Connect with us

Fitness

Great exercise bike and Peloton accessories to improve your workouts

Published

on

Great exercise bike and Peloton accessories to improve your workouts

— Suggestions are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make by way of our hyperlinks might earn us a fee.

Has a shiny new train bike earned its place in your house? Whether or not it’s made by Peloton, Echelon, NordicTrack or another model, the presence of a extremely coveted, low-impact related health machine will undoubtedly conjure up some different train tools to enhance it, like new sneakers or a speciality cleaner to maintain it wanting pristine after a very sweaty exercise.

Get offers and buying recommendation delivered straight to your cellphone. Join textual content message alerts from the consultants at Reviewed.

Fortunately, you don’t want a lot for the exercise itself—aside from your individual motivation to get pedaling. However with these equipment you may make your rides much more comfy and guarantee your bike stays in peak situation for a lot of extra.

1. Biking sneakers to really feel related to your bike

Proper cycling shoes can make a big difference in your ride.

Some stationary bikes have pedals with cages that help you experience utilizing any pair of sneakers. That is nice for pure comfort,however sporting unsupportive footwear may cause foot ache and will additionally have an effect on the smoothness of your pedaling and the standard of your experience. Upgrading your footwear to biking sneakers with cleats will help you clip into your bike’s pedals so your foot acts as a simpler lever, making a smoother vary of movement to provide you extra energy to climb larger up the leaderboard or simply beat your individual private greatest. Some stationary bikes include cleat-compatible pedals, however you possibly can simply swap these out, too.

The cleats that work greatest for you’ll both be dictated by the pedals in your bike or are in any other case a private selection. Two-bolt SPDs are the commonest cleat sort at biking studios, in order that they’re a sensible choice for those who nonetheless end up craving the occasional in-person experience. Some spin lovers additionally want them as a result of they clip out and in of pedals extra simply; many two-bolt-compatible sneakers have built-up treads or rails across the perimeter of the only, making them safer to stroll round in as a result of the cleat is recessed. The three-bolt types have a a lot bigger connection level to the pedals for arguably better energy manufacturing, however the cleats additionally stand proud of the balls of the sneakers, making them tough (if not harmful) to stroll in, and the cleats might even harm flooring.

Advertisement

Peloton’s bike requires LOOK Delta cleats, which suggests you would wish sneakers which have three-bolt attachments (naturally, you should buy these sneakers from the model to the tune of $125). Shimano SPD-SL cleats, widespread on street biking sneakers, are additionally three-bolt, whereas Shimano SPD cleats, usually on mountain-bike sneakers, are two-bolt.

Footwear often aren’t offered with cleats, so that you’ll want to purchase each gadgets individually. It’s possible you’ll want a pair that’s appropriate with any form of cleat sort, just like the Giro Cadet biking sneakers. Along with two- and three-bolt compatibility that works with quite a lot of cleat types, the Cadets have a breathable higher lining to maintain your toes cool and a carbon fiber strengthened sole for help. Additionally they have a Boa L6 dial and a hook-and-loop strap—and no laces that might untie mid-ride and tangle.

2. A fan to maintain you cool

Get a breeze going with this fan.

There’s solely a lot circulation you may get from cracking a window. Investing in a fan can go a good distance in direction of conserving you cool throughout exercises. We love the Lasko 3300 Wind Machine, our greatest worth decide for followers, which supplies a brisk, cooling breeze at an honest value.

In the event you want followers that connect to your bike, Amazon reviewers just like the Hurricane Traditional 6-inch clip fan, which inserts across the handlebars and supplies a stunning quantity of air for its diminutive dimension.

3. An absorbent towel to sop up sweat

Keeping a towel close by as you ride is a great way to prevent sweat from hitting the floor.

In the event you’re biking for some time, you’re seemingly going to sweat profusely and can want greater than a fan to maintain you cool and dry. So that you don’t drip throughout your bike (and all around the ground), it’s a good suggestion to have a towel shut by to blot your face (and decolletage) when drops begin to kind.

