Fitness Archives - Page 27 of 62

How to Do a Side Plank—and 2 Other Balancing Yoga Poses You Might Be Getting Wrong

Posted on 06/10/2018 by vrapto06/10/2018

Nothing throws off your flow like teetering or even falling as you’re trying to hold your balance during yoga class. But there could be a reason you can’t seem to get your body weight to stay centered. Yoga instructor Kirby Koo says it’s not uncommon for students to need some guidance when they’re trying a new balance-focused pose, which is exactly what she’s going to give you in this video. Here’s how to fix three balances you get could be doing wrong:

Dancer pose

As you stand on one leg and extend the other high behind you, reach your arm over your shoulder and hold your foot in your hand. Keep your knee bent at a 90 degree angle behind you, and make sure your hips are square to the floor. Lift the arm that isn’t holding your foot so that it’s above your head and angled forward.

Shoulder stand

While extending your legs in the air, make sure your elbows are angled in toward your body and not poking out to the sides. Let your weight fall into your hands while they’re placed on your lower back, and keep your legs straight.

Side plank

With one hand and foot on the floor supporting your body weight, draw your shoulders back, preventing your chest from falling forward. Then lift your hips to the sky, and keep your eyes looking at the ceiling.

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Kelly Ripa’s Workout Routine Is Shockingly Difficult

Posted on 04/10/2018 by vrapto04/10/2018

If you're as deeply invested in ABC's Live! talk-show franchise as I am, you know a few things to be fact: 9 a.m. EST is the best time of morning, Josh Groban would have made an excellent co-host, the coolest way to win a vacation is by answering random trivia questions on the phone, and Kelly Ripa? She might love working out more than anyone else on the planet.

People are downright obsessed with her appreciation and dedication to fitness — considering the fact that she reportedly trains five hours a week, has three kids, and runs a hugely successful national daytime talk show, I get it. As an exercise and endorphins enthusiast, I've long admired her stamina and commitment. So when I got the scoop on her go-to workout, AKT in Motion, and found one studio, conveniently located in my neighborhood…

I had to give it a shot.

Founded by Ripa's personal trainer Anna Kaiser, the method, which is available in New York City, East Hampton, and Connecticut, combines choreographed dance and functional training like circuit work, body strength exercises, and band work. It was created to bridge the gap between boutique studios that commonly only offer one type of workout (think yoga, cycling, or barre) and the gym, where you can focus on weight training, core work, etc.

"She [Ripa] is extremely busy and AKT is super efficient as well as effective and crazy fun," Kaiser tells me. "We have such a blast together and she can get everything she needs, strength, cardio, power, stretching, in one place, instead of running to different boutique studios trying to fit it all in. Plus, the music is everything. We are both obsessed with finding the best music. It really drives the workout."

The class, which is either 45 minutes or one full hour, is offered in four different formats to hit all the tiers of fitness. The first time Ripa tried it, Kaiser told me she was so exhausted that she went home and slept for two straight hours.

Clearly, things have gotten easier, as Ripa works out with Kaiser four to five times a week. To get the full Ripped with Ripa experience, I put all four class formats to the test, plus a mixer class that incorporates small portions of every format.

Before I get into the breakdown of the classes, you should know that Kaiser choreographs every single class offering herself, so anyone that pops into a studio (AKA, me!) is getting the same exact workout her celebrity clients. While Kelly Ripa will do all of these classes in one week, life responsibilities got in my way, so I carried them over to a week-and-a-half.

Class #1: AKT Dance

The first class I tested out was AKT Dance, which is a 60-minute choreographed cardio dance class. The class content, regardless of the format, stays the same for three weeks, so clients are able to physically feel and even see their progress. Unfortunately for me, I rolled into this class on the very last day it was being offered, which means everyone else in my class knew the dance and I was just running around a studio looking like a chicken with her head cut off. Regardless, I was drenched in sweat, I could barely move the next day, and the instructor was incredibly encouraging despite my lack of coordination.

Class #2: AKT Bands

Next, I moved onto AKT Bands, which utilized high-powered cardio moves and resistance bands hung from overhead bars. This was by far my favorite. Thanks to repetitive small movements with medium resistance, the class left my tiniest, hard-to-target muscles (like my triceps and my inner thighs) incredibly sore.

