The Best Articles in Fitness
The most useful articles and videos in Fitness from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Fitness Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved in Fitness by Refind users in 2023 so far.
Videos
Watch a video to get a quick overview.
How I ran the length of every street in Pittsburgh: PAC TOM
This video elaborates my project to run the length of every street in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's called "Pac Tom" because it's like Pac Man e...
What happens to your body when you start exercising regularly
Whether you’re trying to get fit, build muscle, or you’re just tired of the couch, leading a more active lifestyle takes time, effort and determination. Tech Insider explores what will happen to your…
How to exercise when it’s the last thing you want to do
Wise ideas from psychology, behavioral economics, business — and even activism — to get you moving. Excuse #1: “I don’t have the time to exercise.” The fix: You’ve got plenty of time; the trick is …
Here’s how I finally got myself to start exercising
When we received the stay-at-home order in March 2020 — I live in California — I came out of the gates pretty darn hot. “Embrace not being so busy,” I wrote. “Take this time at home to get into a n…
What is ...?
New to Fitness? These articles make an excellent introduction.
Circuit Training Workouts Routine For Beginners (The Complete Guide)
Put your body to work with circuit training. Here's a beginner-friendly circuit training workouts routine to help you reach your desired fitness level.
4 beginner pilates moves for building a rock-solid core
Get ready to build serious strength in a matter of minutes.
15 Core Strength Workout Exercises for Beginners
When many people think of a core strength workout, it immediately brings to mind cheesy ab routines that have run on TV infomercials. This article isn't that.
What Is VO2max?
With the news that the Apple Watch will soon be able to measure VO2max more effectively (they say) than ever, you may be wondering what VO2max even is. It’s a measure of your aerobic fitness, and you…
How to ...?
How to enjoy running
Going for a jog doesn’t have to be a chore – these mental techniques will make it something you actually look forward to
How to Establish a Core Strength Routine You'll Actually Stick To
Crunches aren't enough...and will bore you to death, anyway.
«Crunches work the muscles at the front of our torso, mainly the rectus abdominis, better known as the six-pack muscl»
How to Work Out When You Can't Go to the Gym
Whether you’re self-quarantining, your gym has canceled events as a social distancing measure, or you just want to be cautious, it’s nice to have options for working out besides going to your usual…
How to Make Gains Without a Gym • Stronger by Science
How can you hold on to your gains when you can't make it the gym? This article breaks down bodyweight training and how to do high-quality workouts at home.
How to Build Muscle 💪🏼
This guide summarizes the science of efficiently building muscle. It's for men and women.
Trending
These links are currently making the rounds in Fitness on Refind.
The Body at Work: Why Self-Control is the #1 Rule of the 21st-Century Economy
The first time I recognized that my body should be controlled was when I was eleven or twelve years old. Thanks to some particularly nasty asthma medication, my body was already well on the “after”…
No pain, no gain? Science debunks yet another exercise myth
While culture promotes the exercise myth of "no pain, no gain," research shows that moderate exercise improves habit formation and frequency.
The Psychology Of Why You Should Exercise Is Changing. That's A Good Thing.
A guide to experiencing more joy — and less pressure — in fitness.
The five-minute fix: how to improve your fitness, strength and posture at super-quick speed
In the time it takes to make a cup of tea, you can build your core muscles, increase hip flexibility and stave off the effects of sitting at your desk all day
Can fasting help you live longer? Here’s what the science says.
It’s a popular practice, and research shows it has real health benefits. A new diet that tricks your body into thinking it’s fasting may have similar benefits.
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles in Fitness—all under 10 minutes.
It’s Astounding How Much Running Can Improve Your Mental Health
Regular running can help prevent and treat mental health conditions like depression
«For people who are already running there are continued benefits going up in a linear fashion from 30 minutes to about 300 minutes a week, where we believe the mental health benefits start to plateau.»
To Hack Your Motivation to Exercise, You May Just Need to Tweak Your Gut Microbiome
A chemical produced by the microbiome sends a signal from the gut to the brain, triggering a dopamine release into the brain’s motivation center.
The most damaging exercise myth
It is widely believed that it is normal to become less physically active as you get older. But this is a pernicious myth about exercise.
The Importance of Having a Physical Identity
In the United States, over sixty percent of people live a sedentary lifestyle. A quarter of the population gets no physical activity at all. Maybe you’re one of these sedentary folks. Physical…
You Only Have 15 Minutes to Work Out. What Should You Do?
You’ve established an exercise routine that has you working out 60 minutes a day. Nice work, champ! Most days, you can stick with that routine. But what do you do when you don’t have an hour to work…
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles in Fitness.
Running and the Science of Mental Toughness
There is more to running than just training your muscles and improving your stamina. It is also a mental sport, and maybe even more so than previously believed.
«In his opinion, what runners refer to as exhaustion has nothing to do with their physical ability to carry on or not. It is simply a matter of deciding to give up.»
Strengthen your heart, bones – and maybe even your brain: a beginner’s guide to weight training at…
A resistance workout is not just about adding muscle: it can bring a host of other proven benefits as well. So what is stopping you?
Social Media and the Rise of 'Bigorexia' In Young Men
Muscle dysmorphia—a psychological disorder marked by an obsessive desire for a jacked physique—is on the rise. Social media is exacerbating the problem, but it may also offer new solutions.
The long road back to fitness after COVID
Returning to exercise after a COVID-19 diagnosis can be a challenging, uncertain task. But every day we learn more about how to work out after an infection.
Death of the calorie
For more than a century we’ve counted on calories to tell us what will make us fat. Peter Wilson says it’s time to bury the world’s most misleading measure
Thought Leaders
We monitor hundreds of thought leaders, influencers, and newsletters in Fitness, including:

Chris Kresser
I'm a health detective specializing in investigative medicine, blogger, podcaster, teacher and a Paleo diet and lifestyle enthusiast.
EatingWell Magazine
Ingredients for the good life.
Well+Good
Decoding & demystifying what it means to live a well life inside and out. Well+Good is your trusted advisor for navigating the ever-expanding world of wellness.
Vitals
A health, fitness, grooming, and medical science blog from the team @Lifehacker.

Jamie Oliver
The latest from me & my HQ. For recipes & more check out http://jamieoliver.com My new cookbook ONE is out now! Order yours here http://jamieol.com/JamiesONE
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Fitness, including:
Outside
A run, hike, ride, or meditation can change everything. Live Bravely! IG: @outsidemagazine Newsletters: http://outsideonline.com/newsletters Cover photo: Mark Fleming
Tiny Buddha
Get Tiny Buddha’s Inner Strength Journal: Creative Prompts & Challenges to Help You Get Through Anything: http://bit.ly/3amsm5Q
The Ringer
Sports. TV. Movies. Pop Culture. Music.
Big Think
Learn from the world’s greatest thinkers. Join us on https://www.youtube.com/c/bigthink.
Bicycling Magazine
Join the ride for expert advice, inspiration, news, product reviews and more. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.bicycling.com/email/bicycling-newsletter
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