Any previous towel can work for this however if you need one thing exercise-specific, go for a tender, quick-drying microfiber, just like the PackTowl Luxe face towel. We examined the full-size PackTowl for a overview of seashore towels and located the material efficient for wicking away moisture and drying out shortly—each important if you’re perspiring throughout your exercise.

Get the PackTowl Luxe Face Towel from Amazon for $12.95

Advertisement

4. Wi-fi headphones so you possibly can train in peace

Keep the sound of your ride in your ears with some headphones.

It’s possible you’ll love listening to instructors’ encouraging phrases and the pump-up music they’ve chosen for sophistication. However different individuals round you won’t really feel the identical manner—particularly for those who’re exercising in a home or condo with skinny partitions or restricted house. One simple resolution is a pair of Bluetooth headphones, so you possibly can tune into your exercises with out disturbing housemates and neighbors.

We love the Jabra Elite 4 Lively—they’re our greatest worth decide for true wi-fi earbuds, because of their wonderful sound, consolation and sturdiness. The Elite 4 Actives supply many high-end options corresponding to noise cancellation, a waterproof design and onboard controls.

Get the Jabra Elite 4 Lively from Amazon for $110.83

5. A motorcycle seat cowl to make lengthy rides extra comfy

If your bike's seat is uncomfortable, a cover can help you out.

Many common at-home bikes are stadium cycles, which come geared up with a slim, frivolously padded seat. This makes it simpler to stand up and down whilst you’re pedaling however may trigger discomfort after an prolonged time frame. In case your rump is not pleased after a couple of minutes on the saddle, it’s possible you’ll wish to complement it with a seat cowl.

One nice choice is that this Zacro gel-infused cowl, which slides over slender seats to supply extra cushioning and help to your rides. When you have an everyday street bike with a slender seat, this cowl ought to work on it, too: You possibly can swap backwards and forwards for those who want a softer base on each bikes.

Get the Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cowl from Amazon beginning at $8.97

6. A mat to guard your ground and guarantee a easy experience

A mat can prevent your bike from scuffing the floors.

Whether or not you’re placing your bike on a naked ground or carpet, it’s vital to have a mat beneath it to guard the floor from scuffs or tears. Along with stopping harm, a mat may present additional stability for the bike and soak up vibrations and noises, which is nice for individuals in shared residing areas or residences with skinny partitions.

Amazon reviewers love the CyclingDeal mat: At 30 inches by 60 inches, it matches completely below most stationary bikes. It’s manufactured from sturdy, protecting PVC that forestalls harm and retains the machine from slipping and is out there in two texture choices: “tender,” which is greatest for arduous flooring and “high-density,” which is greatest for carpets.

Advertisement

Get the CyclingDeal Bicycle Coach Mat from Amazon for $49.99

7. Gear to scrub your bike post-workout

Keep your bike in good condition with non-abrasive cleaners.

As already mentioned, you will sweat throughout your experience, and a few sweat will find yourself in your bike. This implies you’ll wish to find time for a post-ride cleanup along with your stretch—particularly for those who share the bike with different individuals.

Every producer has totally different directions for wiping down the bike. Some advocate utilizing a rag with cleaning soap and water, whereas others, together with Peloton, advocate utilizing an all-purpose floor spray cleaner or disinfectant wipes. Some cyclists on Reddit say they use child wipes or different mild vinegar-based wipes to scrub up with out risking harm to the paint.

In the event you share your bike with others, utilizing disinfectant is particularly vital. In the event you can’t find Clorox or Lysol wipes, attempt a sprig like Cleansmart. When utilizing a sprig, spritz it straight on a microfiber towel or rag, as paper towels usually depart lint behind.

In case your bike has a display screen, skip the spray if you clear it. As an alternative, flip it off and gently rub it down with a clear microfiber towel. When a dry towel doesn’t lower it, Peloton recommends utilizing Windex wipes earlier than the microfiber towel, which helps clear off oil and fingerprints with out making the display screen streaky.

8. A water bottle to replenish your fluids

Replenish your fluids with this water bottle.

