Hitting a daily step count is a popular way of increasing fitness levels in day-to-day life in a low-impact, safe and free way. While the jury's out on the precise number a 2023 study showed that between 7,000 and 8,000 was the sweet spot for lowering the risk of disease and premature death 10k is still burned into common consciousness as the magic number to aim for.
The best advice for living a healthy, well-adjusted life eat your vegetables, get a good night's sleep, politely decline when the Jagerbombs appear never really changes. Other nuggets, such as how much protein you should be eating or how to maximise workouts, seem to change every year. But as we wonder whether we should really give sauerkraut another go, science marches on, making tiny strides towards improving our understanding of what's helpful.
Like weighted vests, a vibration plate on its own isn't going to miraculously make you lose weight - but this piece of equipment does have some benefits that can be extremely helpful, especially when combined with regular exercise. What is a vibration plate? A vibration plate is a vibrating platform (some have different levels) that you stand on, although some users may do squats or other simple exercises while on one. "Vibration plates make your muscles move quickly, which can help them feel more active,"
Most mornings, the Blue Boobies arrive in waves at the Albany Beach parking lot. Some days, they start as early as 6 a.m., appearing in the dark, attaching themselves to lit buoys and venturing out, barely visible in the predawn light. Then, another wave around 7 a.m., after the sun's up, and another at 8. This swim group's name is not only a reference to the blue-footed seabird but also the, well, physiological impact of prolonged cold water exposure to female bodies.
Everybody strives to live an active lifestyle. It may be a brisk walk or a hot yoga class, but nevertheless exercise is a focus for a large part of society. When media was established, this necessity grew exponentially, creating jobs for the experts in this field, also known as influencers. Fitness gurus have ruled the centuries in the media. From the famous Billy Banks in the 90s to 2020's Blogilates, the workout saga has only been on the rise.
I'd argue our collective relationship to at-home fitness is less frenetic, and certainly less desperate. It's now an option. Something you can turn to when you're short on time, when you need something quick and reliable. (In a recent appearance on 60 Minutes, longevity expert Peter Attia emphasized the importance of even finding 15 minutes, a few times a week, to pencil in a bit of strength training.) You don't need much to that end, but you need something.
The RITFIT GATOR 3-Section Adjustable Weight Bench is designed for those who want more from their workouts and their space without compromising on either front or settling for less. It's a bench that grows with you as your fitness journey progresses, adapts to your changing goals seamlessly across different training phases, and looks as good as it performs in any environment you place it. The modular design makes it work for beginners and serious athletes alike.
At one point, I was resting on a hip thrust machine, letting my mind wander without auditory stimuli beaming directly into my brain - kind of nice, actually - when a woman called, "Hey, do you have a second?" and asked for advice on using the belt squat machine. I was happy to help, and we chatted for a bit before exchanging friendly goodbyes.
Three of these moves are included in a list that some trainers have dubbed "the Big 5" (planks, push-ups, burpees, mountain climbers and squats). Done right, and often, you'll build more than strength - you'll also improve your balance, mobility, range of motion and muscle endurance. That's because these movements recruit muscles in areas that lifters have a tendency to ignore (obliques, forearms, ankles, etc.).
They discuss the transformation of recovery techniques from the early days of simple practices like hydration and nutrition to the modern inundation of gadgets and supplements. Key highlights include the necessity of foundational recovery methods such as proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and social support. The hosts also stress that while advanced recovery tools have their place, they should complement, not replace, the basics.
Fiorella Rafael remembers feeling stiff at the end of every day in her old office job. That lack of movement would creep up and compound over the week, she says. Though standing and walking meetings were encouraged, with deadlines to meet it wasn't always tenable. It's partly what drove me to become a pilates instructor, she says. Now Rafael teaches pilates at Sydney's Scout Studios, where she meets people like me who spend far too much time sitting.
RITFIT's Patriotic Color Bumper Plates answer this call by combining serious Olympic-standard performance with bold American spirit. The story behind these plates reflects the growing movement of athletes who want their training environment to inspire and energize them. Every lift becomes a celebration when you're surrounded by gear that represents something bigger than just moving weight. The star-spangled design transforms routine workouts into moments of genuine motivation and pride.
Not all workouts need to be an hour long. If you work from home and only have 10 minutes to move, you can do a few exercises back-to-back to boost your strength, cardio and mobility. I asked two of Peloton 's top coaches for their go-to exercises for mini workouts. Ben Alldis-a strength and cycle coach with Peloton-recommends doing a compound move like a dumbbell thruster, along with a plank variation, to target multiple muscle groups.
After a couple of months travelling where I didn't hold back on alcohol and carbs, I decided on radical action to get over my gym-phobia. I flew from France to Thailand, where I moved into a four-storey gym adjoined by 17 hotel rooms. I lived there for a week, taking as many classes, ice baths, saunas and scoops of protein powder as I could handle.
"I sometimes trained five hours a day with weights," he told Business Insider. "That's a lot of stress on the body - and clearly the body was not meant to do all that."
Fitness fanatics are scuttling around on all fours, in a practice that has been dubbed 'quadrobics'. Advocates of quadrobics say it offers a 'full-body workout', with one even claiming they were able to achieve a six-pack within weeks. However, not everyone is so convinced. Some critics have warned of the potential injury risks associated with quadrobics, while others have gone so far as to claim that the exercise 'poses a danger to society'.
With CrossFit more or less done for, there's a new fitness obsession in town: HYROX. The event alternates eight one-kilometer runs with eight different workout stations: SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jump, rowing, farmer's carry, sandbag lunge and wall balls. It's very popular: the 2024-25 HYROX season saw 650,000 participants competing in 40 races from London to Cape Town.
Yoga blocks are one of the most versatile tools you can bring to your mat. They make alignment more accessible and bring depth to familiar shapes. Not all yoga blocks are created equal, though. Each of the most common options comes with its own strengths and drawbacks. Some are softer and easier to grasp, others are sturdier and built to last. But the one thing that's for certain? Having a set at home can make such a difference to your practice.
