As tough as it can be to get motivated to run indoors, sometimes life makes running outside downright impossible. But there are benefits to running on a treadmill, even for the most diehard outdoor runners among us. And with the right tools, you can cut all that “dreadmill” talk and discover that indoor running can really be something you look forward to. If you need more motivation, these treadmill workout apps bring access to the best coaches, group camaraderie, and courses you’ve never even

• Training for your first marathon can help reduce the stiffness in your arteries, lowering your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. • The heart-healthy benefits appeared greatest in those who were older and slower. • First-time marathon runners saw a reduction of vascular age by an average of four years. At first, the relationship between between running and heart health seemed simple:

• A new meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine found that running outside and running on the treadmill are relatively similar. • If you are experiencing injuries, one surface may be more beneficial to run on than the other. • For the average runner, it’s not necessary to add a 1 percent incline to get the same workout as running outside. Whether you’re running on the treadmill or running outside, you’re still running. But the two ways certainly feel different for many runners. For one, cr

Training for a marathon is a lot of work. And traveling for a race can be a whirlwind of flying or driving, fueling, sleeping, and then the race. But after you put in all those miles, don’t you want to allow yourself the chance to enjoy the city you chose for your big destination race? After all, you probably picked that location for a reason. We asked readers via Instagram post what races they are turning into a runcation this year. Here are some of the most popular race vacation destinations

• Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2019 found that sticking to a diet that contains less than 40 percent of calories from ultra-processed foods is optimum for heart health. • People who consume more than 70 percent of their daily calories from processed foods are half as likely to have ideal heart health. • Runners who rely on gels and bars for fuel are in the clear—as long as most of the rest of their diet comes from whole-food sources. While you know

The new year often means new fitness goals. And with winter still stretching ahead of us, it can be tricky to log miles outside if you’re starting to train for an upcoming marathon or half marathon. Even if you love cold-weather miles or you live somewhere warm, cross-training is an important part of training to keep you injury free. This means you’ll need to hit the gym. January can be a great time to find cheap gym memberships, with many places offering deals to get people started on their re

Slouching at your desk, bending over your phone, picking up the groceries, and even spending too much time hunched over your handlebars can all be hard on your lower back. When the muscles of the core and back aren’t strong enough to handle daily activities and our riding habits, the result is unwanted back pain. The upside is that with just a few workouts a week, you can effectively strengthen the back muscles that surround and support your spine and target the muscle weaknesses that contribut

Workout trends from apps like ClassPass and Strava showed that strength training topped the charts for popularity. And our readers loved our strength training workouts as well. You know it’s important to build core, arm, and leg strength for more power on the bike. Whether you’re working out in the gym or at home, we have you covered. Some of these circuits will having you working up a sweat and building muscle in less than 10 minutes. We’ve compiled a list of the best workouts from this year

David and Brian Oelberg’s mother, Barbara Oelberg, knew she was adopted from a young age, but she didn’t know what, or if, other genetically related family might be out there. For just as long, Alissa Briggs and her father, Clark Briggs, had no idea there might be some other family member out in the world, let alone living across the border in Canada. (The Oelbergs lived in Ottowa, Canada while the Briggses lived in Lexington, Kentucky.) It wasn’t until 2017 when a family friend of the Oelberg

Data from over 100 million reservations made this year by ClassPass users is in and proves that people across the country used the membership service to mix up their routines and crush their fitness goals in 2019. ClassPass users booked a combined total of over one billion (!) minutes of workouts from January through November, and the most popular way to sweat: strength training. While last year treadmill classes saw the greatest popularity spike of any type of class booked on ClassPass, 2019 w

The holiday season brings with it festive treats, sparkling lights, and The Radio City Rockettes. And, for many of these high-kicking dancers, running throughout the year ensures they can perfectly execute their routines multiple times a day all season long. In preparation for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the women spend months rehearsing for six hours a day, six days a week. During the height of the Christmas season from the beginning of November through the beginning January, the 3

As runners, we know building a strong core will help us run better and stay injury free. But let’s be honest, basic crunches can get tedious and boring. The good news is: You’re not tied to the floor. You can actually work your core in a functional way with standing abs exercises. If you’re tired of doing the same predictable seated abdominal moves or have other reasons your current core routine isn’t cutting it, a good way to switch things up is by incorporating standing ab exercises into your

Running has many benefits: It can boost your mood and brain, and, when combined with a healthy-eating plan, can even help you lose weight. For new runners, weight loss is just second to exercise as a reason for pounding the pavement, according to the Running USA’s 2017 National Runner survey. But as anyone who has tried to drop a few pounds knows, losing weight can be difficult. That’s where weight loss apps come in to lend a helping hand: No matter your goals, these dietitian-approved weight

“After suffering from a hamstring injury and being unable to run the Chicago Marathon. I need to find my love for running again.” —gazzellesb3 “I’m running this streak WITHOUT timing myself... I need to run to breathe fresh air, and just be in the moment... be happy just being. I hope one day to get back to running another marathon!” —healthyzyialife “I’ve been a runner since I was 11 years old but hadn’t done a marathon until this June, but that capstone event was frustrating instead of joyou

• A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carb and very-low-carb diets, such as keto, affect the body. • They found that long-term, carb-restrictive diets had no benefit over other types of diets for weight loss. • Low-carb diets, such as keto, may also restrict intake of other nutrient-dense foods that are important for heart health. A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carbohydrate (10 to 25 percent of tot

• A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carb and very-low-carb diets, such as keto, affect the body. • They found that long-term, carb-restrictive diets had no benefit over other types of diets for weight loss. • Low-carb diets, such as keto, may also restrict intake of other nutrient-dense foods that are important for heart health. A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carbohydrate (10 to 25 percent of tot

• New research published in Preventing Chronic Disease found that Americans averaged more than five hours of free time per day. • Of this free time, less than 24 minutes per day was reported as time spent exercising. • On the flip side, people reported over three hours a day of screen time use. These days, we all feel strapped for time. And not having enough hours in the day seems like a good enough excuse for skipping a ride or two, right? Well, what if it turned out that you probably have mo

• According to preliminary research presented at the annual meeting for the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior in Utrecht, Netherlands, regular aerobic exercise like riding can help your brain function more optimally by regulating its response to insulin. • Insulin response can play a role in perceptions of hunger, suggesting that improving insulin sensitivity through exercise can help control weight, too.

The Versa is Fitbit’s sleekest smartwatch you can wear all day (and night). Though the squircle-shaped accessory doesn’t have built-in GPS, riding with a phone will allow you to track your pace, distance, and route stats in the FitBit app. Strap on the lightweight watch to get Strava access, or use Fitbit pay (included in the Special Edition) to grab some midride fuel. You can also track your every waking and sleeping move without feeling tethered to a charger—this tracker has four days of batt

It’s possibly the most underutilized—and often forgotten about—piece of gym equipment: the jump rope. You might’ve played with one as a kid, but when’s the last time you incorporated this secret weapon into a workout? You’ve heard that jumping rope can be a good workout, but how good a workout, really? That’s what one Runner’s World reader asked in an Instagram story callout for questions—can a jump rope session really take the place of a run if you can’t pound the pavement that day? We tapp