Staying hydrated is vital to powering by way of your exercises. Preserve your exercise water consumption with our favourite water bottle, the Brita Premium Filtering water bottle. This 20-ounce ingesting vessel has a straw-containing lid that opens with the push of a button and means that you can drink with out twisting a cap and even tilting the bottle, which is useful if you’re concurrently panting and making an attempt to slurp down your drink earlier than the following interval begins. The Brita additionally retains water chilly for twenty-four hours, helps take away funky style from water and matches in most cup holders.

Get the Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle from Amazon for $24.99

Advertisement

9. Resistance bands and weights so as to add on to your exercise

Strength training is a great addition to the cardio you'll get on the bike.

Your bike might include a pair of sunshine weights. However for those who actually wish to construct muscle, it’s a good suggestion so as to add just a little extra resistance coaching to your routine. A full set of dumbbells is nice however will be expensive and can take up numerous house. For a space-friendly and not-so-costly resolution, take into account a set of resistance bands. This one, from Match Simplify, prices simply over $10 and might help strengthen glutes, arms, core, hamstrings and extra, and will be neatly tucked away after they aren’t in use.

If you wish to make extra of an funding in your power coaching, a pair of adjustable dumbbells may very well be the fitting name. Our favourite pair of adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex switches from 5 to 52.5 kilos in 2.5-pound increments with an easy-to-use dial to vary the load, making any form of power coaching accessible.

10. Socks to maintain your toes comfortable all through your exercise

A good pair of socks is essential to staying comfy while you cycle.

You won’t suppose that your toes sweat all that a lot. However a couple of minutes right into a biking class and—yeah. You possibly can’t cease this, however you possibly can mitigate its uncomfortable results—blisters, chafing, emotions of overwhelming sogginess—with a very good pair of socks. In the event you’re sporting biking sneakers, Peloton teacher Matt Wilpers recommends socks which might be skinny, gentle and moisture-wicking.

Just about all athletic manufacturers supply socks of this selection, however you possibly can’t go incorrect with Smartwool’s biking socks, that are manufactured from a mix of merino wool and nylon to wick moisture, regulate physique temperature and forestall odors.

In the event you run by way of socks shortly, search for a multipack of working or athletic socks. One strong choice is the Adidas Superlite’s no-show working socks, which preserve toes cool whereas providing gentle arch help.

11. A yoga mat to maintain your joints pleased whereas stretching it out

A soft yet supportive surface is vital for your practice.

Yoga can present a wealth of advantages for many individuals. However it’s an particularly nice cross-training technique for cyclists, as it might probably strengthen the core and stretch out muscle tissue that get stiff with numerous pedaling corresponding to hip flexors and calves. You are able to do yoga by yourself with instruction from quite a lot of sources, whether or not it’s through your bike’s class membership, a exercise app or a free YouTube channel. However irrespective of the way you select to get your circulation on, you want a very good floor.

We love Lululemon’s Reversible Mat, which we named our favourite yoga mat. It’s manufactured from textured pure rubber, which supplies a non-slippery grip for downward-facing canine and lunges, and it holds quick on the ground so there’s no worry of sliding round if you’re training.

For a much less expensive choice that’s thicker and extra versatile for non-yoga exercises, we like Amazon Fundamentals’ Further-Thick Train Mat. It additionally has an efficient non-slip floor and is surprisingly light-weight, so it’s simple to hold round.

Advertisement

12. A strap to assist lengthen your muscle tissue

Get a good post-ride stretch with this strap.

Biking is nice for bettering your cardio and endurance however not so nice for flexibility. If yoga is not your factor, you possibly can counteract the results of tight hamstrings and hip flexors with the Unique Stretch-Out Strap by OPTP. The nylon strap, which is over six toes lengthy, has 10 loops that present a straightforward grip or resting place for arms and toes to supply extra management as you stretch out your again, quads, calves and another a part of your physique that feels stiff after a experience.

Get the Unique Stretch-Out Strap by OPTP from Amazon for $15.95

13. A heart-rate monitor to gauge the depth of your exercise

If you want to monitor your heart rate as you ride, a chest strap is a great way to do it.

