There are more ways to incorporate stretching than you may think. Exercise timing, your fitness environment, and your training goals all influence which type of stretching is best for you. All forms of stretching improve flexibility and range of motion. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) lists the following five types of stretches.

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Exercising in worn-out athletic shoes increases the stress on your joints, which could lead to overuse injuries. Use this buying guide to determine when you need a new pair, and how to get the best fitting shoe for comfort and performance.

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Information about the role of exercise in weight loss is readily available, but few sources address what this means for those who are obese. If you get out of breath walking from the car to the front door, even the smallest amount of exercise can be overwhelming.

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Don't let creating a workout plan overwhelm you. Here are a few simple steps to help you get started with an exercise program.

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Design a strength training program that will improve your health and help you reach your fitness goals. The process isn't difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your workout is both safe and challenging.

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Don't give up on exercise when you are too busy to get in a full-length workout. Even a small amount of activity can reduce stress and improve health. This simple circuit workout can be done in your living room with a set of dumbbells and takes about 10 minutes. It is fast-moving to get your heart rate up and combines both strength exercises and cardio. Do each station for 1 minute and then use 15 seconds to transition to the next exercise. Squeeze in one round and consider doing two or three if you have more time.

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While it’s okay to reduce your exercise time during the busy holiday season, completely cutting out your workouts is a big mistake. Not only will you lose the fitness gains you've worked so hard to achieve, but exercise can help reduce holiday-related tension and stress.

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How the Warm-Up Works

A warm-up not only reduces your risk for injury. According to the American Council on Exercise, it also helps you burn calories more efficiently due to the increase in your core body temperature. As you gradually ease into movement, your muscles begin to heat up, which increases their elasticity. The blood vessels also dilate, which allows blood to move more freely, delivering oxygen to the heart and the muscles. Increased oxygen flow to the muscles facilitates a better supply of energy for exercise. Instead of experiencing a rapid increase in movement and heart rate, like what occurs when you go from no movement to intense exercise, a warm-up allows the body to prepare for the activity, improving exercise performance.

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The mental fitness of your brain is as important as the physical fitness of your body. Research shows that regular physical and mental exercise improves brain health, slowing cognitive decline and reducing stress that can lead to chronic disease. Here are a few ways to exercise your brain and ensure you are fit from head to toe.

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You can have a positive influence on your family’s health by making your time together more active. Not only do these games help you burn calories, they teach your children that exercise can and should be fun!

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