Cancer Fears Drive Fitness Buffs Indoors

Five potential pitfalls lurking at the gym

(NEWSER) - So it’s almost 2011 and you’re determined to put that gym membership to good use. That’s great, but what about all the hidden dangers lurking in health clubs? The Washington Post offers some tips for how to protect yourself from…

• Skin infections: These can be spread through shared equipment, and you’re especially vulnerable if you have a cut or scrape. Use alcohol spray or wipes to clean off equipment, and put a towel over any mat you’re going to use.

Home exercise takes off in lean times

(NEWSER) - Americans trying to cut back on both flab and expenditures are finding ways to go without costly gym memberships and exercise equipment, reports the Wall Street Journal. Sales of exercise DVDs and simple exercise equipment like yoga mats are booming. Experts say fitness is more important than ever in a recession as stress levels rise. And getting or staying in shape doesn't have to cost a fortune. More»

Indoor biking classes are hot these days

(NEWSER) - Exercising cyclists are gushing so much sweat that two boutique spin chains are releasing new bikes of their own creation, specially designed to prevent rusting metal and soggy handles, reports the Wall Street Journal . In-studio cycling, or spinning, is surging in popularity as gym-goers seek a cheaper alternative to conventional personal training—that's cheaper, not cheap. Flywheel and SoulCycle charge $30 and $32, respectively, per 45-minute class, and both are innovating their equipment as they briskly expand beyond their current footprint of seven locations each. More»

Even daily exercisers are at risk from prolonged sitting

(NEWSER) - Plug this in to your fitness calculus: Even gym rats may face an early grave if they spend a good chunk of their leisure time sitting, a new study suggests. Women who spend 6 or more hours a day sitting as they watch TV or surf the web or whatever are 40% more likely to die sooner than women who cut that time in half, reports CNN . The same holds true for men, though their risk is only 20% higher, regardless of daily exercise. More»

Boston facility sells low-cost memberships in poor neighborhood

(NEWSER) - One Boston fitness center believes that wealth shouldn't keep people from experiencing the benefits of exercise: Healthworks operates a nonprofit women-only gym in a low-income neighborhood. Residents are excited to be able to afford gym memberships, which are based on income and max out at $30 month. Some, like Tamica Toney, have used frequent visits to return from obesity to a healthy weight. "I was 252 pounds," Tamica tells NPR . "Now I am a total of 170 even." More»