Positive, you possibly can really feel your coronary heart pumping. However how arduous are you actually working? You might be able to determine an approximation of effort primarily based on the way you’re feeling, however some individuals like coaching with heart-rate screens to make sure they’re working in a zone that can ship most outcomes whereas avoiding overexertion. Some related bikes supply exercises designed round heart-rate zones.

If you wish to do this technique of coaching, your greatest wager is a chest strap, like this one by Polar—it’s near your coronary heart, so it supplies correct readings extra shortly than a wrist-worn Fitbit or Apple Watch can and connects to your bike display screen, cellphone or pill through Bluetooth so you possibly can monitor your effort all exercise lengthy.

Get the Polar Coronary heart Price Monitor Chest Strap from Amazon for $83.71

14. Exercise attire to train in model

If you're looking for new clothes to sweat in, you have a few options.

Among the finest issues about understanding at house is that you just don’t really feel any stress to decorate to impress individuals in your lessons. However for those who’re impressed by the cool shorts, leggings and tank tops your instructors put on—or just wish to replenish your provide of garments constructed to sweat in—you possibly can justify the funding in a number of new, key items. For understanding indoors, we advocate light-weight artificial materials that wick sweat away in order that they don’t grow to be sodden throughout class.

All main train attire manufacturers promote gadgets manufactured from this type of materials, however we’re particularly keen on buying at Nordstrom for its top quality manufacturers and Previous Navy for its aggressive stock-up costs. We additionally love manufacturers corresponding to Lululemon and Out of doors Voices, each of which make extremely rated bike shorts and leggings.

15. A headscarf to cease sweat from getting in your eyes

Prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes with a headband.

Biking is numerous enjoyable. However one not-so-fun facet impact? Sweat, (noticing a theme?) and its tendency to run into the eyes, inflicting a burning feeling that may distract from class. Forestall that teary-eyed sensation with a easy sweatband.

When you have a gaiter that you just’ve stopped utilizing as a masks for security causes, this can be a nice alternative to get some use out of it. Push it up round your hairline to soak up the drips that may in any other case activate your tear ducts.

Advertisement

In the event you’re on the lookout for extra of a devoted headband, Amazon reviewers like this four-pack from the model Vgogfly. The headbands, which are available a spread of colours corresponding to military inexperienced, white, blue and black, preserve hair in place, soak up sweat and are light-weight sufficient that they gained’t trigger extra sweat.

16. The Pivot to make off-bike lessons extra comfy

A woman riding the Peloton Bike.

One beloved function of the Peloton Bike+ that the unique lacks is its rotating display screen that enables customers to extra simply see their instructors throughout off-bike lessons. When you have the unique Peloton Bike and wish to make your off-bike Peloton exercises extra comfy, take into account the Pivot, which customers can connect to their bike and use to swivel the display screen 360 levels. Reviewers say the Pivot is a good addition to their bike, feels sturdy and is simple to assemble. However word: Modifying your bike on this matter will void its five-year producer’s guarantee, so for those who haven’t had your bike for 5 years, that is the danger you’re taking.

Get TFD The Pivot from Amazon for $44.95

There’s much more the place this got here from. Join our weekly e-newsletter to get all our opinions, knowledgeable recommendation, offers and extra.

The product consultants at Reviewed have all of your buying wants lined. Comply with Reviewed on Fb, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the newest offers, product opinions and extra.

Costs had been correct on the time this text was revealed however might change over time.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Fitness

I’m A Fitness Expert – These Are The Best Exercises To Do By Age

Published

on

I’m A Fitness Expert – These Are The Best Exercises To Do By Age

Everything changes with age, it seems – from your blood pressure and exercise recovery time, to how many times it’s “normal” to get up and pee at night.

And now, Mark Harris, a fitness expert at Mirafit, has told HuffPost UK the best exercises he thinks people of different ages should do.

After all, YouGov data says exercising more is the second-most popular New Year’s resolution in 2025, after saving money.

“For beginners, it can quickly become overwhelming with so many workout routines out there,” Mark said.

“That’s why I’ve highlighted the best exercises for different generations.”

Advertisement

What’s the best exercise for each age group?

Before we list these, remember that any activity is far better than none ― and if you’ve found a sport or workout that suits you, don’t let us discourage you.

