How do you know if you are pushing too hard during your workouts? Overtraining is a real phenomenon. It is possible to train so much that you break your body down rather than build it up. But most people never come close to “real” overtraining, which is highlighted (lowlighted?) by physical breakdowns that are hard […]
NutritionWhy Activated Charcoal Has More Health Risk Than Reward
Remember when getting a lump of coal from Santa meant you were bad? These days, coal — or activated charcoal, to be exact — is offered in health stores, smoothies, and supplements as a “cure-all” cleanser for a variety of health ailments. While most cleanses or detoxes have no science behind them (primarily because most […]
FitnessAre You Overtraining? (Here’s How to Tell)
How do you know if you are pushing too hard during your workouts? Overtraining is a real phenomenon. It is possible to train so much that you break your body down rather than build it up. But most people never come close to “real” overtraining, which is highlighted (lowlighted?) by physical breakdowns that are hard […]
FitnessI Want to Look More Muscular. What’s the Best Way to Make Gains?
There’s one thing that all the biggest, most muscular people on the planet have in common. It’s not great genetics. (Good genes help, but plenty of people have gotten huge without having been blessed with it at birth.) It’s not that they all just live at the gym and do nothing else, or follow some […]
NutritionShould I Cut Out Alcohol to Get Rid of Fat?
People are constantly posing the question: “does alcohol make you fat?” The relationship between alcohol and weight loss is complicated. Here, we break down and offer suggestions on how to manage that relationship.
NutritionCarb-Loading: When to Do It, and When to Avoid It?
Research in the Journal of Applied Physiology shows carb loading can be great for certain types of workouts. Here’s when — and how much — to carb load.
FitnessDoes Having More Muscle Really Increase Your Metabolism?
Recently we received the following question from a reader: “I’ve always thought that adding muscle speeds up your metabolism. But then I read this isn’t correct. So what’s the truth: Does increasing your muscle mass really increase your metabolism?” -Phil, Vancouver For as long as I can remember, a lot of people have believed that […]
NutritionCBD Oil: Should You Take It?
Here’s how much times have changed. Less than 20 years ago, I used to drive past billboards warning against the use of marijuana. Use it or possess it, the signs warned, and you’ll go to jail. Two weeks ago, I was in a health food store with a 60-year-old relative who bought a (perfectly legal) […]
NutritionMilk Isn’t Bad For You (But 6 Types of People May Want to Avoid It)
Here’s what research does — and doesn’t — say about the effects of milk on your health, and how to tell whether milk is actually doing your body any good.
NutritionIs Saturated Fat Bad? No. But It’s Not a Health Food Either.
You were wrongly taught to fear saturated fat for decades. Now it’s making a comeback, however, claims about saturated fat’s benefits may be going too far.
FitnessHow Anyone Can Master the Pull-up
Can’t do a pull-up? We’re here to fix that—and help you get better abs in the process. Here’s how to work up to a pull-up, with a training plan that will actually fit into your real life.
breakfast RecipesBreakfast for Champions: The Best Steel Cut Oats Recipe Imaginable
Win the day, every day. This healthy steel cut oats recipe provides the fiber, protein, and healthy fats needed to fuel body and mind from sunup to sundown. It’s the best way to start the day if you like being awesome.
NutritionWhat is a “High-Quality” Protein?
Some protein sources are better than others, according to science. Here’s how to tell whether a protein is—or isn’t—high quality.