The Zones’ Wellness Blog

What if one of the simplest ways to support your well-being involved nothing more than stepping outside? No expensive equipment. No complicated routine. Just fresh air, a little sunshine, and perhaps a few minutes with your bare feet in the grass. Welcome to the world of Vitamin G. Before you start searching the supplement aisle,…

When you think about strength training, you probably picture stronger arms, firmer legs, better balance, or making everyday activities easier. But did you know your muscles may also play a role in supporting your immune health? Your immune system works around the clock to help protect your body from infections and other threats. And scientists…

When you hear the word calcium, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Strong bones? Healthy teeth? Maybe a glass of milk? Those are all good answers. But calcium has another important job that doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Calcium helps your muscles contract every time you move. Whether you’re climbing stairs, carrying…

Ever been in the middle of a strength training exercise when your muscles suddenly seem to say, “That’s enough!”? Your movements slow down, the resistance feels heavier, and completing another repetition becomes increasingly difficult. That’s muscle fatigue at work. While the word fatigue might sound like something to avoid, it’s actually a normal part of…

Sometimes, getting more out of your strength-training workout means learning what NOT to tighten. Picture yourself halfway through a challenging strength-training exercise. Your muscles are working hard, you’re concentrating on every movement, and suddenly you notice something. Your jaw is clenched. Your shoulders are creeping toward your ears. Your hands are gripping the handles as…

When you think about strength training, you probably think about muscles, resistance, repetitions, and getting stronger. But there’s another part of your workout happening every second—breathing. It sounds almost too simple to matter. We breathe thousands of times every day without giving it much thought. Yet journalist and author James Nestor brought renewed attention to…

In our recent blog, “Missed a Week? What Happens to Your Muscles,” we looked at what happens when your normal strength-training routine gets interrupted. Now let’s talk about what happens next. You’re back! Maybe you’ve missed a week. Maybe it’s been several weeks. Either way, it’s tempting to walk into your first workout thinking you…

Maybe you went on vacation. Maybe work got unusually busy. Maybe you weren’t feeling well. Or maybe life simply happened. Whatever the reason, you’ve missed a week of strength training. It’s easy to wonder: Am I already losing all the progress I’ve made? The short answer is reassuring. A brief break from strength training generally…

Walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, stretching, group fitness and strength training can all have a place in a healthy lifestyle. The important question isn’t necessarily, “Which exercise is best?” A better question is: “What am I asking my body to become better at?” If you want better endurance, you train endurance. If you want greater flexibility,…

Great! Now what? Getting stronger isn’t only about what happens during your strength training session. Your workout provides the challenge your muscles need to adapt, but what you do between sessions can help support recovery, muscle health and the strength you’re working to build. The good news? You don’t need to turn the rest of…