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Richard Simmons, the frizzy-haired fitness guru who championed positivity, exercise and healthy eating, and helped people lose millions of pounds through an idiosyncratic blend of earnestness and camp, died July 13 at his home in Los Angeles, a day after his 76th birthday.

His publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed the death but gave no other details.

Mr. Simmons, who retired to his Los Angeles home and abruptly left the public eye in 2014, revealed on social media in March that he had been successfully treated for skin cancer. The announcement came days after he published a startling post in which he declared that every day we live we are getting closer to our death and urged readers to enjoy your life to the fullest.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Simmons was a zany, irrepressible advocate for physical fitness and weight loss, wearing sparkling tank tops and striped Dolphin short shorts while exhorting Americans to get off the couch and get moving. If your underwear isnt wet, he would shout, youre not working hard enough!

Adopting playful titles like The Pied Piper of Pounds and The Clown Prince of Fitness, he led classes at his Beverly Hills exercise studio, Slimmons; published best-selling fitness guides, including the Never-Say-Diet Book (1980); promoted portion-control kits like Deal-a-Meal; and released hit workout videos including Sweatin to the Oldies (1988), in which he led aerobics routines to songs such as Dancing in the Street and Great Balls of Fire, backed by a live band in a gym setting meant to evoke a high school reunion.

A self-described former fatty, the 5-foot-7 Mr. Simmons represented a much more accessible physical ideal than svelte or muscle-bound peers like Jane Fonda and Jack LaLanne, said Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, a history professor at the New School in Manhattan and the author of Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of Americas Exercise Obsession.

Recounting his story in books and exercise classes, Mr. Simmons said he had struggled with compulsive eating ever since he was a boy in New Orleans, entranced by opulent French Quarter restaurants and his parents home cooking. He went directly from pablum to crpes suzette, weighed 268 pounds by the time he graduated from high school and became a plus-size model while studying in Italy as an exchange student, playing a dancing meatball, a bunch of grapes and an earthbound Peter Pan in commercials for food and underwear.

Mr. Simmons said he decided to transform his body after finding an anonymous note left under the windshield wiper of his car, which he had parked outside an Italian supermarket where he was autographing packages of gnocchi. Fat people die young, it read. Please dont die.

Overcome with fear and anxiety, he turned to pills, shots, massages, hypnosis, anything and everything while trying to slim down in a hurry. For a time, he simply stopped eating. He lost 112 pounds in two and a half months, devastating his mind and body, before he checked himself into a hospital.

Mr. Simmons underwent plastic surgeries for his chin, eyes, nose and hair. After moving to Los Angeles, he started his exercise studio in 1974, complete with an adjoining restaurant, Ruffage, that included one of the first free-standing salad bars independent of a steakhouse.

His workouts were part performance art, part burlesque show and part therapy session, in which he comforted students as they burst into tears. He donned wings, a tutu and other outrageous costumes, and maintained an almost theatrical intensity, shouting out compliments about pupils thighs and butts or chanting, Fat, fat, go away, give it all to Doris Day!

Forget exercising: just speaking with him can raise your heart rate, New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes wrote in 2013 after a visit to Slimmons. He likes to stand about three inches from your face and stare at you. One minute hes laughing maniacally. The next he is teetering on the verge of tears and what appears to be genuine sadness.

Discussing the perils of junk food, Mr. Simmons could be solemn and grave, walking around his studio showing pictures of internal organs that belonged, he said, to the morbidly obese: Do you see this heart? This heart is covered with cookies and pies and grease, and your heart may look like this, and you never know when its going to stop beating.

But he also leavened his message with humor, including on episodes of The Richard Simmons Show, a syndicated series that ran for four years in the early 1980s. The show featured interviews and exercise lessons along with comedy sketches in which Mr. Simmons played characters like the Rev. Pounds, declaring, Though I waddle through the valley of linguine and clams, I shall fear no evil.

Mr. Simmons welcomed celebrities to his classes and salad bar Dustin Hoffman, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Joanne Woodward were all early customers but catered more to ordinary people, mainly women, who said they had never felt comfortable at a gym before walking in to Slimmons.

In a 2024 interview for this obituary, Petrzela said that Mr. Simmons was unique among his contemporaries in welcoming and highlighting people who were not thin, including by featuring them in his exercise videos.

She added that while he never discussed his sexuality, Mr. Simmons brought a new, gender-bending aesthetic into mainstream America, embodying a kind of gender-line crossing flamboyance that was more common to gay nightclubs than gyms. Cultural critic Rhonda Garelick, among others, described Mr. Simmons as unmistakably camp, writing in a 1995 article that his elaborately constructed persona is part cheerleader, part father confessor, and part Broadway chorus boy.

Outlasting fitness stars including Fonda, Mr. Simmons continued to preside over the studios classes into his mid-60s, and said he traveled 200 days a year while promoting exercise programs and meeting with fans whom he considered members of his extended family.

But in 2014, he made what Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor who studies television and popular culture, called an almost J.D. Salinger-like, Thomas Pynchon-esque pivot into seclusion, disappearing from view and then closing his gym in 2016.

His withdrawal spawned rumors and conspiracy theories that were amplified by a popular 2017 podcast, Missing Richard Simmons, which investigated tabloid speculation that the exercise guru might be held hostage in his home or transitioning from male to female.

Mr. Simmons rebuffed those reports in social media posts and phone interviews, insisting that he was simply living a more private life in the aftermath of a very difficult knee replacement. He had decided to make a new beginning for myself, he said, one that seemed to fulfill an earlier promise he made about doing what he loved.

