If you’ve hit the path or checked out the crowd at your local 5K lately, you’ve likely seen athletes wearing tall, colorful compression socks. Some runners—and the companies who make the socks—swear the tight-fitting garments help you stride faster and recover more quickly. But a new study casts doubt on at least some of these claims. In fact, college runners actually exercised for less time when wearing them, according to results just posted online in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Read the full article in Prevention News.
fitness
The #1 Reason To Look Forward To Menopause
Sure, you’ll cut down on visits to the feminine hygiene aisle in the drug store. Now, University of Pennsylvania researchers offer another, more compelling reason to eagerly await the permanent departure of your monthly visitor: Your mood may lift, too. Read the full article in Prevention News.
The Truth About the Hunger Genes
New health headlines provide a novel excuse for extra pounds: I can’t help it—it’s in my genes. But are “hunger genes”—DNA mutations linked to everything from cravings to a lagging metabolism—the reason you’re overweight? Read the full article in Men’s Health.
7 Weird Reasons You’re Tired All The Time
You stayed up late binge-watching Homeland. Then you woke up extra early to beat the boss to the office. Some days, there’s no mystery as to why you need an extra shot of espresso. But sometimes, the root of your fatigue isn’t so obvious, and everything from a hidden health issue to your gym habits could be to blame. Read the full slideshow on Prevention.com.
Work Your Happiness Muscles
Find out how moving more improves your whole life. Plus, learn the perks of building stronger breathing muscles, the perils of fitness-related food labels, and where to put your activity tracker for the most accurate results, in this month’s Fitness Scoop. Read the full page in Women’s Health (pdf).
Find a Better Exercise Partner
Consult this checklist to find a gym buddy who pumps you up rather than dragging you down. Also, outsmart your couch-potato genes, train your body and your brain, and learn about the new breed of fitness pro charged with delivering your perfect exercise experience, in this month’s Fitness Scoop. Read the full page in Women’s Health (pdf).
Melt Your Gut for Good
Belly too big? Think small. Choose from our list of easy, expert-approved, research-backed waist reducers and shrink your gut in no time flat. Read the full article in Men’s Health.
4 Bad Habits that Wreck Your Brain
You know that poor eating habits and lack of exercise harms your body—you see on your waistline, and you feel it when you walk up a flight of steps. What you don’t see: These same poor health habits are hurting your brain too, by harming the blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to your noggin. Read the full Men’s Health blog post on Yahoo! Health.
20 Perfect Workout Snacks
To perform your best, you need gas in the tank. Here are the best ways to fuel your fitness. Read the slideshow on Prevention.
The Biggest Fitness Myths
As quickly as exercise scientists work to banish them, new fitness misconceptions rear their ugly heads. Meanwhile, other untried and untrue myths just won’t go away. Here, we round up a few of the most common fitness falsehoods, and ask researchers and other experts to help correct the record. Read the full slideshow on OutsideOnline.com.