By Dale Bliss  This new sport, Pickleball, seems to be rising in popularity quickly. According to Pickleballafter50.com and Pickleball for Seniors, it has become especially popular for the over-50 set. It is reported more than half of those engaged in Pickleball are at least 55 and 65-year-olds make up almost a third of those that indulge in this growing sport. Related: 5 Hidden Health Benefits of Pickleball for Older Adults Pickleball is a friendly and low-impact sport. It is similar to tennis in that it contributes to health and social functions among the senior set and it’s easy to lea ..read more

In a fitness world obsessed with lifting more weight, showing more abs, and building bigger biceps, a lot of workout enthusiasts forget about—or ignore—the un-sexy parts of fitness.  I mean, who wants to post on Instagram about their nine hours of sleep or gallon of water a day? Meh, I think most of us would rather post our new squat personal records. You should know, however, you won’t have a celebratory squat PR video to post without good technique. And without good mobility, you won’t have good technique.  That’s right: Today I’m here to talk to you about the i ..read more

Thumbnail image by Mabel Amber, who will one day from Pixabay From Family Features In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are more aware of their health, wellness and exercise habits. Now, as social restrictions ease, you may find yourself stepping up your workouts, whether you’re training for an event or working to improve your game in a recreational league. Sprains, strains and injuries can happen to even the most seasoned athletes. When you’re testing your limits, even a minor injury can alter your performance. Consider products and supports like these from the CURAD Performa ..read more

Thumbnail image by pasja1000 from Pixabay By Mark Grevelding  Most people understand that regular exercise is important for optimal wellness and daily function. However, few understand how the breakdown of the food we consume is converted to an energy source that supports all of the functions we do on a daily basis. Understanding energy metabolism and how food is converted to an energy source known as ATP is probably best left for exercise physiologists.  What is important to know is that you can train your body to be ready for any energy demand by including both aerobic and ana ..read more

Thumbnail image by Wokandapix from Pixabay By Mark Grevelding  As we ring in another New Year and enjoy our mild Florida winter, it is a good time to reassess the status of our exercise enjoyment.  As the seasons change, so should your fitness activities.  Sticking to a rigid exercise routine regardless of how your body feels can tank your mood, cause physical malaise and plateau results. The physical needs of your body not only change over time, but they also change on a daily basis.  Learning how to adapt your fitness pursuits to your daily barometer is referred to as exe ..read more

Thumbnail image by Arek Socha from Pixabay From Family Features In adjusting to the constraints of the pandemic, many Americans had to improvise where and how they work out. After months of adapting to a “gym anywhere” mentality and learning to accommodate more flexible workout schedules, this new fitness mindset is inspiring some larger trends for healthier living. “We’ve learned that wellness is not one-size fits all, and that it’s achieved by small habits like regular hydration that can really impact how you feel throughout the day,” said celebrity fitness trainer H ..read more

Thumbnail image by monicore from Pixabay By Mark Grevelding  Need help staying motivated with exercise during the holidays? Below is a fun 12-day fitness program you can do in your living room. Designed with exercises for cardio, flexibility and strength, this progressive workout increases in time and exercises each day, starting with one minute on the first day of fitness and increasing in time to 20 minutes by the 12th day. Similar to the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” you add on the previous days of exercises as you go. You don ..read more

Thumbnail image from Pixabay By Mark Grevelding  President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983.  As we recognize the 38th anniversary, let us also acknowledge the role of exercise in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Dementia refers to a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.   About Alzheimer’s Disease According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 ..read more

Thumbnail image from Pixabay By Mark Grevelding  Often referred to as “middle-age spread,” weight gain is an inevitable rite of passage for many as they age.  Age-related muscle loss, also called sarcopenia, contributes to much of that weight gain.  According to the American Council on Exercise, most adults start losing about a half-pound of muscle each year, starting at around age 30. Some loss of this tissue is expected as we age, but most is due to inactivity.    As the human body loses muscle, th ..read more

Thumbnail image from Pixabay By Susan Goldfein  I’m all for self-improvement, as long as it doesn’t involve exercise. I’ve become a gym-o-phobe.  The mere thought of a sports bra and sneakers can ruin the most perfect day. But perhaps “-phobe” isn’t an accurate suffix to explain my condition. I don’t fear the gym; I out-and-out hate it!  This attitude represents a transformation from my former self who was once dedicated to treadmills and StairMasters. Perhaps I took too many steps and am suffering from a case of burn-o ..read more