I work real hard to make people laugh and to make them think, he told People magazine in 1981. The day I dont love any of this, Ill walk away.

The younger of two sons, Milton Teagle Simmons was born into a show-business family in New Orleans on July 12, 1948. His mother, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, supported the family while working as a fan dancer; his father, who looked after the children, had once performed in a vaudeville act and emceed for big bands in Chicago.

To bring in extra money, Mr. Simmons sold pralines on street corners in the French Quarter work he credited with teaching him how to work a crowd.

He sang and put on a smile, he said, but the joy was mostly an act at a time when he was oscillating between binge-eating and extreme weight-loss techniques, feeling isolated as the only member of his family who was heavyset. He told NPR that he began taking laxatives at age 11 and was eventually consuming 30 a day. By age 13, he was throwing up after meals.

Mr. Simmons went to Catholic schools and contemplated becoming a priest or a monk, writing in a 1999 memoir, Still Hungry After All These Years, that he interviewed with a recruiter for the Dominican Order, believing that the monastery would be a refuge from jokes about his weight.

He ultimately changed his mind (the black cape worn by friars was not my color, he said) and studied art at what is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After two years, he transferred to Florida State University, later explaining that the school offered a two-year exchange program that gave him a chance to study in Italy, where he said he was cast in bit parts in the Federico Fellini movies Satyricon (1969) and The Clowns (1970).

Mr. Simmons received a bachelors degree in 1970. After settling in Los Angeles a few years later, he worked as a matre d at an Italian restaurant and began searching for exercise classes. He tried yoga and Pilates but found it too self-serious no one cracked a single joke and was disappointed by a visit to Vinces Gym on Ventura Boulevard, where an agonizing weightlifting workout left him bedridden for days.

Then he discovered a class taught by Gilda Marx, a high-energy instructor who played music and danced. He was the only man in the course, and recalled that after one class, Marx told him the other students were uncomfortable with his presence. Mr. Simmons speculated that the real issue was that he was just too much of a cutup, cracking jokes and singing along to the music. The encounter inspired him to start his own exercise studio.

By the early 1980s, Mr. Simmons was appearing regularly on the ABC soap opera General Hospital he played himself, leading exercise classes at the fictional Campus Disco and appearing on late-night television shows hosted by Johnny Carson and David Letterman.

Looking to emulate the success of Fondas workout videos, he began releasing his own exercise tapes in 1983, with titles including Dance Your Pants Off, Party Off the Pounds and No Ifs, Ands or Butts. His first VHS tape, Everyday With Richard Simmons, opened with shots of diners enjoying pizza, fried chicken and a corn dog; Mr. Simmons made a dramatic entry while bursting out of a banana split, outfitting everyone in yellow jogging suits and transporting them into his studio, where the sweating commenced.

His exercise videos collectively sold more than 20 million copies, according to his website. Their success helped him accrue a fortune that enabled him to settle into a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, where he lived alone with his housekeepers and pet Dalmatians; maintained a collection of more than 400 dolls; and parked a Mercedes luxury sedan with the license plate YRUFATT.

Survivors include a brother.

Late in his career, Mr. Simmons often noted that he found it difficult to talk with fans and students who told him about their struggles with weight loss and depression. He took their setbacks personally, he said, and cried more than he laughed. Prayer helped, as did keeping busy.

People need the court jester, so I keep that smile on and keep going out there to do what I do, he told Mens Health magazine in 2012. He added, Im the clown you take out of the box and wind up when you need a good laugh. And then, when youre done with me, I go back in my box.

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Richard Simmons, self-proclaimed pied piper of pounds, dies at 76 - The Washington Post

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With ECU Health Foundations support, ECU Health Wellness Center offers Rock Steady Boxing program for patients with Parkinsons disease - ECU Health

Im Dani Blum, a reporter on the Well desk, filling in for Jancee Dunn today. Part of my job is making sense of the endless array of wellness trends that take over the internet. Some days, that means chasing down the answers to age-old questions; other days, Im investigating new products.

As we slip into summer, and the second half of the year, lets look back at the health trends that have defined 2024 so far.

The water wars are here, and they are vicious thanks, #Watertok. Theres a fierce online community extolling the benefits of hydration and igniting debates over just how much water people need to drink each day and whether plain old H2O is enough.

So how and how often should you refill your water bottle? Theres no one right answer for everyone, and most people can stay hydrated by just reaching for water when they feel thirsty. But watch out for the black gunk that can collect at the bottom of your water bottle if youre wondering if thats mold, the answer (sorry) is yes.

Products that claim to heal and hack your gut have become a staple of wellness culture. In 2024, the gut has gotten a glow up: Pastel cans of prebiotic sodas have popped up on store shelves; the microbiome has gone mainstream; and people are adding apple cider vinegar into their drinks, hoping to cure acid reflux.

Amid all the hype, gastroenterologists want to clarify a few things: namely, that there are ways to help the gut, but few are trendy. Eat plenty of fiber, limit processed foods and lower stress to keep your belly happy and healthy.

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Hurkle-Durkling, Prebiotic Sodas and Other Health Trends Defining 2024 - The New York Times

According to Shawn Williams, who has worked at the center for three years, the resource fair is a popular activity for members, and it will be Sept. 17 this year. The event includes access to vendors, and senior resources and connections that go beyond insurance. One example is the food pantry.

The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature information about health insurance, legal issues, healthy eating, fitness trainers, self care and more.

The center offers a variety of programs and activities, with an emphasis on age-specific exercise programs, social skills, cognitive skills, as well as a safe place to build community.

