is typically done in a group setting and measured and scored like …

Photo by Becca Matimba When you feel a bout of back pain creep in, is your first instinct to lay down and relax on the couch? You may want to rethink your backache Rx. “Our body responds to movement extremely positively and in a number of ways,” says Eric Robertson, PT, …

Photo: Pond5 Ask top trainers which muscles most people need to strengthen and they’ll probably say the hamstrings and glutes. And one of most effective ways they’ll teach you to fire up your backside is with a deadlift. “The deadlift is a functional move for anyone who has to regularly …

Photo: Twenty20 Diets designed for weight loss make big promises, like dropping pounds and boosting your health — without struggle or deprivation. And that’s one of the big draws of intermittent fasting diets, including the 5:2 Diet. RELATED: Does Intermittent Fasting Really Work? What the 5:2 Diet Is All About …

Photo by Nathaniel Chadwick Now that the weather is warmer, it’s time to ditch the treadmill and take your running workout to the beach. In addition to sweet views, vitamin D-soaked rays and energizing fresh air, running on the sand will give your body a whole new wave of challenges. RELATED: …

Photo: Twenty20 There are many reasons to love a good swim workout. It’s low-impact, makes your heart pound and it fires up literally every muscle in your body. Not to mention, swapping out land-based activities for aqua time is a great way to cross-train. However, working up a good sweat …

If you’ve ever wondered how you can combine your love for running with your thirst for international travel, we have your answer: running tours. These scenic runs take you through some of the world’s largest cities, revealing historic landmarks, alleyways, gardens and rivers to help you soak it all in. …