Fitness

3:52 PM CDT, May 16, 2012

Skechers comes to $40 million settlement with FTC over sneakers

It turns out wearing sneakers — without exercising — won't get you in shape.

6:42 PM CDT, May 16, 2012

Strengthen the core with ease, efficiency

Train your core muscles with this simple yet highly effective exercise. It's easy to include in your daily abdominal routine, and you will notice how tight and flat your abs feel after just a few times.

6:33 PM CDT, May 16, 2012

Getting buff with 'bells

Kettlebells have been around for hundreds of years but are seeing a resurgence. It seems that gymgoers have finally realized that just one of the cast-iron weights, which originated in Russia, can replace a gym full of equipment — and they can do a plethora of different moves with it.

6:36 PM CDT, May 16, 2012

Fitness factions: Blending men's and women's health advice

I'm one of those women who likes readingmen's healthand fitness magazines. Though they all promise bodies and sex lives that most of us will never have, I'm drawn to the funny, self-deprecating tone, the functional workout tips and the emphasis on sweat, competition and strength training.

6:31 PM CDT, May 9, 2012

Rookie weightlifter: Creatine built for bursts

When I was a rookie weightlifter, I took creatine supplements because everyone else was doing it. I quit after a week for reasons you don't want explained. Suffice to say it involved the words "gastrointestinal" and "distress."

8:37 PM CDT, May 2, 2012

Five minutes with Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Like other 50-year-olds, Jackie Joyner-Kersee aches a bit the day after a vigorous workout. And she's noticed that her vision isn't what it once was.

8:34 PM CDT, May 2, 2012

Lean, serene yoga

Ingrid Yang turned to yoga a dozen years ago as a way to deal with injuries she suffered as a distance runner.

April 28, 2012

5 Questions: Leven Rambin's lean, mean routine for 'Hunger Games'

In "The Hunger Games,"actress Leven Rambin plays a teenage girl who has trained since childhood to fight to the death in a post-apocalyptic arena. To embody the role, Rambin, 21, had to look the part of the young warrior and also be able to wield weapons convincingly — her character, Glimmer, is versed in sword fighting and archery.

8:21 PM CDT, April 25, 2012

Improving your posture — and the look of abs

To achieve perfect posture, you'll need to develop your transversus abdominis, which lies beneath your other abdominal muscles and runs horizontally around your abdomen. When these muscles are strong, they will help to firm and flatten your midsection.

8:11 PM CDT, April 25, 2012

What if your kids can't keep up?

Early on, when my kids were young, I had a two-seat sport stroller that I could push them in while I went running. I could also tow them in it behind my bike. It was great, until my daughter realized she could whale the tar out of her older brother and there was no way for him to escape. And that was the end of that. Screams of terror ruin the Zen of exercise.

April 21, 2012

Circus training without feeling like a clown

I always dreamed of running away and joining the circus, and then on a recent Wednesday I did — and took my whole family with me. We sneaked away from bothersome school and work obligations and went for a private group class at Cirque School in Hollywood.

10:00 AM CDT, April 19, 2012

Exercise outside for Earth Day

Earth Day has become more than a day where Americans clean parks and plant trees or flowers.

April 21, 2012

Defensive actions

Walking into the Forteza Fitness club in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood is like strolling into a cultural time machine.

3:08 PM CDT, April 18, 2012

Seven ways you may be sabotaging your diet

Whether you're counting calories, tallying points, cutting carbohydrates or sweating it out at the gym, dieting is a tough road to navigate. What's even worse is when you sabatoge your own efforts by making some classic diet-busting mistakes you might not even be aware of.

7:42 PM CDT, April 18, 2012

Pharaohs of fitness

Decades after revolutionizing the fitness world, Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons are back doing what they started: starring in exercise DVDs and teaching workout classes.

7:48 PM CDT, April 18, 2012

Good Form

Ratchet up ab workout

Here's a challenging new way to add intensity to your abdominal workout. It's best to start with your hand behind your leg; as you get stronger, take your hand off your leg so you can increase the range of motion by straightening your leg completely.

3:52 PM CDT, April 10, 2012

BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world

Weight loss study: Fads not as helpful as exercising, eating less

Nearly two-thirds of Americans who are obese try to lose weight, and about 40% of them actually succeed. How did they do it? The old-school way: By eating less, exercising more and switching to more healthful foods, according to a new study.

6:43 PM CDT, April 4, 2012

Getting fitness routines in while traveling

Traveling is a great time to try new foods, meet new people and see new places. But do you keep your fitness goals on the itinerary along with that cool restaurant on the travel brochure? Thirty-two percent of respondents from a GO Airport Express survey don't work out at all while on the road.