We have a theater onsite and sometimes we show movies during our Primetime program, Williams said.

The center has nearly 600 members, and the cost is $60 per year for Primetime membership or $15 per quarter.

People dont recognize that the Salvation Army works as a church and a lot of the programs and services are with the intent of meeting human needs, Williams said. We seek to give seniors a safe place to build community with others.

More from Williams:

How are you especially tuned in to the 60+ age group?

We have specific age-related fitness classes that include Zumba Gold, Prime Time Yoga, Chair One Fitness, Gentle Stretch, and Senior Strength. Our program focuses on building skills that can be lost with age, such as social and cognitive skills. We also provide information on topics that are of particular interest to seniors. For example, we have had lectures on cyber security, maintenance of balance, and computer literacy.

Why is this important?

Fitness is important because everyone will get older, we just want to help you get stronger by doing functional activities that you do day to day. Our program focuses on building skills that can be lost with age, such as social and cognitive skills. It also provides information on topics that are of particular interest to seniors. For example, we have had lectures on cyber security, maintenance of balance, and computer literacy.

Tips for staying healthy and active

Have fun, and turn exercise into something you enjoy doing. Do the little things that can help in the long run, like stand on one foot when your brushing your teeth to work on your balance. Eat more fruits and vegetables. For physical health and activity, do what you know you can reliably do often. This might mean joining a pickleball league or a yoga class, or it could mean taking an afternoon walk every day. For cognitive health, never stop learning new things and challenging yourself.

Best advice for individuals 60 years and older

Be the example you want your grandkids to look up to. Never tell yourself that you cant do something because of your age. While you should listen to your body and be safe, youd be surprised what you can do and learn. You have a purpose, and The Salvation Army Dayton Kroc Center welcomes you to join our community.

What need do you see in the area for senior citizens?

More social events, gatherings, and/or programs that create connections with seniors daily.

Impact your business has had in the community?

To allow seniors to meet through our daily programs for activities that include enhancing their mind, body, and spirit. Creating a space for seniors where they feel they have a place to belong. We can see the seniors challenging themselves to learn and stay positive in their lives. Our current seniors have expressed appreciation and gratitude toward staff and program offerings.

Where: 1000 N. Keowee St., Dayton

Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship, Kroc Caf: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Services offered:

Seniors with Silver Sneakers, Silver Fit, Renew Active, and Prime Fitness insurance receive free fitness memberships, which includes 22 fitness classes.

Pickleball (8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday), personal trainers on-site to help with fitness needs and a walking track.

Sewing club Tuesdays (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) is a social opportunity to talk and share stories while you learn sewing or do a project.

Primetime Tuesdays (11 a.m. to noon) is a weekly program for seniors ages 55 & up. Weekly events include activities, free coffee, & free lunch!

Golden Hour Thursdays (11 a.m. to noon) includes activities and lectures. After the program, attendants are provided a free meal.

People of all ages are welcome to join our Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Phone: 937-528-5100

Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/dayton-kroc

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Salvation Army Dayton Kroc Center offers senior programs and resources - Dayton Daily News

In addition to health coaching, Ive been a personal trainer for over 20 years, and one accessible way Ive seen clients get those bursts of physical activity is set aside 30 minutes after dinner for a walk, bike ride or quick workout using a variety of fitness apps.

If possible, think of it as leisure time or a way to clear your head. Bring a family member or meet up with a friend, or listen to a favorite podcast, music or audiobook.

Eighteen of those 30 minutes can be low intensity, but if you include three to four moderate- to high-intensity intervals lasting at least three minutes each, this research indicates your efforts will go a long way toward taking excellent care of your heart health.

Imagine the nutrients you ate at dinner fueling your body as you goprotein, healthy fat and carbohydrates. Put them to use to strengthen your body before winding down for the night.

Morning or midday exercise is wonderful for your health as well. Find what works for you, and if you want to step your fitness up a notch, consider adding a few quick bouts of exercise in the afternoon or evening. The most important questions to guide your decisions are:

What does your schedule allow? And when are you most likely to lace up your sneakers and get moving?

Your answers are the best bet to take care of both your heart and your spirit.

Hey, Health Coach is for informational purposes only and should not substitute for professional psychological or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about your personal situation, health or medical condition.

By submitting your letter to heyhealthcoach@forbesadvisor.com, you agree to let Forbes Health use it in part or in whole, and we may edit the letter for length and clarity. All submissions remain anonymous.

Transform Your Fitness With Science-Based Training

Download the free Caliber app and discover how the average member achieves at least a 20% improvement to their body composition within 3 months.

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What Time Of Day Is Best To Exercise For Heart Health? - Forbes

With the enormous number of workout log apps in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store, it's hard to know which one is right for you, especially if you're just getting started on your fitness journey. These are our picks for the best workout log apps to help you plan, organize, and track your gym sessions so that you get the most out of your fitness time this year.

Simple, functional design.

Calendar with rules for highlighting.

FitNotes, which is free for Android, isa workout tracker focusing on simplicity and a clean design. Its workout log lets you view daily workouts quickly by swiping between them using the built-in calendar. Add an exercise to the workout log and start recording weight and reps or distance and time.

You can create a routine to provide quick access to your commonly used exercises and assign exercises to a particular day within the routine. FitNotes is an excellent app if you're just getting started with workout logging due to its user-friendly interface and ease of use.

Apple

Solid, customizable workout planning.

Adaptable to equipment, workout style, and time.

Easy to log sessions.

