Cross training is a training routine that involves several different forms of exercise. It limits the stress that occurs on a specific muscle group because different activities use muscles in slightly different ways. Here are some reasons to bring your workout inside a few times per week [...]
If you’ve ever taken an exercise class or worked with a personal trainer, you might have been instructed to “engage your core.” “A lot of people just tighten up their stomach when they hear that, or they think the core is only about an abdominal ‘six-pack,’” says UNC Health sports medicine physician Anthony Garzone, DO. “The…
When you’re short on time at the gym or after your run, you might be tempted to skip stretching. But if you don’t have a consistent practice of full-body stretching to improve your flexibility, you’re missing out on a variety of benefits. “Flexibility is one of the most important parts of your exercise program,” says…
Social media is full of posts from fitness influencers claiming that weighted vests will help you get stronger and reduce the bone loss that comes with age. That sounds good, but is it just another workout gimmick designed to take your money? We asked UNC Health sports medicine physician Michael Seifert, MD, whether weighted vests…
You know you or a loved one needs help with their use of alcohol or drugs—but what form should that help take? In the movies, substance use treatment is often depicted as someone being driven away to a distant rehab facility or going to a meeting in a church basement. While those options exist, they’re…
Finding time to exercise can be tricky, so if you’re regularly making time to walk, run, dance or bike, you should congratulate yourself. But if you’re always choosing a cardio workout, it’s time to add strength training to your routine. “Strength training helps to improve metabolism, bone density, joint health and body awareness, which helps…
Your smartwatch knows a lot about you—how you slept, how many steps you’ve taken today and whether you’ve been exposed to ear-damaging noise. Your watch may even alert authorities if you’ve fallen and need medical assistance. “Wearables like smartwatches and fitness bands are great tools to help patients understand and improve their health,” says UNC…
When you decide to hire a personal trainer, you’re making a commitment to improve your health and fitness, but you’re also making a financial investment. If you feel you’re not getting your money’s worth out of your training sessions, you may be wondering: Should I break up with my personal trainer? We talked to Colleen…
A heart attack can be a wake-up call for anyone. If you’ve neglected healthy habits such as exercise, you may realize that to live longer, you’ll have to make better choices, and you could use help deciding where to begin. If you’ve always engaged in regular exercise and have a variety of activities you enjoy,…
Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Health
After years of study, your child is ready to graduate from college—congratulations! As you celebrate this milestone, use the opportunity to advise and guide your new graduate on their health. While your child may have enjoyed some independence at college, they probably had many conveniences on campus to support healthy habits. When they were sick,…
At lunch with a friend, you notice that she’s using an app on her phone to record her meal. When you ask if she’s following a new diet, she says that she’s tracking her macros, and she’s never felt better. Tracking or counting macros refers to keeping tabs on the macronutrients that you eat so…
When you join a gym, you may be offered a complimentary session with a personal trainer. Perhaps you’ve dismissed this opportunity before, figuring that you don’t want to be sold on more services when you’re already paying to use the gym. You might think that you know how to reach your fitness goals on your…
