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Content

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

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    I'm a healthy 50-year-old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60 beats per minute. When I run on the treadmill at a six mph pace for two miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio five times a week. Is 172 too high?

    The simple answer to your question is no, it is not too high. You sound like a very fit woman. A six mph (or a 10-minute) mile is a nice pace. I assume you are comfortable at this pace since you can keep it up ... continue reading  about  I'm a healthy 50-year-old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60 beats per minute. When I run on the treadmill at a six mph pace for two miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio five times a week. Is 172 too high?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?

    It is excellent that you are active. In fact, a New England Journal study showed that people who are active actually do better in terms of their arthritis versus people who are not active. This is counter to wh... continue reading  about  I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I'm a 41-year-old woman who exercises regularly and eats healthy food. High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in my family. My blood pressure is borderline high. Are there natural ways to lower blood pressure without medications?

    If by borderline high, you mean your blood pressure is 130-140/80-90, then lifestyle modification should be your initial attempt to lower it. National Institute of Health guidelines recommend:Weight reduction i... continue reading  about  I'm a 41-year-old woman who exercises regularly and eats healthy food. High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in my family. My blood pressure is borderline high. Are there natural ways to lower blood pressure without medications?

    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.

    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?

    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.

    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.

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?

    It is wise to be concerned about dietary supplements, since they are not regulated by the FDA. This then allows manufacturers of these products to make claims that are not well founded in medical science or stu... continue reading  about  I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?

    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?

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