Fitbod aims to be a coach and trainer more than a mere log book. Fitbod's training algorithm evaluates your strength-training ability, studies your past workouts, and adapts to your available gym equipment. Then it builds your custom workout.

Fitbod will suggest a workout of the day, with suggested sets, rep counts, and weights based on A. S. Prilepin's famous powerlifting chart. Swapping exercises that target the same muscles is easy, and you can customize each workout freely. Fitbod comes with an extensive library of exercises that includes descriptions and videos with proper form.

Fitbod isn't technically free. New users get a free trial to use the app for a specified time and automatically roll over into a Fitbod Elite premium subscription once the free trial expires. Fitbod Elite offers the ability to generate and log unlimited workouts.

Download For:

Well-designed logging screen.

Includes plate racking calculator.

Bigger Leaner Stronger series routines.

Stacked, free for iOS only, helps you build muscle, get strong, and lose weight faster. Stacked lets you define exercises, combine them to form sequences, and schedule workouts to make routines. The app comes with all the basic exercises and a handful of routines from the Mike Matthews Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger series.

At the heart of Stacked are logging sets. You get a rest timer, the previous workout's data, personal records, a calculator for 1RM, proper keyboards for entering numbers, and a handy plate picker. Stacked also lets you pre-set playlists for workouts and control playback from the logging screen.

In addition to training, you can track body measurements, define goals, and get graphs to visualize them.

Runloop

When you open HeavySet, which is available only for iOS devices, you'll find an excellent, well-thought-out fitness tracker app. Data entry is easy, with well-placed buttons that are big enough not to miss, even with shaking legs or hands. Typically, you'll have to tap only once to log a set, and HeavySet's smart predictions do the heavy lifting.

HeavySet's smarts don't mean you give up control over setting up routines. You can specify rep ranges, pick your weights based on intensity, or define custom supersets.

S2: Strength Log, which is free for iOS, is a simple, helpful workout log that comes with a long list of exercises (to which you can add), and turning them into workout routines is easy. The app uses your first routine as a baseline for adding on difficulty as you progress in your training.

Log unlimited workouts, create unlimited workout routines and custom exercises, track total mass moved per exercise, history over time, and more with S2.

Logging workouts is easy.

Includes a warm-up calculator.

Fills in your previous weights and reps.

Keeps track of your personal bests.

No way to schedule workouts.

No exercise descriptions, images, or videos.

Strong, free for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch, is an excellent app for planning and logging workouts. It comes with all the tools you'll need to track activities effectively, including an extensive library of exercises and a practical way to enter data.

Adding sets and exercises is fast, as are removing and rearranging them. The app fills in previous data and offers a complete history, charts, and records. Choosing activities as you go is easy, and Strong lets you combine them into routines.

The free version of Strong can save unlimited workouts, but it's limited to three custom routines. Upgrade to a Strong PRO subscription for an unlimited number of routines and additional features.

Download For:

Huge list of exercises with descriptions and images.

Functional logging screen.

Share progress with friends on social media.

Jefit lets you manage and track workouts from one place. Choose from more than 1,400 exercises, add your own, and combine them to form a plan. Jefit offers personalized workout routines tailored to your needs. Easily record your training logs, start the rest time, track your workout, and analyze your data.

Jefit is more social and connected than most workout logs. Share routines with friends or download others' plans, participate in contests, brag about workout stats, and synchronize your data with other platforms and devices.

Jefit's basic plan is free, but you can unlock more features with an Elite Yearly or Elite Monthly plan.

Download For:

GymBook, free for iOS, offers unlimited workouts, exercises, log notes, detailed workout analysis, and more. You can unlock extra features for a fee.

It comes with over 50 exercises (over 300 with a membership upgrade) and a few sample workouts. Adding and adapting is simple, and heat maps show you which parts of the body will be the sorest afterward. It includes helpful graphs for exercises and body measurements.

Clean, simple exercise log.

Option to enter/review data from computer.

Simple Workout Log, free for Android, is simple in appearance, utility, and organization. It's easy to log sets with your history, exercise performance graph, and plate calculator at hand. You can also turn exercises into routines and see your performance displayed in graphical form.

Unique features include a summary page with stats from your previous workout, powerful graphing of strength and cardio exercises, the ability to log supersets, cloud backup, export to Excel, and more.

A web version of Simple Workout Log is available for reviewing data and setting up routines, and a Pro version is available if you want to eliminate ads.

Effective logging screen.

Includes a plate calculator.

Popular workouts as ready-made exercise programs.

Can't define target intensity based on 1RM.

Doesn't automatically back up your data.

You could lose everything if you switch devices.

Workit, free for iOS and Android, offers easy ways to enter data, create routines, log workouts, and visualize your progress. There are hundreds of exercises included with descriptions, animations, and YouTube video links. A useful plate-racking calculator lets you load with confidence.

Get started with popular programs (Stronglifts, Starting Strength, PPL, and more) or make your own. Progress is easily visualized by exercise and body part trained, and Workit helps you keep track of cardio sessions.

The Pro version removes ads, keeps body stats, and more.

Download For:

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The 10 Best Workout Log Apps of 2024 - Lifewire

(CNN) Low back pain affects at least 619 million people worldwide, and that number is expected to increase to 843 million people by 2050, according to research estimates.

Unfortunately, nearly 70% of people who recover from an episode of low back pain have a recurrence within a year, experts say. In addition to acute physical discomfort and lost time at work, treatment often requires education, physical therapy and exercises such as Pilates that may require fees or specialized equipment.