7:32 PM CDT, April 4, 2012

Ellen Warren: Exercise is hard, but it's worth it — so get going

The conversation started this way: "Working out does suck. And it's hard work."

7:31 PM CDT, April 4, 2012

Parents with Olympian tasks

Nearly two decades ago, at age 24, one of America's most decorated distance swimmers decided to retire.

7:37 PM CDT, April 4, 2012

Build up your upper body in plank pose

Target your core and strengthen your upper body at the same time with this 2-in-1 move. Be sure to keep your shoulders over your wrists and your hips at shoulder height throughout the exercise to get maximum benefit.

4:15 PM CDT, April 2, 2012

Reliance on BMI understates the true obesity crisis, experts say

As if the nation’s weight problems were not daunting enough, a new study has found that the body-mass index, the 200-year-old formula used to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy weight, may be misclassifying roughly half of women and just over 20% of men as healthy when their body-fat composition suggests they are obese.

7:10 PM CDT, March 28, 2012

Spring back into fitness

Think you have what it takes to get in shape? Spring is "gut check" time. And if those abs — or arms or thighs — aren't ready for public display, here are some ways to start a new workout routine:

7:09 PM CDT, March 28, 2012

How to use the weight room wisely

Along with cardio and flexibility work, a good strength-training program is essential for a healthy daily life. If you want to safely lug groceries, pick up kids or swing a golf club, strong muscles are key, especially as we age. Studies have shown that strength training also reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

7:15 PM CDT, March 28, 2012

Stretch brings tension relief for tight quads

Since the fronts of our thighs tend to get strong and tight with most physical exercise, here's an excellent way to conclude any type of workout. Aside from feeling good, it will help prevent knee pain caused by overtight quadriceps.

8:49 PM CDT, March 21, 2012

I was going to exercise but . . .

Dozens of things can derail a workout. You're too tired, too hungry or too stressed. You're bored with your workout or progressing too slowly. Your favorite machine is occupied or the swimming pool is closed for repairs. Your throat is sore or your knee hurts.

12:56 PM CDT, March 14, 2012

Walking can offset the tendency to become obese

So you have fat genes, huh? OK, but your genes aren’t your destiny. A new study shows that people who are genetically prone to obesity can offset that influence by half by walking briskly one hour a day.

4:21 PM CDT, March 13, 2012

Cooler hands could mean better workouts for obese women

Working up a sweat is a good thing when it comes to exercise, but being too hot may make you throw in your workout towel too soon. A study finds that holding a hand-cooling device while exercising may help obese women keep moving longer.

2:39 PM CST, March 7, 2012

Introduction to Pilates

With some fitness regimens, that first trip to the gym can nearly kill you.

10:46 AM CST, March 1, 2012

Countdown to better habits

We rounded up the advice from our favorite physical therapists to make sure you never need to see one of them. Heed their top 10 tips to ward off aches and pains.

8:08 PM CST, February 28, 2012

The path to nirvana

Fresh-from-the-farm breakfasts, Tibetan stretching and miles upon miles of hiking trails are just some of the reasons adults are happily forgoing their vacations for health retreats.

3:44 PM CST, February 24, 2012

Overweight and obese kids may miss more school than normal-weight kids

Children who are overweight or obese may miss more days of school than their normal-weight peers, a study finds.

February 9, 2012

'Jersey Shore' castmate lives by GTL (gym, tan, laundry)

Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola from MTV's "Jersey Shore" is known, along with her castmates, as a party girl.

4:06 PM CST, February 15, 2012

Yoga in the classroom

On any given day at Coconut Creek Elementary school in Florida, it's likely that you'll find the children in an unlikely position: downward dog.

7:13 AM CST, February 6, 2012

Black Girls RUN! on the Peninsula

"Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend who heard it from another": That's how Black Girls RUN! has developed chapters all over the country in the couple of years since college friends Toni Carey, now of Virginia Beach, and Ashley Hicks of New York decided it was time to get others to get active.

10:47 AM CST, February 9, 2012

Trying Tai chi

Tai chi is a mind-body practice that goes back thousands of years.

3:49 PM CST, February 1, 2012

The afterburners: Is post workout calorie burn real?

During an exercise session, vigorous cardiovascular workouts such as running or biking can typically torch more calories than resistance or strength training.

January 24, 2012

'Gossip Girl' actress: Own your body

Sheila Kelley is a seasoned actor who mixed her career with physical fitness in 2000's "Dancing at the Blue Iguana. In that film, she played a stripper. She had to learn to dance with a pole, and today continues what she calls "burlesque fitness."

