Fitness Classes

Fitness classes are the perfect way to keep your workout fun, challenging and effective while adding a social element that keeps you coming back for more. And these days, there are more options than ever—from dancing to trampolining, Pilates to kickboxing, water aerobics to strength circuits and...

Walking/Hiking

One of the most wonderful things about walking is its sheer simplicity, so you might be surprised by just how important your walking technique is. Using proper form can make walking feel easier, prevent injury and speed up your pace. The latter is especially important when you’re looking to get the...

Running

You’ve probably heard that running is a top calorie burner, stress reliever and health booster. But if you’ve never taken your treadmill routine above a brisk walk or signed up for a weekend 5K, consider giving running a try. You’ll be joining good company: Some 28 million Americans over age 40...

Cycling

If it has been years since you were whizzing around on your bike with the wind blowing through your hair, you may want to consider hitting the road again. Bicycling offers plenty of health benefits, and it’s never too late to recapture the joy of being on two wheels. Along the way, you’ll get a...

Aquatic Activities

Although water aerobics delivers heavy-duty health and body benefits—burning calories, toning your muscles and strengthening your heart, to name just a few—you’ll feel light and stable while putting very little stress on your joints in a pool, because you lessen gravity’s force on your body when...

Tennis

You probably already have a good idea what a big difference it can make “being on” mentally when it comes to interviewing for a job, or delivering an important work presentation, but getting your mental game in tip-top shape can also help you find success on the tennis court. Strategy is non-stop...

Dance

It’s never been easier or more popular to shake your booty and reap the many health benefits of dance. Beginner classes for adults with or without partners are widely available at dance studios, community centers and many gyms. Salsa, swing, hip hop, jazz, ballroom, belly and ballet: It doesn’t...

The latest Articles

Activities & Sports

10 Tips for Beginner Hikers

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
J. Michael (Mike) Siemens, M.S.

Hiking is a low-impact, low-cost way to exercise, reduce stress and enjoy the great outdoors. A one-mile hike can burn up to 150 calories, and you don’t have to be a mountaineer to hit the trailhead. Follow these simple safety tips for beginner hikers to find the best hike for your fitness level.

5 Unique Fitness Classes You Haven’t Tried—Yet

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Katie Surridge

Fitness classes are the perfect way to keep your workout fun, challenging and effective while adding a social element that keeps you coming back for more. If you find yourself craving something new, these out-of-the-box classes might be worth seeking out.

Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Cycling

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Katie Surridge

Indoor cycling, also known as Spinning (the brand name of an indoor bike that has become synonymous with the workout), has ranked among the top fitness trends for nearly three decades. Ready to see what all of the buzz is about? Read on for a complete guide to indoor cycling for beginners.

Bicycling for Health

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
J. Michael (Mike) Siemens, M.S.

Bicycling offers plenty of health benefits, and it’s never too late to recapture the joy of being on two wheels. Along the way, you’ll get a great workout that feels more like play than work.

Bike Safety Tips for Every Ride

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Katie Surridge

More and more people are choosing to cycle because of the health, environmental and money-saving benefits of being on two wheels, making bike safety more important than ever. Taking some simple precautions can be the difference between a pleasant ride and one gone awry.

Buying the Perfect Running Shoe

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Richard Butler, M.S., C.S.C.S.

Feet are like snowflakes—no two are alike, including the two at the end of your own legs. And buying a running shoe with the proper fit and design for your unique needs—the type of running you do, your gait, your foot shape—will have a positive impact on nearly every joint and muscle in your body.

Choosing What Surface to Run On

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Richard Butler, M.S., C.S.C.S.

Unlike, say, swimming pools, running surfaces are virtually everywhere. A trail, a street, a park, a beach—you can tie on your sneakers and just head out of the door for some exercise.

Fitness Dancing: A Fun and Effective Workout

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Katie Surridge

Whether grooving to the beat of a handmade drum or bopping to tunes on the radio, humans have long felt compelled to move to music—and these days, many people are dancing not just for fun, but for fitness. In fact, fitness dancing is one of the most popular workouts at the gym today.

