Research/News
Re-framing Health Beyond Weight and Aesthetics for the Modern Male Client
Introduction: Why the Conversation Around Men’s Health Needs to Change For decades, men’s health within the fitness industry has been framed through a narrow set of outcomes. Weight loss, visible…
Exercise and the Brain: It Will Make You Want to Work Out
A plethora of scientific evidence clearly
depicts how regular aerobic exercise and resistance training can help to prevent and/or manage hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes,
osteoporosis, arthritis, stress, colon cancer, abnormal cholesterol levels and depression (Kravitz 2007). More recently, research on the favorable effects of exercise and brain function has been emerging.
Zone 2 Training: Where It Works and Where It’s Overapplied
What Zone 2 Actually Represents Zone 2 training is often presented as a simple target, typically defined by heart rate ranges or conversational effort. In practice, those markers are approximations…
Fitness Trackers Still Show Gaps in Accuracy Compared to Clinical Tools
Despite rapid improvements, consumer fitness trackers continue to show variability when compared to clinical-grade measurement tools. Research highlights discrepancies in areas such as calorie expenditure, sleep staging and recovery metrics….
The Rise of Peptides in Fitness Culture
Peptides have quickly become one of the most discussed topics in fitness, longevity and anti-aging circles. Online forums, wellness clinics and social media influencers frequently promote peptide compounds for fat…
Heat Training Is Becoming a Performance Tool
Training in hot environments is gaining attention as a strategy to enhance endurance performance. Heat acclimation can stimulate physiological adaptations such as increased plasma volume, improved sweating efficiency and enhanced…
Youth Sport Specialization Continues to Raise Injury Concerns
Early specialization in a single sport is increasingly common among young athletes. However, research suggests year-round participation in a single activity may increase the risk of overuse injuries and psychological…
Microplastics Are Emerging as a Potential Health Concern
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles created through environmental degradation—have recently been detected in human blood, lung tissue and other organs. Scientists are now investigating how widespread exposure may affect long-term health. For…
Exercise Plays a Key Role in Immune Health
Moderate, consistent exercise is widely recognized for supporting immune function. Research suggests regular physical activity enhances immune surveillance, improves circulation of immune cells and reduces chronic inflammation. However, extremely intense…
Wearables Provide Useful Data but Accuracy Still Varies
Wearable fitness technology has expanded rapidly, giving consumers access to real-time data about steps, sleep, heart rate and activity levels. While these tools can support motivation and awareness, researchers caution…
Exercise Timing May Influence Metabolic Health
Researchers are increasingly exploring how the timing of exercise interacts with circadian rhythms. Some evidence suggests physical activity performed later in the day may improve blood glucose regulation and metabolic…
Exercise May Shape the Gut Microbiome
Emerging research suggests regular physical activity may influence the composition and function of the gut microbiome. Studies comparing athletes with sedentary individuals have found differences in microbial diversity and metabolic…
Muscle Quality May Be as Important as Muscle Size
Researchers are increasingly examining muscle quality; the strength and function of muscle relative to its size, as a key factor in physical performance and healthy aging. Studies suggest muscle quality…
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Remains One of the Strongest Health Predictors
Cardiorespiratory fitness, often measured through VO₂ max, continues to emerge as one of the most powerful indicators of long-term health. Numerous studies show that individuals with higher aerobic fitness levels…
Hybrid Work May Be Reducing Daily Movement
The shift toward hybrid and remote work is reshaping how people accumulate daily physical activity. Recent research suggests individuals take significantly fewer steps on days they work from home compared…
Sitting Too Long May Still Harm Health – Even if You Exercise
Meeting recommended exercise guidelines does not fully offset the health risks of prolonged sedentary behavior. A growing body of research indicates that extended periods of sitting can independently increase the…
Exercise “Snacks” Continue to Gain Scientific Support
Short bouts of movement spread throughout the day are gaining credibility as a practical way to improve health. Researchers are increasingly studying “exercise snacks” – brief bursts of activity lasting…
Cardio “Snacks”: The Smart Way to Stay Active Indoors
When outdoor conditions aren’t ideal—whether due to allergens, weather, or time constraints—many fitness enthusiasts are turning to “cardio snacks.” These are short, 5–10 minute bouts of activity performed throughout the…
Scope of Fuel: Coaching Nutrition Without Crossing the Line
In the age of Ozempic and Influencers, the most valuable tool in your kit isn’t a meal plan—it’s your scope of practice. Mike Fantigrassi, Head of Product, NASM It usually…
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Outperforms BMI in Mortality Prediction
Large-scale cohort analyses continue to demonstrate that cardiorespiratory fitness strongly predicts mortality risk, often independent of body mass index. Individuals classified as overweight but exhibiting high fitness levels show lower…
