Use the injury-prediction calculator from the March issue of Runner’s World to determine your risk of getting hurt—then take proactive steps to lower it. (Bonus content: Hear my interview about this article, and others, on Coach Jay Johnson’s Run Faster podcast; download a pdf of the quiz to print; and see video demos of the strength training moves.)
fitness
10 Ways To Make Exercise More Comfortable When You’re Carrying Extra Weight
Whether you aim to shed pounds or just to live a healthy life, exercise plays a key role. But let’s face it, working out can feel awkward, difficult, stressful, and even painful, especially when you’re carrying more weight than you’d like. Read the full article for Prevention.
How To Start Walking When You Have 50+ Pounds To Lose
Have a hefty weight loss goal? Consider walking, not running, toward your best new body. A recent British study found people who regularly walked for fitness—albeit at a fast pace—weighed less than those devoted to other types of physical activity, including running, swimming, and cycling. Read the full article for Prevention.
Fit City: San Juan, Puerto Rico
A mere four-hour direct flight from O’Hare, San Juan might just rank as the easiest tropical getaway possible. You don’t have to bring your passport, change your money, or speak a different language to navigate this U.S. territory (though locals will definitely appreciate your rusty high-school Spanish, should you choose to use it). You also don’t have to put a hold on your fitness routine. Read the full article for A Sweat Life.
8 Ways To Keep Your Skin Firm As You Shed Pounds
You’ve finally found a workout you love and an eating plan that syncs with your lifestyle. The extra pounds you’ve carried for years have begun to melt away. Just one problem—the same surface area covers your new, smaller self, leading your skin to sag or lag behind. Folds can form on your belly and arms, and even your face can seem a bit slack. Read the full article for Prevention.
8 Natural Ways To Fight Knee Pain
Get off the pain-pill train by using one or more of these techniques—they’re safe and effective. Read the full article for Prevention.
Running Faster Could Prevent Knee Strain
For heel-strikers, speeding up may reduce risk of runner’s knee. Read the full article for Runner’s World.
Chicago Trainer Profile: Bea Rodriguez, Candidate for Master of Kettlebell Sport
Eminem blared in the background. Judges sat at long, white tables, fingertips lingering near bright neon signs with the words “warning” and “disqualified.” Bea Rodriguez stood ready on a black platform in a hotel ballroom in Novi, Michigan; when the announcer yelled “start,” she picked up her 12-kilogram kettlebell (that’s 26 pounds, nearly one-fourth the 5’2” athlete’s body weight). Read the full article for A Sweat Life.
80-Year-Old Finishes 17th Straight Chicago Marathon
As a 60-year-old, lifelong Chicagoan Frank Abramic watched runners in the park near his house and wondered why they bothered. This year, he completed his 17th consecutive Chicago Marathon in a time of 6:22:01. Read the full story for Runner’s World.
What Runners Need to Know About Menstrual Cups
Many athletes swear by this reusable, long-wearing alternative to pads and tampons. Read the full article for Runner’s World/Zelle.