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Fitness

To feel your best and stay healthy long-term, regular physical activity is a must. Here’s how to prioritize exercise.

4 Health Benefits of Fitness Trackers

Today’s trackers can help manage health conditions like sleep apnea and diabetes.

Should You Run a Marathon?

Considering 26.2 miles? Get expert insight on choosing and training for a marathon.

How Weekend Warriors Can Avoid Injury

Not an everyday exerciser but love the weekly sweat? Here’s how to say safe.

Best Indoor Workouts

Get six stellar ideas for working out indoors.

9 Ways to Overcome Your Fitness Obstacles

Get expert strategies for busting through your workout barriers.

    Featured Articles

    Woman checking fitness device

    6 Tips to Start Exercising

    It’s never too late to begin a health-enhancing exercise routine. Find out how to get moving today.

    Couple walking outdoors

    Walk Your Way to Better Health

    One of the easiest exercises may also be one of the most beneficial. Lace up your sneakers and get walking.

    Girl in downward facing dog with her black doodle puppy next to her in same pose

    10 Yoga Poses for Relaxation

    Yoga is a wonderful way to stretch, wind down and relieve stress. Try these 10 poses to get started.

    View All Fitness Articles

    Fitness Guides

    • Core Workout
    • Glute Workout
    • Lazy Girl Workout
    • Leg Workout
    • Lower Back Exercises
    • Mid-Life Workout
    • Painkiller Comparison Guide
    • Sports Injury Guide
    • Yoga for Relaxation

    Ask an Expert

    Sue Hazeghazam

    Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.

    Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

    Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.

    You should try to do both types of exercise. Both have benefits. Aerobic exercise is helpful to improve circulation and to burn calories and, if done long enough, to also help burn fat stores. When you do resis... continue reading  about  Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.

    Junaid H. Khan

    Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS

    Eden Medical Center

    My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?

    That is an excellent question. A study in the AHA journal Circulation, by Dr. Duck-Chul Lee from South Carolina, addressed this question. The title says it all: "Physical Fitness Trumps Body Weight in Reducing ... continue reading  about  My goal next year is to improve my overall health. Can you tell me if I should focus more on lowering my weight (as I'm a few pounds heavier than I should be), or concentrate more on exercising?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?

    Shin splints are very common, especially when someone has just started a new exercise program or has increased their overall workout. Shin splints are actually best thought of as stress injuries (microscopic) o... continue reading  about  I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?

    Francine A. Yep

    Francine A. Yep, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.

    Say "no thanks" and save your money. Common antibacterial agents like silver, triclosan, and trichlorocarban are found in germ- and odor-killing clothes and shoes. Researchers with the Swedish Chemical Agency f... continue reading  about  There are a ton of antimicrobial clothing and footwear options available right now. Is it good for my body to be encased in something that is antimicrobial? I've read a lot about a healthy microbiome.

    James D. Kelly

    James D. Kelly, M.D.

    SPMF San Francisco HMO Network

    I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?

    I suggest you get treatment for your impingement. Impingement is a fairly simple thing to treat, and most patients recover well and are able to resume activities like push-ups. If you have had treatment but did... continue reading  about  I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I am 62 and have been doing Jazzercise aerobic exercise regularly for over a year. I started doing Jazzercise in the morning and began having knee pain. Should I quit this type of exercise? If so, what else should I do to stay in shape?

    Hopefully you will not need to give up your regular Jazzercise class since it has worked for you this past year. Most likely you have "tweaked" a ligament or muscle that attaches to the knee. Even seasoned athl... continue reading  about  I am 62 and have been doing Jazzercise aerobic exercise regularly for over a year. I started doing Jazzercise in the morning and began having knee pain. Should I quit this type of exercise? If so, what else should I do to stay in shape?

    Jane Varner

    Jane Varner, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?

    First of all, congratulations on getting all of that wonderful exercise! Exercise is so good for your physical AND mental health. Don't go calling yourself obese just yet. Technically, a BMI of 27 classifies yo... continue reading  about  I'm 54, eat well and exercise five times per week. Yet my BMI is 27, which translates as obese. Is a BMI of 27 really that indicative of my overall health?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I am 51 years old and weigh 256 lbs. I have several medical problems, including knee pain. I also sit all day in my job and my long commute. I want to lose weight - where do I start?

    Losing weight and becoming more active are fantastic goals! If you are mostly sedentary and knee pain is an issue for you, then I would start exercising with simple walking. Research shows that just 30 minutes ... continue reading  about  I am 51 years old and weigh 256 lbs. I have several medical problems, including knee pain. I also sit all day in my job and my long commute. I want to lose weight - where do I start?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.

    Achilles tendonitis is a tough condition to treat since many aerobic activities can aggravate the condition and one of the treatment strategies is to avoid these activities.Aerobic conditioning is incredibly va... continue reading  about  I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.

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