Pam Moore

If you took up hiking during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Data from the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that of all the outdoor activities that spiked in popularity between 2019 and 2020, hiking saw the sharpest rise.
If winter’s chilly temperatures and short days are keeping you away from the trails, don’t sweat it. The offseason is an excellent time to work on developing the mental fortitude, endurance, strength and flexibility to hit the trails running (well, hiking) once the ice...

If you’re considering hiring a personal trainer in the new year, the coronavirus doesn’t need to be an obstacle. Many trainers are offering virtual services; all you need to book a session are a WiFi connection and a way to pay digitally.
But there is one problem: “Anyone can say they’re a personal trainer,” says Francis Neric, the national director of certification for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Even the title “certified personal trainer” isn’t necessarily a stamp of qua...

If your motivation to exercise during the pandemic is as elusive as flour and antibacterial wipes, that’s not surprising — and you’re not alone. “It’s totally fine and totally normal to have your motivation wane,” says Steve Magness, a Houston-based running coach who has seen athletes at all levels lose initiative as the pandemic wears on. Here’s why you may be feeling this way and what you can do about it.

“One of the best things to keep people motivated is staying in a routine. You take tha...

If the idea of exercising for cardiovascular health makes you think of spin class, it’s time to shift that thinking. In addition to traditional “cardio” regimens such as biking, running and high-intensity interval training, there is another kind of workout that benefits your heart: strength training.

Although the primary benefits of strength training have been seen as musculoskeletal, and it has been especially recommended for older adults to maintain bone mass and prevent falls and injury, n...

Before the coronavirus pandemic, I always smiled at other runners as we crossed paths. Now that we’re wearing masks, I rarely bother. And when I do, I have no idea whether the intended recipient even notices.

I never gave much thought to the momentary connections created by exchanging smiles with a stranger before the pandemic. Now I miss them, leading me to wonder: Does it matter whether I offer an unseen smile to someone I don’t know?

The short answer: Yes, because it can affect your emotio...

You had an argument with your partner, you’re attempting to focus on your third Zoom call in a row, and your back pain is acting up. Sound familiar? If you experience stress, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 75 percent of Americans report physical or emotional symptoms of stress, including headache, feeling tired, or altered sleeping habits.
While the term stress might sound benign, it’s anything but—especially when everyday stress becomes chron...

Although being in quarantine undoubtedly has its downsides, for many, it presented an opportunity to establish a new fitness routine. Now the tough part: continuing such routines as we try to find normal footing in a post-quarantine era — although that era is looking more distant as cases continue to rise in some areas of the country.

Before we move on to tips for maintaining these new fitness levels, it helps to understand one of the reasons some people have been able to adopt healthier habits during quarantine.

According to Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit,” all habits in

The Universal Guide to Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Everything you ever wanted to know, straight from the experts.

In This Article: What Is MIS? | MIS vs Open Surgery | Benefits of MIS | MIS Candidates | Recovery | Recent Innovations | FAQs | Sources

Back problems that lead to chronic pain, sudden spasms, and cancelled plans can seriously interfere with your quality of life. But if you’re a candidate for surgical treatment, there’s good news: Back surgery has come a long way over the las...

If you’re considering hiring a personal trainer in the new year, the coronavirus doesn’t need to be an obstacle. Many trainers are offering virtual services; all you need to book a session are a WiFi connection and a way to pay digitally.

But there is one problem: “Anyone can say they’re a personal trainer,” says Francis Neric, the national director of certification for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Even the title “certified personal trainer” isn’t necessarily a stamp of qua...

When former elite marathoner Tina Muir started Running for Real in 2017, she had a specific finish line in mind: she envisioned a podcast that would inspire runners of all levels and backgrounds.
Though originally known for her fast times (like a 2:36 marathon), the decision to publicly disclose her eating disorder and amenorrhea had earned Muir a reputation for relatability, honesty, and authenticity, which in turn informs every episode of her show.
Now among the top 10 running podcasts on i...

You had an argument with your partner, you’re attempting to focus on your third Zoom call in a row, and your back pain is acting up. Sound familiar? If you experience stress, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 75 percent of Americans report physical or emotional symptoms of stress, including headache, feeling tired, or altered sleeping habits.
While the term stress might sound benign, it’s anything but—especially when everyday stress becomes chron...

Joanna Penn starts every episode of The Creative Penn podcast with this salutation, knowing it might alienate some listeners. And she’s okay with that. Since releasing her first episode in 2009, the prolific British author has learned the value of clarity—not just in defining her target audience, but also in the way she conveys her message. Penn launched her podcast to “to empower authors to […]
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The Universal Guide to Scoliosis: Everything you ever wanted to know, straight from the experts.
In This Article: What Does a Healthy Spine Look Like? | What Are the Main Scoliosis Causes and Types? | What Are the Most Common Scoliosis Symptoms? | How Do You Get a Scoliosis Diagnosis? | What Are the Most Effective Forms of Scoliosis Treatment? | What Kind of Scoliosis Surgery Is Available? | How Can You Deal With and Live With Scoliosis? | Sources
You can’t spell “scoliosis” without an “S” or...

In a lot of ways, your core protects your spine just like your spine protects your spinal cord (we know, bear with us). Your spinal cord is part of your central nervous system, your body’s command center. It’s incredibly important, but it’s also vulnerable and needs protection. That’s why it’s encased in a column of bone: your spine.
Similarly, although your spine isn’t exactly delicate, you don’t want it damaged. Plus, it’s super flexible. It needs protection and stability, and that’s where ...

For some, coronavirus recovery is fraught with long-term complications. They are known as “long-haulers” because of their constellation of lingering symptoms with no discernible pattern. Preliminary data suggests recovery typically takes about two weeks for mild Covid-19 cases and three to six weeks for severe or critical cases.

How quickly will there be a vaccine? And what if people refuse to get it?

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For long-haulers, however, a negative coronavirus test doesn’t signal the start of...