2:54 PM CST, January 26, 2012

BOOSTER SHOTS: Oddities, musings and news from the health world

Are you obese? Might depend on whether your doctor is, too

Turns out obesity is in the eye of the beholder. Whether you're diagnosed as obese is supposed to depend on your own body-mass index -- but a new study shows that it can also depend on your doctor's.

January 25, 2012

Warm up, ease back into exercise

It's almost time for dormant weekend athletes to re-emerge from a winter season spent channel-surfing or gaming on a Wii.

11:12 AM CST, January 5, 2012

What's snowga? Think yoga on the slopes

Gathered in a circle at the base of Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall was a small group of skiers, silent, arms raised skyward, faces relaxed, each skier concentrating on the moment.

1:36 PM CST, January 18, 2012

Try these moves to find your inner Rocky Balboa

Intensity, not the amount of time spent sweating, is what makes a good workout, according to Mark Hatmaker.

1:45 PM CST, January 18, 2012

Taking five with yoga teacher Tara Stiles

When yoga teacher Tara Stiles listed her influences on her YouTube profile, she typed in "Deepak Chopra, Jane Fonda and Yoko Ono."

12:00 PM CST, January 16, 2012

The basics: Pushups, planks, squats

What is the most simple, effective exercise for getting and staying in shape? We asked three Chicago fitness experts to name one thing that everyone should be able to do easily and successfully, and got this trio of essentials that you can do anywhere, anytime, even without equipment.

Locker room necessities

When you were 18 and the gym was all about building those muscles, Irish Spring and a $2 can of Barbasol were fine for the post-workout scrub. Well, guess what? You're not 18 anymore. With age comes wisdom, biceps and a few bucks for upgrading both the workout and ritual that follows.

4:26 PM CST, January 13, 2012

Train like a caveman

When it’s workout time at Core Fitness Chicago, out comes the sledgehammer. And the 80-pound bag of mulch. And the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee — for pushing across a rooftop parking lot while someone steps lightly on the brake.  

5:58 PM CST, January 13, 2012

Chicago Blackhawk talks sports and health

Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Sharp is a poster boy for good genes. Exceptional athletic talent. Check. Exceptional looks. Check. Exceptional intelligence. Well, his acumen on the ice and cogent comments on WTMX-FM’s "Eric & Kathy Morning Show" (where he has a weekly gig when he’s in town) speak volumes about his sharp mind, no pun intended. 

6:40 PM CST, January 13, 2012

Chuck Taylors for fitness

Who doesn’t love a pair of classic Converse Chuck Taylors? After that, jump up the  style ladder  more than a few rungs with a pair of kicks that will make heads turn.

4:48 PM CST, January 12, 2012

Fitness expert Pasternak shows celebs how to get fit

Star trainer and nutritionist Harley Pasternak of Los Angeles has a celebrity client list that would make Ari Gold green with envy. Think Halle Berry, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Common, Al Pacino, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Eva Mendes, Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl and the recently slimmed-down Jennifer Hudson for a sampling.

2:31 PM CST, January 11, 2012

With exercise, the trick is just getting started

Being healthy isn't just about running marathons and eating vegetables. Exercise and a healthy diet can be a little more tricky.

2:05 PM CST, January 11, 2012

Do your pushups, Mr. President

As the longtime personal trainer for President Barack Obama and the first family, Cornell McClellan deserves some props for Michelle's famously toned arms. But in addition to working out White House staff and professional athletes, the nation's "first trainer" also spends much of his time trying to get children excited about physical fitness.

2:02 PM CST, January 11, 2012

Ellen Warren: Can you spare 15 minutes, three times a week?

"Maybe you love to eat but hate to exercise," Jim Karas proposes. For most of us, that about sums it up.

January 11, 2012

Secrets of weight loss are simple but not magic

The principle behind weight loss is pretty basic: Eat less, move more.

January 9, 2012

By Roy M. Wallack, Special to the Los Angeles Times: Gear: The latest in minimalist running shoes

At first, they laughed at Vibram's weird ultra-light shoes with the five individual toe compartments. Now, with the barefoot-inspired minimalist tide sweeping the running and workout worlds, competitors big and small are rushing to copy it. Converts rave about the better balance, greater speed and reduced injuries that result from the funny-looking shoes, which enable a lower-impact forefoot landing. As companies experiment with new takes on the concept, they're adding cushioning and enclosures and trying to broaden the appeal to cross-training activities. Here's a quick look at the new minimalism.

2:11 PM CST, January 4, 2012

No rest for the weary

If you're short on time — and your goal is to burn fat — step away from the treadmill. Now get into the weight room and try supersetting your resistance training.

