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Exercise ‘snacks’ can have a life-changing impact — and you only need 20 seconds

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Exercise ‘snacks’ can have a life-changing impact — and you only need 20 seconds

Everyone loves a snack, but this one could come with some health benefits.

It turns out daily so-called “exercise snacks” — about a minute or two of physical activity — can make a difference in your health.

Adding exercise into your regular routine can be difficult, especially when it’s not already part of your day that’s filled with work, family, friends and other obligations.

But integrating 20-second exercise bursts into your daily schedule is an easy place to start or a simple add-on to your current routine — so you can stop feeling guilty if you happen to miss a day at the gym.

“Consistency is key. When we are doing any form of exercise, it doesn’t necessarily become beneficial if we’re doing it inconsistently,” Katie Lawton, an exercise physiologist with the Cleveland Clinic, said in a news release.

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“When we do things consistently over a period of a year, that’s when we tend to see more benefits.”

Examples of exercise snacking include climbing stairs, jumping jacks, air squats, lunges, push-ups, jogging in place, vigorously walking down the hallway, holding a wall sit or holding a plank.

Lawton explained that adding short bursts of high-intensity physical activity into your daily routine can be beneficial to everyone — whether you’re already in shape or unfortunately out of shape.

Adding exercise into your regular routine can be difficult, especially when it’s not already part of your day. Dirima – stock.adobe.com

Exercise snacks can be done at any time, anywhere, and don’t require a gym membership or any equipment, making it easy for people who work from home or have a hybrid schedule to get some physical activity in.

Where a person starts and how they decide to move for a “snack” is dependent on the individual and their current fitness baseline.

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“Movement is good for us, even if it’s not a dedicated exercise session,” Meghan Wieser, a doctor of physical therapy at Maryland-based Recharge Health & Fitness, told Fortune Well. “Movement snacks can be a low-barrier way to get your body moving throughout the day, and it correlates with better health markers.”

Lawton explained that adding short bursts of high-intensity physical activity into your daily routine can be beneficial to everyone — whether you’re already in shape or if you’re out of shape. Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com

While exercise snacking shouldn’t completely replace a regular workout routine, it can still improve your health and is a reasonable and accessible first step.

Lawton advised planning a time to be active — no matter if it’s just a snack or a full workout — and emphasized that you’re most likely to see an impact if done regularly.

“It’s hard for some people to just stop what they’re doing to go exercise,” she said. “You should try making exercise part of your schedule.”

Exercise snacks can be done at any time, anywhere, and don’t require a gym membership or any equipment. Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com

Wieser suggested implementing exercise snacks through “habit stacking,” adding that the idea is to be intentional about physical movement.

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“In a given day, you already have habits built in, like a midmorning coffee break,” she explained. “So while you’re waiting for the coffee to brew, fit in some movement.”

Lawton added that, as always, it’s important to warm up before doing vigorous physical activity of any kind.

The Cleveland Clinic wrote that more research is needed to determine the overall health benefits of exercise snacks — but it’s still an easy way to remember to get up and move throughout the day.

These recommendations don’t come without backup from research, of course.

A 2019 study published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism found that 20-second bursts of vigorous stair climbing three times per day, three days per week, improved cardiorespiratory fitness by about 5%.

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“The changes are modest, but not insignificant,” study co-author Martin Gibala, a professor of kinesiology, said. “By studying epidemiological data, we’ve learned that small changes can go a long way.

Fitness

US FDA to limit regulation of health and fitness wearables, commissioner says

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US FDA to limit regulation of health and fitness wearables, commissioner says

Jan 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that it will limit regulation of wearable devices and software designed to support healthy lifestyles, issuing new guidance to clarify its regulatory approach.

The guidance, along with comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, adds to existing policy that classifies low-risk wellness tools, such as fitness apps and activity trackers that encourage exercise, as non-medical devices exempt from stringent regulation, provided they do not make claims related to disease diagnosis or treatment.