With that said, Harris recommended trying the following if you’re not sure where to begin:

1. Teens

Teens should “prioritise workouts that focus on aspects such as strength and endurance ― aiming to build up muscle and improve general fitness and stamina,” Harris says.

Advertisement

That can take the form of football and rugby, which is social and mentally stimulating, or bodyweight workouts like squats (that don’t require costly equipment).

“Over time, teenagers can also incorporate resistance bands into workouts,” Harris adds.

“At this age group, it’s all about establishing a healthy relationship with fitness.”

2. Young adults

Though all fitness goals are great at this age, Mark suggests the focus should remain on improving strength and endurance.

Advertisement

Cardio like running, swimming and cycling can boost your stamina while also strengthening your body, while yoga can help with all-important balance and flexibility.

“I also advise that young adults incorporate strength training into their fitness routines, exercises such as deadlifts and bench presses are useful for improving bone density, toning figures and maintaining a healthy weight,” the expert continued.

3) Middle-aged adults

This is a good time to focus on joint and cardiovascular health as Harris suggested “at this age, it’s all about maintenance and trying to prevent any unnecessary injuries”.

Low-impact cardio, like walking, cycling, and swimming, is easier on joints; yoga and other flexibility routines can prevent muscle stiffness.

Advertisement

“Furthermore, for middle-aged individuals, I suggest involving some sort of strength training exercises in routines,” Harris commented.

“This is essential as it can protect against muscle loss, ensuring the body maintains all the strength it needs to function healthily.”

4. Older adults

The fitness pro said that while exercising is important for all ages, it’s especially vital for older adults, “helping maintain agility, balance and general wellbeing”.

With that said, he thinks routines for older adults can be “lower intensity” and still effective. Their main focus should be on boosting movement ― short walks, water aerobics and yoga are all great options.

Advertisement

“Falls can be catastrophic for people of this age and that’s why it’s vital to take routines slowly, focusing on the form rather than the speed,” Harris said.

Of course, these are just guidelines. If you feel overwhelmed by where to start ― no matter what age you are – you should aim to reach the NHS’ fitness goals (150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of intense workouts) a week if you can.

Continue Reading

Fitness

Exercise prior to cancer diagnosis reduces disease progression and mortality risk

Published

on

Exercise prior to cancer diagnosis reduces disease progression and mortality risk

Regular physical activity before a cancer diagnosis may lower the risks of both disease progression and death, suggests research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

And even relatively low levels of physical activity may be advantageous, the findings indicate.

There is compelling evidence that physical activity has a key part to play in lowering the risk of death from cancer, but the evidence isn’t as conclusive for its role in disease progression, explain the researchers.

To explore this further, they analysed anonymised data from the Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS), linked to the Vitality health promotion programme. The DHMS is the largest open medical plan in South Africa, covering approximately 2.8 million beneficiaries.

Advertisement

All Vitality programme participants are rewarded for adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours, earning points for physical activity, recorded by activity trackers, logged gym attendance, or registered participation in organised fitness activities.

Activity type, frequency, duration and intensity are recorded and translated into weekly minutes of exercise.

In all, 28,248 Vitality programme members with stage 1 cancers, and comprehensive physical activity data for the year preceding diagnosis, were included in the study, which spanned the period 2007 to 2022. 

Breast and prostate cancers were the most common cancers, comprising 44% of the study total. 

Advertisement

The length of time between initial diagnosis and disease progression, death, or exit from the study ranged from 1 month to nearly 13 years. 

Cancer didn’t progress in nearly two thirds of the total sample (65.5%), but in just over a third (34.5%) it did. And while 81% survived, 19% died before the end of the study. The average time to death was 20 months and the average time to progression was 7 months. 

Levels of physical activity in the year before diagnosis were categorised as none recorded (17,457; 62% of participants); low, equal to 60 or fewer weekly minutes (3722;13%); and moderate to high, equal to 60 or more weekly minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (7069; 25%).

After accounting for potentially influential factors, including age at diagnosis, sex, economic and social position, and co-existing conditions, rates of cancer progression and death from any cause were lower among those who were physically active in the year preceding their diagnosis.