1:37 PM CST, January 4, 2012

Picking your health club

Congratulations! You've decided to start working out. Now you need to decide where to go. There is a health club out there for you. The trick is picking one that serves your needs, because when it comes to health and fitness, one size definitely doesn't fit all. We asked three fitness industry experts what to look for when picking a place to work out.

5:01 PM CST, January 1, 2012

Many hope for fresh start at gym

Douglas Bayne joined the Merritt Athletic Club in downtown Baltimore about five years ago, but he hasn't exactly been a gym rat.

January 2, 2012

In-Your-Face Fitness: All you need is love

There is a word in fitness/health/weight loss marketing that is toxic. Sometimes it is blatant, other times implied. I hate this word. The word is "only."

December 31, 2011

A rare health club beckons the obese

Tara Lawton says she quit going to her health club in part because she sensed she didn't fit in. People always seemed to be staring at — and silently judging — her 280-pound body.

2:05 PM CST, December 28, 2011

When a loved one needs to change, nagging just won't work

Growing up in New York, Michelle and Todd Brooks were reared on heavy foods — she, Italian, on pasta; he, from Buffalo, on doughnuts, pizza and chicken wings.

1:51 PM CST, December 28, 2011

Skip the gym? You'll pay a penalty

If, in New Years past, a steadfast resolution to get your butt to the gym has resulted in your butt remaining steadfastly planted on your couch, it may be time to introduce your butt to hyperbolic discounting.

2:14 PM CST, December 28, 2011

There's time to exercise

In a recent survey of 2,000 American adults, more than a quarter of those asked said that one barrier to "living a healthy lifestyle" was lack of time. And hey, we understand — after all, since we're averaging 2.7 hours a day watching TV, 7 hours and 40 minutes a month social networking and reading blogs, and 90 minutes a month watching YouTube videos, who has time to drive to the gym, change into workout clothes and exercise?

1:02 PM CST, December 21, 2011

Music to go the extra mile

Maybe you haven't been in a dance club since Madonna was in the top 10. But if you need to quicken your heart rate — and your iPod's pulse — to keep up with a New Year's resolution, pick up a few new beats-per-minute from the fitness team at Self magazine and the workout music blog RunHundred.com. Refreshing your playlist might help you go the extra mile.

Getting past the workout roadblocks

Do you always have an excuse for why you don't have time to exercise? Do you usually have a hard time avoiding junk food? Let's stop the excuses and get active with these obstacle busters. For more fitness tips, visit Weight-control Information Network.

December 13, 2011

Wheaton couple are motivational 'losers'

More than two years after their television debut on "The Biggest Loser," Wheaton's most famous "losers" are using their celebrity to inform and inspire others.

1:38 PM CST, December 7, 2011

Usually a childhood pastime, swim lessons also benefit adults

It wasn't as if I couldn't swim. Drop me in an ocean and I can splash with the best of them. At the hotel pool I usually knock out a few laps. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than a water slide plunging into 8 feet of chlorine.

1:42 PM CST, December 7, 2011

Ellen Warren: Exercise: Do what you can do, not what you can't

It's not always easy to follow that classic advice, "Stand on your own two feet."

5 exercises you can do without upsetting your inner couch potato

Going to the gym is such drudgery. You have to drag your lazy butt off the couch, you need to make yourself presentable, then you have to haul yourself out the door. But what if you didn't have to leave your home? What if you didn't even have to leave your couch? That you can wear a tattered Three Stooges T-shirt and stained sweat pants is just gravy.

4:53 PM CST, November 30, 2011

Bob Harper: Fit is his forte

Bob Harper, best known as the gregarious, never-give-up fitness trainer co-host of the television show "The Biggest Loser," gets a little crabby when he can't work out. He thinks people, in general, are lazy. And he misses his longtime former co-host, trainer Jillian Michaels, something fierce.

5:54 PM CST, November 22, 2011

Walk off your Thanksgiving feast, or any large meal — in advance

Multiple small meals and regular exercise are prescriptions for good health. Then comes Thanksgiving — one giant late-afternoon feast that's often preceded by long hours of travel and accompanied by more hours of football watching.

November 17, 2011

Fitness tips from top trainers

North America's top fitness professionals don't necessarily train celebrities and professional athletes or badger overweight reality-TV contestants into shape.

12:47 PM CDT, October 26, 2011

Tony Horton's workout is anything but confusing

Tony Horton, the chiseled face and torso behind the extreme workout program P90X, doesn't care if you lose 10 pounds. He's not about helping you get ripped abs in five minutes.