Class #3: AKT Tone

The next day, I stopped by AKT Tone, which was more of a barre-based class, with non-impact, toning exercises. I got in a damn good workout, but I wasn't that sweaty, so I skipped the shower and went straight to brunch.

Class #4: AKT Circuit

Kaiser says that Ripa finds the most challenging class to be AKT Circuit, which uses cardio moves and weighted props. It's Kaiser's take on traditional circuit training. Personally, I thought that AKT Dance was much harder, but I definitely don't have as much rhythm as Ripa. I actually like lifting weights, so I love that this class taught me some easy moves to do with dumbbells at the gym.

Class #5: AKT Mixer

Finally, I got to the AKT Mixer, which I loved because it incorporated a little bit of everything — AKA I only had to dance for about 15 minutes. I targeted tiny muscles, got in a solid cardio workout, and even lifted some weights. It was truly a full-body workout. Getting up at 6 a.m. was tough, but the high-energy playlist helped me through even the hardest of sets.

After completing all of Kaiser's badass classes, I can admit that I was perhaps a bit too cocky talking into the studio. I exercised muscles that I never pay attention to. For two to three days, I couldn't even sit down on my office swivel chair without wincing and letting out an "ouch" under my breath. I got the fulfillment of working out with other people, a caring instructor that corrected me in my motions, and hardcore weight training in just one studio.

I know that practice makes any type of workout easier, and Ripa has been conquering Kaiser's method for 10 straight years. Maybe if I give it another 530 weeks, I'll be on her level. Maybe.

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I Did 100 Push-Ups Every Day for Over a Year

Posted on 02/10/2018 by vrapto02/10/2018

It all started as a CrossFit challenge at the box I used to frequent near my home in Burlington, VT. For the month of November, our coaches asked members to see how many push-ups they could do each day. Maybe it was 25, or 50, or more. Hmm, I thought, an ersatz CrossFitter who really just wanted to run and have fun instead of obsessing about performing a perfect deadlift. I wasn's so great at snatches and bungled my burpees, but a push-up? Well, that I could do.

So I signed up to do 100 a day—right before a spa getaway with my mother in Arizona. In between massages and meditation with my mom, I somehow managed to sneak in a set of 10 here, a set of 10 there, and went to sleep even more soundly in the Tuscon desert knowing I'd hit the 100 mark. (Related: The 30-Day Push-Up Challenge for Seriously Sculpted Arms)

And so it began, these sets of 10 that became the metronome of my life, not only as I returned to my own motherly duties in the Green Mountains for the remainder of the month, but also beyond that, into December, and then January. Some pretty amazing things were happening to my body, and to my mind. My arms were more toned than ever, I had a tight core, and I felt that I stood taller than before. What's more, I was increasingly confident about my own capabilities as an athlete. With the 100-mark under my belt for the day, I could move on to tapping away at my keyboard, texting friends, or enjoying dinner with my husband and two kids knowing that I'd put in an honest day's work. On the floor.

So that was the funny part. The floor. The stuff that I saw, and that I did, while a few inches off the ground. In the pre-dawn hours of a cold February day, I'd find myself in the living room, picking up long-lost Legos from the tufts of our orange shag carpet in between sets. In the kitchen on a warm summer morning, I'd be eye-to-eye with a slug, or a millipede, or a moldy Cheerio. I'd have eureka moments, where I'd suddenly think of the ideal Christmas gift for my nephew or the punniest headline for a story. I'd empty one level of the dishwasher, hit the ground for 10, and then have the coffee going while banging out the next 10 or 20.

Did it suck? Oh boy, yes. There were many mornings when, tired from tossing and turning about daily stresses, I swore I'd never do another damn push-up. But after eking out five, I'd feel my mood improve—and the physical changes in my body were serious motivation. (Just beware of these 7 Push-Up Mistakes You're Probably Making.)

After more than a year of my 100 daily push-ups, I quit CrossFit—but kept up with the challenge in my local gym, learning to be impervious to the rolled eyes or the questioning looks as I added my own reps during a BodyPump class. When I entered a GoRuck adventure race that spring, I was able to move on to the next stage of the event thanks to my push-up proficiency, and the same skill also got me through a 36-hour venture into the wilderness in California that fall.