The odds of disease progression were 16% lower for those who had engaged in low levels of physical activity in the preceding year than among those who hadn’t recorded any physical activity, while the odds for those who had engaged in moderate to high levels were 27% lower.

Advertisement

Similarly, the odds of death from any cause were 33% lower among those who had engaged in low levels of physical activity compared with those who hadn’t recorded any, and 47% lower for those who had managed moderate to high levels.

Two years on from diagnosis, the likelihood of no disease progression among those with no recorded physical activity in the year before diagnosis was 74%, compared with 78% and 80%, respectively, for those achieving low and moderate to high levels of physical activity. 

While the likelihood of disease progression increased as time went on, it was still lower for those who had clocked up some level of physical activity in the year preceding their diagnosis.

After 3 years, the likelihood of no disease progression was 71%, 75%, and 78%, respectively, for none, low, and moderate to high levels of physical activity. And after 5 years, it was 66%, 70%, and 73%, respectively.

Similar patterns were evident for death from any cause. Two years after diagnosis, the probability of survival among those with no documented physical activity in the year preceding diagnosis was 91% compared with 94% and 95%, respectively, among those who had recorded low and moderate to high levels.

Advertisement

The equivalent probabilities of survival 3 years after diagnosis were 88%, 92%, and 94%, respectively, and 84%, 90%, and 91%, respectively, after 5 years. 

This is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause and effect. And the researchers acknowledge that they weren’t able to account for other potentially influential factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, while the data on weight (BMI) were incomplete.

But there are several plausible biological explanations for the findings, they suggest, chief among which is the way in which physical activity strengthens immunity by increasing numbers of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils.

Physical activity may also lower the progression risk of hormone sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers, by regulating oestrogen and testosterone levels, they add.

“Physical activity may be considered to confer substantial benefits in terms of progression and overall mortality to those diagnosed with cancer,” they write. 

Advertisement

“In a world where cancer continues to be a significant public health burden, the promotion of physical activity can yield important benefits regarding the progression of cancer as well as its prevention and management,” they conclude.

Source:

Journal reference:

Mabena, N., et al. (2025). Association between recorded physical activity and cancer progression or mortality in individuals diagnosed with cancer in South Africa. British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108813.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Fitness

The new Start TODAY app is a personal trainer and dietitian in your back pocket

Published

on

The new Start TODAY app is a personal trainer and dietitian in your back pocket

Fitness challenges, meal plans, daily inspiration — the new Start TODAY app has it all!

The app, which launched on Dec. 26, 2024, was inspired by our Start TODAY community, which came together during the pandemic as a way to improve physical and mental health.

The app’s “Chief Motivation Officer” is a man who has inspired TODAY fans for decades — Al Roker. He’s joined by Stephanie Mansour, TODAY Fitness Contributor, and a team of best-in-class personal trainers and dietitians to help you make your health goals a reality with step-by-step routines and workouts, meal plans, expert advice and more.

There are three main pillars in the app:

  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • Inspiration

Here’s what to know, plus how to sign up and get started!

Fitness in the Start TODAY app

Our fitness experts have created 7-day, 14-day and month-long challenges across 12 disciplines to fit any type of lifestyle and schedule.

Advertisement

“Over the last eight years, we’ve been creating workout challenges with TODAY.com and the TODAY show and using a fine-toothed comb to see what our viewers love and what they want more of,” Mansour said. “Our viewers and Start TODAY members have told us that they love walking, walking workouts, accessible strength training routines, workouts with modifications, stretch routines to help reduce pain and increase flexibility, as well as using simple equipment like a yoga mat, dumbbells, or resistance bands.”

The Start TODAY app customizes the categories to match your interests, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. They also are tailored so that they do not require a ton of space — you can do them at the gym, at home or even outside.

You can jump right in with our January indoor walking challenge, which can help make exercise a habit in just 13 minutes a day.

“The January workout challenge is a walking challenge to get you moving anywhere, anytime, even when it’s freezing outside!” Mansour said. “Because our walking workout challenges have been so popular among our Start TODAY community and on TODAY.com, we’ve stepped it up with daily workout videos that you can follow along with directly in the app.”

