Healthy happy you.
Ski season is rapidly approaching and with it means sore quads. That is if you don't do any preseason conditioning. I would start with the simple assessment of the your quad endurance, which is also a great exercise to add into your routine. Wall Sit Test Assesses: Quad strength and endurance Place your back against the wall, and walk your feet out and away from the wall about 3 ft. Bend your Read more
Running up hills is tough, which is why many runners avoid them as much as cotton socks. Incorporating hills into your runs is the best way to increase your speed, build your endurance, and tone your lower body — something running on the flats just won't do. In order to power up those steep rises, you'll need strong quads, calves, hamstrings, and glutes. Here are five exercises all runners Read more
Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise, because besides burning major calories and toning your tush, it costs pennies compared to other sports. If you're a runner at heart, be sure to avoid these three most common mistakes. Wearing Sneakers For Too Long Your trusty old pair was there for you when you shaved two minutes off your 10K time and later conquered your first half, but that Read more
If strong, sculpted legs are what you're after, you've got to become one with the squat. The basic exercise targets glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core, so incorporating it into your strength-training workouts is definitely worth your while. Here are some ways to get more bang for your butt — er, I mean buck — when doing squats. Focus on your heels: When doing a squat, make sure to shift Read more
Don't skip out on strength training just because you think running is the ultimate form of exercise. Building a little muscle should be part of every runner's cross-training fitness routine. Squats, a classic lower-body move, is great for runners for these four reasons. Prevent knee injuries: Knee pain is one of the most common injuries runners face. Aside from wearing supportive sneakers and Read more
I'm all for jogging up stairs to warm up before a run, and I've even come to love running hills. But running straight up the 86 flights of stairs it takes to get to the top of the Empire State building seems grueling. That's just what the 650 brave souls who are entered in the 35th Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Race are doing tonight. Keep reading to find out how long it took last year's Read more
Love it or hate it, a major plus to sweating it out on the elliptical is that you can work your body in a variety of ways using this machine. Pedaling forward works your quads while going backward targets the hamstrings and booty. Focus on pushing the handles gets your chest, and pulling them focuses the work in your upper back. And letting go of the handles while keeping your pace steady Read more
Doing Full Backbend, also known as Wheel pose, isn't exactly on the list of beginner moves. It's demanding both from a flexibility as well as a strength standpoint, so it's best to stick to Half Wheel, Camel, and other easier variations before trying your hand at Full Backbend. When you are ready, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you're doing this heart-opening pose safely and Read more
You can't go to a yoga class and NOT do this pose. It's called Warrior 2 and it's great for opening tight hips and shoulders and strengthening quads, calves, and shins. It also works your core muscles, because when you're in this pose, you really have to concentrate on elongating your spine and drawing your belly in. You can get into this pose from Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot Read more
Have you got the running bug? If you've recently committed to a running program, it may seem like there's not much prep involved, except downloading your favorite playlist. Running is a popular pastime because it doesn't require much know-how to start — just pick out your shoes and go. But that doesn't mean that there isn't technique. Whether you're starting out or never thought twice about Read more