Yet there is an easy, free way to prevent low back pain, at least for a while, according to a new randomized clinical trial.

People in the study who walked regularly after having at least one episode of low back pain were pain free nearly twice as long as those who did not.

The intervention group had fewer occurrences of activity-limiting pain compared to the control group, and a longer average period before they had a recurrence, with a median of 208 days compared to 112 days, said senior author Mark Hancock, a professor of physiotherapy at Macquarie University in Sydney.

Walking is a low-cost, widely accessible and simple exercise that almost anyone can engage in, regardless of geographic location, age or socio-economic status, Hancock said in a statement.

The study, published Wednesday in The Lancet journal, followed 701 Australian adults, mostly women in their 50s, who had recently recovered from an episode of low back pain that derailed their ability to perform daily activities. Each person was randomly assigned to a control group with no intervention or an individualized walking and educational program.

Those in the intervention group were asked to build up to 30 minutes of walking five times a week over a six-month period at speeds adjusted for age, physical capacity and individual preferences. Jogging was also allowed.

After three months, most of the people who took part were walking three to five days a week for an average of 130 minutes in total, Hancock told CNN via email.

Participants were asked to wear pedometers to track their daily steps and keep a walking diary. At three months into the program, they also wore an accelerometer that objectively measured daily step count and the amount of brisk walking or other physical activity.

The program also provided six physiotherapist-guided education sessions over six months, a more cost-effective model than typical treatment, Hancock said.

We included 3 standard sessions with a physiotherapist and 3 brief phone catch ups, he said in an email. In the few previous studies of prevention exercise programs for back pain the intervention included approximately 20 group classes.

We also discussed simple strategies to reduce the risk of a recurrence of low back pain and instructions on how to self-manage any minor recurrences. The education was embedded in the same sessions as the walking prescription.

In addition to providing participants with longer pain-free periods, the walking program reduced the amount of time taken off work and medical visits by half, said lead study authorNatasha Pocovi, a postdoctoral fellow at Macquarie.

The exercise-based interventions to prevent back pain that have been explored previously are typically group-based and need close clinical supervision and expensive equipment, so they are much less accessible to the majority of patients, Pocovi said in a statement.

Our study has shown that this effective and accessible means of exercise has the potential to be successfully implemented at a much larger scale than other forms of exercise.

Due to the structure of the study, it was not possible to determine how much of the benefit was due to walking or the educational program provided by physiotherapists, Hancock said.

We believe it is likely the two components complement each other, with education helping to overcome avoidance and fear of movement, while the health coaching and walking program resulted in behavior change, he said.

However, because the intervention appeared to be behavioral coaching, and not actual physical therapy, the act of walking may indeed have been the key reason for improvement, said A. Lynn Millar, a retired physical therapistand former professor at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was not involved in the study.

This is important, as many studies have shown that pain response is partially a behavioral response, Millar said in an email. The coaching was limited in duration, thus they can suggest that the primary intervention of walking was the major contributor to the long term response.

What is it about walking that is so helpful for lower back pain? For one, exercise is good for every part of the body.

First, the person is sitting less, and sitting is not the best posture for the back, Millar said. Second, walking will improve general circulation,and will improve blood circulation to themuscles of the back thatareactively supporting the individual during the motion. Movement of a joint also helps circulate thejoint fluids,thus thejoints of thespine may be benefiting from the motion.

Walking improves metabolism and the amount of calories burned, experts say. Lower weight can ease the load on the back and legs, ensuring better spinal health. Taking a brisk stroll also improves the strength of core muscles around the spine and in the legs, all of which can improve posture and provide better support to the spine.

Walking also increases muscle endurance, assuring muscles are less susceptible to fatigue and injury. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking increase bone density, protecting against injury while stimulating the release of endorphins, the bodys natural feel-good hormones that reduce pain and stress.

When starting a walking program, good shoes and arch supports are necessary,and potential problems may be offset by exercise programs such as resistance training and stretching, Millar said.

I also think it is important to have varied paces and distances throughout the week. Some problems are caused by progressing too rapidly, and not paying attention to initialaches, she said.

I also used to see people that were walking in shoes that did not have good support, or they had become so worn, the support was gone, she added.

If your back goes out during walking, activity modification such as cycling or swimming may be necessary, Millar said. Taking a day or two off from walking and doing some back exercises and stretching can also help.

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Prevent low back pain with this simple lifestyle change - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

How we test

Our team of certified personal trainers, strength coaches, and qualified experts researched and tested more than 30 workout apps. We focused on key factors such as workout variety, accountability, and interactive features.

Learn more

We called upon certified personal trainer and editor Amanda Dvorak, exercise physiologist Dr. Chris Mohr, and professor and strength and conditioning coach Dr. Jen Roper to complete this roundup. The information in this article was reviewed for accuracy by fact checker Kelly Uhler.

If youre committed to crushing your fitness goals, theres nothing wrong with seeking some support. However, you dont have to break the bank to get help with building muscle, burning fat, and becoming your best self. While many workout apps have pricey subscriptions, plenty of cost-free platforms provide the tools you need to start (and stay) on the path to success.

To help you find the right fit, weve researched and tested more than 30 fitness apps to evaluate key criteria such as ease of use, equipment demands, and workout variety. Our mission to find the best free workout apps helped us identify worthy contenders. The apps that made our list come at no cost or at least include an excellent trial period that may convince you to find some room in your monthly budget.

Caliber offers a free-forever version that arms you with ample resources to start your fitness journey. Learn why it earned the nod as our best overall free workout app by reading our in-depth review, complete with testing notes.

