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No equipment necessary

People who are not ready to return to the gym can get an all-around workout at home by using only their body weight. Body-weight exercises are often comparable to using weights and machines, and help people return to fitness after an injury or long layoff. They also can help older adults improve everyday movements. A simple workout might include chair squats, step-ups, and push-ups.

Pandemic weight gain: Not your imagination

A study described in a research letter published March 22, 2021, by JAMA Network Open found that participants steadily gained weight during the first part of the pandemic, from February to June 2020.

Plant-based diet quality linked to lower stroke risk

People who ate healthy plant-based foods had a 10% reduction in stroke risk, compared with people who ate unhealthy plant-based foods, according to a Harvard study published online March 10, 2021, by the journal Neurology.

Have a safe trip!

People with heart-related conditions or risks should take simple precautions when travelling by airplane. These include taking steps to ease stress, such as listening to music or reading a good book; bringing medications in their original containers in carry-on luggage; and not worrying too much about blood clots, which are uncommon during air travel even in people with a history of clots.

Is a "normal" blood pressure reading too high for women?

A study published Feb. 16, 2021, in Circulation found that women with blood pressure readings in a normal range may still be at higher risk for cardiovascular events. For example, heart attack risk in women rose at a systolic (the upper number) reading of 110 to 119 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and was the same at this level as men with a systolic pressure of 160 mm Hg. But experts say it’s too soon to change blood pressure recommendations for women until more research confirms the results.

3 easy exercises to get you started with strength training

Women often skip muscle-building activities, but they're crucial to your long-term health and independence.

If you're like most American adults who work out regularly, you may squeeze in a daily walk or a quick run, or take a Zumba or aerobics class. But strength-training exercises usually don't make the list.

A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that only about 30% of American adults ages 18 to 80 are doing strength training twice a week, as recommended. And almost 58% of those surveyed said they did none.

Step up your walking workouts

Whether you're new to walking or a seasoned stroller, here are some ways to boost your routines.

Walking is one of the most straightforward exercises. You just need a good pair of walking shoes, and off you go.

Like any kind of cardio activity, walking can improve your heart health, strengthen your immune system, and help you manage your weight.

Optimize your exercise routine

Whether you're an exercise novice or a gym regular, these tips can help you get the most out of your workout.

When it comes to exercise, timing is everything — but not in the way we normally think about timing. What matters most is making the time to exercise regularly, not when it happens. That said, your personal experience and specific goals may influence what workout schedule works best for you.

"If you're just starting a physical activity routine, any time that you feel motivated and energized enough to exercise is the best time for you," says Dr. Beth Frates, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. For some people, that's in the morning; for others, the afternoon works better. But if you can work out with a friend, choose a time that works best for both of you, she suggests. Teaming up with an exercise buddy is more enjoyable, and you can hold each other accountable.

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