A lot of people think a strong core means having a visible six-pack, or doing hundreds of sit-ups. But having a strong core is less about looking good in a swimsuit and more about building a sturdy, functional cylinder of muscle that wraps around our middle. This...
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about where we get our health information these days. As a certified fitness professional, it’s a topic close to my heart. Before social media, if you wanted fitness advice you sought out a trainer like me at the local gym, or spoke with a...
Are you a morning lark - up with the sun and most alert before lunch? Or are you a night owl - finding more energy as the shadows lengthen? This preference is known as your "chronotype," and it’s basically written into your DNA. So what’s the "best" time to exercise?...
Does this sound familiar? There’s a word on the tip of your tongue that you just can’t remember. Or maybe you experience moments of reduced mental clarity more frequently these days. These slips are often attributed to getting older. But we actually have more control...
Supplements like protein powder and creatine are often marketed as “must-haves” for active people. But what actually are they, and should you consider taking them? Let’s pull back the curtain on three popular supplements, and separate marketing mumbo-jumbo from the...
Whether it’s a glass of wine with dinner, a cold beer after a long hike, or the occasional nightcap before bed, many people - Charles and me included - enjoy a drink to unwind and socialize. But for those of us focused on health and fitness, it’s worth knowing about...
“No pain, no gain!” It’s a common phrase, but is it true? Well, no. For years there was a belief that if a workout isn't gruelling, it isn't working. Success, it was thought, requires constant pushing and rigid deprivation. Today we know these "golden rules" are...
Your Body’s "Engine Room" Have you ever spent a long day working at your desk or puttering in the garden, only to find your lower back grumbling at you the next morning? I’ve certainly been there! It’s easy to focus on the "glamour muscles” we see in the mirror, but...
Your Hands Tell a Deeper Story Have you ever struggled to open a stubborn pickle jar and thought, "I must be getting older"? Most of us have probably had moments where our hands just don't want to cooperate with a heavy grocery bag or a tight lid. Here’s the...