Get Fit and Feel Refreshed with Water Aerobics

Written by 
Shawnee Barnes
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
J. Michael (Mike) Siemens, M.S.

Although water aerobics delivers heavy-duty health and body benefits—burning calories, toning your muscles and strengthening your heart, to name just a few—you’ll feel light and stable while putting very little stress on your joints in a pool.

Introduction to Tennis for Fitness

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Mike Duffy

Not only is tennis a relatively low-impact activity that you can do at almost any age, but it can burn more than 500 calories an hour while working your body and your brain as you strategize where to hit the ball and anticipate where your opponent will go with her shot.

Master the Mental Game of Tennis

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Mike Duffy

You probably already have a good idea what a big difference it can make “being on” mentally when it comes to interviewing for a job, or delivering an important work presentation, but getting your mental game in tip-top shape can also help you find success on the tennis court.

Mistakes Many Runners Make

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Jeff Dolgan, M.S., R.C.E.P., C.S.C.S., Burdenko, U.S. Cycling

Running may be one of the simplest workouts you can do—tie your shoes, one foot in front of another, off you go—but there are some common mistakes that can make workouts less effective, raise your risk of injury, or slow your progress.

Outwit Running Safety Hazards

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Richard Butler, M.S., C.S.C.S.

Sure, you know better than to run down the middle of a busy street or to try to beat a traffic light, but there are other running safety hazards to be aware of on the road. Follow these simple tips to stay safe while running outdoors.

Sidestepping Tennis Injuries

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Mike Duffy

Even when you take all the usual precautions, tennis injuries can happen. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to prevent injuries before they occur—and there are ways to bounce back more quickly if you do get one.

Smart Stretches for Dance Workouts

Written by 
Nicole Dorsey
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Katie Surridge

Fitness dance workouts and artistic dance classes challenge your body. Proper warm-ups and cool-downs that incorporate stretches that target the muscles you focus on in class can help protect you from injury, increase flexibility, improve posture and balance, and even progress your technique.

Start Running for Better Health

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
J. Michael (Mike) Siemens, M.S.

You’ve probably heard that running is a top calorie burner, stress reliever and health booster. Not sure your knees can take it? Contrary to popular belief, all that pounding doesn’t raise your risk of osteoarthritis, and it may even protect the cartilage in your joints.

Stick-With-It Walking Solutions

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Darcy Force McCue

You don’t need a trainer to create a walking program that will give you the exercise you need (although consulting one may be useful if you have specific goals in mind, or you are not seeing the results you hoped for). Keep these three key elements in mind as you plan your outings.

The Health Benefits of Dancing

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Christina Lopez

It’s never been easier or more popular to shake your booty and reap the many health benefits of dance. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, boost your mood, maintain your flexibility or keep your mind sharp, dancing does it all.

Tweak Your Walking Technique

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Richard Butler, M.S., C.S.C.S.

One of the most wonderful things about walking is its sheer simplicity, so you might be surprised by just how important your walking technique is. Using proper form can make walking feel easier, prevent injury and speed up your pace.

Understanding Intervals

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Richard Butler, M.S., C.S.C.S.

Whether you’re ready to take your jogging workouts to the next level, improve your pace in an upcoming race, accelerate weight loss or maximize the minutes you spend logging miles, adding intervals to your running routine can help you reach your goals.

Walking for Weight Loss

Written by 
Canyon Ranch Staff
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Dawn Sweerus, M.S.

You would be hard pressed to find a more convenient activity that encourages weight loss than walking. No other weight loss activity fits so easily into everyday life. Your journey to a healthy weight truly can start with something as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

Walking with Friends

Written by 
Natalie Gingerich Mackenzie
Canyon Ranch Reviewer: 
Darcy Force McCue

Friends bring us laughter, support and fun—they’re among life’s greatest gifts. Not to be overlooked, they can also be a boon to your walking routine. Walking with a friend can actually change the way you look at this beneficial aerobic activity—even how you experience it.