I was hooked, and I was having fun—and making friends. Strangers at the gym had a reason to start up a conversation with me, getting a laugh or two when I revealed my mission. I saw the world in a different way. When I went on work trips or on vacation, I found new, inventive places to practice my push-ups. London, New York, California wine country, Denver, Montreal—they all saw a certain blond ponytail bobbing up and down in the push-up position.

One day last spring, I stopped, as I decided to unplug from most everything (screens, work, working out) for a month to give my mind and body a break from the hamster wheel of life. I felt free, and then I felt a bit flabby as my arms lost some of their muscle tone and my core grew curvier. What would I do now, commit to the 100-a-day again, or give it up entirely?

The answer came somewhere in the middle. I still do push-ups. Most days. Not every day, and not always 100. But every time I find myself face to face with a floor, I smile, and start counting.

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This article originally appeared on Shape.com.

All You Need Are 2 Soup Cans to Do This 60-Second Arm Workout

Posted on 01/10/2018 by vrapto01/10/2018

Add these clever moves to your at-home fitness routine.

How Is Self Love Different From Body Confidence? Iskra Lawrence Explains

Posted on 29/09/2018 by vrapto29/09/2018

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

4 Ways Your Workout Should Change After You Turn 40

Posted on 28/09/2018 by vrapto28/09/2018

There's no getting around biology: with the passage of time, we all become a little stiffer, squishier, wobblier. But that said, the 40-something you can be as strong as ever. This is the message behind Fitness After 40 ($19; amazon.com), a practical guide by orthopedic surgeon and mobility specialist Vonda Wright, MD. The trick, she says, is exercising smarter. Below we've pulled four tips from the pages of her book that every active woman should take to heart.

Work on your flexibility every day

As we age, our tendons and muscles tend to get tighter, and our risk of injury—tendinitis, in particular—goes up, says Dr. Wright, who directs the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She compares stiff connective tissues to dried-out rubber bands. One hard tug and the brittle material tears apart. This is why you need to stretch daily, she says.

One of her favorite techniques: foam rolling. "Essentially the log of hard foam serves as a rolling pin to break up small adhesions and scar tissues, thereby increasing blood flow to problem areas," she writes in her book. "Foam rolling first thing in the morning (after a hot shower) leaves you limber for the rest of the day."

Dr. Wright is also a big believer in dynamic stretching and warm-ups, which involve slow, controlled movements (like shoulder rolls and sumo squats) rather than static stretches (the grab-your-ankle-and-hold-for-30-seconds kind).

"Flexibility is so easy to ignore," she writes, but it's essential if you want to stay active. Mornings too crazy for yet another task? Stretch on your lunch break, she suggests, or in the evening while you watch TV.

Use your muscles—or you'll lose 'em

It's sad but true. Between your 25^th birthday and your 50^th, you could lose up to 10% of your muscle mass, Dr. Wright explains. Then over the next 30 years, you could lose another 45%. And it gets worse: Lost muscle is typically replaced by fat. "This fat makes us bigger all around because a pound of fat takes up 18% more room on our frame than a pound of fat," she writes.

But it doesn't have to be that way! You can prevent muscle loss by using your muscles. As the years go by, strength training becomes increasingly important, she says. Although by "strength training," Dr. Wright doesn't mean what you might think.

Step away from the weight machines

"Most of us grew up in an era when 'strengthening our quadriceps' meant sitting on a leg press machine and pushing a sled of weight up a slope," Dr. Wright says in the book. But have you ever pushed a sled uphill with your legs in real life? Probably not.

She wants you to train your muscles the way you actually use them—and build what's called functional strength. For example, in real life you use your quads in coordination with your hamstrings, butt and core to pick up kids, climb stairs, and load Ikea furniture in the car. So skip the leg press and do squats and lunges instead. (For more functional moves, check out this circuit from celebrity trainer Juliet Kaska.)

Work balance exercises into your regular routine

Stand on one leg like a stork. Really, give it a try right now! Tougher than you expected? We often don't realize our balance is going until we're toppling over, says Dr. Wright. Part of the problem is that with age, the neuromuscular connections that help keep us upright slowly decline. But the good news? Those nerve pathways "can be entirely reclaimed by specific daily attention," Dr. Wright assures. She suggests taking up tai chi, Pilates, or yoga, all of which can improve stability; or adding balance moves (like side leg raises and toe raises) to your usual workout. And every day, practice that stork impersonation while you brush your teeth.