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“We have to promote these products and at the same time, just guard against major safety concerns,” Makary said in an interview with Fox Business about artificial intelligence software such as ChatGPT, adding that “if people are looking up a symptom on an AI-based tool, let’s have that conversation when they come in to see their doctor or do a virtual visit.”

Shares of continuous glucose monitor manufacturers Abbott (ABT.N), opens new tab, Medtronic (MDT.N), opens new tab and Dexcom (DXCM.O), opens new tab closed between 1% and 4% higher. U.S.-listed shares of fitness smartwatch maker Garmin (GRMN.BN), opens new tab ended nearly 3% higher.

“We want to let companies know, with very clear guidance, that if their device or software is simply providing information, they can do that without FDA regulation,” Makary told Fox Business.

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“The only stipulation is if they make claims of something being medical grade … like blood pressure measurement. We don’t want people changing their medicines based on something that’s just a screening tool or an estimate of a physiologic parameter.”

Last year, the FDA issued a warning letter to fitness band maker WHOOP, saying its blood-pressure insights feature blurred the line between wellness and medical devices by estimating systolic and diastolic values used to diagnose hypertension.

The agency also sent out a broader warning to consumers about the risks posed by unauthorized devices.

Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson and Sherry Jacob-Phillips

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

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We are fitness experts — here’s how to navigate January sales as an exercise beginner

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We are fitness experts — here’s how to navigate January sales as an exercise beginner

January is peak season for fitness sales, with major discounts on gym memberships, fitness trackers, activewear and beginner-friendly exercise equipment. No wonder — it is a perfect opportunity for retailers to clear inventory and capitalize on all those “New Year, New You” resolutions.

For an exercise novice, however, this endless sea of workout gear and gadgets can be downright overwhelming. But if that is you, do not worry! You do not need a gym’s worth of exercise equipment, a high-end Garmin watch or a professional athlete’s wardrobe to begin. Starting simple is often the most effective strategy for a long-term lifestyle change — not to mention that it is much easier on the wallet.

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Target is having a huge New Year fitness sale, and this highly-rated exercise bike is now $200 off

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Target is having a huge New Year fitness sale, and this highly-rated exercise bike is now 0 off

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

Target is starting the year off on the right foot with huge savings on tons of exercise equipment. One deal that stood out to us is The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike, now only $300, down from $500. This sale comes at the perfect time, as many people have fitness goals in their New Year’s Resolutions.

Features

The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike features a 30 lbs flywheel and a heavy-duty steel frame, ensuring stability during workouts. It utilizes a belt-driven system that offers a smooth and quiet ride.

The bike can support a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs. It is designed to fit a wide range of users, with 2-way adjustable handlebars, a 4-way adjustable padded seat and spring-loaded comfort. The bike is suitable for individuals between 4′8″ and 6′1″ in height.

An LCD monitor tracks essential workout data, and a tablet holder and Bluetooth connectivity add entertainment and smart app integration. Safety features include adjustable cage pedals and a resistance bar for emergency stops.

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  • Related: HOKA is having an incredibly rare sale on the Clifton 10 this week, and they’re selling fast

The “Ride Comfort All the Way” feature, with its upgraded spring-loaded seat and adjustable handlebars, is designed to enhance shock absorption and reduce exercise-related discomfort.

This ensures a more enjoyable and sustainable workout experience.

The two-way adjustable handlebars and four-way adjustable padded seat go a long way to making the user comfortable.

Customer reviews

The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike has received predominantly positive feedback from customers, with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 115 reviews. Users appreciate the bike’s quality, value, and smooth operation. Many reviewers highlight the bike’s stability, comfort features such as the adjustable seat and handlebars, and the quiet belt-drive system.

You can buy the The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike at Target for only $300 this week, but hurry, your New Year’s Resolutions are waiting.

More fitness deals at Target

More deals at Target.

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Sign up for MassLive’s Shopping Newsletter: A recap of the biggest online deals and sales from the week, curated by MassLive’s expert e-commerce writer, Jessica Day.

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