Jenessa Connor

Spoiler alert: Yes, it can. Follow a few simple guidelines to help minimize the impact.
It’s pretty common to bond with your workout buddies over a few beers or follow up a particularly tough workout with a margarita (or two). In fact, research confirms that adults with a higher level of cardiovascular fitness tend to drink more alcohol than their less-fit peers. After pushing yourself physically, it can feel natural—refreshing, even—to kick back and relax with a drink.
But how does alcohol a...

For optimal performance and health, women in particular need to make sure their diets include enough iron.
When it comes to nutrition, there’s a lot to think about, from making sure you’re getting enough protein, to incorporating lots of fruits and vegetables. But have you considered how much iron you’re getting from your diet? For active women, it’s a crucial question.
Due to biological factors such as menstruation and pregnancy, women are more likely to struggle with iron deficiency than me...

Here’s what the experts and research say about the time-restricted eating trend.
Of all the trendy fad diets out there, intermittent fasting has become one of the most popular strategies for weight loss or maintenance. Instead of counting calories or following a meal plan, people who try intermittent fasting only eat during a specific time window each day. It’s a seemingly straightforward approach, and many people experience a desirable shift in their body composition. But does intermittent f...

Considering dipping your toes in the (somewhat murky) waters of working out barefoot? The decision to lift shod or shoeless can be a confusing one, thanks to an abundance of conflicting messages about what’s best for our feet and everything else that’s connected to them.
So, we hit up experts to get their thoughts on the benefits and risks of barefoot training. Here’s what you need to know before you ditch your shoes.
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By now, most athletes are familiar with the virtues of stretching in all its various forms. Dynamic stretching can increase blood flow, warm up your internal temp, and prime the joints and muscles for physical activity. Active stretching can improve your flexibility and range of motion. And passive stretching can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system that brings about feelings of calm) during a postworkout cooldown.
But what about assisted stretching? ...

At its core, cupping therapy hasn’t changed all that much since its earliest recorded practices, which date back to 1550 B.C. Egypt. Just like thousands of years ago, small cups are still applied to the skin and used to create a vacuum of negative pressure that draws the tissue up into the cup. (Perhaps our ancient predecessors even looked at the bubbles of skin and resulting polka-dot bruise...

Putting yourself out there and meeting people doesn’t get any easier the older you get (in fact, it can be harder the further you get into adulthood), but continuing to make new friends and maintain personal relationships is crucial to your overall health and well-being. And luckily, your local running group is an excellent resource for growing your social circle.
We asked experts—a sports psychologist and running group leaders—to weigh in on breaking the ice, making connections, and going fr...

Just like there’s no “best” running shoe for everyone, or training plan, or energy gel, there’s no ideal running frequency for all runners. Even though many runners ask how often they should run, the days per week you lace up depends on factors that vary from one individual to the next. Even when you do settle into a pattern that works for you, your approach may need to shift as aspects of your training (and life, in general) change.
However, there are some general guidelines that can help ne...

If you’re new to barbell training, you’re about to realize what powerlifters and Olympic weightlifters have always known: It’s fun to lift heavy weights.
Moving really heavy weight is empowering. Nothing will boost your confidence like sliding on an extra plate or mastering the proper form for classic, foundational lifts. Plus, if you want to improve your running performance and prevent overuse injuries, efficient, full-body barbell workouts—like this one designed by Dane Miklaus, C.S.C.S., f...

Amidst all the techy gear and gadgets that promise to optimize your workouts, the analog journal continues to be one of the most effective personal fitness tools.

Keeping a detailed exercise log is one of the best ways to foster consistency and accountability, especially if you haven't yet solidified an exercise habit, according to Haley Perlus, Ph.D., sports and performance psychologist. "Monitoring progress helps give people a sense of direction and self-worth," she tells LIVESTRONG.com.

Se...

We don't need to trot out the latest research on New Year's resolutions to know that most people who make them don't keep them. But that offers little comfort when you're the hopeful goal-setter starting to lose motivation before the calendar flips to February.
We all want to be the best versions of ourselves. We all want to believe we have the determination and willpower to make changes that stick. So what do you do when you realize you're becoming another sad statistic?
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If you've ever attempted Pilates, you know it's a killer core workout. But the low-impact exercise system, which can be done on a mat or using specialized equipment, offers many other perks — and you only need a wall to reap the benefits.
Lauren George‌,‌ fitness instructor, educator and founder of Lauren George Fitness, explains that your core is more than just your rectus abdominis (or abs), and Pilates is good for more than just a six-pack.
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"We often think of the core as just...

Go from couch potato to trail monster with these simple tips from a personal trainer.

You train your legs for the trail, right? Now do the same for your upper body and make your days on the water easier. Bonus: These exercises work the same muscles that help you carry a heavy pack.