Although you must pay for group and one-on-one training, the free version of Caliber still provides excellent resources and tools.

Caliber comes in several different tiers, which allows you to select the level of support you need. The free version includes useful resources that can help you accomplish your goals.

Pros

Community support via groups

In-app performance metrics tracking

Robust library of curated workout plans

Cons

Premium package has an expensive starting price of $200 a month, which is high for a workout app

Personalized macros only available with paid versions

Limited fitness tracker integration

As a fitness coaching program rooted in scientific principles, Caliber checks all the boxes we look for in the best workout apps . The first paid tier, Caliber Plus, comes with access to a library of coach-created workouts. The next tier, Caliber Premium, starts at $200 a month for individual coaching. One of our product testers invested in the one-on-one option and found the $200 price tag well worth it due to the high-quality programming and accountability she received from her coach.

However, you dont have to spend a single cent to reap some of the benefits of this data-driven platform. Calibers free-forever version contains a vast library of more than 500 exercises, each featuring a demo video, detailed instructions, and a color-coded diagram displaying the body parts involved. By also including key points and form takeaways, Caliber easily earned 5 out of 5 stars for instruction from our tester.

So many people would benefit from simple instruction and understanding of how different exercises affect different muscles. The exercise library and demo videos provided with Calibers free version is a fantastic offering, in and of itself. Many of my clients would benefit from this.

Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor

Although you dont get access to a coach with the free version, you dont have to plan your own daily workouts. During the set-up process, youll complete a quick assessment. The evaluation will give the Caliber algorithm the necessary data to generate a custom workout program for you. This can be especially helpful for beginners who are unfamiliar with how to structure a strength training routine.

In addition, the app allows you to track your progress by recording and charting strength and body metrics like your weight, waist size, and body fat percentage. While stepping on a scale is one way to assess your progress, keeping track of your body composition via other methods can provide better insight. ( 1 ) This can help you stay invested in your success by developing self-accountability, which is particularly important since you wont be working with a coach.

In addition to body composition, waist circumference is another useful and very simple tool to assess health. There has been research connecting waist circumference to blood pressure and even all cause mortality, among others, says Mohr. ( 2 , 3 )

You can also lean on another user-friendly feature for additional support: groups. Our product tester joined several, including ones for mountain biking, cycling, and swimming. Research shows that external factors like social support and engagement can help with motivation and accountability. ( 4 )

Each group has its own social feed where you can post things and interact with other people. Although theres not a ton of engagement, that could change as Caliber expands, our team product tester explained.

While our tester gave the app a perfect score for interactive features, she wished it integrated with Garmin, Fitbit, and other fitness trackers. As of this writing, it only integrates with the Apple Watch.

Overall, the free version of Caliber offers plenty of valuable tools and resources for both beginners and more experienced users. If you need more support in the form of nutritional guidance, routine check-ins, and fully personalized programming, you can always upgrade to the Premium tier.

Caliber users on the Apple App Store appreciate how the app has helped them become more accountable and invested in their health and wellness.

Caliber is a fantastic way to build a habit of working out, especially if, like me, youre moderately new to weight lifting/fat burning. The app tracks your progress and shows stats so you can see improvement over time, which is very motivational for me. The app also connects to third-party apps to help you track calories, etc.

Alexey Laduda, Apple App Store user

However, customer Patrick Rizk called out a few areas for improvement in his review on the Google Play Store.

Provides novel strength and balance scores to visualize progress, but the algorithm doesnt incorporate them to give tailored recommendations, which greatly reduces their utility, he said. Automatic weight progression is a basic function that most competitor apps have and is conspicuously missing.

Launched by fitness influencer Kayla Itsines, the Sweat App offers women everything from nutritional guidance to on-demand classes.

Training Plan Customizable

Designed for women, the Sweat App includes customizable training plans and meal planning assistance. After trying out the platform for free for seven days, you can sign up for the full version to gain even more features.

Pros

Can easily modify a program

Cons

Some users describe the programs as repetitive

Primarily pre-recorded workouts

Some recipes are overly complicated and require numerous ingredients

Fitness influencer Kayla Itsines spearheaded an effort to help women get healthier via the Sweat App. The app features various workout programs that include everything from postpartum training to its flagship BBG program (Bikini Body Guide), now known as High Intensity with Kayla. The app also features nutrition plans, community challenges, and on-demand classes led by certified personal trainers.

Although Sweat is only free during the seven-day trial period, women can get a first-hand look at how much the platform offers. Those with long-term goals can decide whether to invest in a monthly subscription thatll allow them to receive individualized attention and support.

To explore all Sweat had to offer, our product tester downloaded the app, inputted her fitness goals and other pertinent information, and received a personalized training plan. She rated the setup process 5 out of 5 stars. She also found the apps interface easy to navigate, which led to a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars for ease of use.

From a training perspective, Sweat covers just about every modality you can think of, including weightlifting, HIIT, yoga, pilates, and barre. In addition, there are zero-equipment versions of programs featuring straightforward movements, which allowed our reviewer to deeply connect with the targeted muscle.

What our tester says:

Offering the ability to exercise without equipment is a fantastic option, given many people may either not have any or not belong to a facility that does. That said, bodyweight workouts are a great option for improving strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, and having guidance around how to perform various exercises to support your goals is great. ( 5 )

Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor

The Sweat App has received positive feedback from women who needed structure, accountability, and support from a workout app.

A reviewer on the Apple App Store with the username Hxnxlei highlighted how the app motivated her to start working out again after a two-year hiatus.

The variety in programs makes it suitable for any kind of workout goal. I can see how the intensity and difficulty of BBG might be unmotivating for some though, so its great that Kayla has recently added more beginner weeks! The community tab is filled with supportive women!

Hxnxlei, Apple App Store user

Still, a few reviews criticized the app for having occasional bugs and glitches. Several customers on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store expressed that the suggested meal plans and recipes contained too many ingredients, which can prove problematic if you have a limited budget, time, or culinary skills.

From strength training to recovery, Fiit offers plenty of options for those who enjoy group classes but dont want to travel.

Training Plans More than 30

Fiit covers all the bases with a wide variety of workouts and training plans. Users can access all group classes at no costa great feature for those who enjoy training in that type of engaging setting.

Pros

Syncs with fitness trackers and devices

Works with mobile devices, TVs, laptops, tablets, and desktops

Records performance metrics

Caters to all fitness levels

Cons

Some classes may be too intense for beginners

No 1:1 coaching or accountability

Cant fast forward or rewind classes

Men (and women) who love the interactive aspect of group fitness classes will truly appreciate Fiit. Available in both free and paid versions, this app offers 2,000 workouts ranging from strength training to cardio to yoga.

The free version gives you unlimited access to all group classesa major plus for those who value that added motivation from training alongside others (virtually, in this case). Plus, you can invite family and friends to join, which can be another source of accountability and self-motivation. ( 6 )

The workouts vary in length, with some taking as little as 10 minutes and others lasting for one hour. If youre a guy whos always on the go, you can still squeeze in a quick workout before you head out the door. Or, you can take a longer-duration session for a true full-body workout.

Another user-friendly feature Fiit offers: the ability to complete workouts with zero gym equipment. The platform has hundreds of bodyweight classes that only require a phone, TV, or laptop for streaming.

While the free version gives you plenty to work with, upgrading to the Essential or Unlimited tiers opens the door to more training possibilities. Luckily, you dont have to fully commit to either option. Fiit offers a 14-day free trial that allows you to test additional features like Apple and Google Health integration, performance metrics tracking, and exclusive workouts.

Ultimately, you can start with the free version and enjoy unlimited access to all of Fiits group classes before considering upgrading to the Essential ($80 per year) or Unlimited ($120 per year) tiers.

Fiit customers enjoy the quality of the workouts and that theyre challenging without being too time-consuming.

This app is fantastic! Ive been completing FIIT workouts for about 3 months now, and it has completely changed my view on working out! The Base FIIT camps are great for an out of shape beginner like myself, and they prepare you for heavier workouts through lots of technique and form practice, and stretching. The flow yoga classes too, are also super useful as a supplemental cooldown/stretch session.

Aurora Siegler, Android app user

However, one common pain point customers highlight is the inability to fast forward or rewind classes.

This is really important as sometimes you dont quite understand how to do a move and want to rewind to see it properly, wrote Android user Hussein Ladha.

Designed for Apple Watch users, Train Fitness allows you to automatically track and log over 100 exercises using AI technology.

Accountability Community feed

Think of Train Fitness as a tool to get more insight into your workouts rather than something that will guide you on how to train. Its a convenient way to log every rep without having to do it yourself.

Pros

Sturdy and high-quality mattress

Nice option for stomach sleepers

Good option for back sleepers

I also like this for heavier sleepers

Cons

Pretty high motion transfer

Luxury Firm is too firm for side sleepers

Customer service was longer than average

Gym-goers whose workout routine wouldnt be complete without their Apple Watch shouldnt hesitate to download Train Fitness. Powered by intuitive AI, this app doesnt provide programs or workouts to follow. Rather, it allows users to focus more on their technique and less on counting their reps by recording them for you.

When paired with the Apple Watch, AI algorithms automatically detect what exercise you are performing based on the movement of your wrist. Train Fitness tracks more than 100 exercises using this method, and you can also manually enter data for more than 400 exercises.

In addition, you can filter and review their workout data by multiple metrics. The interface has easy-to-read graphics and charts that show your progress with particular lifts. This may help you identify weak points and potentially inspire you to change your program to push through plateaus.

Moreover, Train Fitness encourages you to stay connected with other users by sharing your completed workouts on your social feed. You can also challenge a friend, which can give both of you extra motivation to not to skip out on your next gym session.

Unfortunately, this app doesnt give you training plans to implement in the gym. So, if youre searching for a structured routine, Train Fitness isnt for you. However, if you have an Apple Watch and a gym membership (or even a full home gym ), you can take advantage of this technology and get more insight into your workouts without having to do anything extra.

Featuring a rebuilt search function and notifications page, this AI-driven workout tracking app generates positive user feedback for being easy to use and accurate.

I have been amazed at the accurate ability of the application to recognize specific workouts while I am at the gym, a user named Gym Geno wrote in their review on the Apple App Store. I highly recommend using this app because not only can experienced gym enthusiasts maximize their workout sessions, but this platform can also teach newcomers as well.

Another reviewer on the Apple App Store with the username KaseyLynn R. shared a similar sentiment about Train Fitness.

I absolutely love this app! It makes my workouts so easy. I used to log with a pen and paper but that got hard and annoying. This app also helps me know what muscles need rest and what muscles need attention.

KaseyLynn R., Apple App Store user

A free app that includes classes and periodized programs, Nike Training Club can help you get more out of your dumbbell workouts.

View post:
The 9 best free workout apps for 2024, according to a certified personal trainer - Fortune

Troy Universitys Exercise Physiology program has achieved renewed recognition from the National Strength and Conditioning Associations (NSCA) Education Recognition Program (ERP).

The NSCA ERP recognizes and distinguishes programs with approved and standardized strength and conditioning or personal training curricula. Recognized programs are designed to prepare students for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) or NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certifications.

This program recognition is an additional testament of faculty commitment to student success and professional excellence, said Dr. LaGary Carter, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

The renewal marked the third time the program has been recognized by the organization and is valid for a three-year period through March 31, 2027.

It has been an honor to serve as the Coordinator and Faculty CSCS Sponsor for the NSCA ERP applications since August 2017, said TROY Professor Dr. Tyler Martin. On behalf of the department, the initial application materials were prepared in the fall 2017 and the Exercise Science Program within the Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion achieved recognition in May 2018 from the NSCA ERP. Renewal applications were approved in May 2021 and May 2024.

The ERP recognition is the first step in laying the foundation to ensure classroom excellence. With a purposefully designed education, students can look forward to long-term professional success after graduation. The ERP seeks to support this journey through the proper certifications, professional development, and industry connections.

I would like to thank Dr. Martin for leading the exercise physiology programs effort to set and maintain such a high level of standards in Strength and Conditioning teaching and research, said Dr. James Sluder, Chair of TROYs Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. We are honored to continually be recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association for excellence in the field.

Excerpt from:
Troy University's undergraduate Exercise Physiology program recognized by National Strength and Conditioning ... - Troy University

Teens can access 200 GoodLife Fitness clubs, in-person classes, online resources free this summer

LONDON, ON, May 30, 2024 /CNW/ -It's no secret that teens are embracing fitness for its physical and mental health benefits. They're more familiar than ever with strength training techniques and workout ideas thanks to their teachers, their friends and online research. GoodLife Fitness is kicking off its free Teen Fitness program with a focus on fun, reliable resources and expert advice to help teens expand their knowledge and work out safely and effectively.

GoodLife's free Teen Fitness program is back this summer for teens aged 12 to 17. More information at teenfitness.ca

Registration opens June 3 at teenfitness.ca. By registering for a free GoodLife Teen Fitness membership, teens aged 12 to 17 will have access to nearly 200 GoodLife Fitness clubs from July 3, 2024, to September 3, 2024. Last year, GoodLife celebrated the most successful Teen Fitness ever with almost 80,000 teens registered and over 400,000 workouts.

"It's great to see teens so interested and engaged in fitness. They really understand the benefits for their mental and physical health, and they value the chance to spend time with their friends while being active. We're here to help teens learn more about how to use the equipment and give them workout ideas so they can try different things, make the most of their time at the gym and have fun in the process," said Tracy Matthews, vice president of experience & safety, GoodLife Fitness.

In the clubs, teens can join in-person group fitness classes with certified instructors and can use most of the equipment, including kettlebells and TRX trainers. For the first time, select GoodLife clubs will also offer Teen Fitness Team Training Camps with motivating workouts and basic fitness knowledge to equip them for longer term fitness programs.

GoodLife will launch a video series targeting teens with the key information they need for effective workouts. Content will include fitness tips from GoodLife experts, demo videos with proper form and technique for various workouts, and sports-specific training programs that will help teens prepare for fall try outs. Registered teens can access the content via the GoodLife app and website, as well as on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube (@goodlifefitness)

Julia Watts (age 15) looks forward to her second year of Teen Fitness. Watts is a track and volleyball athlete during the school year, but Teen Fitness helps her stay active over the summer.

"My coaches encouraged me to try more resistance training to strengthen my legs for track, but I'm pretty new to the gym so I'm not always sure what to do," Watts explained. "I usually stick to cardio, but when I want to do something different, I use the On-Demand classes on the GoodLife app. There are so many options on there for upper body, lower body or whatever I need. It's a lot easier to just pick a workout and follow along."

Matthew Polidori (age 14) is a student athlete who spends most of his time training on the field or the rink, but now he's looking forward to another summer on the gym floor. Outside of his usual soccer and hockey practice, Polidori uses the gym to gain strength and speed in other ways.

"I can't always get access to the gym at my school, and I don't have any equipment at home. Teen Fitness is the one time I can use machines, weights and different equipment to train in ways that I can't anywhere else," Polidori explained. "This year I'm really looking forward to going to GoodLife with my friends. When Teen Fitness is on, we all sign up together and go almost every day. It's so much fun when everyone can make it. It makes my workouts feel like something I get to do, not something I have to do."

About Teen Fitness GoodLife launched Canada's first Teen Fitness program in 2010 with a mission to reduce barriers to fitness and give young people more opportunities to get active. Teen Fitness members have access to GoodLife clubs across Canada seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last check-in time for Teen Fitness Members is 3 p.m., and teens can work out for a maximum of two hours per day. Program participants will have access to:

Find out more at GoodLife Teen Fitness.

About GoodLife Fitness GoodLife Fitness started in 1979 in London, ON, and has since grown to become one of the largest chains of fitness clubs in Canada and the fourth largest in the world. Founder and CEO David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans started the business with one purposeto give everyone in Canada the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. A membership to GoodLife Fitness gives access to clubs, amenities and virtual workouts that help to achieve this purpose. With hundreds of clubs from coast-to-coast, the GoodLife team is helping to transform the health and fitness of people across Canada every day. http://www.goodlifefitness.com

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

For further information: Heather Smith, (519) 671-0157, [emailprotected]

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Teens work out for free, learn from fitness experts as part of GoodLife Teen Fitness - Canada NewsWire

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