Turn up that music to turn up your workout

MSNBC reports that women who increase the volume of their favorite music could improve their workout. According to a new study, a slight increase in volume of high-energy tunes motivated women and helped them to perform more repetitions when lifting weights. For the full article, click here.

Summer-Proof Your Workout

Keep your cool when exercising outdoors with tips from fitness editor Nan Kappeler. Nan suggests dressing for warmer temps, avoiding the sun’s peak hours and hitting the pool. For more tips, read on!

Wellness Article: How much water do you need?

In July’s nutrition wellness article, WalkStyles editor Dana Denis explores the topic of drinking water. An essential nutrient, water is a surprisingly complex topic, raising questions ranging from the amount we need to where it should come from.

For Dana’s insights and tips, click here.

Walking News: Your best workout partner may be your dog!

An obesity expert and professor of medicine at Northwestern said that dogs make great workout partners in winning the battle of the bulge, according to a new Forbes article. Research has shown that it’s easier to be physically active and stick with an exercise program when you team up with a workout buddy. But unlike human partners, who might make excuses for not wanting to go for a walk or run, a dog never will.

Wellness Article: Keep moving, but avoid overexertion

Overexertion is a scary thing — something that even the fittest of the fit aren’t immune to. WalkStyles fitness editor, Nan Kappeler, discusses overexertion and how to avoid it. During the summer months when we’re more active and the weather is warm, it’s especially important to keep these things in mind.

Walking News: Walking Teams Take Manhattan

On any given day, almost half the women in the United States are on a diet. But it’s a succession of small steps that will insure the pounds come off — and stay off. New York women, who fight fat by walking in groups at lunchtime, are profiled in this article from the New York Daily News. According to the leader of one group, a big part of why the team approach is successful is the social aspect, as walking with others keeps you motivated and accountable.

Walking News: Walking may help prevent osteoporosis

An estimated 80 million Americans have osteoporosis, commonly called “bone-thinning disease”, and 80 percent are women. “Anything that makes bone bear weight is good for bone quality,” said the head of orthopedic spine surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. While walking cannot restore bone already lost, it can help preserve bone density, according to a spine specialist at New England Baptist Hospital. Read more in the Boston Globe!

WalkStyles in Forbes.com article!

Sue Parks, CEO of WalkStyles, Inc. and co-author of ICount: 10 Simple Steps to a Healthy Life, is quoted in a recent Forbes.com article all about walking. According to the article, enthusiasm for walking continues to increase as it’s an affordable, effective exercise that can be done by just about anyone…anywhere!

Wellness Article: What’s your favorite exercise?

On Mondays, we focus on fitness – what a great way to start out the week! Today, fitness editor Nan Kappeler talks about popular “favorite” exercises and why – or why not – they’re so great. Must-do exercises include squats, walking and planks…those to avoid include chest presses and ab crunches. Click to learn what exercises you should be added to your routine!

Walking News: Study Finds Moderate Exercise Battles Belly Fat

According to Science Daily,  a new study suggests that moderate amounts of exercise alone can reduce the inflammation in visceral fat (belly fat). Visceral fat has been linked with metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that predict heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. In the study, the benefits of exercise were apparent, even without a change in diet.