5 Exercises You Should Do to Avoid Injuries After 40

Posted on 27/09/2018 by vrapto27/09/2018

There are some things that get better with age: Cheddar cheese, cast iron skillets, and especially Jane Fonda. One thing not on the list, though, is our joint health. Seriously, how often have you heard—or maybe you’ve said it yourself—"Ooh, my aching joints!"

That’s because as we age, joint mobility tends to wane—thanks to a combo of nine-to-five desk jobs, lounging on the couch, and poor posture when we use our phones and computers. Joint mobility is our ability to access all the ranges of motion within our joints, explains physical therapist and certified strength and condition specialist Grayson Wickham, founder of Movement Vault, a mobility and movement company.

The consequences of limited joint mobility? Pain, compensating with the wrong muscles and joints to move how you’re trying to move, and even injury. “Around the age of 40, the injury rate starts to increase because at that point we’ve been putting our bodies in—and operating in—sub-optimal positions for four decades," Wickham says. "That results in tight muscles and joints and means we have less ability to move freely, which really takes a toll on the body."

Without optimal mobility, he continues, it's harder to do all sorts of things. “Mobility is what allows us to perform our daily need-to-do tasks like wash the dishes, toss a Frisbee to the dog, exercise without pain, and even get out of bed." That’s why working on your mobility in your major joints (think: hips, ankles, shoulders, and wrists) is essential to your quality of life as you age. “Adding mobility stretches and exercises into your routine is about getting your full range of motion back in your joints,” Wickham says.

Luckily, it’s never too late to develop a mobility practice that can help prevent injury and pain later in life–and it doesn't require a huge shift in your routine. “A few minutes a day is all it takes to see massive improvements over time,” he says.

With that in mind, Wickham put together a five-move mobility routine to improve movement and function in your key joints so that you can comfortably perform daily activities and exercise for decades to come. Incorporate these movements into your routine as often as you can, aiming for five or more times per week.

T-Spine Joint Mobilizations

At first glance, this might look plain ol' foam rolling. But this exercise is aimed specifically at increasing mobility in your upper spine, all with a massage-like feel. Considering that back pain and arthritis costs Americans more than $200 billion(!) a year, according to a 2014 Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation study, this move could save you money and misery.

How to do it: Grab your handy foam roller and place it behind you, so that your upper back is resting on it. Keep your hands behind your head, as if you were going to do a crunch, or straighten your arms overhead. When you’re ready to begin, engage your core.

The goal is to create movement at each individual level or vertebrae in your thoracic spine, the part that runs from the base of your neck to your abdomen. To do this, bend backward on the foam roller as far as possible while maintaining engagement in your abs. Once you’ve extended as far as possible, squeeze the muscles that are touching the foam roller by trying to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for five seconds, then return to the start position. Repeat for three reps of five seconds each.

Next, move up on the foam roller about an inch toward your neck and repeat the above sequence. Repeat throughout your entire upper back.

Spine Circles

In addition to being costly, back pain is also common. "Back pain is something 80% of people will experience at some point in their lives,” says Wickham. “But spine circles help you activate and engage all of the muscles that surround your back and torso, which can help you move more freely from side to side."

How to do it: Start on your hands and knees. Tuck your tailbone and push your spine toward the ceiling, making your back the shape of a Halloween cat's. As you do this, lengthen your neck so that your ears come down by your biceps.

From here, you’re going to start making circles within this pose. Start by squeezing all of the muscles in your core. Bend over to the left side by squeezing all the muscles on the left side of your body, which will make your body look like a half moon. Hold this for two seconds, then return to your starting cat position. Then move to the right. Activate the muscles on your right side so that you’re bending to the right. Hold this for two seconds, then move back to the starting position.

That's one full spine circle. Repeat for five reps.

Hip Flexor Stretch: End-Range Isometrics

“When you have limited mobility in your hips, your body will compensate by asking your knees and ankles to move in unsafe ways that can lead to injury over time,” says Wickham. “We are weakest and most injury-prone in our hips’ end-range of motions, but activating the muscles and joints through this stretch helps increase flexibility and strengthen the joint.” The goal with this exercise is to stretch out your hip flexor and then contract the muscles around the hip, which helps increase hip stability.

How to do it: Begin in a half-kneeling position with your right knee up. Engage your abs, then intensify the lunge forward so that you feel the stretch in the front of your left hip. Once you feel the stretch, contract those left hip muscles. To do that, think about dragging your left knee on the mat to get them to activate. Hold for 10 seconds.

Next, relax your hip flexor muscles but stay in the stretch. Rest in this position for a few seconds, then squeeze your glutes for 10 seconds. That’s one rep.

Switch sides, and repeat three times on each leg.

Ankle Stretch: Plantar Flexion Lift Off

“When you don't have mobility in the ankle, you’ll either not be able to perform certain movements—like squats, lunges, and even walking—or you won’t be able to perform those movements well,” says Wickham. This stretch can help increase the mobility of your ankle, specifically at the front of the joint.

How to do it: Start on your hands and knees, with the tops of your feet in contact with the mat. While keeping your core engaged, press the tops of your feet into the mat as you extend your knees as far as you can. Squeeze your quads at the top of the movement, hold for three seconds, and slowly lower back down to the mat.

You should feel the front of your ankles opening up as you perform this movement. Perform 10 slow, controlled reps on each side.

Shoulder Stretch: End-Range Isometrics

This stretch will help open up the shoulder and chest muscles, Wickham says. As many as 67% of people experience shoulder pain at some point, but Wickham says that improving shoulder mobility can help reduce the risk.

How to do it: Start by lying facedown on a mat. Bring your left arm out to the side at a 90-degree angle from your body with your palm facing down. Place your right hand on the ground, pushing it into the ground and lifting the right side of your body, increasing the stretch in the front of the left shoulder and pec area. Activate the muscles in the front of your left shoulder by thinking about pushing your left arm and hand into the ground. Hold here for 10 seconds.

Then, relax the front of your left shoulder and contract the muscles in the opposite direction. To do this, imagine lifting your left hand and arm off of the ground. It likely will not go anywhere, but as long as you are activating the muscles on the backside of the shoulder, you are doing the movement correctly. Return to start. That’s one rep.

Perform the above sequence three times per shoulder.

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Unleash Your Inner Athlete In Venus Williams’s Newest EleVen Activewear Collection

Posted on 25/09/2018 by vrapto25/09/2018

Monday just got a whole lot better. American tennis star Venus Williams is launching the newest EleVen activewear collection today, and it is so good. The best part? You don't have to be even the slightest bit good at tennis to appreciate it.

The EleVen line may have kicked off in 2012, but we are super excited for the new Starlet collection, which is being released just in time for fall. Blue hues melt into crisp winter white, mimicking the night sky as it transitions from light to dark. Romantic, right?

"When designing this collection, I was inspired by one of my favorite parts of day, right after dusk when the stars and moon first become visible, and the hues of blue settle into the dark night sky," Williams told Health. As a result, her newest fitness capsule is romance, sophistication, playfulness, and edge rolled up into one spandex look.

Shop the collection: elevenbyvenuswilliams.com

In the latest drop, you'll find everything from comfy tanks and long-sleeve tees to fierce leggings and anything-but-basic jackets. Of course, it wouldn't be a Williams line without a few nods to the sport she's most passionate about: Adorable tennis skirts and dresses? Check and check.

The pieces in the Starlet collection also have eye-catching details such as back cutouts and sexy mesh panels, and were designed for layering—so transitioning from summer to winter is easier than ever. Sport these versatile, gym-to-street pieces all day long, whether you're heading into a fitness class, grinding it out on the courts, or running errands on the weekend.

Not only is the collection fashion-forward, but it's also functional. The brand uses technology that helps you perform at the best of your ability. EleVen Ozone provides protection from UVA and UVB rays, EleVen Pro-Dri offers breathability and quick-dry performance, and UPF 50 blocks 98% of harmful ultraviolet rays. All you have to concern yourself with is unleashing your inner athlete and crushing your sweat session.

Venus Williams's EleVen Starlet collection is available to shop today at at 1p.m. EST. Don't mind us: We'll be very, very busy adding our most coveted looks into our shopping carts.

Spartan Race Founder Joe De Sena Does This Body-Weight Workout Every Morning

Posted on 24/09/2018 by vrapto24/09/2018

Joe De Sena isn’t your average fitness guru—you’re much more likely to find him lugging a log through the woods than running on an elliptical. As the founder of Spartan Race, which hosts more than 200 extreme obstacle course events around the country each year, De Sena made his name on unconventional workouts. “I just love carrying heavy things up mountains,” De Sena said. “My workout style is always centered on mobility and flexibility, at its core, so I’m always carrying stuff, hiking with whatever I have.” He’ll crawl, jump, and run in the rain, or channel his past experience working construction by carrying a sheet of plywood up the mountain or a file cabinet up the stairs. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t think there’s a bad place to do burpees. He’s even happy to do them at McDonald’s, while spreading the gospel of more activity, less French fries.

The Spartan philosophy is simple: “Push harder, do more with less, be healthy. Sweat. It’s just about being comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he said. Humans, he says, are meant to jump, run, crawl, and climb. And feel free to DIY your home workouts, whether that means jumping over a bucket, squatting with a full laundry basket, or lugging jugs of water (which, he points out, weighs 8 pound per gallon). “In my mind, there’s nothing really unique about it—it’s what a human being was meant to do.”

He may not have set out to become a fitness personality, but he’s nevertheless managed to spread his philosophy to millions of race-goers. Spartan Races come in 3-, 8-, and 13-mile varieties, with up to 40 obstacles depending on the length. Obstacles range from climbing cargo nets and crawling under barbed wire, to jumping over fire and throwing spears (De Sena’s favorite). They even host children’s races with all the usual obstacles miniaturized. For beginners looking to embark on the Spartan journey, he recommends Bikram yoga because it can help prevent injury.

We asked De Sena to demo a Spartan-style workout that anyone can do at home. In the above video, he takes us through his morning routine, which focuses on body weight moves—like burpees, windshield wipers, and box jumps—mixed with yoga poses for increased flexibility. We filmed him working out in the Health studios, but De Sena says he prefers the elements to the cameras. “I want to be outside in the dirt, under the barbed wire with people,” he says.

6 Ways to Stay Safe When You’re Running Alone

Posted on 22/09/2018 by vrapto22/09/2018

This summer, the tragic death of Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student who was followed and killed while she was out jogging alone, reminded us of the very real and scary risk women face when they go for a run solo. Sadly, a similar crime happened again this week, when 35-year-old Wendy Karina Martinez was stabbed to death while jogging by herself in Washington D.C.

Of course, Tibbetts and Martinez aren't to blame for what happened to them. Still, their tragic stories highlight how important it is for women who exercise outdoors on their own to take precautions. We've rounded up the 6 best tips from experts below. Even if you think you're cautious, read their advice for extra safety measures you can take that won't interfere with your workout goals.

Research before you go

Runners love to help other runners, says Elizabeth Corkum, founder of Coach Corky Runs and trainer at Mile High Run Club in New York City. That's why they use websites like Strava and MapMyRun to share information on popular routes. Use these sites to find out where people typically run in your area to avoid turning down a dangerous street or alley. You can also research the crime rate in the neighborhood. Sure you might realize you have to drive to find a safer area for your run…but your life is worth it.

Stay in populated areas

It can be exhilarating to run on a pretty country road or in a city park without lots of traffic or crowds. But "I don't want women to feel like they have to cower," Corkum says. By staying in well-lit areas that are dense with people, it's more likely that if something unexpected were to happen, someone would be around to help, she advises.

Keep the volume down

Music can make a run feel easier, but don’t get so caught up in Beyoncé’s beats that you lose track of your surroundings. "Keep one of your headphones in your ear and let the other one dangle," suggests Dan Kruy, a martial artist and trainer at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, Connecticut, who teaches runner safety and self-defense classes for women. "That way, you’re more aware of what’s going on around you."

Light yourself up

Running in the dark? Wear something reflective. A flashing light or headlamp, like the Nathan Neutron Fire ($35; amazon.com), can keep you visible and illuminate stumbling blocks, or a shadowy figure, in your path.

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Notify others

Download a safety app like RunSafe ($1; Google Play) or Glympse (free; iTunes and Google Play), and share your location with friends or family when you head out the door. RunSafe even has a panic button you can trigger if you’re under attack or worried about your safety. Or go old school: All the running apparel from Graced By Grit comes with a free safety whistle that you can blow to attract attention when you need it.

Carry ID

The Road ID reflective Wrist ID Sport wristband ($25; amazon.com) and Shoe ID tags ($8; amazon.com) keep contact information on hand in case of an emergency.

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Category Archives: Fitness