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.
- Running and the Science of Mental Toughness
- What happens to your body when you start exercising regularly
- No pain, plenty of gain: why taking it easy can be the key to getting fitter
- The Body at Work: Why Self-Control is the #1 Rule of the 21st-Century Economy
- Rules for sustaining peak performance as we grow older
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.
Running Alone
A slightly poetic take on the meditative virtue of running.
Advice to My Younger Self: Five Lessons From a Physiotherapist for a Lifetime of Sustainable Running
Joe Uhan imparts running advice he would give to his younger self.
What Happens to Your Body When You Run Everyday? The Benefits and Risks of Daily Running
Running every day has many benefits, but too much running can also pose some health risks. Learn more about the benefits and risks of running daily.
Do This To Keep Your Passion Of Running Burning Stronger Than Ever
Have you ever felt that passion for running fire start to dwindle? Do you ever ask yourself, why do I do this?
Is Coffee the Next Big Thing in Running Apparel?
Science has proven the performance benefits of caffeine and exercise, but companies are now upcycling coffee grounds to weave them into running apparel. Here’s the scoop.
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles in Fitness—all under 10 minutes.
What I Learned Running 30 Days in a Row
Simple steps to rebooting your fitness and reinvigorating your running goals
No pain, plenty of gain: why taking it easy can be the key to getting fitter
Whether you’re running, working out in the gym or lifting weights, the perfect workout doesn’t have you gasping for breath. Here’s why less can be more
How to Improve Your "Fitness Range"
Hybrid athletes pump up their hearts and biceps in equal measure
Rules for sustaining peak performance as we grow older
Biotech will offer us longevity, and we can harness downstream "superpowers" to improve key skills and live much better as we age.
«key downstream skills like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, cooperation, and collaboration»
What's the least exercise we can get away with?
Is there a minimum amount of exercise you can do to stay fit and healthy?
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles in Fitness.
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”…
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.»
‘I sleep better, I feel incredible and my energy levels are through the roof’: the one exercise…
A 75-day six-pack programme, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, women-only weightlifting and Couch to 5k: four writers on finding their perfect route to fitness
Nice. So What’s That in Miles?
First published in Like the Wind magazine #32
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.
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 Jamie & his HQ 👋 For recipes & more: http://jamieoliver.com Jamie's new kids book #BillyAndTheGiantAdventure is out now: http://jamieol.com/OrderBillyBook…
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
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.
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.
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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Which sources does Refind monitor in Fitness?
We monitor hundreds of sources in Fitness, including Outside, Well+Good, Tiny Buddha, The Ringer, Bicycling Magazine, and many more.
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