Fitness

We live and breathe fitness — these are 10 fitness deals we would invest in right now

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2024

We live and breathe fitness — these are 10 fitness deals we would invest in right now

With Black Friday 2024 just around the corner, now is a great time to spruce up your home gym with shiny new equipment. Whether you are looking to buy one of the best rowing machines or get a new yoga mat, there are plenty of opportunities to save money in the run-up to Christmas. But which deals are really worth the hype? We have some strong contenders this year.

At Live Science, we know a thing or two about fitness, having tested plenty of exercise equipment over the years. Plus, we are continuously browsing online retailers and comparing prices. Result? Hand-picked fitness deals we would happily invest in ourselves. From some of the best exercise bikes to tried-and-tested adjustable dumbbells, here are ten Black Friday exercise equipment deals we recommend.

Fitness

Navy updates exercise standards for Fitness Enhancement Program

Published

10 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Navy updates exercise standards for Fitness Enhancement Program

The Navy will not require some sailors to undergo the Fitness Enhancement Program if they do not pass the Navy’s Body Composition Assessment portion of the Physical Fitness Assessment.

Starting next year, sailors who do not meet the BCA standards but do score an Excellent-Low or above on the Physical Readiness Test — completing the pushup, forearm plank and cardio portions of the test — will be exempt from undergoing the Fitness Enhancement Program, according to a new naval administrative message.

“The purpose of this exemption is to recognize that some sailors who do not meet the BCA standard are still able to maintain operational readiness,” the NAVADMIN said.

Those exempt must complete a nutritional educational program, such as the Navy’s official weight management program, known as ShipShape, or the Nutrition Self-Study Course found on the Official Navy PFA app.

Other approved nutrition programs include the Mission Nutrition Course, offered at Navy fitness centers, and the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System, which provides individualized meal plans.

The command fitness leader, or CFL, is in charge of overseeing a sailor’s enrollment status in these nutrition programs in the Physical Readiness Information Management System.

“Upon selecting a nutrition education option, sailors must inform their CFL of which option they choose and provide proof of completion or progression within 30 days of nutrition enrollment,” the NAVADMIN said. “The completed education option is only valid for one PFA cycle.”

Historically, those who have failed a portion of the PFA have been required to undergo the Fitness Enhancement Program, which also requires sailors to undergo nutrition education as well as additional fitness sessions.

Fitness

Workout Wednesday: Remembering to exercise during holidays

Published

18 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Workout Wednesday: Remembering to exercise during holidays

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 8:02PM

In this week’s “Workout Wednesday,” fitness trainer Rhonda Murphy wants you to make sure you don’t forget to exercise during this upcoming holiday.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Many are already thinking about the turkey, cranberry sauce and the stuffing.

In this week’s “Workout Wednesday,” fitness trainer Rhonda Murphy wants you to make sure you don’t forget to exercise during this upcoming holiday.

Fitness

Period getting you down? Try cycle syncing, a menstrual health game changer

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Period getting you down? Try cycle syncing, a menstrual health game changer

The wellness world is buzzing about a game changer for menstrual health: cycle syncing. This innovative trend helps people who menstruate tailor their lives to the natural hormonal shifts throughout their cycle. By syncing daily activities, nutrition and self-care with these hormonal fluctuations, individuals can better manage physical and emotional changes, boosting overall well-being.

Cycle syncing promises to improve quality of life for people who menstruate. Photo: Getty Images

Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle touch every part of life, from sleep quality and sex drive to energy levels and overall mood. Cycle syncing is all about aligning daily routines with the body’s hormonal rhythms.

The typical 28-day menstrual cycle is divided into four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal. Each phase – or season – brings unique hormonal changes that have an impact on energy levels, mood and cognitive function.

The menstrual cycle

Cycle syncing can help reduce menstruation-related symptoms. Photo: Shutterstock

Ovulation occurs midway through the cycle, with a surge in luteinising hormone (LH), an egg being released, and peaking oestrogen and testosterone levels, which enhance energy and libido. The luteal phase follows, with increased progesterone preparing for potential pregnancy. If no fertilisation occurs, hormone levels drop, leading to menstruation and the start of a new cycle, often with mood swings and physical symptoms.

Winter: the menstrual phase

The menstrual phase is a prime time for gentle exercise such as yoga. Photo: Getty Images

This is when you get your period. Energy levels are often at their lowest during this phase, making it a prime time for gentle exercise such as walking, stretching, yoga or Pilates.

“In the menstrual cycle, you’re bleeding, so your body has high inflammation that’s part of the bleeding process,” said US-based obstetrician, gynaecologist and reproductive endocrinologist Dr Natalie Crawford. For that reason, the focus should be on trying to decrease inflammation. “Do focus on iron – spinach and other leafy greens are a great source of that,” she says, adding that anti-inflammatory foods like berries and fatty fish also help to reduce discomfort.