In this month’s challenge, Mansour leads Al Roker through moves like forward kicks and hammer curls — and features two popular Start TODAY members demonstrating modifications and adjustments so you can get the most out of your workout.

Advertisement

A big focus is to take the guesswork out of your daily workout and avoid boredom to keep you on track for your fitness goals. Many of the challenges include guided audio walking workouts with Al, Stephanie and other trainers.

The fitness workouts and challenges on the app are across all the following categories:

  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Mobility
  • Walking
  • Barre
  • Dance cardio
  • Strength
  • Resistance bands
  • Core
  • Flexibility
  • Cardio
  • HIIT

Personal trainer Lacee Green, known as The Curvy Girl Trainer on social media, gave a glimpse at some of the workouts on TODAY on Jan. 2. She shared her special brand of enthusiasm and inspiration that will help get you moving in 2025.

“It’s all about fitness for everybody and every body,” Green said. “Finding the joy and dropping the judgment. It’s just starting where you are, loving who you are right where you are as you work on who you’re becoming.

“When you think about 10 years from now, you’re not going to be thinking about a number on a scale or a pant size,” she continued. “You’re going to be thinking about, ‘I’m so grateful that I put the habits in place to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle with movement that feels good.’ Whenever fitness is fun, that means you’re doing it right.”

Meal plans on the Start TODAY app

Led by registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition editor Natalie Rizzo, the Start TODAY app takes the frustration out of healthy eating by doing the work for you.

Advertisement

Proper nutrition is key to reaching your health goals. “Fitness is a crucial part of a health journey, but it’s impossible to reach all your health goals without a well-balanced diet full of healthy foods. As a matter of fact, nutrition plays a pivotal role in your fitness journey. Food supplies energy for exercise and help the muscles recover and grow stronger after a workout,” Rizzo explains.

The meal plans are broken down into five categories based on individual goals:

  • Budget-friendly
  • Heart-healthy
  • Quick and easy
  • Mediterranean diet
  • Weight loss

Each week, Rizzo analyzes hundreds of recipes to bring you the ones that will best fit your plan and take the guesswork out of healthy eating.

“For example, for the heart-healthy plan, as a dietitian I know that you want to look for things high in fiber, high in omega-3s and ingredients like potassium, so I go through the recipes to find those types of ingredients.”

The meals in the quick and easy plan can be on the table in 30-minutes or less, while the budget-friendly plans may include potatoes, ground beef or canned beans that are relatively inexpensive.

Each week’s plan includes three breakfasts, four lunches, and seven dinners to give you variety while keeping things manageable. Additionally, each recipe comes with a brief explanation of why it’s included and the health benefits it provides. Each weekly meal plan comes with a shopping list to make healthy eating even easier.

Advertisement

“My nutrition knowledge is put into these meal plans so people don’t have to do this research themselves,” Rizzo said.

Inspiration on the Start TODAY app

Of course, you might need some words of wisdom to help you fit that workout in or eat that healthy meal on a day when everything feels like a struggle.

Our inspiring personal trainers, meditation experts and dietitians will share some ways to get up and moving when you’re stuck in a rut. And Al Roker has you covered with daily inspiration and advice about how he’s stayed on track during tough times.

Another important component of the app is helping you build healthy habits with daily prompts to take small actions that can add up to big improvements over time.

Whether it’s taking a deep, cleansing breath, starting the day with a smoothie or drinking more water, these simple goals can give your day a boost.

Advertisement

To join the Start TODAY community and get walking workouts and podcasts with Al Roker, download the Start TODAY App! Subscribe for $65.99 + tax per year (or $9.99 + tax per month) auto-charged until canceled. But if you subscribe to an annual plan today, you’ll automatically get 30% off the first year. That’s less than $5 per month for the first year! Terms apply. Offer ends 1/12/25. After the discount ends, you will be automatically charged $65.99 (plus tax)/year for an annual subscription or $9.99 (plus tax)/month for a monthly subscription until you cancel. Cancel anytime through Apple under Profile Settings.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending