'Couch Potato' Lifestyle Poses Danger to Women's Hearts

TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 -- Most folks know that being a couch potato is bad for their health, but new research suggests that women who spend hours in their chairs and sofas might face greater risks than believed.

Sitting for long periods of time can increase risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, particularly if those bouts of sitting aren't broken up by occasionally getting up and stretching, the study found.

Time Spent on the Links May Lengthen Life

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 -- Grab your golf clubs. Spending a day on the green at least once a month may lower the risk of early death among older adults, a new study finds.

About 25 million Americans play golf, which is a sport that can reduce stress and yield exercise benefits. Social in nature and played at a controlled pace, people often continue enjoying the sport into old age.

Could High-Tempo Tunes Help Maximize Your Workout?

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 -- Gyms are bustling with regulars and resolutioners, all working up a sweat. But what's the secret to an easy, effective workout? It may be in the music.

A new study found that listening to music at a higher tempo reduces the perceived effort of exercise. For endurance exercises, such as walking on a treadmill, the effects were greatest.

Gyms Are Fertile Ground for Germs

SUNDAY, Jan. 12, 2020 -- Going to the gym is supposed to improve your health, but it can also be a hotbed of cold and flu bugs, an expert warns.

"The biggest thing about the gym is there are a lot of areas where germs, viruses and fungus can be year-round," said Bryan Combs, a nurse practitioner in the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Nursing.

How to Stay Fit When You're Traveling for Work or Fun

TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2019 -- If you travel a lot for business or pleasure, you may think that the most exercise possible is lugging your bags in and out of a car or through an airport. But it's important to get in real exercise even when you're away from home.

If you're a business road-tripper, look for snippets of time to move those muscles, like when you stop for gas. Any bodyweight calisthenics will do. Think: squats. There are many varieties, but the basic is a powerhouse move. Stand with feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, arms out in front of you. Bend the knees and push your hips back, lowering your body until your thighs are below your knees if possible. And then return to standing position. Do three sets of 10. At your hotel, do planks or push-ups and some crunches.