Focus Health ExRx

08/22/2026

That's right! Swinging your arms wildly actually helps propel your body forward and you burn LESS calories. Not moving your arms as much will create less efficiency, which makes the rest of your body work harder!!

08/16/2026

Don't give up your stairs! The extra effort in your legs helps train your muscles to pump blood more efficiently back to your heart.

Better pumping means more efficient blood flow, stronger heart, and improved cardiovascular system.... which means more energy!

If you feel unsteady, always use railing, supportive shoes with grip, and take it slow. If you need some practice because your legs are not as strong as they used to be, go up and down on the bottom step, alternating feet, everyday. And again, hold the railing, BUT NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Simply choosing the stairs could have surprisingly big benefits for your heart and longevity. A large analysis involving more than 480,000 people found that regular stair climbers were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 24% less likely to die from any cause than people who rarely...

08/14/2026

Exercising on the beach decreases your overall risk of falls by training muscles that are involved in balance and coordination. Studies have also shown it increases the intensity of your normal street or treadmill walk and can possibly help decrease post-exercise muscle soreness.

Don't have access to the beach? Try walking on grass, dirt paths, or other natural uneven surfaces. Just be sure to be more mindful of your steps to avoid accidents/injuries with a new exercise. As always, consult with your doctor first to make sure this type of activity is right for you!

08/12/2026

It feels counterintuitive, but moderate exercise will HELP pain in the long term.
👉🏼 What has been YOUR experience?

Get help finding your preferred joint-friendly exercise for arthritis to help get you moving, relieve pain and make joints more flexible.

08/05/2026

Grip strength is a measure of how well you will age. Exercises are good to improve, but even better is "real life" activity such as gardening and household chores.

Read on for the best grip-strength exercises you can practice to improve your overall grip strength and hand health.

07/31/2026

When you think of building muscle, commonly you first think of dynamic movements like lifting weights, using bands, or executing movements that require working against your own body weight. There is another very effective way to build muscle…. Isometric contractions. To do this type of exercise, it requires holding a muscle under tension with no joint movement. It is more challenging than it looks, and effective for all fitness levels, although it is considered especially ideal for people with orthopedic limitations.

One of the most common examples is “wall sits”. Research has shown us that this type of exercise not only builds muscle, but can be even more effective at lowering blood pressure than aerobic activity.

07/30/2026

Metabolic Syndrome is an epidemic. One thing can help prevent AND reverse it.... physical activity.

Metabolic syndrome affects every 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. Learn how to prevent or reverse it.

07/28/2026

This is why rigid exercise programs never work long term. Individualization is the key to success.

Exercise has long been referenced as a way to clear the mind, take away stress or combat mental health disorders, according to postdoctoral scholar and research associate in the University of Wisconsin Wellbeing and Exercise Laboratory Madeleine Connolly. Practices such as yoga in India and tai chi....

07/25/2026

Walking is good for fighting age-related issues, but add strength training and you can start to reverse trends.

Discover how strength training can slow aging, boost energy, protect your heart and brain, and help you stay strong, healthy, and independent at any age.

07/24/2026

As far as risk of disease and mortality, we have known for quite a while that physical inactivity was detrimental to health. Now, specifically weak muscles are shown to decrease quality of life and increase mortality. Time to lift some weights!