When you think of how to beat breast cancer, pumping weights probably isn’t the first activity that comes to mind. But strength training workouts can help lower your risk of the disease.
As women, we are often the caregivers. We play a crucial role in maintaining our family’s health - sometimes at the sacrifice of our own health and wellbeing. But we can’t take care of others if we aren’t in good shape ourselves. So, in the spirit of Women's Health Week, here’s a reminder that caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your friends and loved ones.
Arthritis is one of the most common diseases in the world. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four US adults—or 58.5 million people—have been diagnosed with arthritis.
When you’re searching for the best gym to join, it’s all about chemistry. Gyms are far from a one-size fits all. You want a gym that offers the type of workout plan you’re looking for. You also want a place where you feel comfortable and at home. Depending on your personality, you may desire a gym that’s quiet and laid back. Or, loud and energetic. Finding the perfect place for your exercise routine isn’t easy, and it may take some time and a few visits. And the right gym might not be the one that’s in your back yard.
One of the trends in fitness right now is Foam Rolling. But do you really know what foam rolling is, or how and why you should do it? Foam rolling is a technique used to deliver Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) or a self-delivered deep tissue massage. Much like a deep tissue massage, the purpose of foam rolling is to release tight spots or knots within the muscles to help you improve your range of motion and muscle performance, and overall, just feel better.
We’ve all experienced moments of lost confidence or lower self-esteem, especially at times in our lives when unwanted changes in our bodies start to take place. Whether they result from pregnancy, aging, stress, or other factors, when we see those changes, our first instinct may be to do what feels safe–hide away. But really, what we should be doing is getting out there and working to strengthen our bodies and our self-esteem. Luckily, there’s a safe, supportive environment where women can do just that–Curves, the gym designed for women.
No matter what our jobs or lifestyles, so many of us spend countless hours hunched over a desk or phone—working, texting friends, or reading the news. This unnatural position puts back and neck muscles at risk for injury and fatigue. That, in combination with the stress of daily life, is the perfect storm for bad posture and back and neck pain.
Do you cross your legs every time you sneeze? Refuse to get on the trampoline with the kids? Or hold back a hearty laugh to avoid running to the closest bathroom? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may have a weak pelvic floor.
In the health and fitness arena, we often hear about achieving a “healthy weight.” You may immediately assume a healthy weight means as low as you can go, but this isn’t always the case. For optimum health, you must go with the Goldilocks rule: Not too heavy, not too light, just right.
The average household scale only tells you your total body mass. The problem with this is that it’s just one data point about your health - it’s not the entire story! Body mass can change due to a variety of factors. Most importantly, weight loss or weight gain doesn’t always reflect real health and fitness progress.
