Author: Richard C. Trotter
The gold standard for a complete squat is often considered to be a 90-degree bend in your knees—with your thighs perfectly parallel to the floor—at the bottom of the movement. But if you have mobility limitations, achieving that benchmark may not be so easy. One potential solution: Power through your reps with your heels resting on a weight plate or two. Ahead, learn why this simple squat modification might help you achieve a deeper squat—and the importance of squatting with full range of motion in the first place. Experts In This Article Alyssa Parten, CSCS, certified strength and conditioning specialist…
Lift heavy! Walk slow! Run hard! Actually—don’t run at all! Walking isn’t exercise. Unless, maybe, if you’re wearing a weighted vest? What is a menopausal person supposed to do when it comes to exercise? The opinions coming from every direction on the internet are mixed, especially as this entire phase of life has become its own industry (according to a McKinsey report, treating symptoms is potentially a $350 billion market). Much of the advice is not backed by science. And often the loudest and worst guidance is coming from influencers and celebrities with no credentials or expertise. Although more medical…
Breast- or chestfeeding is one of those topics everyone seems to have an opinion about. Literally, everyone. Bloggers, influencers, your mom, your neighbor, some random person on the street, you name it—they have something to say. While most advice is well-meaning, it’s not always filled with accurate information. When you’re nursing, especially as a first-time parent, it’s easy to fall prey to misconceptions you hear about breastding. If you feel stressed: Don’t worry, we got you. We’ve gathered the truth from trusted medical sources, and spoke with a lactation consultant, to separate breastfeeding fact from fiction. Read on to bust…
Confession: I’ve never done Kegels. And yes, there were consequences to neglecting my pelvic floor muscles. As a mom of three, you can imagine what it looked like for me to do any kind of jumping. After a few bounces on the trampoline, I needed to change my pants. When a running injury had me looking for alternatives, jumping rope stood out as the most time-efficient option. There are so many jump rope benefits! But I couldn’t jump for over a minute without annoying bladder leaks. I could have sworn off jumping for good, but I decided to keep at…
Shaving your pubic hair is a personal choice. Want to shave it? Cool. Prefer not to? Cool. And what happens if you never shave pubic hair? Nothing! But there are a few things to know about how to keep your pubic area clean and fresh if you do keep hairs and how to remove them if you so choose. Here, we spoke with Gunvor Ekman Ordeberg, MD; Richard Bottiglione, MD; and Papri Sarkar, MD, about whether it’s safe to shave your pubic hair, the benefits of not shaving them, and how to do so safely—whether you choose to always, sometimes or never shave your pubic hair. Can I shave…
If you’ve got a persistent and throbbing toothache that seems to get worse when you chew or bite down on something, you very well may have a tooth infection. Also known as dental abscesses, tooth infections are relatively common and can unfortunately occur at any time—and at any age, says dentist Mary Jo Sandberg, DDS, owner of Sandberg Dental in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “A tooth infection can happen when the bacteria from a severely decayed tooth gains access to the pulp inside the tooth where the nerves and blood supply reside,” she explains. “This can happen as a result of…
As someone who runs lately, on average, two miles a couple times per week, I feel a bit sheepish describing myself as a runner to someone who runs 5, 10, or 20 miles at a time. But the imposter syndrome is unnecessary. As a runner of “short” distances, I have plenty of company among fellow runners—and the many benefits of running for my body and mind still apply. “Ongoing work in the field continues to demonstrate that regular exercise of all levels is beneficial in many ways,” Calum MacRae, MD, a cardiologist, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and principal investigator of the Apple Heart…
With a renewed sense of dedication and tenacity, you’re ready to make new commitments under the new moon in Taurus on May 7, 2024 at 11:22 p.m. EDT. This is not the time to rush forward and make decisions haphazardly. Ruled by Venus, the planet of values, love and aesthetics, Taurus brings a grounding energy that extends to every area of your life and reminds you that life is meant to be enjoyed. New moons in Taurus encourage you to remember the power of living in the present moment, tuning into your physical senses, and making decisions that center your…
If you ask me, having full, satisfying BMs on the regular is one of life’s (and your gut’s) greatest gifts. And anyone who has ever been to a gastroenterologist knows that what’s going on in your toilet can tell you a lot—the color, size, shape, and texture of your BMs are all clues about your gut health. But have you ever gone number two but have zero proof to show it? If so, you’ve had a close encounter with a “ghost poop.” For those unfamiliar with the spooky-sounding term, a ghost poop describes when your stool sinks in depths of…
When you imagine a boat, you might picture a canoe or kayak floating about lazily on the water. But when you get into boat pose (Paripurna Navasana in Sanskrit) in yoga class, there’s absolutely nothing lazy about it. This intense posture is a killer way to fire up multiple muscles in your core. “At the heart of it, boat pose is a seated balance,” says Wendy Cope, a yoga instructor with Crunch Fitness. “And it’s designed to strengthen the core. But just because it looks simple doesn’t mean it is.” If you’re looking for a new way to engage your…